The Revenues and Benefit Discussion Group meets every (most) Mondays at 12:00 for about 45 minutes to discuss the issues of the day. A panel of professionals leads a discussion on revenue and benefits administration issues. The panel consists of council & housing officers, policy advisors, and analysts.
It is a free service that is well attended. Attendees make good contributions; everyone gets a chance to speak. Attendees includes senior managers, team leaders, suppliers, and support staff.
You can join in the discussion during the week (and start some new ones) by joining our WhatsApp group: https://bit.ly/3Qjrkqe
Links to the recordings and the slide packs plus other relevant documents are posted into both the WhatsApp group and in the Teams Channel and emailed to those who attended and subscribers to the group.
To sign up just email malcolm@visionarynetwork.co.uk with your name, organisation and email address. We are inclusive because sharing information and good practice is essential. You don’t have to attend every session; recordings will be available.
Meet the panel
Our panel is made up of volunteers from local councils, housing associations, think tanks and private companies
- Naomi Armstrong, Benefits Cambridge City Council
- Laura Bessell, Benefits Manager, Oxford City Council
- Alex Clegg Resolution Foundation
- Nicki Duckworth, EntitledTo, Marshalling
- Malcolm Gardner, Visionary Network, Chair
- Paul Howarth, Independent Consultant
- Gareth Morgan, CEO Ferret Information Systems
- Sean O’Sullivan, Visionary Network
- Megan Shepherd, Mid-Sussex District Council
- Darren Smith, Liberata
- Kevin Stewart, Visionary network
- Bob Wagstaff, PSPS (Boston, South Holland, East Lindsey)
- Liz Whitehead-Davis, Hexagon Housing
- Tylor-Maria Johnson, Policy in Practice
Recordings of the previous sessions
•13 May 2024 Local Authorities and Housing Challenges Recording Handouts
•20 May 2024 Revenue and Benefits: the last fifteen years Recording Handouts
•5 June 2024 What we want to see promised in the manifestos Recording Handouts
•10 June 2024 Redesigning Council Tax Schemes Recording Handouts
•17 June 2024 Election 2024 Manifestos Recording Handouts
•24 June 2024 Reflections on the Conservative Government’s Impact on R&B Recording Handouts
•8 July 2024 How welfare had changed & New Ministers Recordings Handouts
•15 July 2024 Back to Work Scheme, Four-day Week Trials & Early Release Recording Handouts
•22 July 2024 Barnsley’s Pathway to Work, Tony Blair Institute Reports Recording Handouts
•29 July 2024 Three NAO Reports Recording Handouts
•13 August 2024 Mid-Break Update 1 Handouts
•26 August Mid-Break Update 2 Handouts
•2 September 2024 Pension Credit Recording Handouts
•9 September 2024 Pension Credit Part 2 Handouts
•16 September 2024 •Bid Rigging Recording Handout