Annual Conference - 9th June 2009


Programme at a glance

09.00 Registration and refreshments
09.40 Welcome and introductions
09.50 ‘Keynote Speech’
10.10 Facilitated debate: ‘How can the public play more of an active role in challenging public service providers’
10.50 Refreshments and exhibition viewing time
11.30 WORKSHOPS session one: (See below for details)
12.40 LUNCH and exhibition viewing time
13.50 WORKSHOPS session two: (See below for details)
15.00 Refreshments and exhibition viewing time
15.40 Keynote speech
16.10 Panel discussion: the importance of the "Critical Friend" - is public scrutiny essential or a luxury?
17.10 Conference summary


After the formal close of the conference there will be two fringe meetings:

  • CfPS Associates - what can they do for you? - led by Ed Hammond
  • Developing a professional or membership association for scrutiny - led by Tim Gilling

Partner Workshops

CfPS 2009: A critical friend for critical times will feature workshop streams for specific delegate groups, providing focused interactive sessions with examples of best practice.  We are pleased to have the following partners on board, who will use their specific expertise to run these informative sessions:

  • Association of Police Authorities
    Exploring the important role of police authorities to provide independent challenge as well as strategic direction to police forces
  • Appointments Commission
    The governance role of boards in the Health Service – exploring the role of non-executive directors in bringing challenge and an external perspective

WORKSHOPS – 11.30

LG1:   Local government accountability for public finances

  • How to scrutinise budgets in a climate of cuts?
  • How does scrutiny ensure value for money to the public

CD1:   In partnership with the Association of Police Authorities
Implementation of Police and Justice Act 2006 provisions for overview and
scrutiny arrangements for crime and disorder:

  • How can police authorities and local councils work together effectively?

H1: In partnership with the Appointments Commission
Patient safety matters to non-executives

  • Governance role of boards in the Health Service - how do Boards assure quality and safety?
  • Focus on patient safety - how non-executives in health and local govt can make a difference'

SC: Scrutiny Café - Is it time to move from scrutiny of services to scrutiny of place?

  • What are the skills scrutineers need to scrutinise place?
  • Does scrutiny require additional powers?
  • How to get the public on board - Innovative and participative session facilitated by CfPS Associates

PLEASE NOTE: If you choose to attend the Scrutiny Cafe the session will cover both 11.30 and 13.50

WORKSHOPS – 13.50

LG2:   Local government regional accountability

  • Does regional working have a place?
  • Cross-agency partnership working at strategic level
  • How is regional scrutiny developing?

CD2:   In partnership with the Association of Police Authorities
Improving public confidence in partnerships

  • Are the police and local council working together to deal with the issues that matter? Practical guidance workshop

H2: Health inequalities

  • How can ‘health scrutiny’ move beyond scrutiny of the NHS to tackle health inequalities?
  • What opportunities exist for scrutiny to add value and what are the barriers that may prevent health inequalities becoming ‘core business’?

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