The IRRV Thames Valley Association invites you to join them for their Vulnerability and CTRS Scheme Forum. Please click the link below to see the agenda and register your interest.

/documents/15/files/IRRV%20TVA%2020th%20July%202018(1).docx

A select audience gathered at Oxford's Town Hall to hear the views of three wise men in the form of Kevin Ducksbury, Gordon Heath and Gary Watson on a variety of subjects from the new NI14 to the use of committal to the questions surrounding what is "exempt accommodation".

All the experts were on fine form and were refreshingly honest and forthright with their opinions.

Phil Adlard, Vice-President of the Thames Valley Association said afterwards:

"For the first association meeting of the TVA we were fortunate to have such a high quality panel. Those who had submitted questions either in advance or on the night weren't disappointed and many issues had been clarified.

It was an encouraging meeting and followed on from the success of the re-launch of the Association in June. We are looking to build on this with our next Association Meeting in November."

The new Inspection Regime - are you ready for it?

We are fortunate to have Kevin Mercer (Head of Revenues & Benefits, Wokingham Borough Council) as our speaker for this meeting.

Wokingham BC were one of the original pilot sites to receive a KLOE inspection so Kevin will be speaking from first-hand experience of being on the receiving end of an inspection.

We would encourage Heads of Service, Senior Officers, key personnel as well as all our IRRV members to attend.

For directions and further information please check the following

website: http://www.westberks.gov.uk/            

map link here > http://www.westberks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=10248&p=0

Other information regarding the Benefits KLOE is available from the Audit Commission website at http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/kloe/benefitskloe.asp 

THAMES VALLEY

ASSOCIATION

Save The Date - IRRV Thames Valley Association Fraud Forum

Friday 22nd July 2016

Your IRRV Thames Valley Association Executive will be holding our next forum day at Reading Borough Council on 22 July 2016 from 10am – 3.30pm.

The subject for the day will be Fraud and our knowledgeable speakers will be covering subjects such as:

• Corporate Fraud

• Tenancy Fraud

• Single Person Discount Fraud

• FERIS

• Fraud from a national aspect

A flyer containing the full details will be circulated shortly but the day will be FREE to IRRV members and lunch will be included.

Details of how to book, and a copy of the agenda can be found below

/documents/15/files/IRRV%20Thames%20Valley%20Association%20Enforcement%20Forum.docx

Wine reception, three course dinner and live music from The Compilation.
Dress up in your finery and enjoy a relaxed evening with our sponsors, colleagues and friend

/documents/15/files/Gala%20Dinner%20Invitation%202019(1).pdf

/documents/15/files/TVA%20Dinner%20Booking%20Form%202019(1).doc

Thames Valley Association is delighted to offer two free training events in partnership with Newlyn and Training Synergy.

These will be standard training days suitable for officers and team leaders. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Both events are to be held on Thursday 19^th May 2011 at Chiltern District Council in Amersham.

• Incapacity to ESA Conversion Process – 12 places available (suitable for benefit assessors and team leaders)

• Introduction to Business Rates – 12 places available (suitable for new entrants to NNDR and more experienced NNDR staff)

In the event that the courses are over subscribed, a maximum of two places only will be offered to each local authority.

I hope you will support TVA and take advantage of this high quality training delivered by Training Synergy and sponsored by Newlyn.

Please book early to avoid disappointment.  Please respond to EBowen@chiltern.gov.uk by return.

As we enter the second year of local Council Tax support schemes the recovery of debt is becoming more important and more challenging with the impact of welfare reform, increases in fuel, heating and food costs as well as new charges for Council Services coming into effect.

The Thames Valley Association is pleased to present this key topic of interest to all those studying for the IRRV qualifications and everyone working in and with Revenues and Benefits recovering unpaid Council Tax, overpaid Housing Benefit, fines and sundry debts. 

Our speakers are;-

• James Morgan, Training Specialist with Action on Arrears

  Action on Arrears specialise in the design and delivery of tailored communication skills-based arrears and collection training programmes

• Simon Horsington, Consultant with Simon Horsington and Associates

Simon is the company's principal specialist consultant, and specialises in innovative solutions to local government Revenues and Benefits teams.

This meeting will be at 2:00pm on 13^th January 2014 at Reading Council

This meeting is a great opportunity to hear expert speakers on key current topics and to network generally. The meeting is free to IRRV members and £20 to non-members. Tea & coffee will be available from 1:30pm and the meeting will commence at 2:00pm.

To book your place, please e-mail: ebowen@chiltern.gov.uk.

Following the meeting the Thames Valley Association Executive will be holding a meeting, commencing at 4:00pm. If you would like to become involved in the Association or are interested to know what happens, please stay.

Forthcoming Events

As finances in the public sector become tighter, more and more Authorities are turning to share service projects to deliver improvement and efficiency. Revenues and Benefits are, as always, at the forefront of these developments and we can help each other by sharing our experiences.

Therefore our next meeting, on Thursday 26^th November 2009 will focus on Shared Services and will be held a West Oxfordshire District Council’s Woodgreen Offices in Witney.

The Agenda is as follows:

10.00am – Registration & Refreshments,

10.25am – TVA President’s Welcome,

10.30am – David Neudegg, will share his experiences of being the joint Chief Executive for Cotswold and West Oxfordshire District Councils.

11.00am – Simon Horsington, is a consultant who has been instrumental in delivering Revenue and Benefit Shared Service models, and will give us the benefit of his experience in constructing these partnerships.

11.30am – The Audit Commission, will be represented and will focus on the Value for Money benefits of Shared Service provision.

12.00pm – Question Time,

12.30pm – Lunch.

Lunch will be followed by the Association Executive Meeting. Anyone wishing to stay and sit in on the Executive Committee Meeting or any Members who are interested in joining the Executive Committee are welcome to stay. The Exec Meeting is scheduled to finish by 2.30pm.

Whether you have already embarked on a Shared Service journey, or are interested to know how it’s going elsewhere; this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Venue details

The meeting will be held at West Oxfordshire District Council’s Woodgreen Offices (OX28 1NB) and detailed venue details are here.

How to book a place

This is completely free of charge. All you need to do to book a place is e-mail Tess Reeves and let her know how many delegates you will be bringing with you (IRRV Members and non Members are ALL welcome). Email: treeves@westberks.gov.uk

Future Meetings

At the meeting on 26^th November you will also hear details of the Association’s Training Day planned for January 2010, as well as upcoming Social Events.

The next meeting of the Thames Valley Association is at 2:00pm on 3rd April at Chiltern District Council offices, Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

We will have the opportunity to hear from a number of experts who will discuss flooding, enforcement regulations, appeals and case law in this afternoon session.  These popular speakers promise a lively and interesting meeting, particularly valuable to practitioners and students:

• Gary Watson, Deputy Chief Executive of the IRRV, will provide an update on case law and comment on the coalition governments flood support schemes and other discounts and reliefs announced for this year.

• Darren Howard-Tomes, Relationship Manager for the Valuation Office Agency, will provide a perspective on flooding and appeals.

• David Lunn, Revenues Manager at Chiltern District Council, will give a local authority response to the enforcement regulations.

This meeting is a fantastic opportunity to hear expert speakers on key current topics and to network generally.  The meeting is free to IRRV members and £20 for non-members.

The meeting will be held at Chiltern District Council offices at King George V House, King George V Road, Amersham HP5 6AW - see below for directions (please report to reception for the meeting which will be held in the committee rooms). Refreshments will be available from 1:30pm and the meeting will start at 2:00pm.

Trains and underground lines

The building is within walking distance of Amersham Station. The Metropolitan Line runs from Aldgate and Baker Street to Amersham (travel time from Baker Street to Amersham approx. 45mins) Chiltern Railways operate between London Marylebone, Chalfont & Latimer, Amersham and Great Missenden, and between Marylebone and Seer Green & Jordans. Services also run between Birmingham Snow Hill and High Wycombe, Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross providing easy access to the Chiltern District.

