Panel Performance Assessment

One of the requirements of the new local government improvement regime set out in the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act is for Council’s to undertake a Panel Performance Assessment, or PPA, once in every election cycle. 

The PPA has to set out conclusions on whether the Council met the ‘performance requirements’ during that financial year and make recommendations on actions needed to improve.

The performance requirements focus on:

1. Are we exercising our functions effectively
2. Are we using our resources economically, efficiently and effectively
3. Is our governance strong.

Our first PPA took place in September 2025 with the panel on site between 16-19 September 2025. They undertook interviews with a range of elected members, council officers and partners. They also held focus groups with users of council services and community representatives, including Trade Unions, Town and Community Councils, the business community, Youth Council, older people, citizens and headteachers.

In addition to the three statutory performance requirements, we asked the panel to focus on three further areas:

1. Transformation - The development of a transformation strategy that meets political and key stakeholder aspirations that is underpinned by effective arrangements for delivery, performance management and a culture of constructive challenge. A clear need to focus on mechanisms and capacity for transformation that will improve citizens experience and create an organisation that is sustainable in the medium and long term.
   
   
2. Addressing workforce challenges - Building on strengthened workforce planning, address challenges in recruitment in key areas, and improve succession planning, to help the Council create a long-term workforce strategy.
   
   
3. Improving engagement - Building on improvements to strategic communication, improve the council’s engagement and relationships internally with councillors and externally with local communities and town and community councils to help it become more citizen focused.

For each of the three performance requirements and the three areas raised by the council, the panel outlined strengths and areas for improvement. The panel also provided eight recommendations.

The assessment recognised the council as performing well, with strong leadership, a committed workforce, and clear self-awareness, but highlighted a need to accelerate change to ensure long-term sustainability.