And suddenly, just like that, 2024 is coming to a close

It’s hard to believe that this marks the end of my first full year as the Chief Executive at CfGS. And what a year it has been. I’ve been moved and motivated by your stories, your passion, and your relentless drive to make a difference in people’s lives.

I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of you, too. In conversations with councillors, officers and authorities, I’ve witnessed first-hand the incredible impact of what you do.

It’s been a year of learning for me, aided by so many of our clients and the incredible team at CfGS – understanding more deeply what makes good governance, including the important role of engagement, scrutiny, relationships and assurance in its delivery. These are the foundations that enable local government to rise to challenges, adapt to change, and deliver for people and communities.

And now we have the English Devolution White Paper to consider. This far-reaching and highly ambitious statement sets a bold direction for the future of local democracy in England.

For those of you who know us at CfGS, it will come as no surprise that we’ll be diving deep into the details of what this means for governance and scrutiny at all tiers of government over the coming months. The team is hard at work, considering the critical elements including how we can explore this together at our conference in March.

As someone who has spent most of my career focused on ensuring decision-making drives positive outcomes for people, places, and lives, my overwhelming reaction is this: the White Paper proves just how important local government is to making change.

There is no denying that the months ahead will be unsettling for many, and bring upheaval, change, debate, and wrangling.

However, this paper puts the spotlight on local democracy. And that is a good thing, because local government should be given the authority, the focus and responsibility to unlock and tackle the strategic decisions that can truly make change happen.

As we approach 2025, most of us will be taking some well-deserved time off, focusing our energy on the things that matter most to our hearts and minds. Whatever your plans this festive season, we at CfGS wish you a peaceful and joyful break. We’re truly looking forward to working with you all in the year ahead.

Mel Stevens, Chief Executive at CfGS