East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) has been praised following a year-long Corporate Peer Challenge review into its operations.
An report in the review process published last year described the council as 'well-run' and 'strong and sustainable', with staff praised as 'passionate' and 'committed to the council and residents'.
Despite these achievements, the reviewers did call for more councillor training, improvements in the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee and more opportunities for service managers.
The final report from the Local Government Association (LGA) review welcomes ‘positive achievements’, particularly around establishing a forum for service managers to meet, raising their profile and influence, broadening member development and improving Overview and Scrutiny.
With local government reorganisation (LGR) now on the horizon, some recommendations were adapted to reflect the council's shifting priorities as it moves towards its planned closure in 2028.
The report noted: ‘Where the council has needed to pivot on some of the recommendations because of LGR, it has done so in a way that has been understandable and transparent and with the aim of ensuring that all staff have opportunities to prepare for LGR. It is clear that EHDC wants to be the best council it can be by the time LGR happens.’
Council leader Richard Millard said the report reflected well on staff and councillors, adding that as the last review of its kind the council would receive, it was pleasing to have such a positive endorsement.
