This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who wish to develop their understanding of the legal framework within which councils and combined authorities operate and the practical application of this to the range of work areas undertaken by democratic services teams.  The course content will be relevant both to those who are relatively new to democratic services and to officers with a few years’ experience.

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

How the course will be delivered

The course will be delivered virtually via Zoom.  To maximise the delegates’ learning experience the course has been divided into two virtual workshops of three hours each.

The workshops will

• Provide an understanding of the statutory position of local and combined authorities and the main pieces of legislation governing their operation and constitutional arrangements.
• Examine the practical application of this legal framework to the aspects of an authority’s operation that impact most directly on the democratic services function, including:
  • Constitutions, governance arrangements and decision-making under executive arrangements (elected mayor or leader and cabinet) or a committee system;
  • Political proportionality rules;
  • Legal provisions relating to member and officer roles; and
  • Arrangements to ensure good governance including access to information, transparency and ethical standards.

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

Trainers 

To be confirmed.

Dates and times

Workshop One: Tuesday 2nd Dec 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm
Workshop Two: Tuesday 9th Dec 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm

Please note that you only need to book on 2nd Dec course date to be able to attend both workshops.

Cost

• ADSO Member rate – £110 + VAT per person to attend the course
• Non-ADSO Member rate – £160 + VAT per person to attend the course
• ADSO Certificate in Democratic Services Knowledge Learner – Free

How to book a place – please use the online booking form via the link below.  Terms and conditions for booking can be found here.

Please note that ADSO will now only be using their Membership bank account.  The details are below:

Account Number: 23545903
Sort Code: 20-02-25 

Booking requirements

• A purchase order number is required for all bookings made out to ADSO (see note above re bank account).  Courses cannot be attended if a purchase order is not received.
• A hardcopy of the purchase order is required.
• Please provide us with your ADSO Membership number (if applicable)
• A few days after booking you will receive a calendar invite for the workshop(s).  Please note that your email address will be visible to all participants unless you advise us otherwise.
• Please send the above information to adsotraining@emcouncils.gov.uk.