Get started with Scrutiny - 11 June 12-13.30pm online If you’re new to scrutiny – or want fresh ideas and practical tips – join our interactive lunchtime session exploring what really makes scrutiny effective in practice. Free to attend – book here www.cfgs.org.uk/making-a-sta...

Our conference – Learning from yesterday, leading for tomorrow – marks 25 years of executive arrangements and overview and scrutiny, following the Local Government Act 2000. We wanted to show how much has happened. Any... erm... resemblance to a famous meme is purely coincidental! #CfGSConf26

The first slido poll at the CfGS Annual Conference In one word, what does good scrutiny feel like when it's working well? #CfGSConf26

It's starting! The first delegates are arriving at the CfGS annual conference for 2026 Thanks to everyone who has helped to support Learning from yesterday, leading for tomorrow – especially our sponsors, the Local Government Association, and Anthony Collins. Thank you so much #CfGSConf26

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...

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...

Learning event: The role of constitutions in democratic change

11am to 12.30pm, 17/12/2025

cfgs.org.uk

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

CfGS Annual Conference 2026 - CfGS

Learning from yesterday, leading for tomorrow Thursday, 12 March 2026, Millennium Point, Birmingham B4 7AP CfGS’s annual conference in 2026 will be a special one – as we look back on 25 years of…

bit.ly

👋 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...

The role of constitutions in democratic change

With May elections coming, this free online event explores how constitutions work, can be kept up to date, and easy to use

cfgs.org.uk

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...

CfGS Annual Conference 2026 - CfGS

Learning from yesterday, leading for tomorrow Thursday, 12 March 2026, Millennium Point, Birmingham B4 7AP CfGS’s annual conference in 2026 will be a special one – as we look back on 25 years of…

cfgs.org.uk

@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...

How the government is changing its planned end for the committee system

The English Devolution Bill includes provisions to end the committee system in England. But the government is changing who it affects and how

cfgs.org.uk

We’ve just been listening to Lord Heseltine at Holding Mayors to Account deliver the keynote- at @londonassembly.bsky.social

London Assembly@londonassembly.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Today, as part of our 25th anniversary celebrations, the London Assembly and Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CFGS) is holding a conference on the future of Mayoral scrutiny: Holding Mayors to account: The future of scrutiny in devolved government. www.london.gov.uk/holding-mayo...

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...

Join CfGS – Senior Governance Consultant

We are looking for someone to join the CfGS team to expand and develop the support we provide to the local government sector in England

cfgs.org.uk

From mandatory to meaningful – insights on neighbourhood governance www.cfgs.org.uk/mandatory-to...

From mandatory to meaningful – insights on neighbourhood governance

In October our learning event sought to understand what a new neighbourhood governance duty will mean for councils – Mel Stevens reflects

cfgs.org.uk

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...

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.

lgcplus.com

21st Century Councillors event - check it out! www.cfgs.org.uk/21st-century...

21st Century Councillors event - CfGS

We’re excited to share news of a free 21st Century Councillor event taking place in Andover on 4 November – giving councillors and officers the chance to discuss how elected members can adapt, lead…

cfgs.org.uk

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

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...

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."

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...

themj.co.uk

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...

lgcplus.com

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...