Hero Backdrop

Monitoring Officer Conference: A Practical Guide

Join us in our London office

Published on:

Our popular Monitoring Officer Conference returns to our London office this September, an essential event in these challenging times.

The training will be provided by Weightmans and Hoey Ainscough Associates Ltd and is designed for Monitoring Officers, particularly those new to the role as well as Deputy Monitoring Officers and others working in governance and standards and those who are aspiring to be Monitoring Officers.

The day will be co-hosted by Simon Goacher, Head of Local Government and Partner at Weightmans LLP and Paul Hoey, Co-Director at Hoey Ainscough Associates Ltd, the leading experts on the English member standards framework.

We will take a practical look at the role and responsibilities that come with the role of Monitoring Officer (MO), consider how to navigate the standards framework and provide essential tips on managing within a political environment.

It will also offer insights on the chief executive’s and members’ views of the monitoring officer role. The course will focus on real-life situations and scenarios, delivered by presenters who have considerable experience in acting as and advising Monitoring Officers.

Agenda

10.00 - 10.15

Welcome

10.15 - 11.15

The role of the MO – what is it and why do it? Simon Goacher, Head of Local Government, Weightmans

11.15 – 11.30

Coffee break

11.30 – 12.30

The MO and the standards framework

  • What are the key challenges for an MO?

  • How can you make the process effective?

Paul Hoey, Hoey Ainscough Associates Ltd

12.30 – 13.30

Lunch

13.30 - 14.00

Working in a political environment – a member’s perspective

  • Understanding the role of councillors as politicians and the support they expect from officers

  • What officers can in turn expect from members

  • What makes a good/bad monitoring officer in the eyes of a councillor Cllr Rupert George, leader of Green Group, London Borough of Tower Hamlets

14.00 – 14.30

The MO and the corporate leadership team 

  • What does the CEO expect from the MO?

  • Working together as statutory officers

Karen Bradford CEO, South Kesteven District Council

14.30 – 14.45

Tea break

14.45 – 15.30

Working in a political environment – The tools of the trade and practical tips Miranda Carruthers-Watt, Hoey Ainscough Associates Ltd, former Monitoring Officer

15.30 – 16.15

Case study discussion

16.15

Close

The fee for this conference is £150 plus VAT. An invoice will be raised upon registration and only upon payment will your place be secured and confirmed in due course. The delegate fee includes attendance at all sessions, conference materials, refreshments and lunch.

Date: 30 September 2026
Time: 10.00am – 4.15pm
Location: Weightmans, The Hallmark Building, 105 Fenchurch St, London EC3M 5JG

Invoice billing information

Please fill in the details that the invoice should be raised in.