Agenda item

This report updates members on the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) and outcome of progress review visit undertaken by the peer review team in November 2025 providing an opportunity to feedback on progress made against the initial review recommendations. This report shares the process and outcome of the Progress Review.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To note the feedback and next steps emerging from the Corporate Peer Challenge Progress Review.

(2)       To note Appendix B of the report setting out the updated Brent Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 26 January 2026

Councillor Muhammed Butt (Leader of the Council) introduced a report from the Chief Executive updating members on the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) and outcome of the progress review visit undertaken by the peer review team in November 2025.

In introducing the report, Councillor Butt began by thanking the CPC Team for returning to Brent and for the openness and challenge provided as part of the Progress Review, along with the Council Management Team and Cabinet for their engagement in the process.  Whilst acknowledging the constructive nature of the feedback provided, the scale of the task and challenges faced in being able to deliver (at pace) the Council’s aspirations for longer-term transformation were also recognised in noting the summary of progress achieved so far and readiness for the next stage of action.

Reference was also made to the challenge identified in relation to the silo culture and ongoing work in seeking to breakdown fragmented ways of working to ensure the necessary corporate approach, focussed around shared ownership and a culture of accountability for outcomes and delivery.

The CPC teams encouragement to sharpen the Council’s grip on change and to develop a shared vision for Brent’s future was welcomed as both timely and necessary.  Whilst the challenges identified were not felt to be insurmountable, the need to ensure a continued focus on delivery and transparency was also recognised in terms of the ambition and ongoing journey to build a better Brent and continue driving prosperity and creating opportunities for every community across the borough.

The outcome of the review and ongoing progress identified by the CPC was also welcomed by Kim Wright (as Chief Executive) who also highlighted the shared commitment and focus by officers on delivery of the actions and recommendations with the CPC Action Plan in order to develop the organisation and continue delivering the best outcomes for residents.

In considering the report, Cabinet welcomed what was felt be the constructive feedback from the Review Team along with the level of progress identified and further opportunities highlighted around the ongoing process of change and transformation as well as financial management and planning.  Whilst recognising the need to focus on delivery moving forward at pace and scale, the opportunity was taken to highlight (as examples of the collaborative and joined up nature of work being undertaken) the major restructure in Children’s Social Care aligned to wider social care reform and in seeking to address the needs of children and young people arising from the current pressures in relation to housing and temporary accommodation as well as development of the Carers Strategy with the Adult’s and Children’s transformation programmes now embedded within the Embrace Change Portfolio.

Members were also keen to recognise the reflective nature of the process in highlighting ongoing opportunities and areas for improvement such as the progress being made in response to the Council’s self-referral to the Social Housing Regulator and work being undertaken to address the associated compliance issues alongside development of the Housing Management Improvement Plan, acceleration of stock condition survey programme and work to rebuild the asset register.  The establishment of the new independently chaired Housing Management Advisory Board was also highlighted as an example of the focus in developing additional challenge and oversight alongside the work to improve tenant satisfaction with additional progress highlighted in relation to the initiatives rolled out to address the pressures in relation to temporary accommodation, including the B&B elimination plan.  Other initiatives highlighted included the focus on Supported Exempt Accommodation and agreement to broaden the EDI focus across disadvantaged groups beyond the nine protected characteristics following the recent adoption of the socio-economic duty and care experience as recognised protected characteristics.  In addition, reference was also made to the positive progress identified in relation to the efforts being made to strengthen the corporate procurement function following establishment of the Procurement Improvement Programme and development of the new Procurement Strategy and Social Value Policy as the foundation for delivering further cross cutting efficiencies with a clear financial impact.

In once again welcoming the open and constructive nature of the challenge provided and opportunities identified to encourage further improvement in what was recognised as the Council’s continuous journey in seeking to deliver the shared ambition and vision for Brent’s future against such challenging financial conditions Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To note the feedback and next steps emerging from the Corporate Peer Challenge Progress Review.

(2)       To note Appendix B of the report setting out the updated Brent Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan.