Author: Pandora Ellis
Successful Scrutiny Reviews
Join us to explore what makes a scrutiny review one that lands, from one that stalls, and how to turn findings into recommendations that get results.
Don’t make politics the enemy of good governance
The article makes the case that political disagreement isn’t the enemy of good governance – weak governance itself is, using Croydon’s financial crisis to show how poor challenge culture and transparency, not politics, caused the breakdown.
Navigating Your Council’s Constitution: A Guide for Councillors
Join this latest learning event, geared towards helping councillors understand their council’s constitution and use it with confidence.
Speech – Power in place: The strategic role of larger town councils in England’s changing governance landscape
Read Mel Stevens’ speech at the SLCC conference, Power in Place, Harrogate, in July – where she argued that a shifting democratic landscape has implications for the role, and importance, of town councils
Public Finance Live
Join CfGS at Public Finance Live 2026 as our Chief Executive, Mel Stevens, speaks on a panel exploring whether good governance can help public organisations withstand mounting financial, political and organisational pressures.
LGA Conference Drinks Reception 2026
Exciting announcement about the launch of a refreshed Governance Risk and Resilience Framework, a project led by CfGS and Localis.
Re-run: Making a start with Scrutiny – approaches, structures and resources
A repeater of our practical, interactive lunchtime session exploring the nuts and bolts of what will help you build confidence and make scrutiny more effective.
Test Valley Borough Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Speaking to Test Valley’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Mel Stevens considers what effective scrutiny looks like in a time of devolution, local government reorganisation and political change, and sets out five tests for developing a strong scrutiny work programme
Breaking down finance scrutiny: reading the story behind the numbers
Most budgets tell two stories: the one written in the narrative, and the one hidden in the numbers. This free session will help you uncover both and ask the questions that matter.
CIPFA Local Government Deputy Chief Finance Officer Summit
Ian Parry joins sector leaders at CIPFA’s Local Government Deputy CFO Summit 2026 to explore how stronger governance, scrutiny and organisational culture can help councils make better decisions and build resilience under pressure