By Road:

M40 - leave at Junction 2, Beaconsfield (follow signs to Amersham) M25 - leave at Junction 18 (follow signs to Amersham) Main routes including the A40, A404, A41 and A355 pass through the region

Please let Ed Bowen know by email if you would like to book a place with your IRRV membership number or a Purchase Order number.

Following the meeting the Thames Valley Association Executive will be holding a meeting, commencing at 4:00pm. If you would like to become involved in the Association or are interested to know what happens, please stay.

Download Slides

• Blake Penfold Presentation
• Gary Watson Presentation
• Andrew Hetherton Presentation
• Margaret Whitby Presentation
• Gordon Heath Presentation      

The Rating & Valuation Seminar held in July 2011 in Reading was a very successful day with over 70 delegates in attendance not just from the Thames Valley Association but also from the Wessex and London Home Counties Associations.

The Thames Valley Executive would like to express a big thank you to the speakers on the day, Blake Penfold, Gary Watson, Andrew Hetherton, Margaret Whitby and Gordon Heath for what were some very interesting and topical presentations.  We would also like to thank Reading Borough Council for there excellent hospitality in hosting the event and to GL Hearn for their sponsorship and providing lunch, and most of all we would like to say a very big thank you to all those delegates that attended we hope you found the day useful and informative.

The speakers slides are now available here. 

Christmas Greetings from the Thames Valley Association

I just wanted to wish all members of the IRRV Thames Valley Association a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We have had a busy year as an Association having held our first AGM since being reformed and holding a number of well attended association meetings, the latest being on Shared Services over at Witney.

We also held another successful night at the Wycombe Bowl where South Bucks successfully defended their title and ran out worthy 10-pin champions.

In early February we aim to hold a topical meeting on Revs and Bens general issues and plans are also well underway to hold our first TVA "Spring Gala Event" on 17 April 2010.  Helen Curtis and Tess Reeves are in the process of negotiating a good deal for us so that as many of you will be able to join us as possible. Details of both events will be posted on the Association's pages on the IRRV website.

To be able to do this whilst also doing the day job is worth recognising and I'd like to thank all of the Executive for their help and support throughout the year and I look forward to this continuing in 2010.

Finally, if there is anything that you would like us, as an Association to do, please contact one of the Executive. All of their contact details are on the website and none of them are a scary as their photo suggests!

Phil Adlard Tech IRRV                                                             Vice-President                                                                          IRRV Thames Valley Association

/documents/15/files/IRRV%20TVA%20Agenda%20-%20Revs%20%20Bens%20Tech%20Day(1).pdf

An invitation from Thames Valley Association President Lynda Callaway

Dear Colleague,

I am pleased to announce the next meeting of your association at 10:30am on 7^th July at Reading Borough Council offices, Reading, Berkshire.

We will have the opportunity to hear from a number of Local Authorities who have implemented Council Tax Reductions Schemes that vary from the previous Council Tax Benefit Scheme.

Council Tax Reductions Schemes are now locally defined in England for working age claimant’s and is in the second year.  The meeting will cover schemes that have been implemented and the impact on the collection rates for those Local Authorities.

As Local Authorities are continuing to have to review their expenditure, this meeting will allow practitioners to hear from colleagues about how their schemes have been received and promises to be a lively and interesting meeting.

The meeting will start with presentations from:

• Jude Bevan, Revenues and Benefits Manager, South Gloucestershire Council.  From April 2014 South Gloucestershire became the first Local Authority in England to implement a Council Tax Reduction Scheme based on discount bands, rather than the traditional CTB type calculation of income verses needs.  With the first quarter of the year behind them, Jude will be able to provide valuable insight to the effect of the scheme on their community, as well as providing details of how the scheme works.

• Howard Crompton, Head of Revenues, Benefits & IT, North Herts District Council.  Whilst North Herts Council Tax Reduction scheme is based on the traditional CTB type calculation, all working age claimants are expected to pay on average a minimum of 33% of the Council Tax Liability.  This scheme has been in place since April 2013, and Howard will be able to provide an insight on the affect this has had on the collection rate.

• Harry Bates, Revenues and Benefits Manager, Tendring District Council.  Tendring’s scheme introduced additional tests to their scheme such as a residency test and the aggregation of the household income with the removal of the non-dependent deductions.  This scheme has been in place since April 2013, and Harry will be able to provide an insight on the affect this has had on the collection rate and caseload.

• On behalf of Alison Blount, Head of Revenues and Benefits, Stockport Council.  Whilst Alison is unable to attend in person, she has provided a presentation on Stockport’s scheme which the key element of it is band capping to band A or B using LHA type criteria to determine if it is band A or B.  This scheme has been implemented since April 2013.     

This meeting is a fantastic opportunity to hear representatives speak on this topical subject and to network generally.  There will be plenty of opportunity for questions and debate during the day.   This meeting is open to both IRRV members and non-members.

The meeting will be held at Reading Borough Council, Civic Centre, Reading, RG1 7AE. 

Coffee will be available on arrival from 10am and lunch will be provided for 1pm.  The day will finish at 3pm.

If you would like to attend this meeting, please could you register your attendance by email Lynda.callaway@northgate-is.com, to ensure that adequate arrangements are made for refreshments by Friday 20^th June 2014.

Following the meeting the Thames Valley Association Executive will be holding a meeting, commencing at 3:00pm. If you would like to become involved in the Association or are interested to know what happens, please stay.

UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE HAD TO POSTPONE THIS EVENT

Non-Domestic Rates – The challenge 2017 and beyond

13th January 2017 at Wokingham Borough Council

Since April 2013, with the announcement of Business Rate retention, local authority attention has been focused on Non-Domestic Rate revenue. As we prepare for the revaluation and a new list, the new check, challenge and appeal regime and new billing requirements, Friday 13th January 2017, is the perfect time to find out all you need to know in preparation for billing and 1st April 2017, onwards.

The Thames Valley Association is pleased to present this key topic of interest to all those studying for the IRRV qualifications and everyone working in and with Revenues billing and recovering Non Domestic Rates.

Reserve this date now 13th January 2017 at Wokingham Borough Council, Wokingham RG40 1BN.

This meeting is a great opportunity to hear expert speakers on key current topics and to network generally. The meeting is free to IRRV members and £20 non-members.

Full agenda will follow soon.

Following on from our Bailiff update session we had last year when The Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013 were laid; a year on the association are running a further session to provide an update on what has been happening.

To get the very latest news and views from the professionals in their field, the next Thames Valley Association meeting will offer the following line up:

• Mike Shang – Customer Services Director, Rossendales
• David Smith – Sales & Marketing Director, Newlyn
• Andy Rose - Managing Director, Bristow & Sutor

This meeting is a great opportunity to hear expert speakers on key current topics and to network generally.

The meeting is free and tea & coffee will be available from 10am. It will commence at 10.30am on 16^th September 2014 in the Council Chamber, Easthampstead House, Bracknell Forest Borough Council.

Please let us know if you would like to book a place, by e-mailing Lynda.Callaway@northgate-is.com.

Following the meeting the Thames Valley Association Executive will be holding a meeting, commencing at 1:00pm. If you would like to become involved in the Association or are interested to know what happens, please stay.

The Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held at West Oxfordshire District Council Offices, Woodgreen Witney OX28 1NB on Friday 16 April 2010, commencing at 10.00 am to be followed by a buffet at approximately noon. 

The minutes of last year’s AGM and the Annual Report will be available at the meeting.  If you are unable to attend but would like a copy, please let me know or check the Association pages of the IRRV website.

