Welcome to this week’s newsletter. I’m not sure of the etiquette in terms of wishing you all a happy new year. Is it too late? I’m going with no, so happy new year. I hope you all had a restful festive period and had the chance to wind down and spend time with friends and family.
As a self-confessed democracy nerd, I ended 2023 by listening to Professor Ben Ansell deliver the Reith Lecture on “Our Democratic Future”. Whilst not necessarily agreeing with all of his analysis across the four themes I did find the lectures both fascinating and insightful, not least in terms of a historical perspective and the references to democracy across societies. I won’t spoil it, just in case you choose to tune in, but I would recommend giving it a listen as I found it a timely and healthy reminder of the origins and foundations of (local) democracy (knowing our history is always important) and the challenges that we now face both globally and within and across the sector.
Another theme that is inevitably emerging as we enter 2024 is when the next General Election will take place. We all know that all electoral episodes are incredibly complex projects that run like clockwork due to the hard work and dedication of staff across local government. Whilst I am now one step removed from the logistical and operational challenges that go with planning and delivering elections, I remain acutely aware of the scenario planning that is now inevitably taking place as the different permutations are worked through and risk assessed. I hope that you are all given the time and due notice to do the best job that you can although in my experience the pressures placed on local authorities rarely govern the thinking that will determine when the general election will actually take place.
New Statutory Guidance on the Operation of Health Scrutiny Arrangements
On 9 January, Government laid new regulations and published new statutory guidance on the operation of health scrutiny arrangements. Ed Hammond, Deputy Chief Executive of CfGS, has asked that the following message is shared with ADSO colleagues:
The main focus of the changes is the removal of the power of health overview and scrutiny committees (HOSCs) to formally refer matters of concern relating to major service reconfiguration to the Secretary of State. Instead, the Secretary of State may act proactively, further to a request that he or she may receive from anyone – although such action will be subject to consultation with the HOSC, amongst others.
This important change comes into force on 31 January. In order to assist colleagues to meet the challenging deadline for engaging with neighbouring councils, NHS commissioners and NHS providers to understand how local systems and arrangements will need to change, we have produced a short guide which you can find at https://www.cfgs.org.uk/?publication=health-scrutiny-and-the-new-reconfiguration-arrangements
Links:
- The National Health Service (Notifiable Reconfigurations and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2024: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/15/contents/made
- The Local Authority (Public Health, Health and Wellbeing Boards and Health Scrutiny) (Amendment and Saving Provision) Regulations 2024: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/16/contents/made
- Revised local authority health scrutiny guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advice-to-local-authorities-on-scrutinising-health-services/local-authority-health-scrutiny
- New statutory guidance on reconfigurations: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reconfiguring-nhs-services-ministerial-intervention-powers/reconfiguring-nhs-services-ministerial-intervention-powers
Although these technically only affect upper tier and unitary authorities, we are conscious that in two tier areas districts and boroughs have an important role to play in supporting, and carrying out, scrutiny of local health and care services.
If you have any queries about these changes, please don’t hesitate to contact colleagues at CFGS.
A Reminder – Annual General Meeting, Thursday 8 February at 4pm
Please put this remote meeting in your diary. It’s a very important event in our calendar which will help shape how ADSO operates in the future. An agenda with a joining link will be sent to all members a couple of weeks beforehand.
ADSO Webinar, Tuesday 23 January – Beyond elections: applying Democracy Club’s approach to the rest of democracy
You can register to attend our first webinar of the year about all things Election. Our speaker is Sym Roe from Democray Club, a not-for-profit Community Interest Company run by volunteers working in partnership with the Electoral Commission, councils and many other organisations to build services that get people voting during national and local elections. For full details and to register, click here
Carl Whistlecraft, ADSO Non-Executive Director