ADSO will be running an interactive, virtual course ‘Ethics and Standards.  The course will be delivered as two, three-hour long workshops held virtually.

Audience

This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who wish to develop their understanding of the legal framework within which councils 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 officers with a few years’ experience, who may want to refresh their knowledge on ethics and standards.

How the course will be delivered

The course will be delivered virtually.  To maximise the delegates’ learning experience the course has been divided into two virtual workshops.

Workshop 1

• Provide an overview of the Legal Framework
• An overview of the Code of Conduct, together with some case studies
• Committee on Standards in Public Life and LGA – model Code of Conduct
• What the law says about Members’ Interests, together various case studies regarding Members’ Interests
• Dispensations from the Monitoring Officer

Workshop 2

• Provide a short recap of the learning from Workshop 1
• An overview of the Standards Committees
• Explanation of Independent Persons and their role
• Details about complaints, Investigations and Standards Hearings, together with various case studies around complaints

The workshops will include plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling delegates to learn with delegates from across the country.  This will also provide great opportunity for delegates to network and share contact details with each other for future reference and information sharing.

Trainers

Tracy Tiff
Tracy is the Democratic Services Manager at West Northants Council and she has worked in Local Government since 1995, moving to the field of Democratic Services in 1997. She has a wealth of experience and knowledge including governance and constitution, ethics and standards, Member development and Overview and Scrutiny.   Along with being a trainer, Tracy is also an assessor for the ADSO qualification.

Michael Robson
Michael has recently taken up a senior governance role in the North of Tyne Combined Authority, previously working in the Democratic Services Team at North Tyneside Council for over 30 years. During this time Michael has supported a wide variety of democratic functions, including regulatory and scrutiny committees, the health & wellbeing board and school admission appeals. Since electing its first Mayor in 2002, North Tyneside has experienced significant periods of political turbulence, particularly when the Council and its overview and scrutiny committees were controlled by the opposing group to the Elected Mayor.   Michael serves on the ADSO Board as a representative for combined and themed authorities. As well as a trainer, Michael is also a qualified A1 Assessor working with learners undertaking the Certificate in Democratic Services.

Dates and times

Workshop One – 25th Feb 2026, 9.30am-12.30pm
Workshop Two – 4th March 2026, 1.30pm-4.30pm

Delegates are required to attend both workshops.  Please note that you only need to book on 25th Feb 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

To book a place please use the online booking form via the link below.  Terms and Conditions of booking can be found here.

Booking requirements

• A purchase order number is required for all bookings.  Please make the PO out to ADSO.  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.