Nov
17
Thu
ADSO Annual Conference 2022 – Day 1
Nov 17 all-day

Full details to follow.

ADSO AGM @ To be confirmed
Nov 17 @ 4:20 pm – 5:00 pm

ADSO’s AGM will take place at the Annual Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Forest Pines Spa and Golf Resort, Ermine Street, Broughton, Brigg DN20 0AQ

Nov
18
Fri
ADSO Annual Conference 2022 – Day 2
Nov 18 all-day

Full details to follow.

Nov
22
Tue
Part 2: Introduction to Company Secretarial Practice @ Online via Zoom
Nov 22 @ 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

ADSO is hosting the interactive, virtual course ‘Introduction to Company Secretarial Practice’ in November 2022. ‘Introduction to Company Secretarial Practice’ will be delivered as two, three hour workshops held virtually. Delegates will be required to attend both of the virtual workshops.

Audience
This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers, or those who work in corporate roles in other sectors, who wish to develop their understanding of the role of the company secretary, the work it does and the other roles with which it interacts.

The target audience is experienced democratic and corporate services professionals who are either involved in local authority companies or other corporations, or who are interested in being so in the future.

How the course will be delivered
The course will be delivered virtually.  To maximise the delegates learning experience the course has been broken into two virtual workshops on the following dates:

  • 15 November 2022, 9:30 – 12:30
  • 22 November 2022, 9:30 – 12:30

The workshops will explore:

  • What is a company and why one would be set up
  • The different roles on a company’s board
  • The governance frameworks associated with companies and why some companies have failed in the past
  • The elements of effective company boards
  • The role of the company secretary

The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with other people from across the country.

Delegates are required to attend both workshops.

Cost

  • ADSO Member rate – £110 per person to attend the course
  • Non-ADSO Member rate – £160 per person to attend the course

All costs subject to VAT.

ADSO reserve up to two places on this course for an ADSO learner depending on demand – please contact us if you wish to be allocated a learner place.

How to book a place
To book a place please use the online booking form via the link below. Please note that you only need to book a place on 15 November to attend both workshops.

Please note that you will need to supply a purchase order number.  This can either be done by adding to your online booking, alternatively email the purchase order to info@emcouncils.gov.uk.  The Terms and conditions of booking can be found here.

Book here:  https://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/adso/ADSO—Introduction-to-Company-Secretarial-Practice/80066

Virtual Platform
The virtual workshop will be held using Zoom.

 

Nov
23
Wed
Part 1: Overview and Scrutiny @ Online via Zoom
Nov 23 @ 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

ADSO is hosting a virtual course ‘Overview and Scrutiny’.  The course will be delivered as two, two and half hour to three hour workshops held virtually.  Delegates will be required to attend both of the virtual workshops.

Audience
This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who wish to develop their understanding of the main principles, roles and methodology of overview and scrutiny.  The target audience will be those who need an introduction to overview and scrutiny to equip them with the basics to support Overview and Scrutiny Committees and task and finish groups.
The content is also linked to Module 7 of the ADSO Certificate so it will help learners with their research for this module.

How the course will be delivered
The course will be delivered virtually, to maximise the delegates learning experience the course has been broken into two virtual workshops.

The workshops will

  • Provide an understanding of the relevant legislation underpinning overview and scrutiny
  • Provide an understanding of the roles and principles of good scrutiny
  • Explore ideas about how to put together a Scrutiny Work Programme
  • Explore how to scope a scrutiny review
  • Consider the principles of good questioning

The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with delegates from across the country.

Trainer
The virtual workshops will be led by Tracy Tiff and Peter Foulsham.

Peter is the Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager at Wyre Council, where he has worked for fifteen years, previously as the Scrutiny Officer.  Throughout his working life Peter has always been involved in training and development, and has assisted ADSO in this role over the past seven or eight years.  Peter is also an assessor on ADSO’s Diploma in Local Democracy.

Tracy has worked in Local Government since 1995, moving to Democratic Services in 1997. She has a wealth of experience and knowledge in governance, constitution and Overview and Scrutiny.  Tracy gained valuable experience from worked at Northampton Borough Council from 2001 to 2021, transferring to the newly formed Unitary Council – West Northants Council in April 2021; where she is continuing in the field of Democratic Services.

Date and time
23 November, 9:30 – 12:30, and
30 November, 9:30 – 12:30

Delegates are required to attend both workshops.  Please note that you only need to book on the 23 November course date to be able to attend both workshops.

Cost

  • ADSO Member rate – £110 per person to attend the course
  • Non-ADSO Member rate – £160 per person to attend the course

All costs subject to VAT.
ADSO reserve up to two places on this course for an ADSO learner depending on demand – please contact us if you wish to be allocated a learner place.

How to book a place
To book a place please use the online booking form via the link below.

Please note that you will need to supply a purchase order number.  This can either be done by adding to your online booking, alternatively email the purchase order to info@emcouncils.gov.uk.  The Terms and conditions of booking can be found here.

