“We had a good Board meeting on Friday which included a ‘Plain English’ walk through of the accounts and current financial position with our accountant and bookkeeper. This was really helpful and was designed to increase understanding of our financial situation each quarter and how we can use that information to better understand what the figures are telling us and improve our management of the association. We are in a healthy position financially but cannot be complacent. We must continue to look for new income streams and maximise every pound we receive from you as members. Plans for conference are going well and places are being filled quickly, including in the conference hotel. If you wish to attend, please get booked on as soon as you can.
We are coming up to conference season and I will be representing ADSO at both the Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) and Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) events in October. ADSO has been working with the Centre for Public Scrutiny following the Government’s response to the Commons Select Committee recommendations on Overview and Scrutiny. This has led to the attached discussion paper. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government are holding a round table event this coming Wednesday (19 September) at Birmingham University to discuss the issues within the paper. I will be there representing ADSO. The wider consultation will finish around the end of October/early November. If you have any immediate views then please
send them to me (john.austin@adso.co.uk) and I will raise them on Wednesday. If you wish to take a more considered view then please contribute to the discussion via the members’ forum. The post will appear early next week. There will also be discussions at those regional meetings that are taking place during September, October and early November.
The first meeting of the North East, Yorkshire and Humber region will take place this Friday (21st ) in York. It looks a really good agenda so please get along there if you can. Contact ‘james.mclaughlin@adso.co.uk’ if you wish to attend.
Whilst I am on the subject of the regions, there is a vacancy for the regional representative role in the West Midlands. If anybody is interested from that area, please get in touch and we can talk through what is involved. It is a very important and rewarding role. You will have a place on the ADSO Board and will play a key role in developing the association both regionally and nationally. We are very happy for the role to be shared between (say) two people as we currently have in the North West. Please don’t leave it to others.
It’s important that every region is represented and supported. Finally, nominations are currently being sought for the ADSO Director
positions. See the website for details. The closing date for nominations is noon on 21 September. Again, please contact me if you wish to have an informal ‘no obligation’ discussion.
Have a great week.