Centre for Governance and Scrutiny
@cfgs.bsky.social
As leading charity and national centre of expertise, we are committed to empowering organisations with the tools and knowledge to enhance governance and scrutiny.
Making sense of the money — join us on 19 Nov 2025 @ 11:00 GMT for our free online session: “Scrutiny of medium-term council finance”.
Book your place, join the conversation and share how scrutiny has an important role in corporate finance.
Book your place, join the conversation and share how scrutiny has an important role in corporate finance.
October 31, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Making sense of the money — join us on 19 Nov 2025 @ 11:00 GMT for our free online session: “Scrutiny of medium-term council finance”.
Book your place, join the conversation and share how scrutiny has an important role in corporate finance.
Book your place, join the conversation and share how scrutiny has an important role in corporate finance.
Reposted by Centre for Governance and Scrutiny
Are you a councillor thinking about how your role could change following LGR?
Join a free to attend event on 4 November featuring @jesstud.bsky.social, Mel Stevens of @cfgs.bsky.social and @catherinemangan.bsky.social
Find out more and sign up here 👇
www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...
Join a free to attend event on 4 November featuring @jesstud.bsky.social, Mel Stevens of @cfgs.bsky.social and @catherinemangan.bsky.social
Find out more and sign up here 👇
www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...
Free event – 21st Century Councillors
Councillors and council staff keen to influence the role of elected members following local government reorganisation are invited to share their views at a free event.
www.lgcplus.com
September 25, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Are you a councillor thinking about how your role could change following LGR?
Join a free to attend event on 4 November featuring @jesstud.bsky.social, Mel Stevens of @cfgs.bsky.social and @catherinemangan.bsky.social
Find out more and sign up here 👇
www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...
Join a free to attend event on 4 November featuring @jesstud.bsky.social, Mel Stevens of @cfgs.bsky.social and @catherinemangan.bsky.social
Find out more and sign up here 👇
www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...
Exciting new training opportunity for scrutiny officers!
CfGS has launched the Elevate Scrutiny Officer Leadership Training Programme - an initiative to support scrutiny officers who want to build their leadership skills and strategic confidence. Find out more here: www.cfgs.org.uk/elevate-pilo...
CfGS has launched the Elevate Scrutiny Officer Leadership Training Programme - an initiative to support scrutiny officers who want to build their leadership skills and strategic confidence. Find out more here: www.cfgs.org.uk/elevate-pilo...
August 22, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Exciting new training opportunity for scrutiny officers!
CfGS has launched the Elevate Scrutiny Officer Leadership Training Programme - an initiative to support scrutiny officers who want to build their leadership skills and strategic confidence. Find out more here: www.cfgs.org.uk/elevate-pilo...
CfGS has launched the Elevate Scrutiny Officer Leadership Training Programme - an initiative to support scrutiny officers who want to build their leadership skills and strategic confidence. Find out more here: www.cfgs.org.uk/elevate-pilo...
Navigating SEND Scrutiny – Shared Insights for Effective Scrutiny.
This free learning event is for councillors, officers and scrutiny practitioners who want to improve how they approach scrutiny of SEND services.
Find out more and sign up: www.cfgs.org.uk/navigating-s...
#SEND #Scrutiny
This free learning event is for councillors, officers and scrutiny practitioners who want to improve how they approach scrutiny of SEND services.
Find out more and sign up: www.cfgs.org.uk/navigating-s...
#SEND #Scrutiny
August 22, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Navigating SEND Scrutiny – Shared Insights for Effective Scrutiny.
This free learning event is for councillors, officers and scrutiny practitioners who want to improve how they approach scrutiny of SEND services.
Find out more and sign up: www.cfgs.org.uk/navigating-s...
#SEND #Scrutiny
This free learning event is for councillors, officers and scrutiny practitioners who want to improve how they approach scrutiny of SEND services.
Find out more and sign up: www.cfgs.org.uk/navigating-s...
#SEND #Scrutiny
Many councils face challenge in where audit ends and scrutiny begins. Our free online learning event, “Audit and Scrutiny – understanding the finance and risk governance divide” on 30th September, 11-12.30pm will help untangle these issues.
Book your place: www.cfgs.org.uk/shades-of-gr...
Book your place: www.cfgs.org.uk/shades-of-gr...
August 21, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Many councils face challenge in where audit ends and scrutiny begins. Our free online learning event, “Audit and Scrutiny – understanding the finance and risk governance divide” on 30th September, 11-12.30pm will help untangle these issues.
Book your place: www.cfgs.org.uk/shades-of-gr...
Book your place: www.cfgs.org.uk/shades-of-gr...
Navigating SEND Scrutiny – Shared Insights for Effective Scrutiny.
This free learning event is for councillors, officers and scrutiny practitioners who want to improve how they approach scrutiny of SEND services.
Find out more and sign up: www.cfgs.org.uk/navigating-s...
#SEND #Scrutiny
This free learning event is for councillors, officers and scrutiny practitioners who want to improve how they approach scrutiny of SEND services.
Find out more and sign up: www.cfgs.org.uk/navigating-s...
#SEND #Scrutiny
August 1, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Navigating SEND Scrutiny – Shared Insights for Effective Scrutiny.
This free learning event is for councillors, officers and scrutiny practitioners who want to improve how they approach scrutiny of SEND services.
Find out more and sign up: www.cfgs.org.uk/navigating-s...
#SEND #Scrutiny
This free learning event is for councillors, officers and scrutiny practitioners who want to improve how they approach scrutiny of SEND services.
Find out more and sign up: www.cfgs.org.uk/navigating-s...
#SEND #Scrutiny
Embedding Effective Scrutiny in Combined Authorities - free online learning event
Date: Wednesday 30 July 2025
Time: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm BST (Online)
Find out more and register here: www.cfgs.org.uk/embedding-ef...
#Scrutiny #CombinedAuthorities #Governance #CfGS #PublicSector #Democracy
Date: Wednesday 30 July 2025
Time: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm BST (Online)
Find out more and register here: www.cfgs.org.uk/embedding-ef...
#Scrutiny #CombinedAuthorities #Governance #CfGS #PublicSector #Democracy
July 28, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Embedding Effective Scrutiny in Combined Authorities - free online learning event
Date: Wednesday 30 July 2025
Time: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm BST (Online)
Find out more and register here: www.cfgs.org.uk/embedding-ef...
#Scrutiny #CombinedAuthorities #Governance #CfGS #PublicSector #Democracy
Date: Wednesday 30 July 2025
Time: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm BST (Online)
Find out more and register here: www.cfgs.org.uk/embedding-ef...
#Scrutiny #CombinedAuthorities #Governance #CfGS #PublicSector #Democracy
Check out our featured case study of transition from committee to cabinet governance model, with a bountiful basket of top tips from #BrightonHoveCouncil. Essential reading for others looking to do this as it's packed with learning. #GovernanceChange #LocalGovScrutiny #ResidentFocused
July 21, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Check out our featured case study of transition from committee to cabinet governance model, with a bountiful basket of top tips from #BrightonHoveCouncil. Essential reading for others looking to do this as it's packed with learning. #GovernanceChange #LocalGovScrutiny #ResidentFocused
Our deputy CEO Ed Hammond says that developing the right form of scrutiny for mayors means thinking about the system of place governance we're creating as a result of the government's plans for English Devolution.
www.cfgs.org.uk/there-are-di...
www.cfgs.org.uk/there-are-di...
June 26, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Our deputy CEO Ed Hammond says that developing the right form of scrutiny for mayors means thinking about the system of place governance we're creating as a result of the government's plans for English Devolution.
www.cfgs.org.uk/there-are-di...
www.cfgs.org.uk/there-are-di...
We'll be at the LGA Conference, starting on Tuesday next week. If you're there make sure to come and find us at stand A46, where at least one of our team of
- Mel Stevens
- Sarah Fenn
- Ed Hammond and
- Andrew Brightwell
will be!
