Update from Board meeting

We had the ADSO Board meeting on Friday 8 December and the Christmas spirit was in full flow as you can see from the attached photo. The wine was equally in full flow afterwards!

We did get some serious business done though. We reviewed the feedback following the conference in Nottingham. I am pleased to say that the views were very positive, with a number of helpful learning points to take on board for next year. The general view was that the venue was excellent and the programme more than delivered what people wanted. As expected, there were some strong views with regard to the panel discussion and this is something we will review for 2018. The dinner, awards and disco were very well received so we will have those again too. Thank you to all who ran workshops/facilitated discussions and to those who returned the evaluations.

I think I have mentioned before that Linda Scott, regional representative from the North East, has stepped down from her role. Linda leaves with a huge ‘thank you’ from all at ADSO for the work she has done over the years. I have really enjoyed working with her and wish her all the very best for the future. We have taken this opportunity to review the regional structure in that part of the country. We have decided to merge the North East and Yorkshire & Humberside regions, led by James McLaughlin and supported by Michael Robson. We will be working hard next year to gel the new region into one and increase activity for members across the whole area. If you are able to lend a hand to James and Michael, please let them know.

We also reviewed Board Director’s performance against the targets set for 2017, linked to the performance related element of the remuneration package. This will now go for independent assessment before any payments are made.

One of the biggest challenges facing the Board and ADSO more generally is succession planning. Where are the future Directors and other post holders of the future? So much so that we have decided to have a Board away day in the new year, externally facilitated, to plan a way forward. I’ll keep you posted as this develops.

I mentioned in a previous Democracy Direct that we have joined forces with the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) in issuing a survey to Monitoring Officers about Parish Councillor Conduct. That questionnaire went out from Natalie Ainscough on behalf of SLCC on 1 December. Please chase up your MO (if you have parish councils in your area) to make sure that it is completed and returned by the deadline of 15 December.

Best wishes and hope the Christmas shopping is going well.

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