Weekly message from Colin Copus, Non-Executive Director

Disqualification (Local Government) Act 2022
The new Disqualification (Local Government) Act 2022 has now come into force which disqualifies anyone from being elected to or being a member of a local authority and other local elected offices if they are subject to notification requirements or various orders in relation to sexual offences. ADSO has produced a briefing note on the Act which can be found here:

ADSO Webinar – Friday 15 July 14:30-15:30
We still have some places on our next webinar, presented by Jess Norman, Senior Policy Adviser (Democracy and VCS) at the LGA on the subject of LGA’s recently published statement and report on the impact of abuse and intimidation of councillors, following their 2022 census of councillors. The report can be found here: https://www.local.gov.uk/publications/debate-not-hate-impact-abuse-local-democracy

ADSO has expressed its full support for the LGA’s work, and we are committed to doing all we can to help address this very serious problem and threat to local democracy. As ADSO members, you will be getting an early insight into the LGA report and the opportunity to comment on future action.

To book your place visit GoTo Webinar

DLUHC Response to Development Plan questions
DLUHC has responded to a series of questions raised by the LUHC Committee of the House of Commons related to the primacy of the Development Plan, National Development Management Policies, Spatial Development Strategies, Supplementary Plans and Urgent Crown Development and public participation. The response can be found here:

ADSO Training courses
Two additional courses have been added to the ADSO national training programme. Both courses are highly popular, we would recommend early booking to secure your place.

Just a Minute
This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who are required to take minutes of meetings.   The target audience will be those who are relatively new to democratic service teams and those with a few years’ experience and aims to provide you with the skills and knowledge to write a local government minute.
Date and time: 27 September & 4 October 2022 – 9:30 – 12:30
https://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/adso/ADSO—Just-a-Minute-September-October-/80172

Overview and Scrutiny
This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who wish to develop their understanding of the main principles, roles and methodology of overview and scrutiny. The target audience will be those who need an introduction to overview and scrutiny to equip them with the basics to support Overview and Scrutiny Committees and task and finish groups. The content is also linked to Module 7 of the ADSO Certificate so it will help learners with their research for this module.
Date and time: 23 & 30 November, 9:30 – 12:30
https://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/adso/ADSO—Overview-and-Scrutiny-November/80173

ADSO Awards 2021 Focus – Learner of the Year, Cathy Hayward

Cathy Hayward, the ADSO Learner of the Year for 2021 describes the value of undertaking ADSO’s certificate and training and the benefit it provides for DSOs.

“I was amazed to become the ADSO Learner of the Year 2021. I currently work as a Committee Services Officer at the London Borough of Sutton, I have been in my current role for four years, although I have worked for Sutton Council in other roles for longer. The knowledge and experience I have gained as a result of my studies for the certificate has allowed me to take on career development tasks within my current team. Also, to support new team members to continue developing the quality of the service provided by our team.

I decided to embark on the ADSO certificate in Democratic Knowledge in March 2020, and module one became my lockdown project, little did I know the final module would also be a lockdown project, as well as several of the modules in between as Covid restrictions varied through 2020 and 2021. Throughout my studies my assessor was very supportive, encouraging if sometimes challenging! I also had great support from the ADSO training programme. I chose to study for the certificate because I felt that although I often knew what a Committee Services Officer should do in certain situations, I was not always sure why and was wary of the follow up questions which inevitably follow. I felt the certificate would help me and provide confidence in responding to and dealing with the many questions, challenges and conundrums Committee Services Officers regularly face.

One of the most enlightening things I learnt while preparing assignments was that it’s ok to not know – you can find out and also that thinking and reflection before responding helps. There are lots of resources including the ADSO’s training sessions and forum. Completing the certificate has increased my confidence that I have the knowledge and understanding to support the democratic process in my role, and to share the knowledge with elected members, senior staff and colleagues.”

Have a good week.

Colin Copus, Non-Executive Director