- Mel Stevens
- Sarah Fenn
- Ed Hammond and
- Andrew Brightwell
will be!
June 25, 2025 at 2:50 PM
We'll be at the LGA Conference, starting on Tuesday next week. If you're there make sure to come and find us at stand A46, where at least one of our team of
- Mel Stevens
- Sarah Fenn
- Ed Hammond and
- Andrew Brightwell
will be!
- Mel Stevens
- Sarah Fenn
- Ed Hammond and
- Andrew Brightwell
will be!
Mel Stevens, in the MJ: "If the Government is in the business of re-designing our democratic system, then the way to meet the new deficits this system creates might well be in resolving the ones we've been living with for years."
Filling in the holes in local democracy
Last week we saw elections take place across England – although for a smaller number of councils than had originally been planned. Suspending polls in areas that...
www.themj.co.uk
May 30, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Mel Stevens, in the MJ: "If the Government is in the business of re-designing our democratic system, then the way to meet the new deficits this system creates might well be in resolving the ones we've been living with for years."
Our deputy chief exec @se13ed.bsky.social says it's time to rethink governance and scrutiny for mayoral authorities, given their increasing power - and because of how they'll use that power:
Ed Hammond: Rethinking combined authority scrutiny
The convening power of mayors means we need to rethink governance and scrutiny in their areas, write...
www.lgcplus.com
May 29, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Our deputy chief exec @se13ed.bsky.social says it's time to rethink governance and scrutiny for mayoral authorities, given their increasing power - and because of how they'll use that power:
Ed (@se13ed.bsky.social) in his latest column for the LGC argues that mayors' place shaping goals mean that there are huge opportunities to rethinking how mayoral governance and scrutiny work. www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...
May 28, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Ed (@se13ed.bsky.social) in his latest column for the LGC argues that mayors' place shaping goals mean that there are huge opportunities to rethinking how mayoral governance and scrutiny work. www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...
Our chair, Catherine Howe says CfGS is busy exploring how our democracy can adapt as part of our wider work supporting councils facing this profoundly important moment for the future of the local state.
Read more of Cathrerine's thoughts and about our work: www.cfgs.org.uk/why-we-shoul...
Read more of Cathrerine's thoughts and about our work: www.cfgs.org.uk/why-we-shoul...
May 27, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Our chair, Catherine Howe says CfGS is busy exploring how our democracy can adapt as part of our wider work supporting councils facing this profoundly important moment for the future of the local state.
Read more of Cathrerine's thoughts and about our work: www.cfgs.org.uk/why-we-shoul...
Read more of Cathrerine's thoughts and about our work: www.cfgs.org.uk/why-we-shoul...
Ed (@se13ed.bsky.social) in his latest column for the LGC argues that mayors' place shaping goals mean that there are huge opportunities to rethinking how mayoral governance and scrutiny work. www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...
May 21, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Ed (@se13ed.bsky.social) in his latest column for the LGC argues that mayors' place shaping goals mean that there are huge opportunities to rethinking how mayoral governance and scrutiny work. www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...
Our deputy chief exec @se13ed.bsky.social says it's time to rethink governance and scrutiny for mayoral authorities, given their increasing power - and because of how they'll use that power:
Ed Hammond: Rethinking combined authority scrutiny
The convening power of mayors means we need to rethink governance and scrutiny in their areas, write...
www.lgcplus.com
May 20, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Our deputy chief exec @se13ed.bsky.social says it's time to rethink governance and scrutiny for mayoral authorities, given their increasing power - and because of how they'll use that power:
Mel Stevens, in the MJ: "If the Government is in the business of re-designing our democratic system, then the way to meet the new deficits this system creates might well be in resolving the ones we've been living with for years."
Filling in the holes in local democracy
Last week we saw elections take place across England – although for a smaller number of councils than had originally been planned. Suspending polls in areas that...
www.themj.co.uk
May 12, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Mel Stevens, in the MJ: "If the Government is in the business of re-designing our democratic system, then the way to meet the new deficits this system creates might well be in resolving the ones we've been living with for years."
