Buckinghamshire Council welcomes the positive findings of an independent review

The Local Government Association's (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge took a week-long look at the council in early Autumn last year.

The Corporate Peer Challenge, a respected improvement and assurance tool that provides councils with external challenge and support, spent four days with the council's leadership, staff, members, and partners. 

Their review report has now been published, with the peer team finding that Buckinghamshire Council has made "a great start as a unitary council" with a clear headline message:

"Buckinghamshire Council has built strong foundations since becoming a unitary council in 2020, establishing a clear and unified organisational identity. The council should feel immensely proud and confident in what they have achieved in a relatively short time."

It reported that the organisation is well‑placed for a strong future, supported by a new Leader and a clear vision for delivering for residents.

The report highlighted the council's sound financial management and strong leadership culture in a number of ways. It noted that: "Buckinghamshire Council has developed a credible and structured approach to financial planning... The council has sound financial systems and processes to manage its financial position both for the current year and over the medium term... It has a good track record of savings delivery and is currently on target to achieve the savings set for 2025/26."

The report also recognised that Buckinghamshire Council's demonstrated a commitment to continuous improvement, with a particular commendation of the council's digital innovation and the use of AI to enhance service delivery, as well as creative initiatives such as the "Year of Creativity" and Creativity Camps, which support staff‑led problem-solving and innovation.

Despite the financial pressures affecting councils nationally and particularly those in the South East, the peer team highlighted Buckinghamshire's "strong, collaborative economic growth plan supported by a well-established Growth Board, strategic partnerships, and active regional engagement to boost investment and connectivity."

They noted that the economic growth plan focuses on accelerating development, supporting microbusinesses, and developing high‑growth sectors to secure future‑ready jobs and retain local talent.

The report also recognised Buckinghamshire's "consistently strong" partnerships—particularly with health providers and the voluntary and community sector. The council's focus on early intervention and prevention was described as placing Buckinghamshire "ahead of many other councils still working to embed this approach."

The peer team also reviewed, at the council's request, Buckinghamshire's approach to regeneration and offered constructive recommendations to strengthen and expand the benefits of regeneration across more communities.

Steven Broadbent, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, said:

"I am very pleased with the positive and constructive feedback from the LGA's Corporate Peer Challenge. It confirms that Buckinghamshire Council is in a strong position, with solid leadership, sound financial management in the light of growing budget pressure, and an ambitious and clear vision for the future. 

"It gives external validation to the rationale for many of our key policies and priorities, particularly where growing our local economy and improving employment and skills prospects are concerned. I have made it a real priority to drive forward a dynamic and positive approach since becoming Leader and I'm really pleased the report reflects the gains we are making as an authority and the county.

"I'm especially proud of the recognition for our staff and partners, whose hard work and commitment continue to drive improvements for our residents. 

"We welcome the recommendations made and will consider how to use them to help us strengthen our organisation further. Our focus now is on building on these foundations as we continue delivering for Buckinghamshire."

Buckinghamshire Council is now developing an action plan that will set out how it will respond to the peer team's findings. This will be published in early March 2026.