Political leadership at Enfield Civic Centre said by Local Government Association to be “highly regarded”

Enfield Council has received a “strong vote of confidence” in a new independent report published by the Local Government Association (LGA).

The report follows an assessment of how Enfield Council operates, called a ‘corporate peer challenge’, which has given the authority “a good bill of health”.

Over a four-day period in November 2022, a team of senior experts from the LGA visited Enfield Civic Centre and worked with officers and members from across the political spectrum to conduct the assessment. The process was “not designed to provide an in-depth or technical assessment of plans and proposals” and was not equivalent to an inspection, but was designed to be “improvement focused”.

The LGA report states: “Enfield Council has demonstrated a strong commitment to transformational change, with clear evidence of being a driven organisation focused on improving the borough for all its residents. It is clear on its priorities and is set to build upon the successes of previous years, continuing to create positive outcomes for residents, with ambition and at pace.”

The report also highlights some areas where further improvement could be achieved – particularly in the planning department which was said to be operating with a “backlog” – and makes ten broad recommendations to the local authority.

Enfield Council has created an improvement plan in response to the recommendations. It includes a commitment to undertake a “complete restructuring” of both the council’s planning and corporate property teams. Progress made on the recommendations will form the basis for a return visit by the assessment team, expected in September 2023.

The LGA’s corporate peer challenge team consisted of seven members, including a council leader and chief executive from other local authorities.

The LGA report concluded: “The council has strong political leadership, and the leader is highly regarded by partners and staff. The administration is keen to provide strong and stable leadership and has worked hard, alongside the senior management team, to promote good officer and member relations and ensure that members are the driving force for the organisation.”

Separately, council leader Nesil Caliskan recently announced she was standing to become the Labour leader of the LGA.

For more information on the corporate peer challenge conducted by the LGA:
Visit enfield.gov.uk/services/your-council/corporate-peer-challenge

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