Category: News
Scrutiny – cost and control
What is the main reason for the reduction in the number of officer posts dedicated to overview and scrutiny in English councils? Usually, it’s explained as an issue to do with resources – senior officers often tell us that in an ideal world it would make sense for there to be a specific policy resource […]
The election – implications for local government
That was a surprise. As our minds turn with weary inevitability towards another General Election in the autumn, it’s a good time to see if we can read the runes and understand what – if anything – this result means for local government. Our Chair, Bob Kerslake, has told the LGC that he thinks that […]
City of Wolverhampton Council cleans up at MJ Awards
Authority wins four awards – including Excellence in Governance and Scrutiny Impressive efforts in setting up governance of West Midlands Combined Authority recognised At a glittering ceremony at the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane in London, the City of Wolverhampton Council won four awards of the fourteen on offer, including Local Authority of the Year, […]
Improving health outcomes for people with learning disabilities in Scotland – CfGS/SCLD report
New report by CfGS for the Scottish Commission for Learning Disabilities (SCLD) SCLD and CfGS have today published Using scrutiny to drive outcomes: Improving quality of life for people with learning disabilities in Scotland. The report sets out the vital role effective scrutiny plays in ensuring that health and social care services are meeting the needs […]
Scrutinising scrutiny
Jaqui McKinlay on why now is the time to shout about scrutiny successes The Communities and Local Government Committee (CLG) inquiry into local government overview and scrutiny (O&S) is certainly overdue. A model which was first introduced nearly two decades ago has so far avoided much scrutiny itself, with most broadly accepting that it was […]
Studying scrutiny: what’s its impact?
The CfGS is continuing to look into various issues relating to scrutiny. We have recently done a survey of scrutiny perceptions, and are currently working on estimating the impact of scrutiny across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Whether you have filled the previous survey or not, we would to like to invite all scrutiny practitioners to share their […]