This Monday’s chat group moved a bit from our usual path! We peeked at a nifty free tool crafted by InBest, with some help from the Visionary Network. Remember our previous talks about the need for extra public policy layers in shaping and reshaping council tax reduction schemes? We felt councils should have a tool…
Category: General
R&B Discussion Group 11/9 Recruitment and Retention
We are pleased to announce the successful resumption of our Monday Discussion Group, where we recently engaged in a lively and comprehensive debate on the critical topics of recruitment and retention. Our discussion spanned a variety of subjects, including the nuances of working from home, the importance of employee training, and the challenges posed by…
Monday Discussion Group: DHP & Second Homes
As we wrap up the last discussion group before our summer hiatus, we want to reflect on the key topics that captured our attention: Second Home Ownership and Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP). A focus of our dialogue was the nuanced matter of second home ownership. It might seem like a dormant issue at a national…
Discussion Group: Local Tax Collection
The discussion group held on Monday, June 26, delved into the topic of local tax collection. Our esteemed facilitator, Kevin Stewart, skilfully guided the session. Last year’s accomplishments by the councils, despite the challenges faced, were truly commendable. Kevin rightfully emphasized that the Council should take pride in its success. However, it is crucial to…
Risks and Successes: An Analysis of Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates Collection
Over the past year, local authorities in the UK have exhibited impressive financial performance in terms of tax collection. In the fiscal year 2022-23, local authorities collected a staggering £36.5 billion in council tax, marking a significant £2.0 billion or 5.6% increase from the previous fiscal year. This was primarily driven by increased council tax…
Discussion Group: Inflation, mortgages, and Council Tax
This week’s discussion group delved into the complex topic of mortgages and inflation in relation to council tax. Overall, there was a consensus that although mortgages and inflation may seem tangential to the administration of council tax, they play a crucial role in shaping policies and strategies, as they significantly impact citizens and their financial…
The Role of Council Tax in Inflation and its Impact on Collection and Support
Inflation in the UK has surpassed experts’ predictions, reaching 8.7% in May, higher than the expected 8.3%. This persistent inflationary pressure raises concerns about a potential interest rate hike by the Bank of England, further exacerbating difficulties for families and businesses. Core inflation, excluding volatile food and energy prices, has risen to a 30-year high…
Misallocated Covid-19 Grants: Recovery Challenges
Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic brought about unprecedented challenges for governments worldwide. As part of their response, councils in the UK disbursed a staggering £22.6 billion in grants to support businesses. However, it has come to light that an estimated £1.1 billion of these grants were paid out wrongly. Unfortunately, the recovery of these misallocated funds…
Private Rented Sector Reforms and Renters’ Reform Bill: Improving Housing Security for Tenants
Introduction: The private rented sector in England is home to a staggering 11 million renters. However, issues such as no-fault evictions and antisocial behavior have created a challenging environment for tenants. In an effort to address these concerns, the government has proposed significant reforms through the Renters’ Reform Bill. This blog post will delve into…
Unclaimed Benefits and the Quest for Adequacy: Exploring Modern Benefit Calculators
Introduction: After a whirlwind of holiday celebrations, Eurovision excitement, and well-deserved partying, it’s time to refocus our attention on pressing matters. It has been a few weeks since our last Monday Workshop session, and today we delved into a thought-provoking discussion centred around the review of take-up rates and the adequacy of benefits. To enrich…