Progress made following Corporate Peer Challenge

Progress made following Corporate Peer Challenge

Cabinet has today received an update on the progress made following the Local Government Association Corporate Peer Challenge of Knowsley Council which took place in November 2025.

A Corporate Peer Challenge includes a team of Local Government Officers and Elected Members visiting the Council to provide challenge and share best practice. During their time in Knowsley, the team reviewed the Council's leadership, governance, financial sustainability, performance and organisational culture.

The outcome of the Corporate Peer Challenge was overwhelmingly positive with the report recognising and confirming that the Council is a well-managed organisation with significant achievements; it demonstrates strong financial management and grip, with detailed forecasting and monitoring; it has a positive organisational culture with high levels of trust and collaboration; it has effective governance arrangements, including scrutiny and audit processes; it demonstrates proactive partnership working; and it has clear strategic priorities embedded in the Council Plan 2025 to 2030 and aligned with Knowsley 2030 vision.

The team identified nine strategic recommendations, including developing a more consistent approach to corporate change; strengthen medium-term planning; intentionally defining and embedding the culture of the Council; and continue to prioritise corporately the improvement of Children's Social Care.

An action plan to address the recommendations has been developed and Cabinet today received an update on the progress that has been made. Key progress includes the development of a transformation programme, regular oversight and assurance meetings which review costs versus outcomes, the development of the Council's People Strategy and HR policy reviews, and the Children's Social Care improvement journey continues to be a Council-wide priority with significant financial investment confirmed along with additional leadership capacity.

Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, said: "We have made significant progress to address the recommendations made by the Corporate Peer Challenge team and we have moved from planning to delivery. Actions are embedded into core governance, performance, finance, and risk management arrangements.

"I look forward to welcoming back the Corporate Peer Challenge team again later this year to highlight the further improvements we have made, for the benefit of our staff, residents, businesses and visitors to Knowsley."

You can read a copy of the Action Plan and progress made to date here.