Monday 10 December – Sunday 23 December 2007

Here’s my last blog entry before Xmas and I can’t believe I have been doing this role for nearly 10 weeks (a fifth of the way through and time is certainly flying)

I am thankfully back to some form of fighting fitness and having thought I may need to let down the East Mids association at their Xmas lunch on 13th December, courtesy of a door to door chauffeur service from the Director I was able to attend and had a very enjoyable meal with the 50 or so IRRV members. It was great to see 9 recently qualified students invited to receive their certificates and hopefully they will get actively involved in the local association over the coming year.

The rest of the week saw me attend a variety of meetings, get approval for next years service plan and due to a number of internal and external promotions, sit down to work out how best to cover or replace a number of key staff (the downside of winning awards I’m afraid!)

The weekend was spent with the extended family on Julie’s side as her son, partner and our grandson were over from Spain and we had an early Xmas party to celebrate. Horrified to see a karaoke machine get brought out following my recent efforts in Scotland (things haven’t got any better) and don’t think Leon from the x-factor has anything to worry about. How did Rhydian fail to win? I’d have even gone for Same Difference over Leon (I am definitely getting old)

Last week saw me visit Scotland once again flying up to Edinburgh on the Tuesday afternoon for their annual Christmas Scottish reception (pictures attached) followed by a very nice evening meal at one of Edinburgh’s best restaurants thanks to a kind invitation from one of the Institutes key sponsors, Gandlake.

A morning meeting with the awards panel saw us agree the format and categories for the “to be announced” performance awards early in the New Year and as the President, I have decided my own teams will not be entering this year in order for me to take a full and active role in proceedings. A flurry of e-mails on the blackberry confirms that the electronic Xmas card I have sent has hit the wires (see website for your less than traditional Xmas shot but it will save the earths resources and more importantly, save money for charity). I had the photo taken in downtown Disney in Florida this year and very sadly I did have my Insight with me although I didn’t manage to sign up the few interested yanks who seemed very interested in what I was promoting. Hence a challenge to you as the wider membership

Where is the best place you can be photographed with an edition of Insight. Please send your pictures to me by 31 August 2008 at bobtrahern@northwarks.gov.uk and we will display the best ones on the website for you to vote for a yet to be decided huge prize.

With enough time at Edinburgh airport, I managed to get in some last minute Xmas shopping in the duty free area before heading back to Birmingham to arrive in time to attend a Full Council meeting in the evening at work.

Thursday saw a whole day of meetings with various partners as we run into the Xmas closedown and a fun evening is spent writing committee reports in readiness for a New Year round of meetings.

My final IRRV function of the year saw me attend a lunch on the River Thames with all the Institute staff. This has become a tradition in the Presidents calendar, and was a nice way to sign off what has been a very hectic period since I took office. It also provided another opportunity to take a photograph of the President with another santa hat on sitting next to a guy in a red suit and beard (no it wasn’t Richard Harbord and neither was it the new Deputy Chief Executive who with arm twisted wore his secret santa present bought for under a fiver (a superman pyjama top although we let him off wearing the shorts). I wonder who bought him that !

My calendar for January onwards looks no less busy so unfortunately I will be needing to take by laptop with me to Spain over the Xmas period to try and get in front of myself work wise, update my student notes and write a paper I will be giving in Bangkok. Not that I can see how I will cram it all in as we fly out to Girona on 27th for 5 days to spend the New Year once we have hosted two family do’s on Christmas and Boxing Day which will be great as my sister and family are over from the States for the festive season.

So it just leaves me to sign off and wish you a very Merry Christmas to you all and here’s hoping 2008 brings you everything you wish for whether it be hitting your PM10 target (hopefully revised) or collecting a few extra quid to push up your collection rate, or something much more exciting

A very Happy Christmas and New Year!

More Scottish Reception photographs (better quality - with thanks to John Roberts!)

Scottish Association Christmas Reception

Bob attended the above reception in Edinburgh on 18th December. Below are a couple of photographs and a short video from the event!