Virtual Platform
The virtual workshop will be held using Zoom.

Book here:  https://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/adso/ADSO—Overview-and-Scrutiny-November/80173

Nov
30
Wed
Part 2: Overview and Scrutiny @ Online via Zoom
Nov 30 @ 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

ADSO is hosting a virtual course ‘Overview and Scrutiny’.  The course will be delivered as two, two and half hour to three hour workshops held virtually.  Delegates will be required to attend both of the virtual workshops.

Audience
This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who wish to develop their understanding of the main principles, roles and methodology of overview and scrutiny.  The target audience will be those who need an introduction to overview and scrutiny to equip them with the basics to support Overview and Scrutiny Committees and task and finish groups.
The content is also linked to Module 7 of the ADSO Certificate so it will help learners with their research for this module.

How the course will be delivered
The course will be delivered virtually, to maximise the delegates learning experience the course has been broken into two virtual workshops.

The workshops will

  • Provide an understanding of the relevant legislation underpinning overview and scrutiny
  • Provide an understanding of the roles and principles of good scrutiny
  • Explore ideas about how to put together a Scrutiny Work Programme
  • Explore how to scope a scrutiny review
  • Consider the principles of good questioning

The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with delegates from across the country.

Trainer
The virtual workshops will be led by Tracy Tiff and Peter Foulsham.

Peter is the Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager at Wyre Council, where he has worked for fifteen years, previously as the Scrutiny Officer.  Throughout his working life Peter has always been involved in training and development, and has assisted ADSO in this role over the past seven or eight years.  Peter is also an assessor on ADSO’s Diploma in Local Democracy.

Tracy has worked in Local Government since 1995, moving to Democratic Services in 1997. She has a wealth of experience and knowledge in governance, constitution and Overview and Scrutiny.  Tracy gained valuable experience from worked at Northampton Borough Council from 2001 to 2021, transferring to the newly formed Unitary Council – West Northants Council in April 2021; where she is continuing in the field of Democratic Services.

Date and time
23 November, 9:30 – 12:30, and
30 November, 9:30 – 12:30

Delegates are required to attend both workshops.  Please note that you only need to book on the 23 November course date to be able to attend both workshops.

Cost

  • ADSO Member rate – £110 per person to attend the course
  • Non-ADSO Member rate – £160 per person to attend the course

All costs subject to VAT.
ADSO reserve up to two places on this course for an ADSO learner depending on demand – please contact us if you wish to be allocated a learner place.

How to book a place
To book a place please use the online booking form via the link below.

Please note that you will need to supply a purchase order number.  This can either be done by adding to your online booking, alternatively email the purchase order to info@emcouncils.gov.uk.  The Terms and conditions of booking can be found here.

Virtual Platform
The virtual workshop will be held using Zoom.

Book here:  https://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/adso/ADSO—Overview-and-Scrutiny-November/80173

Dec
8
Thu
Becoming a DSO – An Introduction @ Online via Zoom
Dec 8 @ 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

ADSO is hosting an opportunity to attend the new, interactive, virtual course ‘Becoming a DSO – an introduction’.  Specifically designed for those taking their first steps into the world of Democratic Services- this course is aimed at those in the first eight weeks of starting.

This is a quick introduction, designed to give you some essentials and to give you the chance to ask questions and meet other new starters.  It will be delivered as a single 3 hour workshop.

Audience
This course is aimed at newly appointed Democratic Services Officers who wish to develop their understanding of their role.   It is for those who have never worked in this area before and who want a quick introduction to orient themselves.

How the course will be delivered

The course will be delivered virtually, and by the end of the workshop you will:

  • Understand what a local Council is and how it is funded.
  • Know the different types of local Council and what services they provide
  • Understand how decisions are made and your role in supporting this, both in and out of meetings
  • Have a sense of how accountability works in local government, how Councils and Councillors are held to account and the role of scrutiny.
  • Have considered the impact of politics and what this means for you as an officer of the Council.

The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with delegates from across the country.

Learner requirements

You will be required to watch a short video and reflect on some of the ‘jargon’ you may have already experienced in preparation for some of the activities.

Date and time
8 December 2022 – 09:30-12:30

Virtual Platform
The virtual workshop will be held using Zoom.

Cost

  • ADSO Member rate – £55 per person to attend the course
  • Non-ADSO Member rate – £80per person to attend the course

All costs subject to VAT.

ADSO learners
This course is not part of the offer to ADSO members working towards the Certificate or Diploma

Please note that this is an ADSO course, purchase order numbers will need to be made to ADSO.  Is you would like to confirm details for the purchase order number please email Kirsty.lowe@emcouncils.gov.uk .  Please note that this is not an East Midlands Councils course, East Midlands Councils is supporting ADSO with the delivery of its courses.

