Peer review progress report recognises ‘good progress’ made by Council

The report summarises the LGA’s findings that “What has been achieved represents a positive trajectory in key aspects of the functioning of the council, with some elements marking a real ‘step change’. 

“The progress made is testimony both to the hard work of officers and the willingness of elected members to make the necessary funding available.”

The in-depth report, which followed up on an initial Peer Review in September 2024, recognised progress in many areas, including:

•    the creation of a Corporate Plan – “a significant undertaking that has been successfully delivered” and provides the Council with agreed priorities to deliver
•    a strengthened approach to scrutiny and challenge of the Administration 
•    enhancements to customer service, and improved risk, performance and project management
•    a business change transformation programme driving the use of digital 
•    steps taken to address previous significant gaps in health and safety management practices and fire safety matters
•    a strengthened communication function supporting community consultation and engagement
The report additionally gave special mention to “important achievements”, commending the following as “merely a partial snapshot” of key projects:
•    successfully re-opening of the Paddocks community hub following a £2.3m investment which has “resulted in a renewed sense of purpose and usage”
•    initiatives to improve physical activity levels, including over a million pounds of funding secured 
•    kick-starting the transformation of leisure centres into active well-being hubs
•    an increase in health and fitness memberships from 3,500 to 5,500 in two years
•    more than doubling the number of people undertaking swimming lessons to 1,700
•    the reintroduction of night street lighting 
•    a popular new Council-owned, independently run café on the seafront
•    the purchase of a new workshop for fleet, providing greater scope in the types of vehicles that it can operate and increasing maintenance capacity
•    voluntary and community sector establishing a presence in the main council offices

The report also noted the development of a culture which “values and demonstrates openness and transparency much more than was the case a few years ago”, adding that: “things that have gone awry are nowadays admitted and acknowledged, enabling corrective actions to be undertaken proactively where possible.”

In closing, the report noted that the Council is “delivering well against many of the corporate peer challenge recommendations.”

Chief Executive, Angela Hutchings, said: “Castle Point Borough Council has made substantial progress since our initial Peer Review, and it is testament to hard work by Officers and Members alike that we have received this positive Progress Report.

“The latest edition of Castle Point Together, distributed to all households and on our website, provides more information about what has been achieved – and what’s to come in 2026.” 

Leader of the Council, Cllr Dave Blackwell, said: “I’m delighted that the Local Government Association has recognised what the Council has achieved as well as the significant efforts of Members and Officers.

“I am proud of the radical improvements which have been made, and that we can now say confidently that Castle Point Borough Council is ‘Fit for the Future’. Further recommendations have been welcomed and will be delivered by the end of this year.”

Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Warren Gibson, said: “I am pleased that the Local Government Association has recognised not just the significant achievements delivered by this administration, but also the culture of openness and transparency. This report highlights the Council’s many achievements of the last three years and is a significant step in our continued improvement.”