Our CEO, Mel Stevens, in the MJ - on where the new democratic deficits will lie in the new local government landscape
www.themj.co.uk/filling-hole...
www.themj.co.uk/filling-hole...
Filling in the holes in local democracy
Last week we saw elections take place across England – although for a smaller number of councils than had originally been planned.
Suspending polls in areas that...
www.themj.co.uk
May 9, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Our CEO, Mel Stevens, in the MJ - on where the new democratic deficits will lie in the new local government landscape
www.themj.co.uk/filling-hole...
www.themj.co.uk/filling-hole...
Mel Stevens our CEO is in Leipzig for Upgrading Local Democracy today - an event bringing mayors from across Europe together. She'll be part of a session on empowering democracy, examining how mayors can harness citizen power, champion democracy and transform governance so it centres on citizen
April 8, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Mel Stevens our CEO is in Leipzig for Upgrading Local Democracy today - an event bringing mayors from across Europe together. She'll be part of a session on empowering democracy, examining how mayors can harness citizen power, champion democracy and transform governance so it centres on citizen
After our fabulous annual conference last month, we're collecting all the goodness from sessions - presentations and learning - over on conference resources page. So much great stuff there!
Annual Conference 2025 resources - CFGS
Assets, presentations and reflections from our Annual Conference held on 20 March 2025
www.cfgs.org.uk
April 7, 2025 at 2:50 PM
After our fabulous annual conference last month, we're collecting all the goodness from sessions - presentations and learning - over on conference resources page. So much great stuff there!
There are big challenges but also huge opportunities for governance and scrutiny. Our chair, @curiousc.bsky.social opened our recent annual conference by summing up what's required to seize the moment
www.curiouscatherine.info/2025/03/30/c...
www.curiouscatherine.info/2025/03/30/c...
CFGS: Opportunity Knocks | Catherine Howe
www.curiouscatherine.info
April 2, 2025 at 10:07 AM
There are big challenges but also huge opportunities for governance and scrutiny. Our chair, @curiousc.bsky.social opened our recent annual conference by summing up what's required to seize the moment
www.curiouscatherine.info/2025/03/30/c...
www.curiouscatherine.info/2025/03/30/c...
The English Devolution White Paper sets out the government's plans for every area to get a metro mayor and for two-tier county and district councils to be replaced by unitary councils.
Read our explainer on its implications for scrutiny and governance lnkd.in/ev9tPjTG
Read our explainer on its implications for scrutiny and governance lnkd.in/ev9tPjTG
March 31, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The English Devolution White Paper sets out the government's plans for every area to get a metro mayor and for two-tier county and district councils to be replaced by unitary councils.
Read our explainer on its implications for scrutiny and governance lnkd.in/ev9tPjTG
Read our explainer on its implications for scrutiny and governance lnkd.in/ev9tPjTG
Our very own Ed Hammond in the MJ:
"Mayors will need to be tested against their ability to deliver as ‘place governors'– as convenors and relationship builders.. it will also mean that we must look at the public scrutiny of this model of place governance."
"Mayors will need to be tested against their ability to deliver as ‘place governors'– as convenors and relationship builders.. it will also mean that we must look at the public scrutiny of this model of place governance."
Joining the pieces when holding places to account
With the Government's deadline for submissions for reorganisation upon us, the reality of the big changes facing the sector has become that much more tangible. By...
www.themj.co.uk
March 31, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Our very own Ed Hammond in the MJ:
"Mayors will need to be tested against their ability to deliver as ‘place governors'– as convenors and relationship builders.. it will also mean that we must look at the public scrutiny of this model of place governance."
"Mayors will need to be tested against their ability to deliver as ‘place governors'– as convenors and relationship builders.. it will also mean that we must look at the public scrutiny of this model of place governance."
Final session - what would make your scrutiny and governance more effective?
March 20, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Final session - what would make your scrutiny and governance more effective?