Weekly message from Peter Sass, Vice Chair

So, we all made it through the elections, Annual Meetings, Member Induction etc. Getting through this period was never in doubt – Democratic Services staff always deliver! One of my two Councils has changed political control; so it’s been a busy, challenging but interesting time working with the new Administration. We are also appointing a new Chief Executive for Richmond and Wandsworth Council so a great deal of change is taking place.

ADSO Awards
Hopefully, you will have seen that the 2022 ADSO Awards are now live! Here’s the all-important link: ADSO Awards 2022 – ADSO

Let’s see if we can break the record this year for the number of nominations in all four categories. Good luck to all of the nominees.

Training
There are still places available on the following training courses:

1. Structures and Functions: The anatomy of Local Government, 5 and 13 July
This course will be delivered as two, two-hour workshops held virtually.  Delegates will be required to attend both of the virtual workshops.

Local government in England and Wales is complex and constantly evolving. The workshops will help learners to be more effective in their roles by:

  • Explaining local government’s place in the UK’s constitutional arrangements
  • Unpicking the different kinds of authorities and councils and what they do
  • Exploring the geographies of local government and the drivers of change: Is bigger better?

This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who wish to develop their understanding of the different kinds of local authorities, what they do and how they fit into the wider government landscape of the UK.  The target audience will be those who are relatively new to democratic service teams and those with a few years’ experience.

The content is also linked to the Council and Governance module of the ADSO Certificate so it will help learners with their research for this module.

Course dates
Part 1 – Tuesday 5 July 2022, 09:30 – 12:00
Part 2 – Wednesday 13 July 2022, 13:30 – 16:30

2. Working in a Political Environment, 29 September and 5 October
This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who wish to work more effectively with elected members. The target audience will be those who are relatively new to democratic service teams and those with a few years’ experience.

The content is also linked to Module 6, Members and Officers in Local Government of the ADSO Certificate so it will help learners with their research for this module.

The workshops will seek to:

  • Explore and better understand the differences between the roles and responsibilities of elected members and officers.
  • Examine the legal, constitutional and procedural framework regulating the conduct of members and officers.
  • Enhance your understanding of the political environment around you.
  • Develop your knowledge and skills of how to operate effectively in a political environment.

The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with delegates from across the country.

Course dates
Part 1 – Thursday 29 September 2022, 09:30 – 12:30
Part 2 – Wednesday 5 October 2022, 09:30 – 12:30

For information about all ADSOs course visit here https://www.adso.co.uk/adso-training/book-your-course/

Peter Sass, ADSO Vice Chair

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