Scrutiny
Report shows 'accountability vacuum' in council finances
A damning report into citizen’s experiences of scrutinising their councils’ finances has claimed there is an ‘accountability vacuum’.
Liverpool Labour and the wider party should never have let this happen
After Max Caller's 'shocking' report on Liverpool City Council, Labour needs to make a case for good governance, and let go of its centralising tendencies, says Emma Burnell.
Councillors call extraordinary meeting over director secondment
Councillors in Stockport said they had been ‘treated with contempt’ after a joint director with Tameside MBC was appointed without their knowledge.
What can be learnt from the recent Public Interest Reports?
Paul Dossett of Grant Thornton UK considers the key lessons for local government that have emerged from the recent Public Interest Reports.
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.
Groundwork laid for combined authority
Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council are pressing ahead with laying the political groundwork for a combined authority as they await a decision from the Government.
Local scrutiny should stay embedded in the local community
Local scrutiny can and must play an ongoing and supportive role relating to the Secretary of State’s new powers as outlined in the recent white paper for NHS and social care reform, says Ed Hammond.
Building citizen centred systems to deliver the best integrated care
Local government has the mechanisms and knowledge to ensure place, neighbourhoods and citizens are at the heart of integrated care systems which are responsive to local needs and accountable to communities, says Anja Beriro of Browne Jacobson.
Picking up lessons from poker
Nick Graham explains why local authority decision-makers should play more poker, and listen to their lawyers.
Spelthorne assets have 'continued to perform well'
A council criticised for borrowing millions of pounds to strike deals has said its assets have ‘continued to perform well’ despite the COVID-19 downturn.
At the sharp end of Scottish scrutiny
The chair of Scotland’s public spending watchdog for councils steps down this month. Graham Sharp talks to Ann McGauran about his legacy and says the challenges have never been greater.
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.
Moving to warp speed on transformation in Walsall
Walsall MBC’s chief executive and leader talk to Heather Jameson about how the borough’s transformation programme is ‘moving on faster than ever’ due to the pandemic.
Don't kick more fiscal devo for London into the long grass, says Assembly chair
The post COVID world shows that further fiscal devolution for the capital is vital and ‘mustn’t be kicked in the long grass’, according to chair of the London Assembly Navin Shah.
The London Assembly: 20 years of a unique scrutiny model
Twenty years old, and in the depths of a pandemic, the London Assembly is now facing exceptional circumstances. Chair Navin Shah considers what the future holds.
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.
Manchester at risk of failing to fulfil statutory duties
Manchester City Council’s leader has expressed fears that the council will be unable to fulfil its statutory duties.
Making a bigger impact on value for money
COVID-19 may have had an impact on the work programme, but boss of the National Audit Office Gareth Davies says he is ‘determined’ the scrutiny body will have more of an influence on value for money. Dan Peters reports.
Councils call for clarity on local lockdowns
Councils this week called for clarity on the legal powers they will have if they are forced to implement local coronavirus lockdowns.
