A new professional association for democratic services staff launches its inaugural conference in Birmingham next week.
The Association of Democratic Services Officers aims to raise the profile of its members, who are now involved in member support, constitutional advice, and community engagement.
One of its founders, John Austin, director of corporate governance at Enfield LBC, said: ‘These staff are no longer committee clerks, just there to send the papers out and take minutes of the meetings.
‘Democratic services staff have been at the forefront of unprecedented changes to political management, constitutional and governance arrangements, following the Local Government Act 2000.’
The conference, whose speakers include Dame Jane Roberts of the Councillors’ Commission inquiry, takes place at Birmingham City Hall on 14 October. Details from www.adso.co.uk
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