ADSO Structures and Functions

ADSO is hosting the interactive, virtual course ‘Unlock the Secrets of Local Government: Structure and Functions” The course will be delivered as two, three-hour workshops held virtually via Zoom.  Delegates will be required to attend both virtual workshops.

Course Overview and Content

Are you curious about how local government operates? Do you want to understand the intricate workings that keep your community running smoothly? Join our comprehensive course on Local Government Structure and Functions and gain valuable insights into:

• Explaining Local Government’s Place in the UK’s Constitutional Arrangements: Understand the constitutional role of local government within the broader UK governance framework.
• Links with Central Government: Understand the relationship between local and central government, including how they collaborate and influence each other.
• Unpicking the Different Kinds of Authorities and Councils and What They Do: Learn about the various types of councils, such as county councils, district councils, unitary authorities, combined authorities and their specific functions.
• Partnership Working: Explore how local authorities work in partnership with the NHS and Integrated Care Systems (ICS) to improve health and social care outcomes.

Audience

Whether you’re looking to kickstart your career in local government, are new to a democratic services role, or simply want to deepen your understanding of how local government operates, this course is designed for you to gain the knowledge and skills required to navigate local government effectively.

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

How the course will be delivered

Delivered virtually over two workshops delegates will experience plenary presentations, case studies and smaller group working, enabling shared learning with others.

Trainers 

Ian Curtis
Ian is a solicitor who has worked in local government in the UK for more than thirty years. He is presently Head of Governance at Fylde Council in Lancashire, where he has worked seventeen years. Ian was council’s statutory Monitoring Officer for nine years and has acted as Deputy Returning Officer for local, national and European elections.  Ian is a past chair of the North West branch of the Association of Council Secretaries and Solicitors.

Vicky Wemyss-Cooke
Vicky is currently the Committee Services Manager at London Borough of Camden and has been a DSO in London for almost 30 years and for the last 7 years has been the Committee Services Manager in Camden, managing a small team servicing Council, Cabinet, scrutiny and non-executive committees, along with a range of other bodies such as school appeals panels and tenants’ consultative committees.  Throughout her career, she has also undertaken a range of roles in support of local, national and regional elections and currently serves as Chief Count Supervisor for the Holborn and St Pancras Constituency area.  Vicky has been an active ADSO Member from its inception and is an assessor for the Certificate in Democratic Services Knowledge.

Date and time

Workshop One: 18th March 2026, 9.30am-12.30pm
Workshop Two: 25th March 2026, 9.30am-12.30pm

Delegates are required to attend both workshops. Please note that you only need to book to attend the workshop on 18th March 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 book a place using our online booking form, please note that you will only need to book to attend the first session to attend both.  Terms and conditions for 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.