Category: Blog
Good scrutiny: Lincoln Council’s review of poverty
Why is scrutiny a good thing? I ask because it seems to me that there are a number of different justifications for scrutiny which apply differently in different areas at different times. Here are a few: In terms of governance, scrutiny can be viewed as a democratic buffer, providing a check against over-powerful local government. […]
New trustee position at CfGS
Passionate about helping organisations and people make good decisions and improve lives? Then help us deliver our vision An opportunity has arisen for a new independent trustee to join our Board. The Board is chaired by Lord Bob Kerslake and meets four times a year in London. This important voluntary role offers an opportunity to […]
Devolution blog – managing relationships, the dynamics of partnership working and the need for clarity and leadership in decision-making
This is the third in a series of blogposts on governance and devolution. CfGS has been funded by the LGA to provide practical support to five areas in England which are going through the process of negotiating and agreeing devolution deals. We are exploring how accountability and governance will work in relation to matters […]
What is the best way for local authorities to use public money?
In fact, what is the best way for local authorities to understand what “the best way” even is? One method that CfGS have been interested in for a long time is Social Return on Investment, as advocated by Social Value UK. We believe both scrutiny and decision makers can use a SROI framework to judge the […]
Are you curious about Corporate Parenting?
Children in the care of a local authority are one of the most vulnerable groups in society. And when services fail a child the results are far reaching and as we have often seen can be the subject of extensive media coverage. Did you know that at any one time around 68,000 children are […]
Returning to return on investment
Ensuring that public money delivers clear, positive outcomes to those who use public services is at the heart of good decision-making. Unless we have a clear idea of what the projected outcomes are from the decisions we take, and a sense of whether those outcomes are worth the monetary investment needed to make them happen, […]
#notwestminster and recreating local democracy
In a couple of Saturdays’ time an event called #notwestminster is happening. A group of people who are interested in local democracy will be getting together to talk about how it might be made more local and more democratic. I didn’t attend the inaugural #notwestminster last year, but I heard jolly good things about […]
Devolution and a sense of place
This blog is the second in a series we are writing as part of our support work, funded by the LGA, on English devolution It was to say the least a bit of a surprise when DCLG announced, just before Christmas, that the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill would be amended to allow areas […]
More transparency and public consultation needed in devolution deals
The Communities and Local Government Committee has today released a report highly supportive of the principle of greater devolution but is critical that the devolution negotiations to date have lacked transparency. In addition it calls for greater public engagement, before, during and following devolution agreements. CfGS, which has been campaigning for greater openess […]
MJ Awards Excellence in Governance and Scrutiny category – judges announced. Get your nominations in!
As you know, CfGS has decided to raise the profile of governance and scrutiny this year by introducing an Excellence in Governance and Scrutiny category in The MJ Awards 2016. This new category provides an great opportunity to highlight the value that effective decision-making, supported by scrutiny and accountability, can bring as well […]