There are vacancies on the Association Executive Committee for Corporate, Technician and Student / Affiliate members.  If you would like details of what is involved please contact me on the number below or by e-mail.

One of our guest speakers is Kevin McCarthy from Newlyn PLC who will provide an update on the latest developments and proposed changes to the law surrounding the bailiff industry particularly affecting local authority income collection.  We will also have another speaker who will talk about continuous improvement in Revenues and Benefits.

For Security and catering purposes, please let me know by email if you intend to attend the AGM. 

Kath Leonard (TVA Secretary)

Tel: 01993 861246

e-mail kath.leonard@westoxon.gov.uk

Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation

Thames Valley Association

Annual General Meeting

16^th April 2010 10:00am.

Agenda

1.      Apologies for absence.

2.      Minutes of last Annual General Meeting.

3.      Matters arising.

4.      Annual Report 2009/2010.

5.      Annual Statement of Accounts.

6.      Election of Association Officers.

7.      Election of Members of the Executive Committee.

8.      Announcements.

9.  Guest Speakers

10. Vote of thanks from the Vice-Chairman.

11. Any other business. 
(Notice of any other business should reach the Secretary by 9^th April 2010)

The meeting will be immediately followed by a buffet

(No charge but donations welcome to the Chairman’s Charity)

On Friday 24th April

at Reading Borough Council;

your Thames Valley Executive are pleased to present a day of topical presentations from four well-known figures in the Business Rates world, each giving a presentation from a very different perspective on Business Rates in both the current climate and in the future. We will be hearing from:

Andrew Hetherton - GL Hearn

Simon Horsington - Rates Plus

Alistair Townsend – Milton Keynes Council

Simon Tivey – PwC LLP

For full details of the day please see the TVA NDR Day 2015 leaflet available below 

Thames Valley Association President Phil Adlard is after your money for his nominated Charity, the Florence Nightingale Hospice, however rather than participate in the sponsored event himself he has enrolled his good lady wife Cath to represent him in a 12 mile midnight walk claiming that it is for ladies only, below is a message from Phil asking for your support;-

On 17 July, my wife, Cath will be walking the streets of Aylesbury for money. It's a  ladies only 12 mile midnight walk in aid of the Florence Nightingale Hospice, my charity for this year.

If you would like to sponsor her, your support would be much appreciated. Cheques please as I haven't got round to opening a just giving account (so ALL the money goes to the hospice). to:

3 Marriotts Close
Haddenham
Aylesbury
Bucks
HP17 8BT

If you do sponsor, please enclose your address details so we can claim the gift aid as well.

Thanks for your support

Personally I think it's a missed opportunity by Phil as people would have paid a lot more money to see him do the event dressed as a lady!!!   However, good luck Cath I'm sure you will do yourself, Phil and the TVA proud.

The next meeting of the Thames Valley and London & Home Counties Associations will be a joint venture

at Chiltern DC in Amersham

                            on Friday 10 September at 2.00 p.m.

We are fortunate to have secured the services of Paul Howarth, who will be taking about

The Future of Housing Benefit Under the Coalition Government.

It will also be your opportunity to put forward your views on the DWP Consultation paper; 21^st Century Welfare as members of the IRRV Benefits Faculty Board will also be present.

Chiltern DC offices are a short-walk away from Amersham station which serves the Metropolitan Line as well as National Rail links.  Click here for a location plan.

To assist us with catering and to reserve a place, please contact either Association Secretary,

Paul McDermott (London) on p.mcdermott@exacta.co.uk, or

Kath Leonard (Thames) on kath.leonard@westoxon.gov.uk.

The Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held Monday 8th April 2013, 1:30pm at Chiltern District Council, King George V House, King George V Road, Amersham   HP6 5AN.

The minutes of last year’s meeting together with the Annual Report will be available at the meeting.  If you are unable to attend but would like a copy of either, they will be available to download from this site after the meeting.

 There are vacancies on the Association Executive Committee for Corporate, Technician and Student / Affiliate members.  If you would like details of what is involved please contact Kath Leonard, her contact details are in the Officers list on the right. A nomination form is also attached. The completed nomination form must be received by Kath Leonard no later than Tuesday 2nd April.

During the AGM there will be a presentation to (formerly of Bracknell Forest Council) to commemorate his many year service and dedication to the Thames Valley Association in it various guises over the years, including being Association Chair from 1989 -1991

The AGM will be followed by a Council Tax and Business Rates Case Law Seminar chaired by IRRV CEO David Magor.

If you’ve not noticed already, 2013 is going to be a big year! 

Local Authority Revenues and Benefits teams have never been under so much pressure to deliver such enormous amounts of change across all Institute disciplines simultaneously. The implementation of the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme and Business Rates Retention takes effect from 1^st April 2013.

How are you preparing to both protect and grow your local authority income in the immediate and sustainable longer term?  Are you all clued up on your case law and how to utilise it to your best advantage or could you do with a refresher and some insight in how the newer decisions might affect your collection performance? Erm, that’s what we thought, so …

We are delighted to welcome you the TVA AGM followed by a highly topical Council Tax and Business Rates case law Seminar.  Our guest speakers are Dave Chapman, current National Institute President and highly proficient practitioner in Council Tax collection and enforcement law and Gary Watson, Deputy CEO IRRV and aficionado of Business Rates administration, policy and case law.   The seminar will be chaired by David Magor, CEO. 

Dave and Gary will be well known to many of you and always worth receiving the wisdom they have to impart when the opportunity arises.  They are both highly respected experts in their particular fields and regularly tutor Institute students in their respective subjects.  

AGENDA

1.30 pm                      Welcome and opening remarks – Helen Curtis, TVA President

1.40 – 2.00 pm          Annual General Meeting

 –including Certificate of Service presentation to

                                    Afternoon seminar - chaired by David Magor CEO IRRV

2.00 – 3.00 pm          Council Tax Case Law Special – Dave Chapman

3.00 – 3.15 pm          Refreshments

3.15 – 4.30 pm          Business Rates Review – Gary Watson, Deputy CEO IRRV

4.30 pm                      Final Questions and close

IRRV Thames Valley Association

Friday, 19 November 2010

In these financially restricted times, it is even more important than ever that you collect every penny that is due.

The next meeting of the IRRV Thames Valley Association is looking to address that by introducing three speakers each with their own views on effective revenue collection. Our three speakers will be: Clare Mathews, LoCTA, Steve Wells, London Borough of Ealing and John Clark, Newlyn Collection Services.

The schedule for the event will be:

12:30 p.m.       Arrival and Tea / Coffee

1:00 p.m.        Clare Mathews. Clare will explain how LoCTA can help track down those elusive debtors.

1:30 p.m.        John Clark. John will offer an insight into how the bailiff can be best used to recover debts.

2:15 p.m.        Steve Wells. Steve will explain how the effective recovery options used by Ealing helped towards them winning the Revenues Team of the Year 2009.

The meeting will be held at West Berkshire District Council, Market Street, Newbury. Parking is close by as is Newbury train station with links to London Paddington.  Click Here for a Location Plan.

To help with catering, please book your place with Tess Reeves, Membership Secretary on TReeves@westberks.gov.uk.

I look forward to seeing you then.

THIS FRIDAY

We have three excellent speakers joining us at our next meeting on Friday 10th July 2009. We have:

·   Kerry Macdermott (National Council Junior Vice President) speaking about "The IRRV’s New Education Strategy"

·   Lindsay Frankland (IRRV N/SVQ Development Officer) speaking about "The IRRV's N/SVQ Programme"

·   Julie Maycock (Learning and Development Officer, WODC & TVA Education Officer) to speak about "The Future of Training in Revenues and Benefits"

e-mpirical ltd have generously sponsored this event and we can therefore offer this valuable opportunity free of charge, and will even provide a free lunch.

