Join ADSO

The Association of Democratic Services Officers is a national body, which represents all members who work or have worked within the Democratic Service, within Local Authorities, Joint Authorities and Employers Organisations.

The definition of the functions covered by the Association is as follows:

• Meetings support – providing support services to the Council, the Executive/ Cabinet, the Council’s committees (including overview and scrutiny and regulatory), forums, appeal hearings, licensing panel, and area bodies and partnership meetings. Providing advice on meeting procedures and legislation.
• Overview and scrutiny support – providing assistance to the scrutiny function, helping members to scope, research, analyse evidence and draft reports.
• Member support – supporting the Council’s elected members including training and development, political and group support, the supply of information, the support of member related administration services, members’ ward enquiries, administration of members’ allowances payments and general advice on the ethical framework for councillors.
• Community Governance – to support the work of Councils and councillors in delivering services in neighbourhoods and community areas
• Civic support – providing a support service to the Mayor and other civic representatives, the Lord Lieutenancy, arranging major civic events and twinning activities.

Membership is open to anyone who works or has worked within any of the functions listed in the definition of the Association. This includes members who work for Local Authorities, Joint Authorities, Housing Associations and Employers Organisations. Membership runs from 1 November – 31 October each year.

We currently have over 1,400 members across over 300+ organisations, not a member yet? Join us today!

At our Board meeting on 18 September 2020, the Board agreed to offer 12 months free membership to those who are actively looking for a job within democratic services and are currently unemployed. We are hoping to increase future democratic services professionals in both their knowledge and networking to help them improve their employment prospects. If you are someone you know my be interested in this offer, please let us know by emailing info@adso.co.uk or contacting our Company Secretary, Mark Towers on mark.towers@adso.co.uk

Our current membership rate from 1 November 2023 onwards is £55 per person plus VAT (ie £66 inc VAT) for full members, reduced to £30+VAT (ie £36 inc VAT ) for part time members (people working under 35 hours per week) with discounts for Authorities who will pay subscriptions on behalf of members on the following basis:

2 to 5 members – 10% overall reduction
6 to 10 members – 15% overall reduction
11 members or more – 20% overall reduction

We also offer a reduced fee for retired ADSO members of £10 + VAT.

As in previous years, we have an early bird offer on new memberships for those who join ADSO between August and October. Basically this means that anybody joining during this period will have whatever remains of that period up until 31 October included for free. So if you know of anybody wishing to join, please alert them to this value for money offer.

Membership Terms update – September 2023:
Where a member leaves employment during the ADSO membership year, the membership will stay with the leaving member’s previous organisation. That previous employer may transfer at no cost that membership to another member of their staff for the remainder of that membership year and the leaving member wishing to remain a member would need to pay for a new membership by themselves or through their new employer.

However, if the leaving member can demonstrate they have paid for the original membership themselves or if the previous employer expressly permits it, the leaving member can transfer their membership to their new employer instead. However, in latter instance, the previous employer would forfeit the membership place for the remainder of that year

To join download either of the application forms below:

PDF Format:

Word Format:

If you are considering joining, but not yet sure what the benefits might be, please get in touch by email mark.towers@adso.co.uk