Research & publications

CfGS is committed to developing and promoting leading policy and practice in governance and scrutiny.

Latest Publications

Devolution and Good Mayoral Governance White Paper- by Ed Hammond, in partnership with Trowers and Hamlins

Directly-Elected Mayors (DEMs) have been a feature of executive governance in England for more than two decades but their work …

Inspecting local authority children’s services: Ofsted and the role of children’s services scrutiny

Report author: Camilla de Bernhardt Lane This paper aims to support the work of non-Executive Councillors who are involved in …

The use of call-in: guidance for English authorities

This is one of three connected publications, all aiming to provide technical advice on the operation and review of critical …

The review and redrafting of constitutions: guidance for English authorities

To note: this is one of three connected publications, all aiming to provide technical advice on the operation and review …

Reviewing schemes of delegation: guidance for English authorities

To note: this is one of three connected publications, all aiming to provide technical advice on the operation and review …

Health Scrutiny- A Short Guide

What is this guide about? This is a comprehensive introductory guide that aims to provide an overview of the main …

Scrutiny of Children’s Services- A Short Guide

What is this guide about? This guide aims to provide an overview of the main components that comprise of Children’s …

Local public accounts committees- Dealing with the governance of complexity at a local level

Local policy-making is now defined by partnerships – some formal, some informal – between public sector bodies and between the …

Featured Publications

Governance risk and resilience framework: summary

Posted on 08/03/2021 by Ed Hammond

A summary of the CfGS governance risk and resilience framework. You can find full details on the framework at www.cfgs.org.uk/governancerisk …

10 Questions on Cyber Security

Posted on 02/03/2023 by Megan Ingle

This guide is for councillors sitting on scrutiny committees, and the officers who support them. It is designed to support …

Our research takes different forms:

Publications exploring the governance and scrutiny challenges which form part of new developments such as devolution, sustainability and transformation plans in health or new delivery vehicles. These are free to access, and some are funded by our partners including the Local Government Association.

Thought-leadership and policy development work which seeks to learn from our delivery experience or provide insight into new and potential challenges facing leaders and the governance community. This often takes the form of roundtables, blogs and think pieces.

Organising idea exchanges, best practice and support events including conferences, regional seminars and gatherings for specific groups of practitioners. These are promoted via our newsletter and you can sign-up here.

Running campaigns when we think something needs highlighting or changing. Often this involves advocating the benefits of transparency and accountability – an example is changes we promoted to local government scrutiny to coincide with the Communities and Local Government Select Committee Inquiry. You can read about our submission to the inquiry here.

Research is an area where CfGS is looking to increase activity. The aim is to have a good balance between work we fund from income generation and projects funded via grants and other research funding mechanisms.