NALC's second Peer Review pilot commences 

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and its Peer Review team arrived today at Falmouth Town Council to pilot its second-ever Peer Review of a local (parish or town) council.

It follows the success of the first pilot at Chippenham Town Council (read the summary report), which focussed on place leadership, resources and financial capacity, and governance and capacity, and supported by the Local Government Association (LGA).

The peer review team will spend three days in Falmouth, providing immediate feedback on the final day and a report to follow. The review team consists of Charlotte Eisenhart (NALC), Paul Clarke (LGA), Cllr Chris Schofield (Oswestry Town Council), Jane Biscombe (Weymouth Town Council) and Bryony Houlden (South West Councils).

Cllr Sue Baxter, chairman of NALC, said: "We are delighted to continue working with the LGA, the Peer Review team and Falmouth Town Council to deliver this Peer Review. This initiative strongly supports one of our strategic aims, to support local councils and councillors, and continue to incorporate sector-led improvement to our councils."

Cllr Steve Eva, mayor of Falmouth Town Council, said: "In the last seven years, the council has undergone rapid expansion through devolved service and asset acquisition from Cornwall Council. Leading to many changes to the way we delivered services, which helped us to create a strong partnership working approach. With this, the inclusion in the Peer Review pilot is threefold; to establish if the council's administrative systems and resourcing are fit for purpose, to assess if the place leadership approach is sustained, and to take stock of the council's progress and effectiveness of its leadership and governance."

The Peer Review is a performance improvement programme which involves a small team of local government officers and councillors spending time with a local council and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders connected to the council to help with their improvement and learning.