Stockport MBC statutory officers should meet more regularly, a peer review team has advised the council.
The Local Government Association Corporate Peer Challenge team claimed there was good relationships across the council, but it lacked a monthly meeting of the ‘golden triangle’ – the head of paid service, section 151 officer and monitoring officer.
Council reviewer and commissioner Max Caller recently claimed a lack of regular meetings between statutory officers was often a ‘red flag’ at poorly performing authorities.
The peer review team also praised the council for its relationships with partner organisation, its place-shaping and said: ‘The council’s approach to scrutiny is a real asset.’
While the team said there was a ‘strong history of financial management’, it warned the Stockport was facing increased financial instability. It said: ‘The council may require a “gear change” to address the pressures that they face beyond 2025 due to increased demand and austerity.’
It also called for the council to review its constitution and working practices ‘to bring [it] in-line with sector norms.’
Stockport chief executive, Caroline Simpson, said the peer review had given the council ‘invaluable feedback’. She added: ‘We will now be incorporating the recommendations from this work into our plans for 2023/2024.’
This article was originally published by The MJ (£).
