Annual Conference update – Sue Keogh

I have just returned from our 10th Annual Conference and I am delighted to say that it was another great event. Over 150 delegates attended the two days in Nottingham and were able to network with colleagues as part of the facilitated discussions and workshops and more informally during the drinks reception and dinner. We heard from a wide range of speakers, moving from hearing about the implications of Brexit for Local Government in one session to learning about the 149 and Glimpse of Brilliance techniques in the next! We had a great panel for our Question Time event which was well chaired by Peter Stanyon from the AEA and provided a wide range of views in response to questions from the audience.

A particular highlight was the annual Awards evening and I was really pleased to welcome 21 learners onto the stage to collect their certificates from the Sheriff of Nottingham, having completed their qualification over the last year. It is worth noting that there were another 34 learners who had achieved their qualification but were unable to attend conference. I would like to say well done to Chris Ward from Aylesbury Vale who recognised as Learner of the Year. Congratulations also go to the London Borough of Sutton who won the Team of the Year award and to the London Borough of Brent who were highly commended. We also managed to raise £448 for the Mayor’s charity from a raffle held during the dinner.

Finally a huge thank you to all the delegates, speakers and sponsors who took part in the conference and to the ADSO Board who provided such great support both in the run up to the conference and during the event. Particular thanks go to Wayne Chandai for all his hard work and to Sarah Hawkins who took on the administration for ADSO. Many of you will be aware that I stepped down from the Board at the AGM after ten years as a Director. I have loved being part of ADSO and meeting and working with so many of you in Democratic Services and I will miss being on the Board. However, I am really pleased that I will still be looking after the qualifications for ADSO and, hopefully, running the occasional course for them so I will stay very much in touch. A final thank you to the ADSO Directors for their friendship and support over the years and for my lovely farewell gifts.

Sue