From the Chair...

I hope that you all managed to get some rest over the Easter long weekend, it feels a long time ago already, especially after last week. Many of you will have been busy on Friday afternoon following the announcement of death of The Duke of Edinburgh; thankfully at Essex our plans were up to-date, but … Continued

Judging from my ADSO email in-box, it seems a bit quieter this week leading up to Easter. I hope that’s because many of you are having a well-earned break from work. When I began writing this, the sun was shining here in the North West but sadly it didn’t last long. What a difference it made for two days when you could open your windows and … Continued

I’m writing this just wondering how it’s possible that the elections that most of us have this year are now so close. I feel for colleagues up and down the country trying to find sufficient polling stations, polling and count staff and Covid-secure count venues. I had a planning meeting last week with elections colleagues … Continued

Hello Everyone I attended one of the large vaccination centres in Eastbourne this week to receive my first jab. I have to say I was very impressed with how well organised the whole process was from arriving at the venue and getting my details checked to having the vaccination, all staffed largely by volunteers and … Continued

An introduction to our Non-Executive Director: Professor Colin Copus Hello everyone. It was a great pleasure to be asked to join the board of ADSO as a non-executive director and to work alongside such good colleagues dedicated to keeping local democracy going. What a challenge that has been over the last year, but without Democratic … Continued

Well, I expect everyone is busy trying to work out the implications of the new budget statement and wondering what the future may hold for virtual meetings now we have all got used to them.  I’d say these were ‘interesting times’ but I think we are beyond that now and have become used to constant change, … Continued

I hope you are all feeling the much needed wave of quiet optimism sweeping the country following the prime minister’s statement last week; with gradual unlocking and the prospect of some normality resuming, I cannot help but feel a little bit cheery. I sincerely hope it will not be too much longer until we can … Continued

The weeks are whizzing by, the weather is getting warmer (at the moment anyway!)  and the days are  slowly becoming longer. Let’s hope we can all begin to enjoy the coming of spring very soon. For those with children, I hope you have managed to have a well-earned break during half term. Count the days before your … Continued

I am not sure where to start, so I guess a “hello” would be polite! I hope you are all well and weathering the storm, both Darcy and the one we have been working in over the last year. I know I am really starting to feel the challenges of a busy day job, plus … Continued