Publications - centre for public scrutiny

Putting it into practice: the questioning technique »

2007

This is the first in a new series of reports from CfPS that focus on its four principles of effective scrutiny. The first report explores the first principle:

Internal Review Mechanisms »

2007

The fifth publication in a series of discussion papers from CfPS examines the relationship between overview and scrutiny and other forms of internal review that operate in local government.

Scrutiny, Performance and Improvement: the road to excellence »

2007

This new publication by the Centre for Public Scrutiny examines a sample of the Audit Commissions CPA reports in order to extract common themes and trends regarding comments on overview and scrutiny in local authorities.

Health on the Frontline - District Councils and Health Scrutiny »

2007

This special publication, composed of four case studies, looks into how district councils are effectively contributing to the health and well-being agenda.

Ten questions to ask if you're assessing evidence »

2007

This guide is intended to help members of OSCs think through, compare and evaluate the information and views they receive in order to reach fair, balanced and informed conclusions and recommendations on behalf of the people they represent.

The Anatomy of Accountability »

2007

This publication discusses contribution of local government health scrutiny, the wider patient and public involvement framework, inspection and regulation to democracy and accountability.

Scrutiny Frontiers: experiences from the scrutiny frontline »

2007

Interviews with twelve scrutineers from across England and Wales, discussing how they are involved in and making an impact through scrutiny work.

Ten questions to ask if you are scrutinising NHS service redesign or reconfiguration »

2007

This guide is designed to help HOSCs carry out work relating to substantial variations and developments in health services. This latest publication is being issued to help OSCs prepare for redesign and reconfiguration proposals likely to come forward in e

Learning Together »

2007

This report provides a summary of the processes, achievements and lessons experienced through action learning in health scrutiny reviews during the second year of our Health Scrutiny Support Programme.

Scrutinising for Health: Health Scrutiny Evaluative Research Project »

2007

This report details the findings from the health scrutiny evaluation research carried out by the University of Manchester, commissioned by the CFPS. It focuses on the progress made in the development of health scrutiny within eight case studies.

On the money: the scrutiny of local government finance - 2nd Edition £9.00 plus PP+VAT »

2011

This new guide from CIPFA, CfPS and LGIU provides advice both for councillors and the finance officers whose job it is to provide information to them, on scrutiny of finance and the budget. April 2011

Library Monitor: health service reconfigurations »

2007

The fourth in our series of Library Monitors; this report documents fourteen health scrutiny reviews into health service reconfigurations.

Equal to the Task »

2007

In this publication, the Centre for Public Scrutiny has joined forces with the three commissions to look at how scrutiny can put equalities at the heart of its review work and monitor specific equalities policies effectively.

Scrutiny Bites »

2007

This publication showcases a selection of authorities whose scrutiny resulted in real effective outcomes and direct changes. It shows that across all topics and all types of authorities, scrutiny bites.

Consultations by Specialised Services Commissioners »

2007

The purpose of this guide is to provide practical advice to health overview and scrutiny committees (OSCs) and commissioners of specialised services about how OSCs can best be engaged in and consulted on arrangements for commissioning and providing specia

Ten questions to ask if you are scrutinising the effectiveness of your local hospital »

2007

This guide is one of a series designed to help health Overview and Scrutiny Committees (OSCs) carry out their scrutiny work around various health, healthcare and social care topics.

Library Monitor: flooding »

2007

The fifth in our series of Library Monitors; this report documents twelve scrutiny reviews into flooding prevention and dealing with the effects of flooding.

Ten questions to ask if you are scrutinising mainstream health services for people with learning disabilities »

2008

This guide is one of a series designed to help health Overview and Scrutiny Committees (OSCs) carry out their scrutiny work around various health, healthcare and social care topics.

Acute Health Services: OSC Review Toolkit »

2008

This publication is based on a review of acute health services undertaken by the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Warwickshire County Council during 2006.

Scrutiny: rebuilding confidence in how goverment works »

2008

CfPS's Annual Lecture 2008, delivered by The Rt Hon Nick Raynsford MP in which he called for a greater level of transparency and scrutiny in central, regional and local government.

How to win friends and influence partners 2 »

2008

This guide describes the new Local Area Agreements, looking at what has been done to scrutinise them in the past, give ideas for preparing for the new round and then ideas for scrutiny in the future.

Life of the Party »

2007

Original research from the Centre for Public Scrutiny assessing how party political influence on overview and scrutiny has changed over time.

Parliamentary Scrutiny in the Nations of Britain »

2008

Parliamentary Scrutiny in the Nations of Britain (free download) This new research paper from CfPS seeks to provide an analysis of all four parliamentary scrutiny models currently in operation in Britain, to compare and contrast their ways of working, an

The Independent Minded Governor »

2008

As part of our

Library monitor: climate change »

2008

The sixth in our series of Library Monitors; this report documents twelve scrutiny reviews into climate change, its impact on local authority services, and the cost of energy.