SOMERSET County Council has been praised for its track record of resolving financial challenges and its efforts to engage and consult with the public in a report.

But the report also highlighted the need for the council to improve its children’s services.

The local authority requested the report, which was carried out by the Local Government Association and looked into the council’s strengths and areas for improvement.

Leader of the council, cllr John Osman said: “It’s always useful to have an outsider’s perspective, especially when it comes from our peers who are facing the same challenges and opportunities that we are.

“There are some real, fundamental positives in the report – about our staff, the way this authority works, and the role we play in bringing investment into the county-which I’ve obviously delighted to see.

But the areas for improvement are just as important and we will look at those and do our very best to address them.”

The “things to be proud” highlighted in the report include:

• Staff who are positive, resilient and focussed on delivering for local people

• The council’s key role in the Growth Deal to enhance the benefits from Hinkley Point

• The Smart Office programme to modernise officers at County Hall and beyond

• Sound governance and positive leadership from the Chief Executive and Leader

• A willingness to invest in its people and recognise achievement

The report also highlights challenges and areas where the authority should look to improve, such as children’s services, more clarity in its priorities and the need for better engagement with elected councillors.

Things for the council to take forward also include:

• Making the County Plan more tangible

• Closer working with partners on a more strategic/holistic approach to budget challenges

• Making its Change Programme more focussed

The full Corporate Peer Challenge review is due to be published on the council’s website before the end of the month and be considered by its Scrutiny and Cabinet committees.

The reviewers from the Local Government Association visited the council in October last year.