From the Chair...

I am really delighted to be able to write the introduction to the newsletter this week – selfishly because it means I am recovered from my operation and back to full capacity, if rather home based, which none of us could have predicted.  However in all challenges there is opportunity and I have been hearing … Continued

This is the time of year when we traditionally think of the August recess, members (thankfully!) disappearing for a few weeks and democratic services officers getting some respite from the constant round of meetings. But these are not normal times and I hope you all manage to take a break with your families and friends. You deserve it … Continued

ADSO Members Forum I’m going to start with comments on the members’ forum on the ADSO website.  There is always a good range of interesting debates there and I would encourage even more members to visit and participate.  ADSO members have an absolute wealth and knowledge and experience.  The forum is a superb place to … Continued

Board changes: There have been some changes to the membership of the Board in recent weeks. At last Friday’s meeting, we said cheerio and a huge thank you to our Director of Communications, Wayne Chandai, who has decided to step down from the Board but will remain as an active member of ADSO. Wayne’s achievements … Continued

I hope you have been able to enjoy some of the fantastic weather we have been having. I see from the media that the Mayor of London has proposed moving the GLA from its current City Hall site near Tower Bridge to Docklands in a move that could save £55m.  I suspect many organisations will … Continued

I have had some time to reflect while writing this message and think that the months ahead are not going to be a straight path out of lockdown. Two things in the last week has made me think that, firstly, the news that most schools will not open until September this means we all need … Continued

As the lockdown restrictions are eased, some extended families will be meeting up for the first time in many months this weekend in their ‘Boris bubbles’. Some of you may finally be able to visit and hug your grandchildren and sons/daughters, plus grandparents etc. Have a great time! Hybrid meetings That leads me to hybrid meetings. Many of … Continued

Once again democracy is back in the headlines. I’m thinking, firstly, of Parliament’s decision not to continue with hybrid operation and instead to adopt some methodology that only they could have thought sensible and practical.  Whilst ADSO members have been toiling away at managing meetings in various forms and formats on our ever dwindling resources, … Continued

Virtual and hybrid meetings As the post-Covid recovery phase gets underway, we all continue with virtual committee meetings but also looking to develop ways of holding hybrid meetings: this is the next challenge and, in many respects, trickier than delivering fully-virtual meetings. Our chair, John Austin, met with colleagues from the LGA, SOCITM, LLG, NALC … Continued