In this series of short podcasts, members of our public sector team provide their reflections and thoughts on the seven characteristics of good governance as identified in the governance, risk and resilience framework published by the Centre for Governance and Security (CFGS) in March 2021.
Trowers & Hamlins were proud to partner with the Centre for Governance and Security on this important framework and if you have any questions about the seven characteristic and what they mean for your local authority, please get in touch with you usual Public Sector team representative.
Please listen to the introduction by Scott Dorling:
1. Extent of recognition of individual and collective responsibility for good governance
Scott Dorling looks at the extent of individual and collective responsibility for good governance. He considers the findings from the best value inspection of Liverpool City Council and how the failure of governance can have serious impacts on a council and the work it does and what measures need to be taken to achieve a structure of collective responsibility.
2. Awareness of political dynamics
Helen Randall is joined by Max Caller, the best value inspector for the recent Liverpool city council inspection. In this episode they consider political awareness, what it means and the importance of active listening for a local authority.
3. How the council looks to the future to set its decision-making priorities
Amardeep Gill explores how the council looks to the future to set its decision-making priorities. Whilst none of us have a crystal ball, there are a number of issues and policy changes impact us all that will need to be factored into future planning with a local context which are explored in more detail in this episode.
4. Officer and councillor roles
Paul McDermott examines the role of officers and councillors in risk management and governance. Is a council just one change away from a governance failure? Paul examines this question and discusses the importance of the need for continuous improvement of governance and risk management performance and the role of the ‘golden triangle’.
5. How the council’s real situation compares to its sense of itself
Chris Plumley explores the fifth characteristic of good governance with the question ‘are you as good as you think you are’?
6. Quality of local (external) relationships
Lucy Doran provides her views on the quality of local (external) relationships and how the council engages with stakeholders and other publics sector organisations.
7. The state of member oversight through scrutiny and audit
Louis Sebastian gives his views on the state of member oversight through scrutiny and audit. He asks, what is scrutiny in the context of local authority governance and what does good scrutiny look like?
