Our Chief Executive Mel Stevens explains why CfGS has developed Elevate – and why this it is such an important moment for scrutiny
This week marks the official launch of Elevate, a groundbreaking new pilot programme designed to build scrutiny leadership skills, knowledge and confidence among officers from across the country.
We’re thrilled to be joined by a group of outstanding officers – all brilliant leaders already – who are looking to take their scrutiny leadership to the next level.
About Elevate
Elevate is designed to go beyond technical skill, by focusing on strategic thinking, leadership mindset, and peer learning.
With nine online half-day modules, delivered over ten weeks, it will explore all the vital features of scrutiny leadership. You can take a look at our post about Elevate to find out more: [insert link here]
Why this is so important
CfGS has a long track record of supporting scrutiny functions through consultancy and professional development. While we’ve always provided training tailored to councillors, Elevate marks the first time we’ve created a dedicated offer for officers – one they can actively invest in as part of their own professional growth.
We’ve long recognised the importance of supporting officers in their scrutiny leadership roles. Their work is central to strengthening scrutiny’s contribution to democratic leadership and accountability. Through research and conversations with colleagues across the sector, we’ve explored what kind of programme would best meet this need and deliver the greatest impact.
We want to thank everyone who has shared their experiences, insights and ideas along the way. We’re delighted to now bring that vision to life through Elevate – a new opportunity for officers to develop their leadership, confidence and influence in scrutiny.
Why now
After 25 years of overview and scrutiny, a new system of local government is emerging where scrutiny will be expected to play a much larger role.
As the government’s plans for larger councils and more combined authorities take shape in England, the case for ambitious scrutiny officer leadership has never been stronger. Officers play a crucial role in enabling effective scrutiny that drives improvement, supports better decisions and builds trust in local democracy.
An argument we are making to government is that scrutiny is at a crossroads.
Councillors, including in their scrutiny work, will be a vital link between neighbourhoods and mayoral authorities in this new world. They will scrutinise a system that extends from your doorstep to decisions on economic development and infrastructure that will affect the lives of millions of people.
This won’t just be marking mayors’ homework. If devolution is to work, scrutiny will have to perform its wider function: involving the public in decision making, informing policymaking with wider and informed perspectives, and fixing councils’ and mayoral authorities’ focus on the future.
Leaving the scrutiny of that system unaddressed is just not an option. And, while our conversations with government over the “how” continue, it’s not all up to government.
Intersted in Elevate?
Once this pilot of Elevate is completed in 2026, we will be looking to develop it into a full course. If you’d like to be kept informed on our plans and register interest, please email Sarah Fenn.
To keep up to date on Elevate and on all our learning and development, you can also sign up to newsletter.
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