Video from Scottish Association Reception!

The IRRV Christmas Card 2007

This year the Institute has decided to donate our Christmas card budget to Bob's nominated Charity. We will let you know the Charity and total raised early next year.

You can view our online greetings card at:

http://www.irrv.net/JS/xmas/index.html

Thursday 22 November – Monday 10 December 2007

I am slipping on my blog updates already in what is a very hectic time and have been struck down by a very heavy cold (I think it is man flu) for the last few weeks so feeling very sorry of myself

Thursday, 22nd November 2007 – went to the home of lawn tennis at Wimbledon to attend the Institute of Clerks lunch with David Magor. We sat on the table of one of the award winners for the quality of his car park built at the soon to be opened Terminal 5 at Heathrow

Friday 23rd November 2007 – a full day at work before attending the East Midlands Association Dinner which was my first association dinner as President. A good night finished in the very early hours. The speech seemed to go down well although I had plenty of material from recent escapades and the fact that I had given up an invitation to speak in Brazil in preference to a night out in Derby !!

Saturday/Sunday – spent catching up on work and some Xmas shopping

Monday 26th November 2007 – an early morning in work before getting a train for an afternoon meeting with CLG people on how best to promote Government Connect and the Council along with Kevin Stewart representing Bedford had a good meeting in London to determine how best to kick start this initiative which will surely now gather pace as a result of the HMRC issue that has brought an abrupt halt to data sharing

Tuesday 27th November 2007 – another early morning before embarking on the long winding journey to South Norfolk DC to speak at the East Anglian association on the issues of Varney. It was good to see so many recently qualified people there who came to receive their certificates (note to secretary: always have a back up plan if the camera doesn’t work!)

Wednesday 28th November 2007 – in London again firstly with BACS, VOCALINK and the CLG discussing the efficiency agenda and the role of DD and then an afternoon with David and officials from the Ministry of Justice discussing the implications of the C, E and Tribunals Act. It promises to be a challenging time for all involved in distress over the next 18 months.

Thursday 29th November 2007 – popped into Manchester for a series of meetings to start to plan next years Annual conference before arriving in Dumfries early evening in advance of the Scottish Revenues and Benefits forum. The video has already been posted of the evenings entertainment, the now legendry Chinese Karaoke where you are ok if you know songs pre 1977 and are fluent in Chinese as required by most of the sub titles to songs!. The rendition of Summer Nights saved by Hilary Kelly, the Scottish President was not a classic. My excuse is I have been suffering with a cold for a few days and I’m sticking to it

Friday 30th November 2007 – got up feeling very sorry for myself. Cough and spluttered through my half hour speech before David drove us home on an horrendous 6 hour journey in lashing rain.

Spent the weekend in bed with a terrible cold although struggled into work on 3rd and 4th before flying up to Scotland for the benefits conference late afternoon with Julie meeting up with another Julie, Mrs Holden, the Senior Vice President who drove us to Crieff. Both Julie and I are full of colds hence the beauty of Scotland in December passed us by as we spend most of the time confined to the room snivelling and feeling generally unwell! albeit surfacing to give my paper, attend the gala dinner and as many of the papers as possible.

7th December 2007 – worked from home in preference to going to London and similarly spent most of the weekend holed up. I think it is time to put the red cross on the door !

I have cancelled all my IRRV activities this week commencing 10 December (I need to get better, doctors orders who says I shouldn’t be at work ) so will be combining working from home with a few important work meetings with a view that I can get rid of the sneezing and coughing.

Signing off one seemingly pathetic IRRV President

And some photographs from Scottish Benefits Conference!

Bob gives his Presidential AddressWith Anne McGuire MP just before Ministerial Address A busy Conference Exhibition

Conference Christmas Gala Dinner

With David West of Capita

Dancing the night away

Part of Bob's Presidential Address at Scottish Benefits Conference

Bob in Dumfries!

