Author: Ed Hammond
Standing, and standing down
In 2019 and 2021 we experienced some comparatively high “councillor turnover” – and we can probably expect similar in local elections this May. The neutral phrase “councillor turnover” hides a large number of personal stories and experiences of those councillors who will, for whatever reason, not be councillors after the forthcoming election. Councillors stop being […]
Update on the Health and Care Bill
The Health and Care Bill continues on its progress through the House of Lords. A number of partners have come together to support amendments which now seek to remove entirely the Secretary of State’s powers to intervene proactively in local health services (for full details of these plans, read our explainer on the subject from […]
Behavioural issues in meetings: what can we learn?
Today (28 February) we published guidance for councils in England on new approaches to hybrid meetings. This guidance focuses on matters relating to behaviours and attitudes, reflecting on lessons learned during the pandemic and seeking to apply those lessons to a world where hybrid formats may, in due course, form one of the ways in […]
The Levelling Up White Paper: what’s inside?
Here, you can read our detailed paper setting out the key elements of the White Paper, published in early February 2022. This blog aims to make some more general reflections. It is fair to say that initial opinion on the White Paper has been mixed. There is from some quarters a degree of disappointment – […]
Health and Care Bill in the House of Lords
Peers considering the Health and Care Bill in the House of Lords reached amendments relating to overview and scrutiny on Wednesday 26 January. These amendments sought to impose on the Secretary of State the obligation to consult with local health OSCs before using the new power of Ministerial intervention in the Bill. You can read […]
What kind of democracy do we really want?
At the time of writing we are in the midst of the political furore over allegations of parties held in Downing Street during lockdown. Far from being trivial, this is a matter which speaks to what democracy is, and what we expect of those who represent us. We still, hopefully, expect those who represent us […]
Andy Fry OBE appointed as new Chief Executive of the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny
Lord Kerslake, Chair of CfGS, has announced Andy Fry OBE as the new Chief Executive of the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny. Andy is a former Chief Executive of Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, a local authority Corporate Director and director of a successful consultancy business. Following a robust recruitment process, Andy will join […]
Council action on the climate emergency
We’ve produced material on the climate emergency before – we published a blog on how scrutiny could approach the issue in 2019, and in July last year we published a longer guide setting out 10 questions to ask if you’re scrutinising your council’s action on the issue. With COP26 drawing to a close in Glasgow […]
HCLG Committee publishes report on progress on English devolution
On 1 October, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee of the House of Commons published its long-awaited report on the progress of English devolution (long-awaited because the inquiry began in July 2019, and was then delayed first by the General Election and then by the pandemic). The report is generally positive about the […]
Health and Care Bill update
The Health and Care Bill is now making its way through Parliament. We are at the stage in the Commons where the real meat of scrutiny – committee stage. At a Public Bill Committee, MPs go through the Bill line by line, with the Minister present. Opposition MPs, and the Government, can suggest amendments. This […]