Sep
29
Wed
Part 1: Meetings Procedures @ Online via Zoom
Sep 29 @ 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

ADSO are delighted to announce dates for a new, interactive, virtual course ‘Meetings Procedures’.  It will be delivered as two 2.5-3 hour workshops.

Audience
This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who wish to further develop their understanding of the legal and governance 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 (6 months to 3 years experience of supporting meetings as a guide.)

The content is also linked a number of modules especially  Law and Practice module and the Structures and Functions of the ADSO Certificate and ADSO Diploma so it will help learners with their research for this module.

How the course will be delivered

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

  • Understand how decisions are made and reported and your role in supporting this, both in and out of meetings
  • Constitutional issues of meetings- quorums, points of order
  • Dealing with motions and voting including amendments, adjournments and deferrals
  • Have a sense of how accountability and good governance works in local government, how Councils and Councillors are held to account and the role of scrutiny.
  • Understand the rules of debate and consider 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.

Trainer
Lennox Beattie, Executive and Regulatory Manager, Blackpool Council
Lennox is an experienced Democratic Services practitioner having been the Executive and Regulatory Manager at Blackpool Council for the past 14 years. He has been responsible for support to the Executive and its governance for that period.  Lennox is also involved in ADSO work through the qualifications, which includes both the certificate and diploma.

Date and time

  • 29 September 2021 – 09:30 – 12:30
  • 6 October 2021 – 09:30 – 12:30

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 kirsty.lowe@emcouncils.gov.uk.

https://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/ADSO/Meetings-Procedures-ADSO-Course/79255

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.

Terms and conditions for booking can be found here – www.emcouncils.gov.uk/ADSO-Terms-and-Conditions 

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

Virtual Platform
The virtual workshop will be held using Zoom.

Sep
30
Thu
ADSO Webinar – School Appeals: The Basics @ via GoTo Webinar
Sep 30 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

This free webinar, hosted by ADSO, will take place on Thursday 30th September 2021 from 11.00am – 12.00pm.  The session is particularly suitable for clerks new to the role and will cover the basics of school admissions appeals and how they work.

The presenters will be Ann Coldicott, Democratic Services Manager, Essex County Council and Rachel Williamson, Democratic Services Manager, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils.  You will have the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters and share your views through a Q&A session following the main presentation.

To register for the webinar, please click on the following link which will take you to the registration page:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8437279912774995728

The webinar is sponsored FCS Software Solutions (https://fcssoftware.co.uk/ ), delivering the next generation of Local Government Software.  Their AppealsPro Management solution is suite of secure, web-based applications that are designed to manage school appeals and exclusions across all schools and key stages from reception to secondary.

AppealsPro Brochure

extension: pdf

Oct
1
Fri
Part 2: Introduction to Electoral Services @ Online via Zoom
Oct 1 @ 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

ADSO are delighted to announce a new interactive, virtual course ‘Introduction to Electoral Services’.  The course will be delivered as two workshops held virtually.  Delegates will be required to attend both of the virtual workshops.

Audience
This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers and others who may work alongside Electoral Services teams and who wish to develop their understanding of the procedures relating to electoral registration and elections, perhaps with a view to becoming involved in the work to support the delivery of elections, the annual registration canvass or other aspects of electoral work.  The course content will be relevant both to those who are relatively new to democratic services and officers with a few years’ experience.

Although this course is not directly linked to the syllabus of any single module of the ADSO Certificate, the content will include certain information that is relevant to modules including Members and Officers and Law and Practice.

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 roles and responsibilities of the Electoral Registration Officer, the Returning Officer and the council staff that support them.
  • Identify the key pieces of legislation and the agencies that govern the work of the Electoral Services team.
  • Provide an overview of the process of maintaining the electoral register including the reformed Annual Canvass and the year-round registration of electors.
  • Describe the statutory timetable and key events at an election or referendum and the various jobs and activities required to ensure that the poll is successfully delivered.
  • Outline the different ways in which an elector may vote at an election or referendum and how these are administered.

The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with colleagues 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 and electoral services.  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, Electoral Registration 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 1: Friday 24 September 2021, 9:30 – 12:30
  • Workshop 2: Friday 1 October 2021, 9:30 – 12:30

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

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

https://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/adso/Introduction-to-Electoral-Services-ADSO-Course/79121

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 kirsty.lowe@emcouncils.gov.uk.

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 email Kirsty.lowe@emcouncils.gov.uk if you wish to be allocated a learner place.

Terms and conditions for booking can be found here – www.emcouncils.gov.uk/ADSO-Terms-and-Conditions 

Virtual Platform
The virtual workshop will be held using Zoom.

If you have any questions about the course contact Kirsty.Lowe@emcouncils.gov.uk

North East, Yorkshire and Humberside Regional meeting @ By Zoom
Oct 1 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Oct
6
Wed
Part 2: Meetings Procedures @ Online via Zoom
Oct 6 @ 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

ADSO are delighted to announce dates for a new, interactive, virtual course ‘Meetings Procedures’.  It will be delivered as two 2.5-3 hour workshops.

