What a week! I could just leave it there… Despite entering into another national lockdown, there has been some other news for once. The most powerful politician in the world has been voted for. In my first draft, it wasn’t certain what the result would be. I had thought very hard about what to write and I have kept most of it, even though we now know the result. I will continue to stand in solidarity with our colleagues on the other side of the pond who are working in incredibly challenging circumstances and will remember to teach my children that whatever our personal opinions, we are all human beings and we should always think about why people vote as they do and not add to the hate. I wish Biden and Harris the best in healing the country, it’s going to be a tough job but I am sure they are up to it. In reflecting on it all, I am personally proud that my five year old doesn’t ask for a recount or say the winner is cheating when he loses.
Membership of IIMC
Thinking of our colleagues overseas, you will know we are automatically members of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), it is the global body for people who do similar roles to us, we are in Region XI, which is all of the world apart from North America and I am pleased to share the latest newsletter here.
LGA Webinar – Friday 20 November
John Austin and Peter Sass are both taking part in the LGA Making Democracy Digital: Hybrid meetings webinar on Friday 20 November at 10:00, if you haven’t registered already you can find more details here. The webinar will examine hybrid meetings and provide an overview of what is happening across the country.
ADSO Virtual Training courses
The Directors are pleased to announce that later this month, we will launch a new virtual training offer. More information on these virtual courses will be shared in the coming days on the website, the first two courses in the programme will be Council and its Governance taking place on 24/11/20 and 01/12/20 both 9:30-12:30 and Structures and Functions scheduled for 14/01/21 and 21/01/21 again both 09:30-12:30. They will be virtual, interactive courses, each held as two modules delivered virtually using Zoom. Delegates will need to attend both modules to cover the entire course content.
Remote meetings/School appeals/voting in 2021
John Austin and I have been attending regular meetings with the Local Government Association (LGA), Lawyers in Local Government (LLG), The National Association of Local Councils (NACO), The Society for Innovation, Technology and Modernisation (SOITM) and The Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CfGS) to discuss remote meetings. Last week Peter shared with you the news about the proposed extension of virtual school appeals and this week I wanted to share with you the letter that was sent from the Chairman of the LGA on the Groups behalf to the Secretary of State regarding the extension:
201012 MHCLG Rt Hon Robert Jenrick Letter on future of remote meetings
extension: pdf
You may also be interested to read what Baroness Eaton asked the Government and their reply, about the retention of remote meetings beyond the pandemic and members of the public instructed to self-isolate due COVID-19 being able to exercise their vote on polling day next year, something exceptionally important given the situation in the United States.
ADSO Membership renewal
A reminder, your ADSO membership ran out on 31 October 2020, if you haven’t yet renewed, please do so as soon as possible. If you have any questions contact elections@sunderland.gov.uk
AGM & Awards evening – 26 November
My next newsletter will now not be until after the ADSO AGM and ADSO Awards 2020 taking place on 26 November from 17:00; joining details will be with you soon. Although only a few of us can be winners on the night, to my mind we are celebrating the achievement of all who have worked in Democratic Services over the last year, what a year it has been!
Look after yourselves and those you work with, the coming weeks will be challenging.
Joanna Boaler, Director of Communications