The Improvement Plan, included as Appendix 1, has been developed in response to the External Assurance Review commissioned by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). The External Assurance Review was undertaken as a condition of the Council’s request for exceptional financial support from the government in 2020/21 and 2021/22. The development of an Improvement Plan and its effective implementation is a condition of the government granting this support for 2021/22.

The Improvement Plan also responds to the report and recommendations arising from the Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge in March 2022. The Corporate Peer Challenge report is included as Appendix 2 to this report.

Resolved (unanimously) – That the Improvement Plan be approved.

The development and implementation of an approved Improvement Plan is a condition of the Council’s exceptional financial support from the government.

An early draft of the Improvement Plan was shared with the LGA for comment. Officers from the LGA have provided guidance on good practice on improvement planning and the Improvement Plan reflects this guidance.