Sector: Local Gov
English Devolution Bill amendments
This explainer offers a clear, concise overview of key amendments to the English Devolution Bill, highlighting what they mean for local governance and decision-making. It outlines the practical implications of the changes and why they matter for councils, leaders, and communities across England.
Joint scrutiny – a practice guide
Joint scrutiny is about working together to look at shared issues, especially where services cut across boundaries. It’s essentially about making collaboration practical with clear roles, shared goals, and good relationships. Read more on how scrutiny adds value rather than becoming confused or duplicated.
No overall control and scrutiny – a practice guide
This guide explains how scrutiny works in councils where no party is in control, focusing on working across political lines to challenge and improve decisions. The core idea is simple: when power is shared, scrutiny matters more and works best when it’s practical, constructive, and not overly political.
Executive-Scrutiny Protocol – a practice guide
This short guide explains how an Executive–Scrutiny Protocol helps decision-makers and those holding them to account work together more effectively, making council processes clearer, fairer, and more transparent.
The use of call-in – a practice guide
This guide sets out how call-in should be used as a practical governance tool to improve decision-making, strengthen accountability, and support constructive challenge. Read on for practical advice on when and how call-in should be used as part of informed decision-making.
Committee system amendments – an explainer
The government’s amendments to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will allow a small number of councils to keep the committee system for a limited time
Scrutiny and local government reorganisation – a practice guide
Explore how scrutiny functions can navigate and retain their role effectively during Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), including key principles and considerations for maintaining oversight through the transition.
Relational Constitutions: A provocation for rethinking local governance
How we can recast council constitutions as a living document that doesn’t just describe power, but shapes how it is held, shared and made accountable
Structures, resources and formal powers – a practice guide
An outline of the powers and structures that underpin overview and scrutiny in England, covering key areas such as committee resourcing, membership, chairing, and statutory powers.
Regional Public Accounts Committees
This is the fourth edition of a technical paper first published in 2013.