Here's some photos from the Presidential visit to the Scottish Association last Thursday/Friday! And see Bob's singing skills on video (below) as he performs "Summer Nights" with Hillary Kelly, IRRV Scottish Association President.

Bob, Allan Traynor and David Magor at the infamous IRRV Dumfries Annual Chinese Karaoke!

Bob and Hillary!

Bob addresses the joint Scottish Association/Forum Meeting!

Presentation by Bob to last year's President Allan Traynor (and many thanks to Ed Parkhouse of Dumfries and Galloway Council for his music creation skills!)

Summer Nights!

Monday 12 November – Wednesday 21 November 2007

Sorry if you have been logging on for a weekly update of my adventures but my slot last Sunday got replaced by a “friendly” family game of cards.

To be honest most of last week (the weeks are starting to now merge into one) was spent at work. The time sheet says 63 hours and it certainly felt like it.

Spent most of Monday doing committee reports and catching up.

Tuesday: I gave a presentation to a County Council scrutiny board updating our joint work with the County which is well advanced in terms of enhanced two tier working as part of our Warwickshire Direct customer service delivery model. On the 1pm train to London where I met with John Cremin who is working with us on our shared service feasibility study with Coventry (The CANWE project). I meet up with David and Gary Watson in the early evening to discuss Gary’s transition from Council member to Deputy Chief Executive on 1 January 2008. Back home to do a few hours before hitting the hay.

Wednesday: Another full day in the office agreeing next year’s budget and service delivery plan amongst other things.

Thursday: An early management team at 8am is followed by a series of meetings most of the day. Met up with an old work colleague for lunch (a rare treat...note to self: must do this more often). A very late finish as I hadn’t done any preparation for the following days association meeting where we hosted 40 odd other Councils for the day. Finish at midnight and back in work by 7am (very sad!)

Friday: People start arriving at 9.15am as the last slide is just about finished, the pull ups erected and coffee cups arranged. A well-attended day sees us celebrating our success with others (see IRRV website/West Midlands Association for slides) followed by a meeting of the Warwickshire Revs and Bens group. Its Children in Need day, but because of the event I didn’t dare dress down or up as people were visiting. It doesn’t stop Andy “Rodriguez” Jones from Warwick DC turning up for the meeting in “poncho and sombrero” (watch this space for the evidence). I must be less reserved next year.

A quick shower then out for a curry with 45 of the staff to celebrate our LGC and IRRV wins this year (not that we need much of an excuse). I promise myself an early night as I’m shattered. Turn in way after 1pm meaning the early Saturday morning at work is more “elevensies” before leaving early evening picking up a chinese on the way home. The study is full of bags of Xmas shopping so looks like Julie has given the plastic a good workout today.

Sunday: my mum and dad are coming for dinner today so on a three line whip to be back from work by 1pm. A quick catch up with David in the evening and I do my slides for the CRM conference.

Monday: Another day in the office before meeting up with a few fellow Council members to discuss a few institute issues over dinner at the Chesford Grange in advance of the CRM conference.

Tuesday: Kick off the CRM conference (we are going to rename it next year because it really is less technical and more about celebrating excellence in customer service delivery) before driving over to Kettering to attend the launch of their joint NVQ assessment centre with 3 other Northampton authorities. A great event meeting the people who are involved both assessors and students before getting back on the road to get back to the Chesford for a West Mids exec meeting late afternoon. A bit of a false start as we get confused on the room we are using and have to start the agenda again when we realise our mistake as we have exec members sitting in two different rooms. Doh! Just time for a quick shower before hosting the drinks reception with our key sponsors Gandlake and a very enjoyable dinner. In bed before midnight (I’ve learnt from last Friday) as am up early to catch up on a few e-mails before a power cut hits the hotel

Wednesday: I have never had breakfast by candlelight and never with another man as I meet David for a breakfast meeting with a rep of the hotel.
Present the first paper of the day before facilitating a session with David for Councils impacted by the forthcoming Local Government reorganisation

A quick lunch before driving back to Warwickshire for the second half of an event facilitated by the IdeA discussing LAA commitments with stakeholders from across our borough. For once I am home at a normal hour. As I have to organise tea as Julie has a late committee meeting, it’s the chip shop for tea for Louis and I. A night watching the match is soon less attractive as England go 2 nil down inside 15 minutes so get my expenses out to do with one eye on the tv. Whilst not a huge football fan (more into the odd shaped ball) I am patriotic and it is disappointing to see us lose. On the train early so not too late out of bed.

