Category: News
Combined authority scrutiny (a little over) six months on
It’s now been around eight months since the elections for metro Mayors took place. We at the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny naturally have an interest in how Mayors and Combined Authorities are held to account. CAs all have overview and scrutiny committees. We wanted, as the end of the year approached, to think about […]
What are the sanctions when you cannot get hold of information – or when you can’t get someone to attend a meeting
Increasingly, I am asked by exasperated councillors what the sanctions are when they are met with obstructions as they carry out their work. This can be senior officers dragging their feet when asked to provide information, Cabinet Members or senior officers not turning up to meetings having been requested to do so, Cabinet failing to […]
Devolution scrutiny: eight months on – free event
In March 2017, CfGS convened an event bringing together scrutiny practitioners from around the country to talk about the establishment of scrutiny arrangements for combined authorities. Nearly a year on, a lot has changed. Government’s commitment to the devolution agenda may have wavered, but Mayors have been in place in six areas for a few […]
Big data and accountability
Before I went off on paternity leave I saw an interesting blog about how New Orleans is using “big data” to improve performance and accountability. A few years ago, big data was the big thing in public services – the idea that professionals gathering information from a wide range of sources to give them as […]
Bikeshedding and the challenge of amateurs scrutinising experts
We can all tell stories about times when we have been in meetings and large amounts of time have been expended by those present arguing volubly about something comparatively insignificant, only to neglect something extremely important. My own personal example is from a scrutiny committee which I was observing about five years ago, where members […]
Take part in our survey on complexity of governance
More complex governance arrangements are now common place in local government including external delivery vehicles, arms-length management organisations, local partnerships, and internal commissioning and delivery arrangements. They can bring challenges in relation to democratic accountability, scrutiny and involvement and we are keen to find out more. CfGS is undertaking a survey to understand councillor and […]
STPs, Accountable Care Systems and local government – getting the relationship right
The latest news on the NHS health scrutiny programme Success in delivering Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs) and Accountability Care Systems (ACSs) in England depends on positive local partnership working and effective scrutiny and governance. There are examples of strong relationships between the NHS and local government that have already delivered improved services – but […]
Spotlight on conference workshops
Some more detail about the workshops at Governance of Complexity – #cfps2017 We know from your feedback that the workshops at the CfGS local government scrutiny conference are often the most popular part of the programme. In recognition, we have changed the format at this year’s event to have two workshop slots on a range […]
Watch video of CLG scrutiny inquiry evidence session
Westminster probing the effectiveness of local government scrutiny. The first formal evidence gathering session of the Communities and Local Government Committee investigation in to local government scrutiny was held on 16 October 2017. The witnesses were Professor Colin Copus, Director of Local Government Research Unit, De Montfort University, Jacqui McKinlay, Chief Executive, Centre for Governance […]
Parliamentary select committee workshop – now fully booked!
Workshop investigating local government scrutiny seeking evidence from officers and councillors is now fully booked. Workshop event: 30 October, Westminster – full Thanks for your interest in this but the event is now fully booked. It was very popular and the 40 available places were taken within two days of the event details being posted. The […]