A somewhat belated happy new year to all. I hope you had a good festive break particularly after the stresses and strains of the recent election. Things are getting back to normal and this is the first Democracy Direct for 2020.
I have mentioned in a previous bulletin that we have been preparing a survey of all ADSO members to seek your views on what you want from your association. The questionnaire has now been finalised and will be sent out within the next few weeks. Please make sure you engage in this important survey as it will help shape the services you receive in the future.
I am approached from time to time by authorities looking for short term interim staff. We have tried previously to set up a pool of colleagues interested in temporary appointments but there has been a lack of names coming forward. It is a service we would like to provide, so if you know of anybody who has recently retired or left democratic services for other reasons and may be interested in such work, please ask them to get in touch with me.
The Local Government Association has arranged consultation events on the proposed new councillor code of conduct. There are three events in total, all in the last couple of weeks of January. I’m pleased to say that ADSO will be represented at all three. So if you have any views or ideas as to what you would like to see in the new code then please let me know by 19th January.
There is still the post on the members’ forum relating to the proposed new edition of Knowles. This is a perfect opportunity for us to influence the content of this much used reference book but (other than yours truly) it has been a while since anyone has posted a suggestion or request. Please give it some thought, discuss in your teams or regional meetings and let us have your ideas.
Other more recent posts on the forum which need replies include interfaith prayer rotas at full Council meetings; Neighbourhood Plan approval process; job descriptions and person specifications; Environmental Enforcement Task and Finish Group; and (linked to my mention above) Councillor Code of Conduct review.
Finally, for those Love Island fans, you may have seen that one of the contestants, Shaughna Phillips is an ex Democratic Services Officer. I must confess that Love Island is not something I usually watch. I thought it was a roundabout on the A1! I may however now take a peep – just for professional purposes of course.
That’s all for now. Have a great week.
John Austin
ADSO Chair