The Good Scrutiny Digest

This guide explains how effective scrutiny of council financial planning should focus on a council's medium term financial planning

This guide brings together shared insights collected at a learning event; from councils, practitioners, and partners on what effective SEND scrutiny looks like in practice. It is designed to support scrutiny members, officers and key partners including health and education, to approach this work with confidence, clarity, and a strong focus on impact.

Questioning is central to scrutiny as it helps us challenge assumptions, understand complex systems, hold decision-makers to account, and uncover the stories behind the data. Read how to frame and questions effectively in this 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.

This guide explores how to understand, gather, and use evidence to have the greatest impact in scrutiny work.

This practice guide explores proven approaches that councils have used to assess and articulate their impact, demonstrating how scrutiny can shape better governance and service delivery.

This guide outlines the practical steps for conducting a scrutiny review, a detailed investigation aimed at making evidence-based recommendations for change. It covers the end-to-end process of conducting a scrutiny review, from initial planning to post-review follow-up.

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.

An easy to follow guide for setting your work programme, with downloadable infographics.

This practice guide offers practical advice for developing positive working relationships within scrutiny committees, with executives, partners, and the public.

A technical paper giving advice on the operation and review of critical elements of governance framework for local authorities in England.

A technical paper giving advice on the operation and review of critical elements of governance framework for local authorities in England.

A technical paper giving advice on the operation and review of critical elements of governance framework for local authorities in England.

An introductory guide and overview of Health and Adult Services Scrutiny.

A guide to scrutiny of Children’s Services within local authorities.

A publication to raise awareness and increase the involvement of elected members in overview and scrutiny roles, in tackling gambling harm.

CfGS has produced updated material on work programming and the production of scrutiny annual reports. This replaces earlier guidance produced by CfGS in 2011. It...

With the LGA, we have produced guidance for councils on ways that scrutiny can effectively contribute to local policy on counter-extremism. It provides background...