We're marking the 25 year anniversary at our conference - soon! Find out more, and how you can book tickets here: www.cfgs.org.uk/home/cfgs-an...
27.02.2026 11:24
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We're marking the 25 year anniversary at our conference - soon! Find out more, and how you can book tickets here: www.cfgs.org.uk/home/cfgs-an...
Ed Hammond: Governance after 25 years of scrutiny
Twenty five years ago councils were implementing exec arrangements and overview and scrutiny as a result of the Local Government Act of 2000. But as @se13ed.bsky.social points out, the legislation was playing catch-up with innovative councils www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...
Last chance for early bird tickets for CfGS conference - offer ends after 31 December
The very last chance to get 20 per cent off your ticket price for our Annual Conference in March 2026
At the end of today our offer closes, so visit now to avoid disappointment www.cfgs.org.uk/home/cfgs-an...
⏰ There are just 10 days left to save 20% on your ticket for the CfGS Annual Conference 2026 – offer ends 31 December.
12 March 2026 | 📍 Millennium Point, Birmingham
Book your place now: www.cfgs.org.uk/home/cfgs-an... 
Free online learning event! The role of constitutions in democratic change
11:00-12:30 pm, Dec 17
Explore how to:
- check that your constitution still reflects current practice,
- remains easy to navigate,
- and supports councillors in their role
www.cfgs.org.uk/constitution...
The CfGS Annual Conference 2026 is your chance to:
✅ Hear from experts and innovators in governance and scrutiny
✅ Take part in interactive sessions and workshops
✅ Connect with peers from across local government
Early bird tickets 20% off until the end of 31 December.
Book now bit.ly/48jrTwn
👋 Free online learning event! The role of constitutions in democratic change
11:00 am to 12:30 pm, December 17, 2025
A council’s constitution should be a trusted guide for members and officers to understand how to things get done – vital at a time of change.
www.cfgs.org.uk/constitution...
At CfGS Annual Conference 2026 we'll mark 25 years of overview and scrutiny, we’ll ask how governance and scrutiny can help shape the next 25 years of local democracy.
Book before end of 31 December 2025 and save 20%
Find out more: www.cfgs.org.uk/home/cfgs-an...
@se13ed.bsky.social explains how government amendments to the English Devolution Bill will affect councils running the committee system - and why it means won't have to immediately move from the governance system
www.cfgs.org.uk/resource/exp...
We’ve just been listening to Lord Heseltine at Holding Mayors to Account deliver the keynote- at @londonassembly.bsky.social
We're looking for a Senior Governance Consultant to join our team, as we deliver more of our governance and scrutiny services to local government.
If this sounds like you, then follow the link to find a full job description and information on how you can apply....
www.cfgs.org.uk/join-cfgs-se...
From mandatory to meaningful – insights on neighbourhood governance
www.cfgs.org.uk/mandatory-to...
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.
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...
21st Century Councillors event - check it out!
www.cfgs.org.uk/21st-century...
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...
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
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...
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
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
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
Quote: Government now envisages mayors being at the centre of the public service reform agenda – leading and driving policymaking, and decision-making, across the whole place, rather than just having a role in convening
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...
LGA Conference, LGA Conference, Find us at Stand A46
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, 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:
Quote: It remains too easy to think of combined authority governance as simply 'institutional' governance
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...
For many of us who have been working and thinking in the space of democratic innovation this feels like a time of large scale change and turbulence for democracy
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...
Quote: It remains too easy to think of combined authority governance as simply 'institutional' governance
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...
