Category: Blog
Financial scrutiny
New municipal year, new financial year – same pressures. We move into quarter 2 of 2021/22 still struggling to shake off the pandemic, and still facing unprecedented uncertainty about fundamental aspects of the way we do business. In our recent annual survey – full findings of which will published in the coming days – 78% […]
Devolution and combined authorities: common themes so far
This week we published two practical guides for those involved, or with an interest in, local governance, combined authorities (CAs) and devolution. Our COVID-19 ‘lessons learnt’ style debrief highlights the governance changes that took place within CAs as they responded to the crisis and considers the governance risks as we enter the recovery phase. Our […]
Anticipating, managing and adapting to ‘No overall control’
Reflections and considerations for those operating in authorities that have experienced no overall control, authorities that are politically contestable, and single party councils
An update on the forthcoming Health and Care Bill
Last week we held a webinar for councillors and officers on the subject of the forthcoming Health and Care Bill. We were joined by colleagues in the Bill team at the Department for Health and Social Care, who heard the views of scrutiny practitioners about the likely changes which the Bill will bring about. There […]
Remote meetings partnership: compendium of information on remote meetings
In England, a partnership of national organisations came together in March 2020 to support councils to put remote meetings arrangements in place. In recent months, the partnership has been co-ordinating discussion on the planned end of remote meeting powers on 6 May 2021, and exploring alternative options and actions to mitigate. This document is intended […]
Best Value intervention: what is it and what does it mean for local accountability?
Last week the Secretary of State announced his intention to exercise his powers to appoint commissioners to run certain services operated by Liverpool City Council. This is a big, and rare, event – only four councils since 2010 have previously been subject to this kind of intervention (for the completists, they are, in reverse order, […]
Further thoughts on the Government’s position on remote council meetings
In February we published a detailed position paper setting out views on the continuation of remote meetings in local government in England. Luke Hall MP, Minister of State for Local Government, has in a letter to the Leaders of principal councils confirmed that Government has no plans to legislate to make these temporary arrangements permanent. […]
2020/21 Annual survey: initial findings
To say that 2020/21 has been a significant year for local government is an understatement. The changes in ways of working brought about by the pandemic can be seen across all areas of the council, and this is also true for overview and scrutiny. This blog shares some initial findings from our latest annual survey, […]
Health scrutiny and the forthcoming Bill
The health white paper was published a few weeks ago – you can read our full response, and position, here. We do have concerns about the White Paper – in particular, what it means for health scrutiny. In setting these out, it’s worth bearing in mind that legislation never tells the whole story. There’s a […]
Pandemic recovery: scrutiny’s role in looking back and looking forward
It feels premature to admit it but it feels as though we are moving towards the end of the pandemic. We have a “roadmap” which we are told is “irreversible”, spring is coming, the local elections are on. As the crisis recedes, it’s time to begin talking about reflection and recovery. In truth we almost […]