Please read this invite from e-mpirical Managing Director Tony Worsdall IRRV MBA

The programme:

10.30am – Registration & Refreshments

11.00am – TVA President’s Welcome

11.10am – Lindsay Frankland - "The IRRV’s N/SVQ Programme"

11.30am – Julie Maycock - "The Future of Training in Revenues and Benefits"

11.50am – Kerry Macdermott – "IRRV Education Strategy",

12.20pm – Question Time

12.30pm – Lunch

Lunch will be followed by the Association AGM. Anyone wishing to stay and join the Executive Committee for the AGM, or any Members who are interested in joining the Executive Committee are welcome to stay. The AGM is scheduled to finish at 2.30pm.

Whether you are a manager looking for more cost effective methods of maintaining your development programme, or are considering your moving forward with your own education and development needs; this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Venue details

The meeting will be held at the Black Horse House Seminar Room 1, University of Reading. 

How to book a place

This is completely free of charge. All you need to do to book a place is e-mail Tess Reeves and let her know how many delegates you will be bringing with you (Members and non IRRV Members are welcome). Email: treeves@westberks.gov.uk

Future Meetings

Look out for details of our September meeting at Unipart’s headquarters in Cowley. This will be a unique opportunity to see Lean Practitioners at work, and hear how Lean principles are helping Revenues and Benefits Services achieve continuous improvement.

We have three excellent speakers joining us at our next meeting on Friday 10th July 2009. We have:

·        Kerry Macdermott (National Council Junior Vice President) speaking about "The IRRV’s New Education Strategy"

·        Lindsay Frankland (IRRV N/SVQ Development Officer) speaking about "The IRRV's N/SVQ Programme"

·        Julie Maycock (Learning and Development Officer, WODC & TVA Education Officer) to speak about "The Future of Training in Revenues and Benefits"

e-mpirical ltd have generously sponsored this event and we can therefore offer this valuable opportunity free of charge, and will even provide a free lunch.

The programme:

10.30am – Registration & Refreshments

11.00am – TVA President’s Welcome

11.10am – Lindsay Frankland - "The IRRV’s N/SVQ Programme"

11.30am – Julie Maycock - "The Future of Training in Revenues and Benefits"

11.50am – Kerry Macdermott – "IRRV Education Strategy",

12.20pm – Question Time

12.30pm – Lunch

Lunch will be followed by the Association AGM. Anyone wishing to stay and join the Executive Committee for the AGM, or any Members who are interested in joining the Executive Committee are welcome to stay. The AGM is scheduled to finish at 2.30pm.

Whether you are a manager looking for more cost effective methods of maintaining your development programme, or are considering your moving forward with your own education and development needs; this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Venue details

The meeting will be held at the Black Horse House Seminar Room 1, University of Reading. 

How to book a place

This is completely free of charge. All you need to do to book a place is e-mail Tess Reeves and let her know how many delegates you will be bringing with you (Members and non IRRV Members are welcome). Email: treeves@westberks.gov.uk

Please click on the link below

/documents/15/files/IRRV%20Thames%20Valley%20Association%20Newsletter.docx

The Welfare Reforms Agenda is continuing to be implemented in various ways by the Government.  These reforms are reworking the services that LA’s are delivering within the Welfare arena.

To explore recent Welfare Reform changes that have been implemented within LA’s the next Thames Valley Association meeting topically reviews the changes to DHP and the Social Fund, along with an update on the Direct Payment Project.

This meeting will be at 2:00pm on 4^th June at Oxford City Council with papers presented by:

• Phil Adlard, Head of Revenues & Benefits at Three Rivers & Watford shared service, will discuss the latest guidance on the use of Discretionary Housing Payments, and ask “Is your DHP scheme fit for purpose?”

• Nigel Blair, Head of Product Management & Innovation at Northgate Public Sector will provide an update on Welfare Reform from Northgate’s perspective,“Rethinking the Social Fund”.

• Paul Wilding, Benefits Manager at Oxford City Council, will also provide an update on the Direct Payment Project from ’s viewpoint.

This meeting is a great opportunity to hear expert speakers on key current topics and to network generally. The meeting is free to IRRV members and £20 non members. Tea & coffee will be available from 1:30pm and the meeting will commence at 2:00pm.

Please let Ed Bowen know if you would like to book a place, by e-mailing ebowen@chiltern.gov.uk.

Following the meeting the Thames Valley Association Executive will be holding a meeting, commencing at 4:00pm. If you would like to become involved in the Association or are interested to know what happens, please stay.

Please find below the slides from our excellent speakers at meeting regarding the future of education.

IRRV Thames Valley Association presents a

BENEFITS SEMINAR

on 1st December 2015 hosted by Oxford City Council

The Thames Valley Executive is pleased to present a morning of topical presentations from the Benefits world including an update from the DWP on the latest position on Universal Credit, FERIS and LADS LCTS.

We will hear first-hand on how Welfare Reform / Benefit Cap and the roll out of UC are going in the busy world of Oxford City.

There will also be an opportunity to hear from a LOCTA representative regarding the effective use of their product in linking into the DWP and HMRC for overpayment recovery.

Finally we will get an update from Q2 regarding an exciting development working in partnership with the IRRV on a bench marking and resource planning tool which will be available very soon.

We are extremely grateful to our five speakers for giving their time to speak at this event and we have no doubt that the content of the morning will be exceptionally interesting and thought provoking. 

Download the full details here

The event will be held in the Court Room at the Town Hall in Oxford town centre.  Lunch will be provided and attendance is free to IRRV members.  Non-members are very welcome for a charge of only £20.00 per head.

CLICK HERE to register your attendance as lunch is being provided at this event we ask that you register by 27 November, so that the appropriate lunch order can be placed.

IRRV Thames Valley Association presents a

BENEFITS SEMINAR

on 1st December 2015 hosted by Oxford City Council

The Thames Valley Executive is pleased to present a morning of topical presentations from the Benefits world including an update from the DWP on the latest position on Universal Credit, FERIS and LADS LCTS.

We will hear first-hand on how Welfare Reform / Benefit Cap and the roll out of UC are going in the busy world of Oxford City.

There will also be an opportunity to hear from a LOCTA representative regarding the effective use of their product in linking into the DWP and HMRC for overpayment recovery.

Finally we will get an update from Q2 regarding an exciting development working in partnership with the IRRV on a bench marking and resource planning tool which will be available very soon.

We are extremely grateful to our five speakers for giving their time to speak at this event and we have no doubt that the content of the morning will be exceptionally interesting and thought provoking. 

Download full the full details here

The event will be held in the Court Room at the Town Hall in Oxford town centre.  Lunch will be provided and attendance is free to IRRV members.  Non-members are very welcome for a charge of only £20.00 per head.

CLICK HERE to register your attendance as lunch is being provided at this event we ask that you register by 27 November, so that the appropriate lunch order can be placed.

The Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013, have been published. This legislation of Civil Enforcement has been a long time coming. The Ministry of Justice published its consultation paper ‘Transforming bailiff action’ back in May 2012.

To get the very latest news and views from the professionals in their field, the next Thames Valley Association meeting will offer the following line up:

• Dave Chapman – Customer Services Director, Rossendales
• David Smith – Sales & Marketing Director, Newlyn
• Carole Kenney - Audit & Compliance Director, JBW
• Andy Rose - Managing Director, Bristow & Sutor

This meeting is a great opportunity to hear expert speakers on key current topics and to network generally. The meeting is free to IRRV members. Tea & coffee will be available from 1:30pm and the meeting will commence at 2:00pm on 16^th September in the Waterhouse Chamber, Town Hall, Reading Borough Council.

If you would like to book a place please e-mail ebowen@chiltern.gov.uk.

Following the meeting the Thames Valley Association Executive will be holding a meeting, commencing at 4:00pm. If you would like to become involved in the Association or are interested to know what happens, please stay.

