Centre for Public Scrutiny
Tackling our next big governance challenge
As the changes that need to be made to local services become more profound, we must involve a wider range of councillors in how to use information about risk. Ed Hammond explains.
Trust in democracy is under threat - and local government is not immune
Solace will continue to push the Government to respond to the Committee for Standards in Public Life reports, says Graeme McDonald.
Combined authorities advised to ‘revisit’ devo deals
Combined authorities may need to ‘revisit’ devolution deals to help regions recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Councils should not 'overly collude' with 'flagellation' on governance
Councils should not ‘overly collude’ with the ‘flagellation that sometimes comes from the centre’ on their state of governance, according to a London borough chief executive.
A toolkit for good governance
Launched this week, a new framework for examining complex local governance challenges focused on behaviours and culture provides a ‘common language’ to talk about risk, says Lord Bob Kerslake.
Sector braced for more Whitehall interventions
Local government is braced for further Whitehall interventions in the wake of ministers launching reviews of two councils within days of each other.
LGA code of conduct under fire
A model code of conduct for councillors put forward by the Local Government Association (LGA) lacks teeth, according to bodies representing officers.
A review to learn lessons not lay blame
Swift and focused reviews of local decision-making in response to the pandemic should be democratically-led by the overview and scrutiny function, says Sir Bob Kerslake.
I have a joke but
Every now and again a social media phenomenon catches the mood and goes viral.
Concerns raised over scrutiny vacuum
A charity has expressed worries about councils that are in danger of effectively having no scrutiny function for six months.
Scrutiny is still the 'poor relation' in councils
A survey has revealed scrutiny remains a poor relation to the executive function in local government.
Think tanks to produce ‘toolkit’ to improve governance
A project part-funded by Whitehall and the Local Government Association aims to produce ‘practical support’ and a toolkit to improve councils’ corporate governance by next summer.
Solace preview: Evolving our approach to ethics and standards
Local government is well-placed to lead the way in evolving and supporting ethical standards to keep pace with challenging times, says Jacqui McKinley, who will speak at next month's Solace Summit 2019 in Birmingham.
Mastering the art of commercial destiny
Solace has been considering how councils should best participate in the market. Eric Bohl reports on local government’s investment areas, and outlines the key tests for commercial plans.
The shows must go on
Battles used to be fought with bayonets, crossbows and axes.
Call for councils to 'embrace' scrutiny
The Government called on councils and combined authorities to ‘embrace’ scrutiny as it issued new guidance.
Time for a governance refresh
May is a prime time to review governance - and this can be done by understanding and addressing the needs of democratic accountability, says Ed Hammond.
Open up to scrutiny
For many councils scrutiny has failed to live up to its potential, says Ed Hammond. But he hopes new statutory guidance out today will help them take active steps to promote and support the function.
Fostering mutual understanding on scrutiny
As the MHCLG releases statutory guidance on scrutiny, Camilla de Bernhardt Lane explains how Devon CC's decision makers welcome the challenge and contribution to policy made by scrutiny.
Experts warn of 'gap' in scrutiny of council finances
An inquiry into council finance has heard warnings of a gap in oversight of the sector.