North Tyneside Council has welcomed the findings of its recent Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge, which praised the strength of the borough’s partnerships, the dedication of its workforce, and the council’s clear commitment to improving outcomes for residents.
The four‑day review, carried out in March by a team of senior local government peers, involved more than 40 meetings and conversations with over 65 people, including residents, council colleagues, local councillors, businesses, voluntary and community organisations and public sector partners.
The peer team’s overall assessment was highly positive, highlighting:
- strong shared commitment across the borough to improving residents’ lives
- high‑quality services, including outstanding children’s services and strong adult social care
- a mature, collaborative organisational culture built on kindness, professionalism and pride
- effective partnership working, with partners describing the council as open, constructive and easy to work with
- clear priorities for the borough, shaped by extensive engagement with residents and partners
The team also recognised the leadership of the Elected Mayor and Chief Executive, noting their accessibility, inclusive approach and the confidence they inspire across the organisation and wider borough.
Alongside these strengths, the peer team set out four key recommendations. These include developing an exciting place‑based vision, strengthening financial sustainability, and using the council’s Plan for Change to drive transformation at scale.
The council has published a comprehensive Action Plan setting out how it will respond to each recommendation. Progress will be reviewed by the LGA in 2027.
The CPC team also drew on the findings of an independent financial resilience review carried out by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). The CIPFA report was extremely positive about the council’s financial governance and the strength of working relationships between officers and elected members, while also highlighting the financial pressures facing all local government organisations. The council is developing a separate action plan to take forward CIPFA’s recommendations.
Elected Mayor of North Tyneside Karen Clark said: “We are really pleased with the feedback from the peer team. Their findings reflect the pride, professionalism and commitment we see every day across North Tyneside. We welcome their recommendations and are already taking action to build on our strengths and ensure we are in the best possible position for the future, working closely with our communities and partners to create a shared vision for the borough.”
North Tyneside Council Chief Executive Jackie Laughton said: “The peer challenge was a valuable opportunity to reflect on where we are as an organisation and our ambitions for North Tyneside. I want to thank everyone who took part. The feedback is encouraging and gives us a clear platform to continue improving outcomes for our residents.”
The full LGA Corporate Peer Challenge report and the council’s Action Plan are available on the North Tyneside Council website.
Image caption: The Corporate Peer Challenge team during their visit to North Tyneside in March