In September, the Local Government Association (LGA) carried out a week long ‘Peer Challenge’ which provides feedback on the council’s performance.
The Peer Review report stated Wolverhampton was a “blueprint for how good partnership working should be done” and found that the council had “solid foundations” in place when it came to tackling the financial challenges it faces.
The report found the council has a “people centric, collaborative and caring organisational culture” and praised the positive working relationship between councillors and officers.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Peer Review Challenge team to Wolverhampton and show them what we’re all about.
“It’s obviously nice to receive such positive feedback but the most important thing for me was that it found we were making a real difference to our city, which is what we’re here to do. I hope this gives our residents some reassurance about us being a well run council that is delivering for them.”
The review team included Salford City Council Chief Executive Tom Stannard, Leader of Wigan Council Councillor David Molyneux and a team of directors from other local authorities across the country.
During the visit, the team met with more than 100 people including councillors, frontline staff and partners from the city and across the region.
Chief Executive Tim Johnson said: “As this was our first Peer Review Challenge in more than 5 years, it was a good opportunity to demonstrate that we are a high performing council.
“I’m pleased it showed that, despite the pressures facing local government across the country, we are in a good position to deal with the challenges ahead.
“But what stood out most to me was that it found our staff had huge passion and commitment to the city and felt inspired to work here.
“This underlines our ‘One Council’ approach which is what will help us continue to succeed and deliver for everyone in Wolverhampton.”
The Peer Review Challenge report was taken to Wednesday’s meeting of Full Council. The full report can be read at LGA Corporate Peer .
