LGA Corporate Peer Challenge

LGA Corporate Peer Challenge highlights strong progress and sets the stage for Barking and Dagenham’s next chapter

Barking and Dagenham Council has received highly positive feedback from the Local Government Association’s Corporate Peer Challenge, with independent reviewers praising the borough’s momentum, creativity and leadership. 

The October 2025 review recognised a council that is “punching above its weight” and making a meaningful impact for residents through strong partnerships, regeneration, community focused services, and a clear commitment to ongoing improvement. 

The LGA Peer Team highlighted Barking and Dagenham as “an innovative and creative council that is well respected by its partners”, noting in particular the leadership shown on regeneration and the delivery of new housing, which has helped the borough avoid the spiralling temporary accommodation costs faced by others.

The review also praised the council’s strong community-facing work and its ability to secure external investment and leverage partnerships to deliver for residents. 

Key achievements recognised in the peer review include:

  • Innovation and creativity – a clear commitment to driving change
  • Community engagement – strong partnerships and co‑production with residents
  • Punching above its weight – a lean council tackling deep-rooted challenges with purpose
  • Opportunities for the future – a young, diverse population full of potential
  • Staff commitment – colleagues praised for their dedication and approachability
  • Service improvement – continued progress across housing and children’s services, with excellent school outcomes
  • Regeneration impact – transformative projects like Barking Riverside and Dagenham East
  • Financial resilience – a stronger position than many councils, while preparing for future challenges
  • Strong performance management – robust corporate systems and culture

Driving the next phase of improvement

Alongside positive feedback, the Peer Team set out eight key recommendations to help the council strengthen its work further. These include being bolder and more vocal in telling the Barking and Dagenham story – the council has already progressed this by launching It Starts Here, a council developed, new campaign for the borough celebrating the history, character, ambition and aspiration of Barking and Dagenham. 

The campaign aims to flip outdated narratives about the borough - showcasing its community spirit, hidden gems, and growing opportunities in education, culture, business and more.

Residents can view the special campaign video and find out more here. 

Further recommendations include completing the review of the Investment and Acquisition Strategy and agreeing the next phase of regeneration; and strengthening the council’s transformation approach so it is fully aligned with the Medium Term Financial Strategy. 

The council will also focus on ensuring initiatives are joined up and consistently measured for impact, continuing momentum in priority services such as housing, children’s care and SEND, embedding good compliance practice, and maintaining long-term action on poverty and health inequalities. A detailed action plan has now been published, and the LGA will return for a progress review around September 2026. 

Councillor Dominic Twomey, Leader of the Council, said: “The Corporate Peer Challenge is a cornerstone of sector led improvement, and we’re proud to hear the strengths they recognised - from our creative and ambitious approach to the dedication of our staff and the strength of our partnerships. 

“Their recommendations align with the priorities we have already set ourselves, including strengthening change and transformation, embedding our neighbourhood model, and being more confident in telling the story of this borough. 

“We’re a lean, determined council tackling deep rooted challenges with purpose, and this review confirms we have strong foundations to keep improving and delivering for our community.”

The full LGA report and the council’s action plan can be viewed here. The council will continue working closely with the LGA throughout the year and will report publicly on progress as part of its ongoing commitment to transparency and improvement.