Chippenham and Knutsford shine in the latest Corporate Peer Challenge reports
Two high-performing parish and town councils have taken another step forward in their commitment to excellence. Chippenham Town Council in Wiltshire and Knutsford Town Council in Cheshire recently completed their Corporate Peer Challenges, and glowing feedback has been published in full.
These reviews are part of our Local Government Association (LGA) partnership. The initiative supports the country's largest and most ambitious parish and town councils, particularly those with the prestigious Gold Award in the Local Council Award Scheme, by offering a deep-dive review of their strategic performance and impact.
Chippenham Town Council's review took place from 28 to 30 January 2025, marking their second time through the process after being part of the original pilot in 2019. Their peer team featured Cllr Mike Drew (Yate Town Council), Ian Morris (Spennymoor Town Council), Chloe Newcombe-Jones (Bath and North East Somerset Council) and Kathryn Trant (LGA). The report highlighted Chippenham's standout role in the community, praising its strong local partnerships and high-quality services. The team made constructive recommendations to enhance performance management, equality and diversity policies, HR frameworks, and communication strategies.
Knutsford Town Council welcomed its peer team from 5 to 7 November 2024. The visiting team included Anders Hanson (NALC), Jill Scarr (LGA), Cllr Steve Walker (Waddesdon Parish Council), and Mark Williams (Falmouth Town Council). They found a council with a clear, ambitious strategic plan and a proactive, forward-thinking team behind it. The report praised Knutsford's leadership and staff for their professionalism and drive. It offered targeted recommendations to build on their success, particularly in asset and town centre management and deepening collaboration with the principal authority.
The LGA compiled comprehensive reports for both councils, offering actionable guidance to help them reach new heights. Now publicly available our website, these reports were formally presented to councillors alongside detailed action plans. Both councils will host a follow-up visit within 12 months to review their progress and continue their improvement journey.
This process underscores the power of peer learning and shared expertise in the local government sector and celebrates parish and town councils' commitment to delivering outstanding local leadership.
