The LGA remains a ‘strong organisation’ that has continued to improve since its last corporate peer challenge in 2015, according to a cross-party political and officer team.
The peer team’s report highlights the important role the LGA has played supporting councils to respond to a number of national crises in recent years, and that its staff are highly motivated and passionate about what they do.
The organisation has a strong record for influencing the issues facing the sector, its regional teams are highly regarded for the support they bring to councils, and 84 per cent of local government stakeholders are supportive of its sector-led improvement approach – up from 62 per cent in 2015, the peer team says.
The LGA has significantly increased its financial resilience since 2015, and only two councils in England and Wales are currently not in membership.
The peer team’s recommendations include that the LGA should develop a closer working relationship with mayoral combined authorities and new county devolution areas; lead the design of a sector support and assurance framework for local government; and develop more horizon-scanning positions on behalf of the sector.
An LGA spokesperson said: “With the LGA taking the lead in offering improvement support to councils, it is right that, in the spirit of continuous improvement and as a member organisation, we hold ourselves up to the spotlight too.
“We are pleased that the peer team found the LGA to be a strong organisation that has continued to improve since our last challenge.
“However, we recognise that there is always room for improvement and an initial action plan has already been agreed by the LGA’s Board.”