Blog

On 24 February 2025, local government practitioners met to discuss key issues affecting council funding and regulatory practices. The session was moderated by Malcolm Gardner and featured contributions from experts including Tom Clark, Kim Larkin, Naomi Armstrong, kevin Stewart, Robert Fox, and Wagstaff Bob, among others. Key Discussion Points Local Authority Enforcement Forum Tom Clark…

Correction from previous newsletter: Gareth Morgan noted that in Wales, financial awareness training was available to help train advisors. See https://www.dangos.wales/ The Independent R&B Discussion Group convened on 17 February 2025, bringing together experts and professionals to discuss pressing issues, including the effectiveness of mobile job centres, the crackdown on rogue landlords, and the challenges…

On 10 February 2025, the Independent R&B Discussion Group convened to discuss key issues affecting local government, particularly financial settlements and reorganisation plans. The conversation, led by Malcolm Gardner, covered the latest funding allocations, local government restructuring, and challenges posed by ongoing financial constraints. Key contributors included Gareth Morgan, Laura Bessell, Naomi Armstrong, Robert Fox,…

The Independent R&B Discussion Group held its latest meeting on 3rd February 2025, with discussions covering key issues affecting the sector, including upcoming events, welfare reform, and local authority financial pressures. Webinar Announcement Malcolm Gardner opened the meeting by confirming that Visionary Network/Public Finance free webinar “Redesigning and Repositioning Local Tax and Support: Unlocking Transformative…

Introduction The Independent R&B Discussion Group met on 27 January 2025 to discuss pressing welfare and policy issues. Led by Malcolm Gardner, the panel featured contributions from experts including Tom Clark, Paul Howarth, Gareth Morgan, Sean O’Sullivan, Kevin Stewart, Darren Smith, Elizabeth Whitehead-Davies, and Kim Larkin. Topics covered included estate service charges, AI integration in…

The Independent R&B Discussion Group recently gathered to examine pressing issues in welfare reform and local government policy. The session, marked by diverse expertise and in-depth analysis, shed light on challenges and potential paths forward. Modernising Welfare: Incremental Changes, Broader Implications The Council Tax Reduction Scheme saw updates, including the abolition of the two-child limit…

Independent R&B Discussion Group returned after a long December/Christmas break to explore pressing challenges and trends for the upcoming year. The session was chaired by Malcolm Gardner, who set the tone by reflecting on the broader implications of economic and policy shifts, as well as the group’s ongoing commitment to addressing critical local and national…

Although there are no sessions this month, here is a quick post-Christmas bumper slide pack with things that have been going on. Issued covered: Advancing Welfare Policies and Tackling Economic Pressures: Insights from the Revenues and Benefits Discussion Group In an evolving economic and social landscape, the Revenues and Benefits Discussion Group slide pack covers…

Housing Finance Council Tax Business Rates Welfare Benefits and Social Security The English Devolution White Paper proposes significant changes to local governance in England, aiming to decentralize power from Westminster to regional authorities. Several sources have already identified several advantages and potential risks: Advantages: Enhanced Local Decision-Making: Empowering local leaders allows for policies tailored to…

Although there are no sessions this month, here is a quick slide pack with things that have been going on. Issued covered:News Updates