Cath Buckley

Cath Buckley

Cath returned to the CfGS family in April 2026 following her role as a Senior Regional Adviser at the Local Government Association, bringing with her more than 20 years of public sector experience.

Cath has a long-standing relationship with CfGS, having previously worked as both an Associate and a secondee. During her time at the LGA, she supported councils across the North West, delivering improvement work spanning scrutiny, governance, leadership and organisational transformation. Her experience reflects a strong track record of helping councils strengthen their culture, clarity and confidence in decision‑making.

Before her secondment to CfGS, Cath led the scrutiny and partnerships function at Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council. In that role, she supported board members, councillors and officers to coordinate a comprehensive scrutiny programme and manage strategic partnership arrangements. Her work also extended to regional governance, including the Merseyside Police and Crime Panel and the Cheshire and Merseyside Joint Health Scrutiny Committee.

Cath is passionate about creating governance cultures where people feel informed, empowered and able to make a meaningful difference. She is committed to helping councils unlock the potential within their local systems–supporting members, officers and partners to understand their roles, navigate complex challenges, and ultimately improve outcomes for the communities they serve.