I have had a couple of requests for information from Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Firstly, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council currently award Freedom of the Borough status and is considering introducing an ‘Honorary Citizen’ award. They have asked ADSO if any of our member Councils have done anything similar. Please complete
this questionnaire
extension: docx
Secondly, Fraser Bell from Aberdeen Council has asked the following:
“Aberdeen City Council is looking at ways it can do business more efficiently by exploiting technology and reducing the resource requirements. For example, we’re starting to look at whether or not you need a minute taker when you have webcasting, member/public participation at meetings from remote locations, better use of administrative support, restricting the number of committee reports unless the relevant service pays for extra reports etc.
As England is generally ahead of the curve on some of these issues because of the more severe budget reductions south of the border to date, do you know anyone in particular in England who may be well placed to offer some ideas that they’ve considered or are implementing when it comes to exploiting technology or streamlining the committee services function and who may be willing to have a chat with a member of my team?”
Again, please get back to Fraser (Frbell@aberdeencity.gov.uk) if you are willing and able to help. Please copy me in to your response.
I will also post both requests on the forum.
Finally, we are not holding full ADSO awards this year. The Board has taken a decision to hold them every two years. We will still however be having the Learner of the Year award at the Conference dinner in November based on nominations from Advisors. We will also be presenting certificates to all completed learners.
Hi Fraser,
Wigan embraces the digital world having all Members on iPads and most of our services on line for Members. However, we still have minute takers and will continue to do so. All decisions are done through the report management section of Modern.gov and this works really well. We only provide paper agendas for Chairmen if they require them and for any Member proving that they have a disability that is not suited to an iPad. Bringing in the iPads has saved paper costs of £50k per year. Please contact me if you need any further details. We also gained paper light accreditation for our work with the paperless office which is a local scheme.
Christine (Wigan)