Jon

More details regarding VICTA can be found on their website at http://www.victa.org.uk/

Sarah Kingston IRRV Hons

Current Position:   Transformation Project Manager, Bracknell Forest Council 

Sarah has been working in Revenues for almost 10 years, beginning her career at Aylesbury Vale District Council in 2004 as a Revenues Officer.  She then moved to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in 2010 where she took on a Team Leader position; and most recently has taken the post of Revenue Services Manager at Bracknell Forest in January 2014.

Sarah has completed her IRRV Diploma and is looking to begin the Honours qualification in the coming year.

When not at work Sarah tends to avoid sport of any kind but does enjoy cooking, eating, drinking and socialising.

Notice of Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held in The Council Chamber, West Berkshire Council, Market Street, Newbury, RG14 5LD on Friday 8^th April 2011 commencing at 2.00 p.m. It will follow a presentation by David Magor OBE, Chief Executive of the Institute addressing the Localism Bill.  A map showing this location is available here.

The minutes of last year’s meeting together with the Annual Report will be available at the meeting.  If you are unable to attend but would like a copy of either, please let me know.

There are vacancies on the Association Executive Committee for Corporate, Technician and Student / Affiliate members.  If you would like details of what is involved please contact me on the number below or by e-mail. A nomination form is also attached. The completed nomination form must be received by me no later than Monday 4^th April.

Yours sincerely,

Kath Leonard

Association Secretary

As finances in the public sector become tighter, the term "Lean" is one that we hear more and more. Indeed, many LA’s have gone a long way in terms of implementing Lean Processes and Practices. The TVA would like to offer local Members the opportunity to see how Unipart have used Lean Practices and Lean Thinking to transform their business.

Therefore our next meeting, on Tuesday 15^th September, will be at Unipart’s Cowley Headquarters.

Unipart have generously sponsored this event and we can therefore offer this valuable opportunity free of charge, and will even provide a free lunch.

The programme:

9:15am – Registration & Refreshments,

9:30am – TVA President’s Welcome,

9:35am – Unipart Welcome and Introduction,

10:00am – "Working with Unipart" – the Experiences of a Local A Local Authority who have recently been working with Unipart to implement Lean Practices,

10:30am – Tour of the Distribution Centre and Finance Department,

12:00pm – Question Time,

12:30pm – Lunch.

Lunch will be followed by the Association Executive Meeting. Anyone wishing to stay and sit in on the Executive Committee Meeting or any Members who are interested in joining the Executive Committee are welcome to stay. The Exec Meeting is scheduled to finish by 2.30pm.

Whether you have already embarked on a Lean journey, or are interested to know what it’s all about; this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Venue details

The meeting will be held at Unipart’s Cowley Headquarters in Oxford and detailed venue details will be circulated closer to the day.

How to book a place

This is completely free of charge. All you need to do to book a place is e-mail Tess Reeves and let her know how many delegates you will be bringing with you (IRRV Members and non Members are ALL welcome). Email: treeves@westberks.gov.uk.

More information about Unipart and their Lean Practice can be found at http://www.unipartep.co.uk/

Future Meetings

We have a meeting planned with a Shared Service theme, which will be held at West Oxfordshire District Council’s offices on 26^th November 2009. This will be a great opportunity to speak to private and public sector representatives with different experiences of Local Government Shared Service arrangements. Invites will follow in the next few weeks, if you do not currently receive individual invites to our meetings please contact Tess Reeves at treeves@westberks.gov.uk and she will add you to our mailing list.  

Your Thames Valley Association are holding  a Business Rates Day on Friday April 22nd 2016 in the Council Chamber at Wokingham Borough Council. 

It should be an interesting day where we will have 5 different speakers talking about a wide variety of Business Rates topics.

If you wish to attend please contact Sarah Kingston by email at sarah.kingston@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.

For full details of the day please click on the invite below;-

NDR Day Invite

Rating and Valuation Seminar

We are pleased to invite you to a Rating and Valuation Seminar to be held in the heart of the Thames Valley.  The event will be held in the Council Chamber at Reading Borough Council on Wednesday 13th July 2011.  Click here for directions etc. it is near The Hexagon.

We are delighted to welcome speakers from IRRV head office, Reading VOA, GL Hearn Property Consultants and an independent rating specialist.  Our speakers will cover some of the hottest topics affecting Rating and Valuation at the current time and later in the day will form an expert panel to answer your burning questions.  Come prepared!

Topics to be specifically covered are:

This year the Gala Dinner is a joint venture between the Thames Valley and Wessex Associations.

We would like to invite you to the joint Thames Valley & Wessex Association’s Gala Dinner on Saturday 5th April 2014 at Wokefield Park in Berkshire.

This 18th century mansion house is set amongst 250 acres of landscaped grounds and boasts a championship golf course and spa facilities. Full details of the venue can be found on the attached invitation along with the specially reduced room rate.

As a result of very generous sponsorship, ticket prices have been held at £40.00 per person, fully inclusive of a wine reception, three course dinner, wine for each table to be enjoyed with your meal and entertainment provided by ‘Elvis<http://www.elvisreturns.co.uk/>’. You will be very welcome to bring guests to what promises to be an excellent evening of good food and entertainment.

The evening will begin with a reception at 7.00 p.m. Please indicate any special dietary requirements on the booking form and return to kevin.strong@hounslow.gov.uk

The dress code is dinner jacket (black tie).

Places will be allocated strictly on a "first come" basis.  Please book early to avoid disappointment as this is a very popular event.

The TVA is proud to announce that the infamous trophy and wooden spoon are once again up for grabs.

This event will take place on Tuesday 8th December at the High Wycombe AMF Bowling Centre (http://www.amfbowling.co.uk/centres/details.aspx?centreID=34).

For £19.95 you can have a ‘Christmas Blast’ where you can enjoy 2 games of Bowling, a festive platter/buffet and 2 drinks from the bar.

If you would like to enter a team, please let Helen Curtis know by Wednesday 18^th November if possible.

We are aiming to have teams of four so a team name together with the individual members would be great too (but Helen can gather those a little later if necessary).

Details will be confirmed nearer the time but it is expect we’ll aim for a 7.30 start.

Helen looks forward to hearing from you!

POSTPONED UNTIL

A LATER DATE

Thames Valley Association is holding its next seminar on Thursday 4th February 2010 at the Town Hall, Reading, we will be starting at 10.00 am.   

10.00     Arrival and refreshments

10.30    Address by Phil Adlard - Vice Chair

10.45    The importance of getting it right on the system - Nigel Blair (Northgate) will be on hand to help us get the most out of our systems with news of an accreditation package in development between Northgate and IRRV

11.30    Coffee

11.45    Breakout sessions

           A)    Revenues  -  A presentation by Paul Gleeson from the Valuation Tribunal 

           B)    Benefits -  Discussion on DWP Housing Benefit reforms facilitated by West Oxon (we would particularly welcome the views of those staff administering benefits)

12.30/12.45    Lunch

1.15      Thames Valley Association Executive Meeting - you are welcome to stay and contribute to the meeting

2.30       Close

We are most grateful to Reading Borough Council and Northgate for their kinds sponsorship of this event.

Please let Tess know if you would like to attend and which of the break out sessions you want to participate in at treeves@westberks.gov.uk.

For details on how to get to Reading Town Hall please click here

We look forward to seeing you there.

The Executive Committee of 

IRRV Thames Valley Association

invite you to our first

Spring Gala Dinner

from 7 pm Saturday, 17 April 2010 for a

wine reception, three course dinner and dancing until late

Dress up in your finery and enjoy a fun evening with our

sponsors, colleagues and friends at

The Mansion House, Wokefield Park nr Reading

(Jcn 11 M4)

Tickets £35 a head

Why not make a weekend of it and enjoy an overnight stay at Wokefield Park for an incredible £50 per double room (including breakfast).  

