Peer Challenge

As a commitment to learning and improvement we invited the Local Government Association (LGA) to review how we operate. The LGA Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) provides an independent and objective assessment of achievements, challenges, and future plans, as we continue on our journey of development.

The report from the LGA is following the peer team's visit in June 2025, it recognised Herefordshire Council as a "good council that is striving hard to improve further," highlighting our strong sense of place, maturing political culture, and growing confidence in leadership.

The peer team acknowledged our commitment to transformation, our improving children's services, and our increasingly strategic role in regional partnerships.

The report commends the council's leadership, both political and managerial, for its openness, accessibility, and collaborative approach. It also notes the positive shift in organisational culture, improved staff engagement, and our strong commitment to equalities and inclusive service delivery.

We are proud of the progress made in key areas, including:

• Children's Services: Significant improvements have been recognised by Ofsted monitoring visits, reflecting the dedication of our staff and leadership.
• Financial management: A stable financial base, national recognition for excellence in governance, and a proactive approach to medium-term financial planning.
• Partnership working: Constructive engagement with strategic partners, including the voluntary sector, health bodies, and regional economic boards.
• Transformation and innovation: A clear strategy is in place, and we are working with SOCITM to strengthen our digital and data capabilities.
• Leadership and management: Visible and accessible leadership which has contributed to a positive shift in organisational culture, creating a more open, listening council, focused on delivery and collaboration.

The LGA findings report included a set of recommendations and we have produced a draft action plan as a response, we are committed to taking forward the following key actions:

1. Accelerate corporate transformation with a clear delivery plan and appropriate resourcing.
2. Strengthen data and insight capabilities to support strategic decision-making and service improvement.
3. Refresh the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and undertake robust scenario planning.
4. Build internal capacity to support transformation and improve oversight of commissioned services.
5. Deepen strategic engagement with partners, especially the voluntary sector, to co-deliver services.

We will publish a detailed action plan within five months and will participate in a progress review in March 2026, as part of our commitment to transparency and continuous improvement.