operating regionally association of democratic services officers mark towers blackpool council helen...
TRANSCRIPT
Operating
Regionally
Association of Democratic Services Officers
Mark Towers Blackpool Council
Helen Abraham Coventry City Council
Mark Towers Blackpool Council
Helen Abraham Coventry City Council
October 2009
Outline of Session – Branches and FunctionsOutline of Session – Branches and Functions
How will ADSO operate regionally / sub regionally? 25 min
Ideas and good practice will be shared on how branches will:- operate- link to existing regional /sub-regional networks
How will ADSO develop a united voice, from its 5 functions? 20 min
We need your views on how:- we can co-ordinate these various functions- we can speak with one voice
Association of Democratic Services Officers
Regions and BranchesRegions and Branches
PART 1:How is the Association going to
operate regionally and sub regionally?
Association of Democratic Services Officers
Association of Democratic Services Officers
Memorandum and Articles of Association – MUSTSMemorandum and Articles of Association – MUSTS
12 regions, up to 12 branches
Branch members=paid ADSO members
Can join branch they work in, or an adjacent one.
Branches have AGM each year
Regions could merge into a ‘Super Branch’
Goal: all branches to elect ‘formal’ rep to ADSO Council by Oct 2011
MembersMembers
Association of Democratic Services Officers
ADSO Operating StructureADSO Operating Structure
Council
Sub regional/ regional networks
(existing or new?)
Regional Branches (up to 12 ‘branches’)
Members
-1 rep from each branch -rep serves for 3 years
North West ‘Case Study’North West ‘Case Study’
Some sub regional working, no overall ‘regional’ cohesion.
5 sub regions – 2 with established networks. Some regional networks (e.g. scrutiny, Member Services).
North West Employers Organisation – key lead role in joining the region up – Sue Baxendale.
Launch of ADSO and new qualifications key to cross-region working.
Association of Democratic Services Officers
North West ApproachNorth West Approach
North West Network meetings
All 39 Authorities invited to send a rep
December 2008 + September 2009
North West Steering Group
2 meetings – receive feedback + make proposals
Operating Regionally Workshop – Sept 2009
How networking could operate
What the structure would be?
Case study for today……
Association of Democratic Services Officers
North West Workshop – Networking + StructureNorth West Workshop – Networking + Structure
Aims – Consider:1. How could an ADSO branch work within North
West?
2. Could current sub-regional networks/meetings support an ADSO branch?
3. How could the branch communicate across the region?
4. How could all potential members of ADSO feel involved?
Association of Democratic Services Officers
North West Workshop – Findings - Networking North West Workshop – Findings - Networking
Association of Democratic Services Officers
1. Include ADSO items on current sub-regional network agendas.
2. Develop sub-regional working where it is not in place – ADSO driven.
3. Develop networking sub-regionally for non-managers - focus on training.
4. Hold an Awards ceremony for those who qualify.
5. Use recently retired staff to develop networking and help establish the Association in the region.
North West Workshop – Findings - Structure North West Workshop – Findings - Structure
Association of Democratic Services Officers
1. Branch AGM to be run as a one day seminar.
2. AGM - vote on a rep for ADSO Council and other positions – use absent voting methods - keeps cost down.
3. Have an Executive/Steering Group, possibly with sub-regional reps to co-ordinate work.
4. Keep current regional or sub-regional networks, as some current attendees may not want to, or be able to join ADSO.
END OF PART ONE!
Any questions/ comments/ thoughts?
END OF PART ONE!
Any questions/ comments/ thoughts?
Association of Democratic Services Officers
Speaking as One VoiceSpeaking as One Voice
How will the various parts of Democratic Services work together, to put forward a
united voice?
Association of Democratic Services Officers
Definition of Democratic ServicesDefinition of Democratic Services
Meetings support – providing support services to various formal and informal meetings.
Overview and scrutiny support - providing assistance to the scrutiny function.
Member support –training, political and group support, members’ ward enquiries, etc.
Community Governance – assisting in the delivery of services in neighbourhoods/community areas
Civic support – supporting the Mayor/ Chairman of an Authority and other civic representatives.Association of Democratic Services
Officers
ADSO Mission/ VisionADSO Mission/ Vision
Our mission
‘To represent, promote and develop excellent democratic services, for the benefit of
everyone who works within the sector and those we support.’
Our vision
‘To be a nationally recognised professional association regarded as such by Central
Government, our membership and partners.'
Association of Democratic Services Officers
Democratic Services Business Plan AimsDemocratic Services Business Plan Aims
Below are 3 of 8 aims in ADSO Launch Business Plan:
• To promote the professional status of democratic services, within all aspects of local and community governance;
• To represent the democratic services profession through active engagement with others;
• To act as a body of influence on matters relating to democratic services.
Association of Democratic Services Officers
Body of Influence – How?Body of Influence – How?
5 different functions, as per definition
How would we have responded to consultation exercises like these, from recent years?
New model constitution
Councillor Call for action/ petitions
Councillors Commission feedback
Elected Mayor/ revised Executive arrangements
Delegated budgets to neighbourhoods/ Councillors
Association of Democratic Services Officers
Options for an ADSO responseOptions for an ADSO response
ADSO Council responds direct?
ADSO Council – gets feedback from regions then responds?
ADSO Council refers issue to an expert functional Panel?
What do you think? If using regions then how could this work/ be co-
ordinated?
If using ‘expert’ Panels how could this work?
Association of Democratic Services Officers
Association of Democratic Services Officers
JOIN ADSO !!!!!!!!!
We all need to work together to promote the Association + the qualifications.
Encourage your employers organisation to get involved (if not already) + take a lead.
Work with your regional contact(s) -help set up your branch + how it will operate! http://www.asdso.co.uk/adsoarea