Organisational Excellence Strategy

Tees Valley Combined Authority is committed to continuous improvement. In response to the Best Value Notice served on TVCA in April 2025, the organisation has undertaken an ongoing improvement journey.

The first phase saw an Improvement Plan and ongoing Action Plan created to understand our starting position and challenges and building foundations to address the most immediate issues. This Action Plan is now 95% complete, and TVCA can move onto Phase 2 of its journey.

Our Organisational Excellence Strategy will inform an ongoing cycle of reviewing, embedding and adapting improvement into everyday practice. It moves TVCA from a time-limited improvement programme to a sustainable programme of continuous development that supports ongoing organisational excellence and makes us ready for future devolution opportunities.

Cabinet-approved quarterly update reports to the Organisational Excellence Strategy and its associated Action Plan will be shared here.

To read all of the updates to the Phase 1 Organisational Improvement Action Plan, click on the accordions below.

Partnerships and Continuous Improvement

Embed a culture of continuous improvement and a collaborative approach to long-term priority setting and planning, working closely with local authorities.

  • All Partnerships improvement actions completed and now managed within business-as-usual processes
  • Organisation now transitioning to the Continuous Improvement phase of its Improvement Maturity Model
  • Approach to continuous improvement strategy and action plan in development to secure TVCA’s intention for continuous improvement – with key milestones in September.

Use of Resources

Review all finance processes and procedures, develop and implement a workforce development strategy and produce a readiness plan for fiscal devolution.

  • TVCA Group Draft Accounts 2025/26 published, with 2023/24 and 2024/25 accounts progressing to external audit
  • Financial Regulations reviewed through the Constitution review process
  • Continuous improvement framework for the finance function developed in alignment with the CIPFA model

Governance

Review all Governance processes and procedures and key documents such as the TVCA Constitution. Review and strengthen Cabinet portfolio roles, decision-making processes, statutory committees and their facilitation.

  • 94% of Governance improvement actions completed and managed within business-as-usual processes
  • Government clearance received for the SAF, supporting readiness for implementation – Updated SAF to be presented to Cabinet in September for adoption with further key milestones for November and April.
  • Internal review of governance processes and procedures completed

Culture

Undertake a programme of Organisational Development, ensure TVCA values are embedded through everyday activity, increase staff engagement and improve relationships between management and all staff.

  • All Culture improvement actions completed and managed within business-as-usual processes
  • People Plan developed in line with LGA maturity model
  • Workforce development arrangements strengthened through external review and specialist training

Progress Update

August 2026

Previous Progress Updates

July 2026

June 2026

May 2026

March/April 2026

February 2026

January 2026

November/December 2026

October

September

August

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