An independent peer review of Buckinghamshire council highlighted its strong financial management and use of digital innovation - plus constructive criticism around town centre regeneration.

Buckinghamshire Council was reviewed independently by peers in the local government sector. The Local Government Association’s (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge took a week-long look at the council in early Autumn.

The Corporate Peer Challenge is a respected improvement and assurance tool used across the local government sector. It provides councils with credible and strategic challenges and support.

A team of experienced senior councillors and officers from other local authorities carried out the review, spending four days with the council’s leadership, staff, members, and partners.

Buckinghamshire Council welcomes positive findings and constructive criticisms from LGA Corporate Peer Challenge. (Photo: Bucks Council)

placeholder image — Buckinghamshire Council welcomes positive findings and constructive criticisms from LGA Corporate Peer Challenge. (Photo: Bucks Council)

The review report has now been published with the peer team finding that Buckinghamshire Council has made “a great start as a unitary council”.

The review added: “Buckinghamshire Council has built strong foundations since becoming a unitary council in 2020, establishing a clear and unified organisational identity. The council should feel immensely proud and confident in what they have achieved in a relatively short time.”

It reported that the organisation is well‑placed for a strong future, supported by a new Leader and a clear vision for delivering for residents.

Peer reviewers highlighted the council’s sound financial management and strong leadership culture. It added that the council has a good track record of savings delivery and is currently on target to achieve the savings set for 2025/26.

Reviewers commended the council’s digital innovation and the use of AI to enhance service delivery, as well as creative initiatives such as the “Year of Creativity” and Creativity Camps, which support staff‑led problem-solving and innovation.

Despite the financial pressures affecting councils nationally and particularly those in the South East, the peer team highlighted Buckinghamshire’s “strong, collaborative economic growth plan supported by a well-established Growth Board, strategic partnerships, and active regional engagement to boost investment and connectivity.”

Buckinghamshire’s “consistently strong” partnerships were highlighted —particularly with health providers and the voluntary and community sector. The council’s focus on early intervention and prevention was described as placing Buckinghamshire “ahead of many other councils still working to embed this approach.”

At the council’s request, the peer team also reviewed Buckinghamshire’s approach to regeneration and offered constructive recommendations to strengthen and expand the benefits of regeneration across more communities.

The constructive feedback included: “In relation to town centre regeneration plans—particularly in Aylesbury—the peer team found a lack of strategic coherence and funding clarity.

“Aligning housing strategy, asset management, and regeneration plans will be essential to deliver integrated growth and revitalise town centres.”

Steven Broadbent, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, said: "I am very pleased with the positive and constructive feedback from the LGA’s Corporate Peer Challenge. It confirms that Buckinghamshire Council is in a strong position, with solid leadership, sound financial management in the light of growing budget pressure, and an ambitious and clear vision for the future.

"We welcome the recommendations made and will consider how to use them to help us strengthen our organisation further. Our focus now is on building on these foundations as we continue delivering for Buckinghamshire."

Buckinghamshire Council is now developing an action plan that will outline how it will respond to the peer team’s findings. This will be published in early March 2026.