NALC helps deliver Corporate Peer Challenge in St Ives

St Ives Town Council in Cornwall has taken a significant step in strengthening its leadership and future planning after hosting a Corporate Peer Challenge earlier this month.

Delivered through our partnership with the Local Government Association (LGA), the three-day challenge between 4 and 6 March 2026 brought together experienced councillors and officers from across the sector to provide an independent, sector-led review of the council's governance, financial planning and capacity to improve.

The Corporate Peer Challenge is the cornerstone of sector-led improvement, offering parish and town councils a constructive perspective rather than a formal inspection. The panel draws on their collective expertise, peers review evidence, hold in-depth discussions and observe council operations to provide tailored, practical feedback.

During the visit, the panel examined key documents and engaged widely with those connected to the council's work. More than 20 meetings were held, with over 120 councillors, officers and stakeholders contributing insights into the council's strengths, challenges and ambitions.

Initial findings were shared with the council at the close of the visit, with a comprehensive report and recommendations due to be published later this year.

The peer team included Swanage Town Council clerk Martin Ayres, Christchurch Town Council councillor Paul Hilliard, Aylesbury Town Council's deputy clerk Adil Iftakhar, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Association of Local Councils' chief executive Mel Woof, and LGA's peer challenge manager Andrew Winfield.