Check in from 2 pm and have complimentary use of the spa, gym and pool.  Indulge yourself with a spa treatment or enjoy a round of golf on the PGA championship golf course. 

Set in beautiful countryside close to the M4 junction 11 and only 10 minutes drive to Reading for all your shopping requirements.  How about exploring Berkshire on your leisurely drive home and have lunch in a village pub or even Windsor Great Park?

Following the 2010 AGM, held at West Oxfordshire District Council on 16th April, the following changes have been made to the TVA Executive;-

Phil Adlard has become our new President

Tess Reeves has become Vice-President as well as retaining her role as Membership Secretary.

Congratulations to both of you and good luck in your new roles, we will carry more indepth articles with both in the near future.

We have also said goodbye to Andy Wilkins who has stepped down from the Executive to concentrate on his new role at Aylesbury Vale and Past President Jon Dearing will be less involved due to work and family commitments having had a recent addition to his family and taken on the role of Head of Revenues & Benefits for both West Oxfordshire & Cotswold District Councils.

We thank them both for all their hard work and efforts in getting the Thames Valley Association back up and running following many dormant years, wish them both well for the future and hope to see them at TVA functions in the future.

It’s that time again......

The TVA is pleased to invite you to our Annual Bowling Challenge on Thursday 2nd December at the High Wycombe AMF Bowling Centre (http://www.amfbowling.co.uk/centres/details.aspx?centreID=34 ).

Due to the adverse weather conditions

this event has been postponed until a later date,

Pleace keep checking back for the revised date

Places are limited so if you would like to enter a team, please let me know your team name and numbers as soon as possible.   I’ll confirm the details nearer the time but as usual we’ll aim for a 7.30 start.

I look forward to hearing from you and I’ll start to dust down that wooden spoon!

Click here to contact Helen, we look forward to seeing you.

Kind regards,

Helen

Social Secretary Thames Valley Association

The Executive Committee of the

IRRV Thames Valley Association

invite you to our annual

Spring Gala Dinner

from 7 pm on Saturday, 30 April 2011

wine reception, three course dinner

and dancing until late

Dress up in your finery and enjoy a relaxed evening with our sponsors, colleagues and friends

The Mansion House, Wokefield Park nr Reading (Jcn 11 M4)

Tickets £35 a head

Why not make a weekend of it and enjoy an overnight stay at Wokefield Park for an incredible £50 per double room (including breakfast).   Please book your rooms direct with the hotel on 0118 933 4076 and quote 50351643 IRRV.

http://www.devere.co.uk/our-locations/wokefield-park.html

Set in beautiful countryside close to the M4 junction 11 and only 10 minutes drive to Reading for all your shopping requirements.  How about exploring Berkshire on your leisurely drive home and have lunch in a village pub or even Windsor Great Park?

Check in from 2 pm and have complimentary use of the spa, gym and pool.  Indulge yourself with a spa treatment or enjoy a round of golf on the PGA championship golf course.  If you are interested in participating in a golf tournament on Saturday afternoon please let Tess Reeves know treeves@westberks.gov.uk

Dear Colleague,

On 23 August, the elections to fill seats on the IRRV Council will start. The election is for those who are either IRRV Honours, Diploma or Fellow members of the Institute and will be open to those of you who hold this category of membership.

The election will be electronic and via www.irrv.net

I am pleased to be able to endorse Tess Reeves who is standing for election.

Tess is a former President of the IRRV Thames Valley Association and is a very dedicated and active member and I am sure you will join me in supporting her campaign.

Ed Bowen IRRV(Hons)

Association President

Your Thames Valley Association Executive would like to invite you to our

SPRING GALA DINNER

This years event is on Saturday 23rd April

at, a new venue for us, Highfield Park, Hook (nr Jcn 11 M4).

The event includes a Drinks Reception on arrival, three course dinner and live music from JaxStax, tickets are £30 per person

There are also rooms available to stay overnight at the venue should you wish.

For full details please click on the invite and booking form below;-

Dinner Invite

Booking Form

IRRV Thames Valley Association

My President’s charity this year will be the Florence Nightingale House Hospice, based in Aylesbury.

The aim of the Florence Nightingale Hospice is to provide a first class palliative care service which is accessible to the people of Aylesbury and the surrounding villages. A variety of services are offered according to need to people throughout the Vale of Aylesbury and as far afield as Buckingham, Leighton Buzzard, Tring, Amersham, Chesham, High Wycombe, Chinnor and Thame.

All services are provided free of charge.

I have seen at first hand the work of the staff at the Florence Nightingale Hospice and the way that the care and support provided by the staff benefits both the patients and their families.

As a local charity, it like many other hospices, does not get the national exposure it deserves and relies heavily on the local community to provide financial support.

We have already raised over £300 from the proceeds of a raffle at our Gala Dinner in April and hope to be able to make more at Association Events during the year.

More about the work of the Florence Nightingale Hospice can be found at:

http://www.fnhospice.com/

Thank you in anticipation of your support

Phil Adlard Tech IRRV

Association President

We are pleased to make available the slides from the useful and informative talk on "How will new regulations effect you and your bailiffs" given to us in Reading on Monday 16th September 2013.  To download the slides please click on the relevant speakers name below;-

New TVA President Tess Reeves has selected Race For Life as her chosen charity for the year.

The Ladies of the TVA Executive are joining forces to support Tess's charity and will be taking part in the Race for Life at Newbury Showground on Sunday 10th July 2011.

This is an excellent cause and one which most people will know someone that has been affected by, so please show your support and help Tess raise funds, you can do so at http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/IRRVthamesvalleyassociation.  Tess is already off to a very good start with £285.00 being raised at the TVA Annual Dinner Dance, many thanks to all those who contributed.

More information on this very worthwhile cause can be found at http://www.raceforlife.org/

Kath Leonard IRRV Tech

Current Position:  Technical Manager, West Oxfordshire District Council

Telephone:  01993 861246

Kath has worked in Local Government for over 25 years originally in Benefits and more recently in Local Taxation.  She qualified with the IRRV as a technician and is currently training as an NVQ Assessor working with candidates working towards the level 3 NVQ in Local Taxation.  

In her spare time Kath helps run a Guide Unit and with her family socialise puppies to be trained as Hearing Dogs for Deaf people.

Some of the events currently being planned are;-

Shared Services  -  Thursday 26th November 2009 at West Oxfordshire District Council more details to follow.

"Training Day"  -  planned for January, more details to follow when available.

If you have ideas about events you would like the TVA to put on please let us know, we are your Association.

Keep coming back to check, once dates and venues are confirmed the information will be posted here on the website.

We are also looking to hold some training events, once these are finalised they will be advertised here.

Thames Valley Association

2011

Draft Programme

Many thanks to our many sponsors and supporters without whom none of this would be possible.

30 April           Association Dinner, The Mansion House, Wokefield Park Sponsored by Multiple sponsors

19 May           Education Day, at Chiltern DC in Amersham, Sponsored by Newlyn & Synergy

13 July            Rating and Valuation Seminar, at Reading BC (Presentations from Gary Watson, Gordon Heath & Reading VOA), Sponsored by GL Hearn.  The speakers slides are available here.

14 September   Event to be confirmed - IRRV – e-day, West Oxon TBC

20 October       Collection and Performance, at West Berkshire Council, Sponsored by Rossendales - Postponed until a later date

November         Annual Ten Pin Bowling Tournament

December        Event to be confirmed - Production demonstrations by Serco/RB Solutions, sponsored by Synergy Training

More details for each event will be published on our web pages when available.

