BROMSGROVE District Council has been recognised for being open to ‘new ideas’, according to a report from public sector experts.

However senior managers, officers and members must also set aside time to pause and reflect on the journey so far to redefine the next steps.

The Corporate Peer Challenge Feedback report follows a visit to the council by colleagues from the Local Government Association (LGA).

Key recommendations include the council celebrating its shared services success with Redditch Borough Council, which has saved £7.5m since 2010/11.

To complement this, the report suggests the council should define a shared, single workforce culture ‘from the bottom up’ to negate the need for two structures and systems of governance.

Bromsgrove District Council leader Geoff Denaro said: “It was really refreshing to have this feedback from our peers as it is all too easy to become complacent and carry on with day to day business without challenge.

“This wasn’t an inspection but an opportunity for us to look at ourselves through someone else’s eyes.

“There were no surprises but reading the feedback in black and white has encouraged us to re-evaluate the direction of this Council and how we are going to get there.”

During the visits peers from different councils across the country and the LGA met with 120 people and held 50 separate meetings.

A full copy of the report is at bromsgrove.gov.uk/cpc.