Last Monday, we had a chat about the HB Subsidy Administration Grant. Many of us feel that this grant now covers less than half the actual cost of running the system, especially since we’re increasingly dealing with more complex cases that are pricier to manage. We also touched on how Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) are…
Author: Malcolm
Malcolm Gardner, has had a diverse and impactful career spanning several decades, beginning in the IT industry in the 1970s and later transitioning to leadership roles in local government. His work on early Housing Benefit systems and managing Revenues and Benefits departments established him as a pioneer in using data analytics, electronic systems, and emerging technologies to improve public sector services. As a consultant, he continued to innovate, focusing on efficiency and better outcomes for end-users. His expertise extended beyond technology, as he also introduced performance management, behavioural change strategies, and set standards for local authority fraud investigations.
In 2018, Malcolm joined Team Netsol as a Senior Business Analyst, where he applied his deep understanding of technology trends to support welfare and taxation policies. Even after his retirement in 2022, his commitment to public service remained strong. He revived his company, Visionary Network, as a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to modernising local government. Today, Malcolm is a leading authority on redesigning council tax and welfare schemes, continuing to influence the future of public services with his innovative vision.
Monday Discussion Group 25/3/24 Household Fund, Council Tax 2nd Homes, Living Standards and Young People & Work
Last Monday, we had a comprehensive chat that started with our household budget and our plans for it over the next six months. We shared lots of ideas and opinions on this topic before shifting our focus to the new Council Tax rules for second homes and how different councils might react to these changes….
The High-Income Parental Penalty: Navigating the Tax System’s Cliff Edge
In the landscape of Britain’s tax system, a stark financial challenge confronts working parents earning above £100,000. This demographic, according to economic experts, faces an “abomination” of financial penalties that starkly contradicts the principle of rewarding work. The root of this dilemma? A series of policy decisions that strip away vital financial supports—such as free…
Monday Discussion Group 11/3/24: Budget 2024 Key Elements for Revenues and Benefits– Visionary Network
Last Monday, we discussed key elements from the 2024 budget announcement and how they may impact Local Authorities, specifically the Revenues and Benefits departments. Paul Howarth provided an excellent summary, which you can find in the recording, and there is additional information in the slide pack, plus links to key documents on our website. My…
Monday Discussion Group 4/3/24: DHP Survey results & Rising ill Health in Young People
Hi everyone, Last Monday, we had a discussion about the latest DHP survey results reported this week, which didn’t really surprise anyone. Still, everyone agreed it’s good to have those findings clearly laid out. It’s worth mentioning, though, that this survey was done a few years back. Despite that, it made a solid case for…
The Role of Ascendant Solutions and Smarter Demo in Local Government
Ascendant Solutions: Richard Handy’s discussion highlighted how local councils are leveraging Ascendant’s products to streamline processes for applications for support, grants, and services. The mention of a “data lake” used by Barnsley is particularly noteworthy. Data lakes allow for the storage of vast amounts of raw data in its native format. This approach enables councils…
26/2/24 Monday Discussion Group – Data Extraction and Four-days Weeks
Hi everyone, Hey there! Just a heads up that our next AI workshop is happening this coming Wednesday at 11:00 AM. It’s our second one this year and looks like it’s going to be super interesting. We’ve got Richard Hanby talking about how AI and automation can boost revenue and benefits, and Simon Goldstone showing…
20/2/24 Monday Discussion Group — Impact of cutting non-statutory services & the latest national fraud figures
On Monday, we revisited our chat about the implications of prioritising statutory services over non-statutory ones. We highlighted concerns raised by domestic abuse organisations, who warn that reducing their funding will significantly cut the support they can provide. We also noted that support for special education has become so restricted that it’s starting to draw…
12/2/2024 Monday Discussion: Two-Child Cap
On Monday, we had a lively discussion about a recent report from the Resolution Foundation on benefit caps, especially focusing on the policy that limits benefits to two children. Lalitha Try, the author of the report, was with us, and we really appreciated her input. Our conversation, like many others we’ve had on Mondays, covered…
5/2/25 Monday Discussion Group: Councils Financial Crisis and the Knock On Effects
In our Monday chat, we dove into how the financial troubles facing local councils are also troubling for organizations like charities that depend on council funds. We talked about how this situation might lead more people who usually get help from these charities to seek help directly from the council. We also touched on the…