Former DCLG Permanent Secretary to chair Centre for Public Scrutiny

The former Head of the Civil Service and ex-Permanent Secretary to the Department for Communities and Local Government, Lord Kerslake, has been become the Chair of the Centre for Public Scrutiny (CfPS).

Lord Kerslake, who was elevated to the House of Lords in March 2015, replaces Rt Hon Nick Raynsford, who chaired the public accountability charity for the last five years.

Prior to his roles in central government, Lord Kerslake was chief executive at the London Borough of Hounslow and Sheffield City Council.

In a keynote speech at the CfPS Conference on 2 June, entitled ‘Devolution, Austerity and Responsibility’, Lord Kerslake said: “Scrutiny is vital to good decision making – especially given the ongoing financial pressures local government is likely to face.

“As the world gets increasingly complex we must close the gap between the governed and those governing. Every leader and decision-maker must believe that where there is clear accountability and involvement, decisions will be better.”

He added: “We need to ensure all our public institutions are effectively scrutinised, the whole system, not just local government. We need every leader, decision-maker and member of the public to believe that where there is clear accountability - decisions will be better and outcomes improved. We need everyone to get the value of involvement.

“Scrutiny must also transform alongside the public sector if it is to become vital and valued.”

The CfPS also recently appointed Jacqui McKinlay as its new Executive Director. She joined in May from Staffordshire County Council where she was Director of Strategy and Customer Services.