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 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 Branches PART 1: How is the Association going to operate regionally and sub regionally? Association of Democratic Services Officers

Memorandum 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

Members Association of Democratic Services Officers ADSO 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’  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 Approach North West Network meetings  All 39 Authorities invited to send a rep  December 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 + 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 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 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 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 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/ 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 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?  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 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

 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!