Summary of Independent R&B Discussion Group – 19 May 2025 The Independent Revenues and Benefits Discussion Group convened on 19 May to review recent trends in Council Tax Reduction (CTR) schemes, using a new report from Policy in Practice—authored by Izabel Bahia and Rachael Walker—as a starting point for discussion. The report charts changes in…
Month: May 2025
12/5/25 Independent R&B Discussion Group: Local Shifts, Policy Challenges, and the Future of the VOA
A Post-Election Reckoning Following significant changes in local political control across England, members of the Independent R&B Discussion Group gathered to reflect on what these results may signal for local government policy, operations, and stability. Chaired by Malcolm Gardner, the session featured contributions from a wide range of experienced voices in local taxation, housing, and…
28/04/25 Balancing Equality, Welfare, and Accountability: Insights from the Independent R&B Discussion Group
In our recent session, the Independent R&B Discussion Group gathered to examine several pressing topics affecting local government and welfare policy, ranging from Supreme Court rulings to the two-child limit on Universal Credit. With contributions from experienced colleagues including Paul Howarth, Rachael Walker, Kevin Stewart, Thomas Clark, Kirsty Brooksmith, and Sean O’Sullivan, the session offered…