Most Improved council
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough CA
In two years, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority has gone from being issued with a Best Value Notice to becoming a best value organisation in some areas.This turnaround is down to leadership, working in partnership with Constituent Councils and stakeholders, a methodical and thorough approach to implementing improvement and fostering a can do and one team culture with staff. We have also listened to feedback and acted upon it as a learning organisation.Progress has been at pace and our improvement journey continues with our Better Never Stops approach.
Croydon LBC
Croydon has changed at an unprecedented scale and speed. We are rebuilding our council after one of the most challenging financial and governance crises in local government. We own our past, but we are not defined by it. This is a new chapter for Croydon. We are tackling our challenges, with sound financial management and robust governance. We are transforming to become a modern, cost-effective council, that puts residents first. Through our commitment to transparency and accountability, we are rebuilding trust. The government has recognised Croydon’s progress; through our relentless focus and commitment, we have improved – and at pace.
East Hampshire DC
In 2024, East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) redefined what it means to be a forward-thinking, efficient council. Building on a transformation programme launched in 2020, we delivered £1.51m in savings, moved into sustainable new headquarters, brought IT services in-house, and launched a Case Management Team to simplify customer journeys. We restructured our Senior Leadership Team, refreshed our Council Strategy, and empowered communities through asset transfers and a Climate Action Fund. From tackling fly-tipping to boosting economic growth, every initiative focused on modernising services, improving sustainability, and enhancing residents’ lives—proving EHDC is truly an improving council.
Liverpool City Council
2024 has been a transformational year for Liverpool City Council. Our improvement journey has accelerated at pace, building on the strong foundations and groundwork laid in previous years, to deliver positive and lasting results for our workforce, residents and city. We can demonstrate significant, tangible strengthening of the Council’s political and officer leadership, a more robust approach to governance, the impacts of a wide-reaching transformation programme and a more stable financial position. Our workforce understands and buys in to the journey we are on, and so did the government-appointed commissioners – who handed back full control to LCC in June.
Oldham MBC
Oldham Council is on a remarkable journey of transformation, resilience, and renewal. Guided by co-operative values, we’ve tackled challenges head-on, delivering innovative solutions that improve lives, empower communities, and inspire pride. From ambitious regeneration projects and better public services to national recognition for our crisis responses, Oldham is thriving. We've achieved record-breaking results in education, pioneered compassionate care for vulnerable residents, and revitalised our town centre by blending heritage with bold new ideas. Together, with our residents and partners, we’re shaping a brighter, inclusive future and making Oldham a place we’re all proud to call home.
Sandwell MBC
In January 2024, the Local Government Minister praised Sandwell Council’s “significant improvements” and a “step change in the way in which the council has organised itself and its approach to governance”. From an insular organisation where trust had broken down and difficult decisions were avoided, a cultural reset has allowed us to rebuild member-officer relationships and restore corporate grip, leading to tangible improvements in customer service and outcomes for residents.We’re now a confident, customer and outcome-focused authority, striving for consistent high performance and proudly working in partnership to make robust and long-term plans to tackle deprivation and disadvantage.
Sheffield City Council
Sheffield City Council has been on a rapid and transformative improvement journey over the last two years. We have set a bold new vision for our council, underpinned by our organisational values, and are working at pace to deliver for our communities. We have led major changes in our city centre, developed bold new sector-leading partnerships, and are delivering increasingly highly-performing services for the people of our amazing city. We will be submitting a bid for council of the year by 2028 but we want to showcase the progress we are making now!
Swindon BC
Resident satisfaction Council services - UP!Colleague satisfaction with the Council as a place to work – UP! Corporate Peer Challenge states Swindon is on the UP! These are the three core metrics which tell us that Swindon Borough Council is rapidly improving. Through the eyes of residents, colleagues and partners.LGA Corporate Peer Challenge report (September 2024): “Members and Officers at SBC have achieved much in the past 15 months and should be congratulated for putting in place sound foundations upon which to build.”
Thanet DC
We were close to government intervention.Issued with an external audit report, the Council Leader self-referred the organisation to thegovernment and there was close involvement from the LGA. An Independent Monitoring Officer(IMO) was brought in and made a number of urgent recommendations.Under a new Chief Executive and new majority administration, there has been renewed focus toprogress effective governance, establish strong financial management and ultimately supportdelivery of the council’s ambitions to improve our residents’ lives and the wider district.We are now well clear of intervention and are embarking on an ambitious transformation journey.