This course will explore some of the key challenges of being a Monitoring Officer and provide an update on current issues/developments. It will explore:
The context for being a Monitoring Officer now
Some key challenges of the role including:
Collective responsibility for good governance in an authority
Working with the other statutory officers – the golden triangle
Other significant relationships, e.g. external audit
The MO role in code of conduct matters
An update on current developments relevant to the MO role including caselaw, public interest reports, anticipated changes etc.
This session is ideal for Monitoring Officers or DMOs in post in England and Wales with experience of some of the challenges of operating in the role. It will ensure delegates are updated on all relevant current issues and feel confident in how to navigate the role successfully.
Bethan Evans Governance Training and Consultancy, GOV TC
Beth is a recognised expert in local authority governance and decision-making, having worked in this field for over 40 years. She was an in-house lawyer for nearly 20 years, at four different councils in England (including Bristol City Council, Avon County Council and South Gloucestershire Council). She moved from a practitioner specialising in education, housing, commercial and social care law into management posts, culminating in roles as a County Solicitor and a Director of Corporate Services in a unitary authority.
Beth led the Welsh Local Government Agency responsible for improvement and development in the 22 unitary councils in Wales (and the regional employer) for three years from 1998.
In 2001 Beth moved to a role as a partner with Bevan Brittan LLP, a leading national law firm, where she led the local government team for 17 years, for 4 years of which she was Senior Partner of the firm. The firm has, for many years, been ranked Band One legal advisors for local authorities.
Legal 500 rankings 2017 – UK Local Government Law
Bethan Evans is the “undisputed leader in the field”
In 2016, Beth left her legal role and set up her business as an independent governance trainer and advisor. She is an experienced and highly regarded practitioner in this field. She specialises in member and officer development for local authorities. She has a wealth of practical experience which enables her to bring these insights to her training.
In this capacity, Beth has provided sessions for over 120 councils over the last few years, including county councils, unitaries, London boroughs, combined authorities, districts, and parishes.
Beth works extensively with LLG on their programme of governance related sessions and on training for Monitoring Officers.
Other roles
In addition to her professional business, Beth has held trustee/non-executive roles including:
Chair of the charity Ablaze which seeks to address inequality of opportunity and achievement in young people by bringing businesses and schools together in reading, maths, and mentoring programmes
Non-executive Director of Bristol Energy Limited for 2 years
Related training
09:30 - 13:00
Online
