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

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."

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 (@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...

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 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:

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 CEO, Mel Stevens, in the MJ - on where the new democratic deficits will lie in the new local government landscape www.themj.co.uk/filling-hole...

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

After our fabulous annual conference last month, we're collecting all the goodness from sessions - presentations and learning - over on conference resources page. So much great stuff there!

There are big challenges but also huge opportunities for governance and scrutiny. Our chair, @curiousc.bsky.social opened our recent annual conference by summing up what's required to seize the moment www.curiouscatherine.info/2025/03/30/c...

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

Our very own Ed Hammond in the MJ: "Mayors will need to be tested against their ability to deliver as ‘place governors'– as convenors and relationship builders.. it will also mean that we must look at the public scrutiny of this model of place governance."

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.”

Great matrix of understanding vs communication from @juliacushion.bsky.social of @mysociety.org #cfgs2025

Brilliant quote from Gloria Dawson of Research for Action: “Another local democracy is possible” #cfgs2025

We are *organising* local government here (with thanks to the Municipal Journal!!)

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!!)

Exciting buzz as Bold Governance and Courageous Scrutiny conference is about to start - Eastside Rooms, Birmingham. Are you ready?!!!

Cracking slide here from Jason Leman #cfgs2025

Jason Leman now: “With a small council, when you're talking about things that aren't critical statutory services, it is easier to innovate.”

Now ADSO's Charlotte Eisenhart is talking about the options for how councils can work with town and parish councils... Charlotte makes a a plea for trust and respect ... "not calling someone parish councillor, district councilor - just councillor, just officer, just local authority."

We're hearing now from @fionabarrows.bsky.social - on governance and scrutiny at Frome Town Council "That informality, that closeness to the issues, that street by street level of knowledge that we have of the town... is really, really valuable."

New pens with the new @cfgs.bsky.social branding. That’s what I’m here for 💚 #cfgs2025

Mel Stevens - introducing panel: Hyperlocal governance

Catherine Howe, CfGS chair - on opportunities for this remarkable moment for local democracy

Cllr Rob Pocock, Birmingham City Council welcomes us to the city

Coffee ✅ Chats ✅ Next it’s the opening remarks… Nearly there for CfGS Annual Conference.

Another trip, this time I'm off to speak at #cfgs25 conference. LGR & Scrutiny... @cfgs.bsky.social

Find out more about the English Devolution White Paper and what it means for scrutiny!