The Resources and Corporate Performance Scrutiny Committee of Camden Council met on Monday 7 September 2026 to discuss the council's action plan in response to a Corporate Peer Challenge and to review its work programme for the upcoming year. The meeting's agenda also included the approval of previous minutes and an update on the council's medium-term financial position.

Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan

The committee was scheduled to consider the council's Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan. This plan outlines Camden Council's response to 12 recommendations made following a Corporate Peer Challenge conducted in November 2025. The challenge, offered by the Local Government Association (LGA), is designed to support continuous improvement within local government.

The Peer Team's report, which was appended to the agenda, described Camden Council as a well-run and high performing Council, with a purpose and values-led culture that supports psychological safety among staff, good relationships between Members and officers, and productive partnerships between the Council and the wider local partnership. The report highlighted Camden's commitment to inclusive economic growth, praising initiatives such as Good Work Camden, Camden's Community Wealth Fund, and the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) partnership.

The 12 recommendations from the Peer Team included:

• Being bold and confident in sharing Camden's story.
• Enhancing data driven prioritisation to align organisational delivery.
• Continuing to develop the council's culture, ensuring understanding of values, relational practice, and how the council's Missions translate to individual roles.
• Evolving place-based models beyond major regeneration areas to foster inclusive economic growth.
• Ensuring the next Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) focuses on Value for Money.
• Deepening the relational approach championed by the Corporate Management Team.
• Recognising and resourcing the scale of the ambitious Capital Programme, including the establishment of a Locally Led Urban Development Corporation.
• Reviewing the Council's Constitution to reflect current and future governance needs.
• Streamlining the Audit Committee's activity by refreshing its Terms of Reference.
• Preparing a strong induction and training programme for councillors ahead of the May 2026 elections.
• Articulating a clear, borough-wide inclusive growth offer, co-produced with residents and partners.
• Developing a clearer, lightweight evaluation framework and a more systematic process for identifying, scaling, and embedding what works.

The report indicated that Cabinet was asked to agree the Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan and to note the intention to bring a progress report to Cabinet within a year.

Work Programme 2026/27

The committee was also scheduled to review its work programme for the 2026/27 municipal year. This paper, from the Executive Director Corporate Services, provided an outline of the planned agenda items for the committee's meetings throughout the year. The committee was asked to consider the proposed programme and suggest any amendments. The terms of reference for the committee were also noted, which include scrutinising strategic and corporate policies and performance, assisting the Cabinet with the annual budget, and scrutinising the Corporate Services Directorate.

Minutes

The committee was scheduled to approve and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 2 July 2026.

Update on the Council's Medium Term Financial Position

A report on the council's medium-term financial position was also scheduled for discussion. This would have provided an overview of the council's current financial standing, the challenges facing local government finances, and the development of the next Medium Term Financial Strategy. The report indicated that members would discuss the council's approach to borrowing and alternative finance, acknowledge the scale of the financial challenge, and discuss the longer-term sustainability of local government funding. Opportunities for future funding reform and the council's approach to reducing expenditure on temporary accommodation were also expected to be covered.