Tower Hamlets Council's political representation is falling short of gender balance and inclusivity, despite the establishment of the Women's Commission, according to a recent Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge progress review. This under-representation is further compounded by the council's failure to meet its best value duties on continuous improvement, governance, leadership, culture and partnerships, as highlighted in a Best Value Inspection.
The review, which took place in October 2025, assessed the council's leadership, governance, financial planning, and capacity to deliver its priorities. While the report acknowledged progress in addressing outstanding accounts and publishing key governance statements, it raised concerns about the council's tendency toward internal optimism bias. The review stated, This was demonstrated in the council's overly optimistic self-assessment...For example, the recommendation on membership of committees was rated 'green', despite there being further scope for members of all political parties to work much more collaboratively. The peer team did not agree with the council's ratings overall.
One specific area of concern was the under-representation of women in political roles. The report noted that political representation falls short of expectations for gender balance and inclusivity,
even with the existence of the Women's Commission. The LGA Corporate Peer Challenge recommended that consideration should be given to how the voices of women and those from different backgrounds are directly influencing policy through their lived experience. It is recommended that the council actively promote the LGA's 'Be a Councillor Campaign' to promote the opportunity for women and people from underrepresented groups across the borough.
The LGA Corporate Peer Challenge progress review is available to read on the Tower Hamlets Council website.
The Overview & Scrutiny Committee reviewed the LGA's findings at their meeting on Monday, December 15th, 2025. The committee was asked to consider how the identified areas for improvement align with the council's strategic priorities and performance framework, and advise on any further scrutiny or actions required to support implementation of the peer review recommendations. The agenda and reports pack for the meeting are available online.
The progress review took place against the backdrop of a government written ministerial statement issued in November 2024, which accepted the conclusions of a Best Value Inspection. This stated that the council is failing its best value duties on continuous improvement, governance, leadership, culture and partnerships. The envoys' first report to the Minister was published in July 2025, finding that there had been some good progress in the council's initial response, but that it needed to build on these foundations and move to delivery at pace with a focus on outcomes and measurable change.