Signing off as I have just arrived in Euston as I am at Wimbledon for a lunch hosted by the Institute of Clerks of Work.

Quality video 2!

And here's a longer video from Annual Conference too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOPCLsG_kOs

Quality video from Annual Conference!

This blog started with a poor quality video from Annual Conference - so here's the link to a much better-quality video of Bob's first speech as IRRV President in Brighton :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPzE9vWnmM8

Tuesday 6 November – Sunday 12 November 2007

Up early on Tuesday morning before driving to Abertillery where I share a morning with Steve Thomas, Chief Executive of the Welsh LGA speaking to a well attended South and West Wales association meeting on the impact of Shared Services. Things are starting to move on this front in the area and following the meeting, I arrange to meet with Steve and his colleagues to discuss many of the issues raised in discussion early in the New Year

A frustrating drive back sees me stationary on the M50 for more two hours (but it provides a perfect opportunity to get up to date with e-mails and some Government Connect reading) before arriving back to work just as most are leaving all ready to start the night shift !.

On Wednesday, I am back in Wales but this time go on the train to Newport for a midday visit to the Distance Learning Centre based at the university. I meet David Magor off the train who suggests we take the short walk to the college. What he failed to mention was up a 1 in 3 hill carrying my overnight bag of 3 days, dinner jacket, presidential chain and laptop Arriving at the top where the oxygen definitely appeared thinner (my excuse for being out of breath) we arrived for a very interesting session looking out their e-learning technology. This will totally modernise our current distance-learning offering and a decision will be taken by the Full Council at our January meeting how to progress this. We leave to catch the train into London arriving at Doughty Street with an hour to spare giving us just enough time to change and get to the Rating Surveyors dinner.

A very enjoyable evening followed hosted by Jerry Schroader, RSA President as his top table guests (see picture below, I must learn to sit up straight). I make the lonely walk back to Doughty Street just before midnight to the penthouse flat available to me on the top floor.

Thursday morning sees me doing my morning chores in the flat before going through my diary commitments with Rachel, David’s PA before having a very productive meeting with BACS with whom we are developing work initiatives on a number of fronts to launch early in the New Year (another watch this space). In the afternoon we cut across London to visit an “as yet” secret venue which is provisionally booked for the Annual Drinks reception in July 2008. Contrary to popular belief, it will not be at Stringfellows ! (More of this when I can say more – it keeps you reading in the future this way).

We meet up with two past presidents, Allan Traynor and Carol Cutler in the evening to prepare for the following days interviews for the post of Deputy Chief Executive at the IRRV before a reasonably early night and early next morning (you’ve guessed it catching up on e-mails).

Friday is spent interviewing and we make what will definitely be an excellent appointment for the Institute in Gary Watson. Known to probably all of you, as a very active member of the Institute his knowledge and skills will mean he will be a tremendous addition to HQ staff if a sad loss to the National Council when he takes up his new post in January.

Saturday is spent in the office all day catching up and hopefully getting in front of the forthcoming weeks workload. My votes for “Hope” are keeping them in the “x factor”, Something Different are growing on me but I still think Rhydian will win.

An early Sunday stint sees me at the office by 7.30am before arriving home just in time to entertain the future in-laws for Sunday lunch before a nice friendly game of cards in the afternoon. Catch up with my expenses, booking travel arrangements for the coming months (it’s the way to get ridiculous deals) and a quick call into David before preparing myself for a relatively strange week where I will be in the office most of the time. Best remove the cardboard cut out from behind the desk!

