Topic: Subject-specific scrutiny best practice
Over the years CfGS has been the source of a significant amount of practical guidance for councils in how their scrutiny functions can understand, address and make recommendations on specific policy issues. Ranging from the cost of living crisis to cybersecurity, this best practice guidance (and a number of associated case studies) provides advice on a broad range of common topics.
Using scrutiny to tackle gambling harms
A collection of case studies from local authorities, on approaches to tackling gambling harms through scrutiny.
Possible legislative provisions on scrutiny in the health Bill
CfGS has produced a draft of possible provisions, either for the Health and Care Bill or subsequent Regulations, to support the continued operation of health scrutiny. These provisions aim to simplify existing Regulations by providing a strong and independent role for scrutiny which sits within the policy objectives set out in the White Paper. These […]
Revised guidance: Overview and Scrutiny in Combined Authorities
This is our second edition of the guide to overview and scrutiny in Combined Authorities (CAs). When the first edition of this guide was published, CAs – and the overview and scrutiny systems designed to form a part of their governance framework – were yet to be tested in practice. This new edition has provided […]
Reflections on the publication of the Ockenden report
The final report of the review carried out by Donna Ockenden into maternity care at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital (SaTH) has just been published. It can be found here – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ockenden-review-of-maternity-services-at-shrewsbury-and-telford-hospital-nhs-trust. The report makes for grim reading. There are implications here for maternity services across England – and for health and care services more […]
Scrutiny, counter-extremism and the Prevent duty
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 on some of the key policy issues, and suggests four ways that scrutiny can assist: 1. Supporting and challenging the assessment of risk 2. Scrutinising Prevent and counter-extremism local action plans […]
Improving the scrutiny of integrated care systems and sustainability and transformation partnerships
This practical guide has been produced in partnership with the NHS Confederation. It is based on discussions with around 70 local government health and care scrutiny chairs, members and officers at the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny Health Conference in London on 18 July 2019. The guidance is designed for scrutiny leads and communications and […]
Financial scrutiny practice guide
Published in partnership with CIPFA. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on council finances, uncertainty regarding the delayed fair funding review and future operations for social care – on top of a decade of progressively more significant financial constraints – has placed local government in a hugely challenging position. For the foreseeable future, council budgeting […]
Transport governance in combined authorities
This paper is intended to support those involved in strategic, member-led transport governance in a (mayoral) combined authority, specifically those which previously had integrated transport authorities. This research has been developed with the Combined Authorities Governance Network (CAGN) – a network set-up by the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny with LGA funding that brings together […]
Commercialisation and scrutiny – a practical guide for councillors
Our commercialisation and scrutiny guide is a practical tool for councillors who are involved in scrutiny and wish to find out more about scrutiny can become involved or more involved in the increasing commercialisation of council services.