HUNDREDS of workers were interviewed by experts in local government as part of a “peer challenge” to help Kirklees Council improve itself.

The experts held more than 50 meetings, toured key sites in the borough and gathered information during a four-day visit to obtain a view of the council’s direction.

The team  of senior managers and councillors from across the public sector examined the council’s improvement journey so far and looked at how well it is equipped for future challenges and opportunities.

The council’s aim is to make Kirklees “an extraordinary place”.

The results of the corporate peer challenge, which was organised by the Local Government Association, form the basis of a 12-page feedback report that found the council is “ambitious for the future and at an exciting point in its improvement journey”.

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Council Leader Clr Shabir Pandor welcomed the peer challenge and said it gave the authority “a completely independent view of our services, our support for local communities and our focus for the future”.

It comes as the council is moving ahead with the first stages of its visionary £250m Huddersfield Blueprint, which the report describes as “a long-term and bold vision” that “shows ambition” and will allow the council to start “punching at its weight”.

There was further praise for the council acting as a “catalyst for regeneration, development and investment” with a dedicated and committed staff and a “highly regarded” leadership that is “ready to lead change”.

A particular focus of the improvement challenge was the council’s place-based working project, which intends “working with people, not doing to them” as part of its vision for people, partners and place.

The Labour-led authority was also said to have a “very strong” voice that was being heard at national and regional levels, helping to define the borough’s “bespoke offer” and to create jobs.

And it was complimented on managing to improve the town centres in Huddersfield and Dewsbury whilst finding savings within its budget.

The authority has already reacted to some of the report’s recommendations.

It is looking to take back control of its housing stock from arms-length management organisation Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH) and may reverse a decision, taken in 2013, to split the borough’s healthcare in two by creating Greater Huddersfield and North Kirklees clinical commissioning groups (CCGs).

Clr Pandor said: “We welcomed the peer challenge because it gave us a completely independent view of our services, our support for local communities and our focus for the future.

“We are delighted with the outcome.

“It shows that we are giving strong leadership to the area and being bold in transforming the way we work.

“We are ambitious for our residents and, whilst there is still a lot of work ahead, there is a powerful desire to continue transforming the district.

“This council is delivering its ambitions for people, place and partners, including huge projects such as the Huddersfield Blueprint and the new £15m leisure facilities in North Kirklees.

“We can’t achieve our goals without energy, aspiration and strong relationships.

“We will use the findings to further shape our work in creating an inclusive economy and society which benefit all local people.”

Council chief executive Jacqui Gedman said the peer challenge had been “incredibly valuable” in providing advice and guidance on how it could develop as an organisation.

She added: “It has confirmed our view that we have the confidence to get things done and to meet major challenges, but it has also given food for thought about how we can do this in the future.

“It’s fantastic that the feedback on our staff is so positive.

“I’m proud of the people who work here and proud of the difference they make to local people every single day.

“We want to celebrate all the things that make Kirklees special whilst achieving our goal of serving local communities and being the best organisation we can be.”