Hope to see you all at the forthcoming CRM and Customer Excellence conference we are running next week (20 and 21 November at Chesford Grange, Kenilworth). Its still not to late too book.

Rating Surveyors Dinner picture - see above!

Monday 29 October – Monday 5 November 2007

Another busy week and I cannot believe I’m over 3 weeks into my Presidential year already

Monday involved taking a Level 3 student for integrative case studies at Keele before undertaking a quick look round the university in preparation for the April revision course where we intend to run a series of events around the core revision course programme (watch this space for further information).

On Tuesday, I was back in North Warwickshire looking at how as a Council with local partners we can best address the issue of growing debt and social exclusion in the borough. The day is a huge success with over 25 attendees, many from outside the Council representing the CAB, Credit Union, welfare rights agencies, tenants, older people and the local PCT. The day facilitated by David Magor involves a normal day for me as AD in a small borough with the days duties ranging from giving a presentation on strategic direction and facilitation of group discussions through to serving coffee and doing the washing up! (and I am not joking) It’s an early start (as I had to write my slides for the morning) and a very late finish as David and I drive down to Cornwall in the evening for a meeting the following day with representatives from the Councils affected by the forthcoming Local Government Review.

Wednesday goes well and following discussions we arrange to hold a day for all affected LGR Councils at our forthcoming CRM event on 20 and 21 November (see website for further details). I drive directly to Swindon where we are running our block release course arriving just in time for dinner and meet the students who are partway through their first week of three on the course.

Thursday morning sees me kicking off with two sessions of Business Rates having got up early to catch up on some work before setting off in the early afternoon arriving back at work just in time for a local Association executive meeting. Amongst other things we agree the date of the West Mids dinner dance (put it in your diary, its 17 May 2008) and we agree a full programme of meetings that will see us through to the summer including our first (an open day of how we do things at North Warwickshire on 16th November 2007). If you want to come, please e-mail JaneHayward@NorthWarks.gov.uk to register or for further details of what’s included. Turn the lights off as I finish work very late

Friday sees me nearly miss my flight to Glasgow at 7am (teach me to read the instructions on check in times more carefully) and I meet David Magor off his flight from London having caught up on a few e-mails and phone calls (what did people before mobile technology was invented). We attend a very nice lunch hosted by the President of the Association of Chief Estate Officers at City Chambers in Glasgow before getting a delayed flight home to Birmingham finally sitting down to a well deserved glass of wine at 9pm.

Saturday was spent all day in the office catching up and hopefully getting in front of the forthcoming weeks workload before spending an evening with an old school friend. Into work for an early Sunday stint putting in another full day as I am again out of the office for a further 3 days next week.

Monday - In work for a Management Team catch up and a day of meetings around the budget, savings and the customer access strategy. A quick visit to the Forest Of Arden Hotel at lunchtime where I am hosting a IRRV Council round in April as my in borough venue is squeezed in. Leave work gone 6pm for a drive down to Abergavenny where I am staying overnight in advance of a morning meeting giving a paper on Shared Services to the South and West Wales association. A table for 1 with only the blackberry for company is a solitary experience !

Oh well time to sign off from my hotel room in Wales having just caught the end of Dragons Den. I am really enjoying every minute of the role (I just hope I have enough stamina to keep this pace up!)

Monday 22 October – Sunday 28 October 2007

A busy start to the week saw us entertain the local paparazzi at work with a number of the local papers covering our excellence in customer services award success.

Confused by a few references being made in corridors referring to me as a “President Bob”? It all comes clear why when I see the week’s edition of Opportunities. Never thought I’d become a cover boy featured on a double spread inside and whilst not quite Hello or OK, the coverage we have received of the Institute and its activities in recent weeks in the magazine has been fantastic and very positive.

