Overview and key findings
About the peer challenge
In March 2026, Devon County Council took part in a Corporate Peer Challenge delivered by the Local Government Association (LGA). The review brought together experienced councillors and senior officers from other local authorities to provide independent feedback on how the council is performing and where it can improve.
The peer team examined five core areas: priorities and outcomes, leadership, governance, financial management and the council’s capacity to improve. The report provides an overall assessment of strengths, identifies key challenges and sets out recommendations to support the council’s next phase of improvement.
A council that has made significant progress
The review recognises that Devon County Council has undergone a period of major change in recent years. A new Chief Executive and leadership team were introduced, followed by the 2025 elections, which resulted in a more diverse council and a high number of new councillors.
Since then, the council has focused on strengthening its foundations. The peer team found clear progress in leadership, governance and culture, supported by a strong commitment to improvement. The adoption of a new Strategic Plan for 2025–2029 has provided a clear vision for the organisation, centred on “building a positive future for Devon where everyone thrives.”
There is also recognition of a more positive organisational culture. Staff described feeling trusted, empowered and more connected to the wider organisation, reflecting the impact of the “one council” approach and the People First strategy.
Partnership working at an operational level is seen as a strength, with the council involved in a wide range of joint initiatives with health partners, communities and other organisations.
Strong leadership and improving culture
The peer team highlighted strong relationships between political and officer leadership, including a positive and constructive dynamic between the Leader and Chief Executive.
Cabinet members were described as bringing energy and challenge, while officers have supported new councillors to develop quickly through a comprehensive induction and ongoing development programme.
Internally, the culture of the council has improved significantly. There is a stronger focus on learning, collaboration and workforce development, with visible improvements in recruitment, retention and staff engagement.
Progress in key service areas – with ongoing challenges
The report highlights progress in areas such as adult social care and workforce stability, as well as positive outcomes in some performance measures. However, it also confirms that performance is mixed overall.
Children’s services remain a key area of focus. While there is clear commitment and evidence of improvement activity, the service is still working to address weaknesses identified in previous inspections.
The council is also continuing to strengthen its approach to performance management, with new systems and reporting arrangements being introduced. The peer team emphasised that these need to translate into measurable improvements in outcomes.
Financial management is strengthening
The council has made clear progress in strengthening financial planning and resilience. A balanced medium-term financial plan is in place, supported by improved budget setting and monitoring processes.
However, the scale of future savings requirements remains significant, and continued discipline will be needed to ensure plans are delivered effectively.
Key challenges and recommendations
The need for stronger strategic leadership across Devon
One of the most important findings is that while operational partnerships are strong, relationships at a strategic level, particularly between councils, need improvement.
The peer team heard concerns from partners about the impact of local government reorganisation (LGR) on relationships and collaboration. There is a clear call for a “reset” in how councils across Devon work together, with a stronger shared focus on outcomes for residents.
More generally, partners want the council to take a clearer leadership role in shaping a long-term vision for Devon, bringing organisations together around shared ambitions.
Devolution and future change
The report highlights the importance of responding to changes in regional governance, particularly through devolution and the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority. The council is encouraged to engage fully with these arrangements and demonstrate impact to unlock further opportunities for the area.
At the same time, preparations for local government reorganisation need to be strengthened and formalised into a clear and coordinated programme.
Strengthening governance and scrutiny
Governance has improved significantly, with updated processes, stronger risk management and effective member development.
However, the peer team identified opportunities to go further. In particular, Overview and Scrutiny could play a stronger role in shaping decisions and focusing on the council’s strategic priorities. There is also a recommendation to increase informal opportunities for Cabinet and senior leaders to explore long-term issues together.
Focusing resources and capacity on priorities
The council has invested successfully in its workforce and organisational capacity. The next step is to ensure this capacity is used effectively, focusing effort on the most important priorities, including transformation, service improvement and financial sustainability.
This includes strengthening how performance is managed across the organisation and ensuring a clear link between strategic priorities and day-to-day delivery.
Delivering savings and financial sustainability
While financial planning has improved, the report emphasises the need for a more robust and consistent approach to delivering savings. Some savings have not been achieved as originally planned, and there is a need for stronger ownership and accountability at service level.
Overall conclusion
The report presents Devon County Council as an organisation that has made significant progress and now has strong foundations in place. Leadership, culture and governance have improved, and there is a clear commitment to delivering better outcomes for residents.
At the same time, the council faces ongoing challenges, particularly around performance, financial pressures and partnership working at a strategic level.
The peer team’s overall message is that the council is on the right path, but now needs to build on this progress, strengthening its leadership role, sharpening its focus and ensuring that improvements translate into real, measurable outcomes for the people of Devon.