Category: News
Standing, and standing down
In 2019 and 2021 we experienced some comparatively high “councillor turnover” – and we can probably expect similar in local elections this May. The neutral phrase “councillor turnover” hides a large number of personal stories and experiences of those councillors who will, for whatever reason, not be councillors after the forthcoming election. Councillors stop being […]
Calling all Scrutiny Officers! This year’s annual scrutiny survey is now open
We want to know what you think! Do you work as a senior scrutiny officer in an English or Welsh Council? Do you have time to make a real difference to improving scrutiny across councils in England and Wales? Then we need your help and expertise. Each year, the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny invites […]
Update on the Health and Care Bill
The Health and Care Bill continues on its progress through the House of Lords. A number of partners have come together to support amendments which now seek to remove entirely the Secretary of State’s powers to intervene proactively in local health services (for full details of these plans, read our explainer on the subject from […]
Update on the health and social care integration white paper
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have recently published their proposals for the health and care integration white paper, ‘Joining up care for people, places, and populations’. The white paper aims to provide improved, joined-up health and care services at a ‘local’ level across primary care, adult social care, acute mental health, community […]
Behavioural issues in meetings: what can we learn?
Today (28 February) we published guidance for councils in England on new approaches to hybrid meetings. This guidance focuses on matters relating to behaviours and attitudes, reflecting on lessons learned during the pandemic and seeking to apply those lessons to a world where hybrid formats may, in due course, form one of the ways in […]
The Levelling Up White Paper: what’s inside?
Here, you can read our detailed paper setting out the key elements of the White Paper, published in early February 2022. This blog aims to make some more general reflections. It is fair to say that initial opinion on the White Paper has been mixed. There is from some quarters a degree of disappointment – […]
Busy and exciting times ahead for CfGS
As I begin my second day in the role of Chief Executive at CfGS, I look forward to busy and exciting times ahead. During a period when organisations across all sectors are attempting to deal with unprecedented levels of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity – along with pressure to operate more ethically and transparently – […]
Health and Care Bill in the House of Lords
Peers considering the Health and Care Bill in the House of Lords reached amendments relating to overview and scrutiny on Wednesday 26 January. These amendments sought to impose on the Secretary of State the obligation to consult with local health OSCs before using the new power of Ministerial intervention in the Bill. You can read […]
What kind of democracy do we really want?
At the time of writing we are in the midst of the political furore over allegations of parties held in Downing Street during lockdown. Far from being trivial, this is a matter which speaks to what democracy is, and what we expect of those who represent us. We still, hopefully, expect those who represent us […]
Andy Fry OBE appointed as new Chief Executive of the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny
Lord Kerslake, Chair of CfGS, has announced Andy Fry OBE as the new Chief Executive of the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny. Andy is a former Chief Executive of Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, a local authority Corporate Director and director of a successful consultancy business. Following a robust recruitment process, Andy will join […]