Some interesting challenges ahead for those seeking to ensure an accessible election process on 12th December. I think it’s going to be messy, with local Councils in the forefront of sorting it out as best they can; sidestepping nativity plays and Christmas fairs; working their way round the threatened Royal Mail strike to ensure postal … Continued
The House of Commons has finally been able to agree on something and we now have an election on 12th December. I’m sure you have all been preparing for some time as it was a question of when rather than if. We have as a result been considering the situation regarding our conference in November. We realise that the … Continued
So another busy week ahead in Westminster and the European Parliament, will we be leaving the EU on Thursday? Seems likely that the there will be some form of extension, let see what this week brings. Our annual conference date has no chance of changing, we still have a few places so please do check … Continued
Democracy. What is it? Parliament? Cabinet government? Referenda? Direct action? Local elections? Party politics? Independent candidates? Election rules? In the past month I have experienced views on all of the above like, I suspect, most ADSO members. It’s our job to try to make it work whatever system applies to us. As I write this … Continued
The final arrangements are in place for our Annual Conference on 21 & 22 November and we are looking forward to a tremendous 10th birthday celebration for ADSO. We are almost fully booked but some places are still available if you hurry. I am pleased to say that we have increased the number of commercial … Continued
Like many of you, a number of Councils are getting ready for democracy week, and with all this democracy around one would imagine it should be reasonably straight forward! I have had many discussions over the years – and run a few training sessions on it as well – regarding public engagement through the democratic … Continued
Happy 30th September all – I am sure the gardens need it but I could have hoped for a less torrential watering this week. I was in City Hall in London with a client on Tuesday watching a torrent of near biblical proportions flood down the slope towards the meeting room windows and wondering if … Continued
The national political farce continues and no doubt many of you are on election alert. It certainly seems to be when it will take place and not if. In fact as I’m typing this, my Household Enquiry Form has just dropped through my letterbox. Thank you Sefton Council! I said to somebody the other week … Continued
Conference preparations are going well, those who have not booked yet there are still some places left. This year the conference is taking place at our new venue in Bristol on the 22nd and 23rd November, have a look at the programme here: https://www.adso.co.uk/annual-conference-2019/ You may have seen a thread on the member forum “ideas … Continued
This is going to be a long introduction, but I hope to keep it interesting and relevant so please be patient and stick with it to the end! UK democracy has probably never been so passionate and controversial with terms like “constitutional crisis”, “abuse of power” and the clash of executive and parliament” being bandied … Continued
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