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!