Test Valley Borough Council praised for strong leadership and approach to transformation in peer team progress review
Test Valley Borough Council has been given a clean bill of health and praised for its strong leadership and approach to transformation in a follow-up to its Local Government Association peer review that took place in 2024.
A corporate peer challenge team made up of senior cross-party councillors and experienced officers visited TVBC in November 2024, spending a week undertaking a comprehensive review of key finance, performance and governance information across its services, as well as speaking to more than 100 people including staff, councillors and external partners.
They described TVBC as a “high-performing council that delivers effectively for its residents, with a commendable community-first approach and a strong sense of pride throughout the organisation.”
They also put forward nine recommendations, which included building on the success of councillors working well in their communities, using performance and data to help improve and evaluate the impact and value for residents, and investing in its workforce.
Two peer team representatives returned in October 2025 to undertake a progress check. In their update report, which is available at www.testvalley.gov.uk/CorporatePeerChallenge, they said that positive progress had been made against each of the recommendations. They highlighted the council’s strategic leadership, positive approach to change, particularly in the context of local government reorganisation, and strong community engagement.
Leader of the council, Councillor Phil North, said: “This update report shows the improvements we’re making for residents across Test Valley. We’re continuing to strengthen local leadership and are forging ahead for our communities, focusing on better outcomes for people and places. Our major regeneration projects in Andover and Romsey are two examples of that, as well as investing up to £10 million to help deliver a range of community projects that meet local priorities.
“Over the next year, we’ll be progressing our transformation programme and rolling out new digital services that will make it easier to get things done.
“Alongside all this, we’ll continue to advocate for our communities, to make sure we do everything we possibly can to get the best outcome for them as the government continues to press on with plans to reorganise local councils in Hampshire.”