Click here to bookhttps://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/adso/Becoming-a-DSO-%E2%80%93-an-introduction-ADSO-December-session/79914

Dec
9
Fri
ADSO Full Board meeting @ Via Zoom
Dec 9 @ 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Jan
18
Wed
Part 1: Law and Practice @ Online via Zoom
Jan 18 @ 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

ADSO is hosting the interactive, virtual course ‘Law and Practice of Local Government’ in January 2023 via Zoom.  The course will be delivered as two, three hour workshops held virtually.  Delegates will be required to attend both of the virtual workshops.

Audience

This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who wish to develop their understanding of the legal framework within which councils operate and the practical application of this to the range of work areas undertaken by democratic services teams.  The course content will be relevant both to those who are relatively new to democratic services and officers with a few years’ experience.

The content is also linked to the Law and Practice module of the ADSO Certificate so it will help learners with their research for this module.

How the course will be delivered

The course will be delivered virtually.  To maximise the delegates’ learning experience the course has been broken into two virtual workshops.

The workshops will

  • Provide an understanding of the statutory position of local government and the main pieces of legislation governing its operation and constitutional arrangements.
  • Examine the practical application of this legal framework to the aspects of a council’s operation that impact most directly on the democratic services function, including:
    • Governance arrangements and decision-making under executive arrangements or a committee system;
    • Political proportionality rules;
    • Legal provisions affecting members and officers; and
    • Arrangements to ensure good governance including access to information, transparency and ethical standards.

The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with delegates from across the country.

Trainer

The virtual workshops will be led by John Williams.  John has over 30 years’ practical experience in the field of democratic services, governance and constitutional advice.  For 12 of these he headed up the service at the London Boroughs of Croydon and then Tower Hamlets, where he was also appointed as Returning Officer and Deputy Monitoring Officer.

John now works as a consultant in democratic and electoral services and has extensive experience of delivering training in each of these areas.  He is also an assessor for the ADSO Diploma.

Dates and times

Workshop One: Wednesday 18 January 2023, 9:30 – 12:30
Workshop Two: Wednesday 25 January 2023, 9:30 – 12:30

Delegates are required to attend both workshops.  Please note that you only need to book on the 18 January course date to be able to attend both workshops.

Cost

  • ADSO Member rate – £110 + VAT per person to attend the course
  • Non-ADSO Member rate – £160 + VAT per person to attend the course

ADSO reserve up to two places on this course for an ADSO learner depending on demand – please email adsotraining@emcouncils.gov.uk if you wish to be allocated a learner place.

How to book a place

To book a place please use the online booking form via the link below.  Terms and Conditions of booking can be found here.

https://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/ADSO/ADSO—Law-and-Practice-of-Local-Government/80286

Booking requirements

  • A purchase order number is required for all bookings.  Please make the PO out to ADSO.
  • A hardcopy of the purchase order is required.
  • Please provide us with your ADSO Membership number (if applicable)

Please send the above information to adsotraining@emcouncils.gov.uk.

 

 

Jan
24
Tue
Part 1: Just a Minute @ Online via Zoom
Jan 24 @ 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

ADSO is hosting the highly popular, virtual course ‘Just a Minute’.  Just a Minute will be delivered as two, three hour workshops held virtually.   Delegates will be required to attend both of the virtual workshops.

Audience

This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who are required to take minutes of meetings.   The target audience will be those who are relatively new to democratic service teams and those with a few years experience.

How the course will be delivered

The course will be delivered virtually, to maximise the delegates learning experience the course has been broken into two virtual workshops.

The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with delegates from across the country.

This workshop aims to provide you with the skills and knowledge to write a local government minute, including:

  • An understanding of the law relating to local government minutes
  • Tips and good practice for local government minute writing
  • An awareness of the different minutes styles used for different types of meetings
  • The opportunity to apply your knowledge in practical exercises and case studies with colleagues from other local authorities.

You will need to bring pen and paper, or laptop, or your own preferred minute writing medium!

Trainer

The workshop will be delivered by Julia Cleary, Head of Governance and Corporate Support at the West Midlands Combined Authorityl.

Date and time

Workshop One: Tuesday 24 January 2023, 09:30 – 12:30
Workshop Two: Tuesday 31 January 2023, 09:30 – 12:30

Delegates are required to attend both workshops.  Please note that you only need to book on the 24 January course date to be able to attend both workshops.

Cost

  • ADSO Member rate – £110 + VAT per person to attend the course
  • Non-ADSO Member rate – £160 + VAT per person to attend the course

How to book a place

To book a place please use the online booking form via the link below.  Please note that the ADSO Certificate Learner free places do not apply for the ‘Just a Minute’ Course.

Terms and Conditions of booking can be found here.

https://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/ADSO/ADSO—Just-a-Minute-/80300

Booking requirements

  • A purchase order number is required for all bookings.  Please make the PO out to ADSO.
  • A hardcopy of the purchase order is required.
  • Please provide us with your ADSO Membership number (if applicable)

Please send the above information to adsotraining@emcouncils.gov.uk.