Topic: Assurance
Councillors need to use data on things like performance, finance and risks in order to be able to oversee, and be “assured”, on the quality of local service delivery. Assurance is a crucial role for all councillors – who need to hold Cabinet and senior officers to account on their commitments. It is particularly important for councillors on audit committees and scrutiny committees. The material in this section explores these obligations, and connected issues.
Issues discussed in this section connect closely with material we have produced under the “access to information” topic.
Governance implications of Government intervention in local councils
Notes from our roundtable event on the governance implications of Government intervention in local councils.
Scrutiny of children’s services
Core elements in the Scrutiny of children’s services.
‘Complaints – a window into their role in good corporate governance and as the driver for improvement’
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman perspective on investigating complaints about councils.
Local Public Accounts Committees – You Heard It Here First
Thoughts on bringing accountability in Local Public Accounts Committees to life.
Long read: scrutiny in committee system authorities
Discussion on scrutiny in committee system authorities; how to make it work and associated challenges to consider.
Local Public Accounts Committees: what are they?
Interrogation of Local Public Accounts Committees, and their purpose.
Annual Review of Adult Social Care complaints 2020/21
The recently published ‘Annual Review of Adult Social Care complaints 2020/21’ by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman pulls together the national picture of complaints about adult social care providers, arranged and funded privately, or by local authorities. The review outlines critical themes from across the country, and some of the issues raised are […]
National Health Scrutiny and Assurance Conference – 14th September 2018
The Centre for Governance and Scrutiny, in partnership with the NHS, hosted a well attended and engaging national conference focusing on the most important issues facing scrutiny and assurance in health and social care. With more than 100 attendees the event saw a range of high profile national speakers and an opportunity for delegates from […]
Scrutiny: the new assurance?
A good governance discussion document As collaboration and partnership working need to become more streamlined, more strategic and more effective, organisations spending public monies should be constantly redefining their roles and responsibilities, searching for constant improvement. Partnership working will need public accountability and systems leaders and partnerships needs to be more business-like; with a clear […]
Scrutiny: the new assurance? A Good Governance Institute discussion paper
Today, people who make decisions about public services face a common challenge: how to spend taxpayers’ money effectively and efficiently in ways that meet society’s needs and ensure the best outcomes for people and communities. There is much to celebrate, great strides have been made. But significant challenges remain – and it is clear no […]