Councillors welcome independent review that praises St Helens Borough Council

Article date: April 23 2025

Members of the Cabinet spoke of the pride in the council as it received a highly positive report following a Corporate Peer Challenge from the Local Government Association to review the council's progress since its last full review in 2019.

Councillor Anthony Burns, Leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: "Every officer and councillor has worked hard to help the transformation of the organisation over the past five years. We have focussed on delivering an ambitious programme of change, while also building on the success of greater working with our partners to drive social and economic growth over the last five years. This was all while also dealing with unprecedented demands that the pandemic and economic instability brought about for us as an organisation.

"The Corporate Peer Challenge is yet anther external validation from independent reviewers of the excellent standards being delivered by the council for its residents and a recognition of an organisation that is being strongly led and meeting the needs of the communities across St Helens Borough. I look forward now to presenting this report to Council and am proud to lead this successful authority."

The report set out the improvements it had seen during its visit in February this year.

Comments included: "The council's leadership is highly respected within the borough and region, and the organisation is seen as a credible, active and effective partner. The contribution from St Helens Borough Council in partnerships across the borough and wider city region is both valued and recognised.

"The council has modernised and is functioning well in many areas. There is a good understanding, particularly across the political and managerial leadership, of the areas for further improvement and development, and an obvious commitment to and focus on those. The council knows what it needs to do."

The peer team spent four days onsite at the council, during which they gathered evidence, information, and views from more than 40 meetings, in addition to further research and reading and spoke to more than 100 people including a range of council staff together with members and external stakeholders

They met a passionate workforce and cross-party councillors who spoke of the ambitious plans for the borough and recognised that the council's financial position is in a more stable position compared to many other similar sized authorities.

As part of the review process the report set out 10 supporting recommendations and the council had formed an action plan that will address these areas going forward which will go to Council for approval.

Councillor Burns added: "We have had confirmation now that we have firm foundations in place, acting as the building blocks for the regeneration of our borough, our ability to provide support for the most vulnerable when they need our help, and the strength of our partnerships to empower our communities to take pride in this great borough.

"We know where we can enhance this support further, create better opportunities for our residents and businesses to benefit and meet the challenges that lie ahead, and this action plan will put those plans in place to make St Helens Borough the very best it can be."

The report is another external validation of the how well the council functions including a Good Ofsted inspection for Children's Services in 2023; Grant Thornton, the council's independent financial auditors, confirming that the council has robust measures in place to ensure the continued economic and efficient use of resources. The council was also the first in England to have last year's accounts signed off, an indication of auditor's confidence in the council and its financial position.

Read the full report here: LGA Corporate Peer Challenge Final Report