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.
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!
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...
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
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
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?
John Denham: “Devolution will not work until we actually have a legally and constitutionally embedded layer of devolved government, which is not quite what we’re being offered at the moment.”
March 20, 2025 at 3:39 PM
John Denham: “Devolution will not work until we actually have a legally and constitutionally embedded layer of devolved government, which is not quite what we’re being offered at the moment.”
Great matrix of understanding vs communication from @juliacushion.bsky.social of @mysociety.org #cfgs2025
March 20, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Great matrix of understanding vs communication from @juliacushion.bsky.social of @mysociety.org #cfgs2025
We are *organising* local government here (with thanks to the Municipal Journal!!)
March 20, 2025 at 2:16 PM
We are *organising* local government here (with thanks to the Municipal Journal!!)
It’s the Who Owns Scrutiny session - with Mel Stevens introducing
March 20, 2025 at 2:07 PM
It’s the Who Owns Scrutiny session - with Mel Stevens introducing
Jason’s seven steps to truly democratic governance: “I did nine years of a PhD, and I came up with seven bullet points, so that's less than a bullet point a year.” (Doesn’t mean they aren’t good!!)
March 20, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Jason’s seven steps to truly democratic governance: “I did nine years of a PhD, and I came up with seven bullet points, so that's less than a bullet point a year.” (Doesn’t mean they aren’t good!!)
Exciting buzz as Bold Governance and Courageous Scrutiny conference is about to start - Eastside Rooms, Birmingham. Are you ready?!!!
March 20, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Exciting buzz as Bold Governance and Courageous Scrutiny conference is about to start - Eastside Rooms, Birmingham. Are you ready?!!!
Jason Leman now: “With a small council, when you're talking about things that aren't critical statutory services, it is easier to innovate.”
March 20, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Jason Leman now: “With a small council, when you're talking about things that aren't critical statutory services, it is easier to innovate.”
