1. THE DEMOCRATIC SERVICES OFFICER Then & Now

2. Take minutes Knowledge of the electoral process Constitutional knowledge Prepare agendas Political Awareness Scrutiny Knowledge of local government The Democratic Services Officer of Old

3. Today’s Democratic Services Officer Scrutiny Forging relationships with members Knowledge of ICT Customer Service Knowledge of the electoral process Take minutes Constitutional knowledge Prepare agendas Forging relationships with partner agencies and officers Knowledge of local government Political Awareness

4. The Roles of the Democratic Officer Committee AdminScrutiny: Policy Advice and Admin Specialist Areas School Appeals Partnership Working Publishing and Recording: Committee Papers / Broadcasts / Publicity Civic Office Supporting Members You are a relationship builder, secret-keeper, networker, diplomat, confidant, counsellor (to councillors) and on occasion, even a muse... you learn how to deal with personalities and politics; and more specifically the personalities IN politics. Nic Davies

5. Career Progression in Democratic Services “The wider the gap between officers and members, the less useful members become to their residents... every officer should have a placement in Democratic services... It’s the best political education you will ever get” Nic Davies Democratic Services as a ‘microcosm’ of the corporate centre. The value of the ‘multi-skilled’ nature of Democratic Services to wider local government. Growing opportunities for those with experience in Democratic Services : Monitoring Officers, Directors.