On Wednesday afternoon, I undertook my second official engagement in Kettering where I gave a paper snappily entitled a “Magical Mystery Tour of Revenues and Benefits (slides on the East Midlands association website) ” to an audience including a number of students and members (note: I am pleased to say I double checked my flies were done up this time)

On Thursday, I spent the day in London with the Audit Commission, BACS, some other Local Authority Direct Debit champions discussing how we develop the work we have been undertaking over the last 12 months. Watch this space for further information.

Spent Friday catching up what I couldn’t deal with on the blackberry and getting my lecturing material run off in preparation for the Keele revision course we traditionally run for students preparing for our December exams.

Saturday – Took 10 students for a seven and a half hour whistle stop tour of Council Tax law. Thankful that the clocks went back an hour meaning going to bed at 2am was technically 1am having enjoyed an evening mixing with what is “the future of the Institute”. The important issues “Who got voted off the X Factor?”

Sunday – 4 students for the same tour but this time “Non Domestic Rates Law”. Finishing at 6.30pm and a quick dinner, our team of tutors and students came a credible 4th in the local pubs Sunday night quiz (thank goodness for the students). Retired to bed well before midnight (I’m getting too old for this) in preparation for today’s final session of Integrative Case Studies for the final year students.

Its been a really enjoyable few days getting the anorak out and getting into some legislation/caselaw and Gary Watson has again done a brilliant job ensuring the 4 day event has run smoothly.

Time to sign off, breakfast calls and the students are keen.

Thursday 11 October – Sunday 21 October 2007

Welcome to my blog. Having taken over from Allan Traynor who started this craze I have taken up the challenge to continue with a weekly journal of my activities, both presidential and work.

Thursday 11 October – Sunday 21 October 2007

Taking over as President on the night and more importantly my team winning a Performance award and narrowly missing out on a second, meant it was one of the proudest days of my life (even if the David Brent dancing as part of the inauguration ceremony was on the dodgy side). No doubt, the video clip of the dancing and the one I did with some local school children will no doubt make the blog but hopefully not you-tube.

The night showcased the IRRV for what it is. We have worked hard in recent years to make these events fun, different and inclusive. Last week we achieved all this and more. I am bias but having attended a number of award dinners, none gets near ours. Who else could boast of a night that attracts over 900 people, an evening’s entertainment that had everyone out of their chair enjoying covers of Queen being played on bag pipes and tables full of the staff, not just the managers who deliver the best services in the country celebrating their success. The challenge is to make Manchester even better! (One for Caroline Hopkins, the new Head of Commercial Services who takes over this role)

The week at work (which has included 2 Sundays and a full Saturday to keep on top of things) has been very hectic. We hosted 2 visits from other Councils keen to learn from our successes, had a couple of meetings around the feasibility study we are undertaking into Shared Services with Coventry CC and across Warwickshire which we are due to report on in early December and a meeting with Community Transport providers.

On Thursday afternoon, I flew up to Scotland for my first official engagement in Grangemouth attending the 2 day Revenues Symposium. An incredible, 3 hours door-to- door journey and I caught the last speakers of the day. It was great to be able to acknowledge the achievements of Allan Traynor, the immediate past President at the evening meal attended by over 50 people. On Friday morning, I gave a paper on the future of Local Government Finance with a Scottish twist as the lead party, the SNP have set up a working party to prepare for introducing a Local Income Tax and abolish Council Tax. Plenty of food for thought and we await the soon to be issued consultation paper with interest. (note: I must remember to do up my flies next week for my second talk in Kettering on Wednesday 24th)

I bet you can’t wait for next week's exciting update, but wait you must !

Bob speaks in Scotland!

As our new President, Bob has hit the ground running, already visiting Scotland to address the Annual IRRV Scottish Revenues Symposium. Bob spoke on the future of local government finance (see below).

Bob becomes President!

OK, its not the most well taken video clip in the world ...! But it does give you an idea of the brilliant atmosphere in Brighton last Thursday as Bob became President of the Institute of Revenues, Rating & Valuation!