ADSO is hosting a virtual it’s highly popular course ‘Overview and Scrutiny’.  The course will be delivered as two, virtual three-hour workshops.  Delegates will be required to attend both of the virtual workshops.

Audience

This course is aimed at Democratic Services Officers who wish to develop their understanding of the main principles, roles and methodology of overview and scrutiny.  The target audience will be those who need an introduction to overview and scrutiny to equip them with the basics to support Overview and Scrutiny Committees and task and finish groups. The content is also linked to Module 7 of the ADSO Certificate so it will help learners with their research for this module.

How the course will be delivered

The course will be delivered virtually, to maximise the delegates learning experience the course has been broken into two virtual workshops.

The workshops will

• Provide an understanding of the relevant legislation underpinning overview and scrutiny.
• Provide an understanding of the roles and principles of good scrutiny.
• Explore ideas about how to put together a Scrutiny Work Programme
• Explore how to scope a scrutiny review.
• Explore ideas for measuring effectiveness.

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

Tracy Tiff
Tracy is the Elections and Democratic Services Manager & Deputy Monitoring Officer at Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council (shared elections management with North Warks Borough Council).  She has worked in Local Government for a number of  years , with 20 plus years’ experience in the field Democratic Services. 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.

Date and time

Workshop One: 12th May 2026, 9.30am-12.30pm
Workshop Two: 19th May 2026, 9.30am-12.30pm

Delegates are required to attend both workshops.  Please note that you only need to book on 12th May 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. The 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 (see note above).  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.