Association meetings will be held immediately prior/following main events

Click Here to email Adrian

We are keen to ensure we reach all eligible members so if you work, or live, in the Thames Valley area please ensure that we hold your correct details so that you don't miss out on anything we organise, also let us know the e-mail address of anyone you think we are not contacting, we regularly send out information regarding meetings or events we organise.  Also if you change job, or home address etc. let us know so that we can update our records accordingly.

Your Membership Officer is Adrian Green who can be contacted on Adrian_Green@wycombe.gov.uk.

We are always happy to receive your suggestions of things you would like to see us organise, lectures, training, social events etc., so if you have any thoughts please contact any of your association officers and they will be put to your executive.

Tess Ethelston FIRRV

Current Position:  Director - Business Rate Payment Management, GL Hearn

Telephone:  02380 210685

Tess qualified as a Corporate Member of the Institute in June 2009 having completed her Technician level in 2006.   Tess joined the newly reformed Thames Valley Association in 2008 and served as its President in 2011/12.  She was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute in 2014.

Tess joined GL Hearn in July 2011 as Director heading up the Rate Payment Management team which oversees payments in excess of £2bn in client rate liabilities annually from their Southampton and Cheltenham offices.  Prior to this she was Principal Revenues Officer at West Berkshire Council.  Before joining local government in 2004 she worked as a project coordinator specialising in Welfare Benefits for West Berkshire Citizens Advice Bureau.

 Click Here to email Tess

Current Position:  Revenues Manager, Aylesbury Vale District Council

Telephone:  01296 585303

Andy has been in the trade for quite some time and is currently Revenues Manager at Aylesbury Vale DC. He has been the chair of the Oxfordshire Treasures Association Revenues Group for some years and as a Bucks authority, has actively encouraged other authorities to join.

His past leisure time has included coaching rugby and ignoring Phil Adlard’s excellent refereeing. He also currently works for the Thames Valley Probation Service.

Kevin Strong IRRV Dip

Current Position:  Customer Services Team Leader - Housing Repairs, London Borough of Hounslow

Kevin has been working in Local Government for 23 years, currently at the London Borough of Hounslow as the Customer Services Team Leader - Housing Repairs.

Kevin started at Reading Borough Council during Community Charge doing a number of different roles before working his way up to Senior Court Officer. He then spent 4 years at Surrey Heath Borough Council as Recovery Manager before joining Hounslow in 2004.

Click here to email Kevin

Trishy Neczaj IRRV Tech 

We are keen to ensure we reach all eligible members so if you work, or live, in the Thames Valley area please ensure that we hold your correct details so that you don't miss out on anything we organise, also let us know the e-mail address of anyone you think we are not contacting, we regularly send out information regarding meetings or events we organise.  Also if you change job, or home address etc. let us know so that we can update our records accordingly.

Your Membership Officer is Adrian Green who can be contacted on Adrian_Green@wycombe.gov.uk.

We are always happy to receive your suggestions of things you would like to see us organise, lectures, training, social events etc., so if you have any thoughts please contact any of your association officers and they will be put to your executive.

• Click Here to email Membership Officer Adrian Green
• Click Here to email Education Officer Ed Bowen
• Click Here to email Social Secretary Sarah Kingston

We would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

We look forward to seeing and meeting members old and new in the New Year

From Your Thames Valley Association Executive

A big thank you to our Social Secretary Andy Wilkins for arranging a most enjoyable evening ten-pin bowling in High Wycombe on Wednesday 22nd October, an event that was very well attended.

Although the main purpose of the evening was to get together and socialise there were also prizes available, these were presented by TVA Vice-President Phil Adlard and went to;-

The award for the Most Dedicated Team (otherwise known as the Wooden Spoon) went to Chiltern DC

The award for the Most Enthusiastic Team (otherwise known as the Noisiest Team) went to West Oxfordshire DC (special mention goes to Julie Maycock for her outstanding contribution to her teams success in this category!!!!!)

The Overall Winners on the night went to South Bucks DC with special assistance from Newlyn.

The excel spreadsheet has been used, averages made and the final scores were;-

Congratulations to the winning team and we look forward to the next time.

Current Position:  Chief Officer Customer Services, Bracknell Forest Council

Telephone:  01344 352096

Keith has worked in local government since the last century, starting his career at the London Borough of Brent in 1970. Via the London boroughs of Hammersmith and then Ealing, Keith arrived at Bracknell Forest Borough Council. In various roles at Bracknell Forest, Keith moved through local taxation systems from general rates, to poll tax and business rates and eventually on to council tax.

Keith is currently Chief Officer Customer Services at Bracknell Forest, a post he has held since 2004.   In that role Keith is responsible for customer contact and revenues.

Keith was a founder committee member of the Thames Valley Branch when it was inaugurated in 1979 as the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Branch of the Rating & Valuation Association.   Keith was Branch Chairman from 1989 to 1991, during the heady days of the implementation of the poll tax.

Away from work, Keith plays league cricket for his local cricket club and also for Berkshire over 50's.

Learning & Development Officer, West Oxfordshire District Council/Cherwell District Council

01993 861241

Julie is currently the Joint Learning and Development Officer for both West Oxfordshire and Cherwell District Councils. She has been in local government since January 1990. She is also a board member of Acorn, (NVQ assessment centre) and a qualified NVQ Assessor, offering training and support to local authorities across the country.

Julie used to play football in a local ladies football team. Her interest derived from her childhood, when her older brothers used to take her to White Hart Lane to watch Spurs!

Past Chairs / Presidents

1976-1983   Leroy Garner

1983-1985   David Magor

1985-1987   John Tye

1987-1989   Les Taylor

1989-1991   Keith Woodman

1991-1993   David Grundy        

1993-1995   Shirley Entwistle

1995-1997   Victor Pennington

1997-2001   Simon Horsington

2001-2008   the Association was dormant

2008-2010   Jon Dearing

2010-2011   Phil Adlard  IRRV Tech 

2011-2012   Tess Reeves  IRRV (Hons) 

2012-2013   Helen Curtis  FIRRV 

2013-2014   Ed Bowen  IRRV (Hons) 

2014-2015   Lynda Callaway  IRRV (Hons) 

2015-2016   Kevin Strong  IRRV Tech

2016-2017   Emma Newcombe  IRRV (Dip)

2017- 2018  Kirsty Anderson  IRRV Tech

2018- 2018  Sarah Kingston IRRV (Hons)

2019-            Laura Smith 

Current Position:  Managing Director, e-mpirical Ltd.

Tony has over 30 years experience of managing and delivering major transformation projects across the public sector.

An experienced operational and programme director with a background in public facing service delivery, including over 20 years in Revenues and Benefits. Qualified IRRV member since 1983,. He has extensive experience of working with councillors, senior officers and external partners and is truly appreciative of the challenges that face services and authorities when they are required by central government to implement often confusing and conflicting initiatives. At the heart of all of his work is the innovative use of technology in all of its shapes and sizes to bring about major cultural change that ultimately leads to improved service and reduced costs. Tony has worked at operational and strategic levels in organisations as varied as Plymouth City Council, Department of Health, Reading Borough Council and Skills for Health.

For those that may not be aware our Vice-President Phil Adlard was voted on to the IRRV Council at the recent elections.

Message from Phil:

I'd like to thank the Thames Valley and London & Home Counties Associations for their support and encouragement and the executive committee of the TVA in particular.  If it doesn't sound too much of a cliché, I'd also like to thank all of those who voted for me.  It is not all that common for someone to be elected to the Council at the first attempt so this achievement is all the more satisfying because of it.  I hope that the Association will get the benefit of having a voice on Council and this will help with the continued success of the Thames Valley Association.

Message from TVA President Jon Dearing:

On behalf of the TVA Executive Committee I would like to congratulate Phil on his impressive achievement. We know that he will serve the Institute well and be an excellent representative for the TVA.

Well done Phil!