Audience
This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who wish to further develop their understanding of the legal and governance 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 (6 months to 3 years experience of supporting meetings as a guide.)

The content is also linked a number of modules especially  Law and Practice module and the Structures and Functions of the ADSO Certificate and ADSO Diploma so it will help learners with their research for this module.

How the course will be delivered

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

  • Understand how decisions are made and reported and your role in supporting this, both in and out of meetings
  • Constitutional issues of meetings- quorums, points of order
  • Dealing with motions and voting including amendments, adjournments and deferrals
  • Have a sense of how accountability and good governance works in local government, how Councils and Councillors are held to account and the role of scrutiny.
  • Understand the rules of debate and consider 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.

Trainer
Lennox Beattie, Executive and Regulatory Manager, Blackpool Council
Lennox is an experienced Democratic Services practitioner having been the Executive and Regulatory Manager at Blackpool Council for the past 14 years. He has been responsible for support to the Executive and its governance for that period.  Lennox is also involved in ADSO work through the qualifications, which includes both the certificate and diploma.

Date and time

  • 29 September 2021 – 09:30 – 12:30
  • 6 October 2021 – 09:30 – 12:30

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 kirsty.lowe@emcouncils.gov.uk.

https://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/ADSO/Meetings-Procedures-ADSO-Course/79255

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.

Terms and conditions for booking can be found here – www.emcouncils.gov.uk/ADSO-Terms-and-Conditions 

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

Virtual Platform
The virtual workshop will be held using Zoom.

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

ADSO are 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.

Trainers

Peter Sass, ADSO Vice Chair and Head of Governance for Richmond and Wandsworth Councils
Peter Sass, ADSO Vice Chair and Head of Governance for Richmond and Wandsworth Councils in South-West London; Deputy Monitoring Officer for Wandsworth Council.  Peter has over 35 years’ experience in numerous governance roles; mainly Democratic/Members’ Services and elections/electoral registration. He has worked at all tiers of local government including a parish council.  Peter has supported ADSO since its inception in 2009 and believes passionately in the professionalisation of the sector.

Date and time
8 October 2021 – 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 – £80 per 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.

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

https://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/adso/Becoming-a-DSO-%E2%80%93-an-introduction-ADSO-October-Session/78922

Oct
15
Fri
East of England Regional Meeting @ Via Zoom
Oct 15 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Oct
20
Wed
South East Regional Meeting
Oct 20 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

For further information, please contact your regional reps as follows:

Eastern (Kent and Sussex)

Nick Hughes (Thanet District Council) and Matthew Archer (Canterbury City Council)

Email: nicholas.hughes@adso.co.uk
Email: matthew.archer@canterbury.gov.uk

Western (Hampshire and Surrey)

Sally Prior (Test Valley Borough Council) and Kevin Greenhough (Hampshire County Council)

Email: SPrior@testvalley.gov.uk
Email: kevin.greenhough@hants.gov.uk

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

ADSO are delighted to announce the launch the interactive, 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 and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with delegates from across the country.

Trainer
The virtual workshops will be led by Peter Foulsham and Katherine Harclerode.

Peter is the Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager at Wyre Council in Lancashire, and spent twelve years as a Scrutiny Officer.  He is an assessor on the ADSO Diploma in Local Democracy and also supports ADSO’s training programme.

Katherine supports scrutiny as a Governance Advisor at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in South Yorkshire. She is a Joint Regional Representative of ADSO. After her first role as a professional forensic interviewer of children, she was a university instructor for ten years and a corporate trainer at General Dynamics for five years.

Date and time
Part 1:  9 November 2021, 9:30 – 12:30

Part 2:  16 November 2021, 9:30 – 12:30

Delegates are required to attend both workshops.  Please note that you only need to book on the 9 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:

https://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/adso/ADSO—Overview-and-Scrutiny/79097

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 kirsty.lowe@emcouncils.gov.uk.  The Terms and conditions of booking can be found here.

Virtual Platform
The virtual workshop will be held using Zoom.

If you have any questions about the course contact Kirsty.Lowe@emcouncils.gov.uk

Nov
10
Wed
ADSO Webinar – School Appeals: Best Practice @ via GoTo Webinar
Nov 10 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

This free webinar, hosted by ADSO, will take place on Wednesday 10th November 2021 from 11.00am – 12.00pm.  This second session on School Appeals will provide more detail about best practice at hearings and in relation clerk’s notes and decisions.

The presenters will be Rachel Williamson, Democratic Services Manager, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils and Ann Coldicott, Democratic Services Manager, Essex County Council.  You will have the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters and share your views through a Q&A session following the main presentation.

To register for the webinar, please click on the following link which will take you to the registration page:

 https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4608593507919653387

The webinar is sponsored FCS Software Solutions (https://fcssoftware.co.uk/ ), delivering the next generation of Local Government Software.  Their AppealsPro Management solution is suite of secure, web-based applications that are designed to manage school appeals and exclusions across all schools and key stages from reception to secondary.

 

AppealsPro Brochure

extension: pdf