Category: Blog

The Right to Protest vs Acts of Hate: Reflecting on Southport 

Mel Stevens, Chief Executive and Antony Mullen, Research and Impact Manager, discuss the fallout from recent riots.


What a Summer!

A refection on activity over the summer, covering elections and devolution and the new Government’s agenda.


Labour’s Devolutionary Road

Jonathan Werran, chief executive at Localis, shares thoughts on how the Labour government’s devolution plans will unfold and impact local governance.  


Turn and face the changes

Key messages from Mel Stevens on the governance of public services, as featured in the Municipal Journal.


Councillor ‘leadership’ of the scrutiny function – what does it really mean? 

Post-local elections reflection from Ed Hammond, and the need for scrutiny training in leadership.


New version of scrutiny guidance 

Ed Hammond’s commentary on the Government’s new version of the statutory guidance on overview and scrutiny.


The alchemy of governance – understanding the golden triangle

An introduction to relationships in the “golden triangle” of Monitoring Officer, Chief Finance Officer and Chief Executive.


Not waving, but drowning – Council budgets and inflationary pressures

Camilla de Bernhardt Lane explores ways to navigate Council budgets and pressures associated with finance.


Council Impact: Strong Scrutiny Linked to Confidence and Effective Relationships

Headlines from the 2022-23 results of our annual of overview and survey in local government.


Health Scrutiny Fireside Chat

Arrangements for Health Scrutiny explored by Camilla de Bernhardt Lane and Ed Hammond, with practical tips on how to administer them.