Congratulations Phil from everyone involved with the TVA.

To celebrate the re-launch of the Thames Valley Association we are holding a lunch event in Reading on Thursday 26th June 2008.

Please come along and join us for some food, a drink and meet other IRRV members from your local area. It will be an ideal opportunity to find out what we have planned for the coming months. We look forward to meeting you on the day.

The new Inspection Regime - are you ready for it?

Do you know how strong customer focus needs to be and what levels of corporate support you will need to meet the new challenges of the Audit Commission?

It's no longer just a question of what your Benefit's Service does!

Speaker: Kevin Mercer (Head of Revenues & Benefits, Wokingham Borough Council)         Wokingham BC were one of the original pilot sites to receive a KLOE inspection so Kevin will be speaking from first-hand experience of being on the receiving end of an inspection.

Date: Wednesday 19th November 2008

Time: 2pm for 2.30 start (tea/coffee on arrival)

Venue: Council Chamber, West Berkshire Council, Council Offices, Market Street, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 5DL

Tel: 01635 42400

website: http://www.westberks.gov.uk/            

map link here > http://www.westberks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=10248&p=0

Other information regarding the Benefits KLOE is available from the Audit Commission website at http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/kloe/benefitskloe.asp

On 1st April 2008 Tess Reeves, the Membership Officer for Thames Valley Association, sent an email and questionnaire to all members that are known to live or work in the Thames Valley area.  This was sent to the email address registered with the IRRV.

Part of the questionnaire was to ask you, the members, what events etc. you would like the newly re-launched Thames Valley Association to put on for you, and, the other part of the questionnaire was to confirm contact details etc. to ensure we keep you up to date with what is happening in the Thames Valley.

If you did not receive an email please contact Tess, by clicking here, with your details and she will ensure our records are updated and that a questionnaire is sent to you.

If you did receive an email please take a few moments to complete and return the questionnaire, this is your chance to have a say in the future of your local association.

at 5pm on Thursday 11th September 2008

the venue is The Assembly Room, Town Hall, Oxford

For our first Association meeting we are fortunate to have secured a top quality panel of distinguished experts in the form of Kevin Ducksbury, Gordon Heath and Gary Watson. Between them they have a wealth of knowledge and experience of all aspects of Revenues and Benefits and IRRV matters.

So if you are unclear about the best way to calculate Transitional Relief, need advice on contrived tenancies, or how the Collection and Enforcement Bill will change the way you work, these are the men to ask.

To give them time to prepare answers, we’d ask that you submit your questions in advance. Please submit your questions by e-mail to Phil Adlard at padlard@oxford.gov.uk and mark the subject of the e-mail “Question Time”. Please also contact Phil to confirm your attendance even if you haven’t a question to ask so that adequate catering can be provided.

Oxford Town Hall is in the centre of Oxford on St. Aldates.  For details of parking and other options visit http://www.oxford.gov.uk/transport/index.cfm.

The re-launch lunch will soon be upon us, please remember you only have until FRIDAY 6TH JUNE to RSVP.

Date:   Thursday 26^th June 2008

Venue:    Royal Berkshire Conference Centre, Reading   RG2 0FL                    (part of the Madejski Stadium).

RSVP to Tess Reeves

Please make this a priority in your diary and support your local association.  We will be meeting from 11am so come along, have a coffee and use the opportunity to meet your colleagues in the Thames Valley.

Our speakers are David Magor (Chief Executive IRRV), Bob Trahern (IRRV National President) and Jon Dearing (our TVA President).

Staff from IRRV HQ and TVA officers will also be there and you can put your questions and suggestions to them over lunch.  There is a prize draw for those who attend on the day.

We look forward to meeting you on the 26^th.

Message from TVA President - Jon Dearing

You should have recently received a Ballot Paper asking you to vote for one of the four candidates up for election as Technician Member of the National Council.

One of the four candidates is Phil Adlard who works for Oxford City Council and is also Vice President of the IRRV Thames Valley Association.

I know that Phil Adlard will make an excellent Council Member. He is a highly experienced Revenues and Benefits professional, who has been very active at the Association level for many years; and was instrumental in re-launching the Thames Valley Association this year. I’m hoping that you will use your vote to support Phil and get some much needed Thames Valley representation at a National level.

Thank you very much

Jon Dearing - President of the Thames Valley Association.

You can either vote online at www.votebyinternet.com/irrv2008 you will need both parts of the Security Code printed on your ballot paper, or by using your ballot paper but remember to make your vote count it must be received either way by 5pm on Friday 19th September 2008.

Show your support for the TVA and vote for Phil in the election of Council Members for 2008.

The IRRV Thames Valley Association is joining forces with the London and Home Counties Association for a social trip to the Greyhound Racing track in Oxford on Saturday 20th September 2008. We are also sponsoring a race.

The cost of the evening is £23 per person - this includes a three course meal, race cards and a dedicated table betting and bar service, so you don't even have to leave your seat to place a bet or get a diet coke!  Unless of course you want to go track side.

Further details can be found at: http://www.lovethedogs.co.uk/oxford/home.php  It promises to be a really good night out and is a great opportunity to meet new people.

Please let me know by 29th August 2008 if you would like to come along and how many tickets you require, this is not a members only event so please feel free to bring along family and friends.  Payment is required in advance so be prepared to send one of those old fashioned cheques.

Thanks

awilkins@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk

Would you like to opportunity to represent your authority/company and beat your neighbours

On the evening of Wednesday 22nd October 2008 we are holding a Team Ten Pin Bowling Challenge at AMF Bowling in High Wycombe.  We are looking for teams of 4 people to represent their authority/company, if you have 8, 12 etc. you are welcome to enter more than 1 team.

The cost of the evening is £14.95 per person, this includes 2 games of bowling, a drink from the bar and a "Double Strike Platter".  There will be a 'trophy' for the winning team and other prizes are planned.

For more details about the venue etc. http://www.amfbowling.co.uk/centres/details.aspx?centreID=34

For further details or to enter your teams please contact the Social Secretary below;

Question Time - 11 September 2008 @ 5.00 p.m. - Oxford City Council, Town Hall.

Last call for questions to put to our panel of Gordon Heath, Gary Watson and Kevin Ducksbury to be submitted by noon, Wednesday 3 September. So far we have received questions on:

To submit a question, e-mail Phil Adlard on padlard@oxford.gov.uk.

Even if you don't have a question but would like to attend, please let Phil know so that catering can be arranged.

Oxford City Council, Town Hall is in the centre of Oxford on St. Aldates. There is no parking on site and park and ride is recommended. Follow the link for further information on parking in Oxford, http://www.oxford.gov.uk/transport/index.cfm.

The official relaunch of the Thames Valley Association will soon be here so make a note in your diaries to be there

Date:   Thursday 26^th June 2008

Venue: Royal Berkshire Conference Centre, Reading (part of the Madejski Stadium).              Please note the venue has changed since the article was written for Insight magazine. 

The agenda will be as follows;-

11:00 Arrive for coffee, tea & biscuits.

11.30 David Magor (CEO of IRRV) to re-launch the TVA & speak about the IRRV’s role & introduce new TVA President.

12:00 Jon Dearing (TVA President) to speak about the Association’s aims and the future programme.

12:20 Bob Trahern (IRRV President) to speak – concentrating on education and CPD

12:50 Round up and questions

13:00 Buffet lunch

There will also be other members of staff from IRRV HQ in attendance to answer queries that you may have about the institute and its role in education.

In addition to this the officers of the Association will be there for you to speak with and to accept your suggestions for future events etc.

The Association is committed to improving Learning and Development opportunities for all, and encouraging new members to engage with the Institute and take advantage of the impressive range of services that it provides to its members.

Please come along and join us, this is your Association and is there for your benefit.

We look forward to seeing you on the 26^th.