At the recent AGM, David Graaff, Customer Services Director for Elevate East London was lected as President of the IRRV London and Home Counties Association.

David writes - In my year as President I hope to build on the success the London and Home Counties Association has achieved in recent years. These are challenging times for our profession and as an Executive we are producing what we hope will be a valuable series of briefings and events for existing members and their guests (who we hope to encourage to become members!). It’s not all work though, and we look forward to some social networking too with golf, dinner and quiz events to come over the year ahead. On a personal level I am looking forward to another exciting year working with the talented Executive to deliver a great programme for members. I will also be supporting a charity that I have been involved with for many years, the Friends of Matthew Rusike Children’s’ Home, by driving a very elderly Mercedes to North Africa where it will be sold for the charity.

Association Meeting & AGM - Thursday 9th May 2013

24/04/2013 / 1210
The next Association meeting will take place on Thursday 9th May at Old Maylebone Town Hall, prior to the AGM . Paul Ellicott will provide an update on Welfare Reform from a LB Haringey and national perspective, including issues relating to Universal Credit, Council Tax Reduction Schemes, Social Fund and feedback from a Benefits Cap pilot. Paul will also chair a panel session on collection challenges and enforcement reform where representatives from Newlyn, Rundles, Rossendales and Ross & Roberts will discuss their experience and latest developments in the industry. This meeting is a great opportunity to hear expert speakers on key current topics and to network generally. The meeting is free to IRRV members and £50 non members. Tea & coffee will be available from 4:00pm and the meeting will commence at 4:15pm. Please let me know by email if you would like to book a place. Between the meeting and the Association AGM, commencing at 6:00pm refreshments will also be available.

Rating Issues - London & HC Association Meeting 15th April

28/03/2013 / 1197
The next Association meeting will take place on Monday 15th APRIL 2013 at IRRV HQ 5th Floor, Northumberland House, 303-306 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7JZ. The meeting will be of particular interest to local authority rating specialists and rating valuers. The programme will include; Rates retention and localisation - The key changes and main principles Rating during refurbishment/building works, and afterwards Property taken Out of Rating or Nominal Assessment? Effective Dates Completion Notices or restored assessment? Empty Rates Liabilities - including the Kenya Aid, Bluetooth and Macro cases and latest issues And a workshop session on current rating challenges and matters of interest Our panel of well known speakers will include; Carla Maria Heath BA IRRV (Hons) Christopher Grose MRICS IRRV (Hons) Gordon Heath BSc. IRRV (Hons) Geoff Fisher FRICS Dip Rating IRRV (Hons)

Slides from Preparing for Revenues & Benefits from 2013

28/01/2013 / 1183
On Thursday 14th February The London and Home Counties Association of the IRRV held a half day seminar intended to prepare thinking for what is likely to be one of the busiest years in recent memory. This included 5 presentations from senior figures within their respective fields. Copies of the slides are attached.  

Louise Freeth takes over Association Presidency

16/05/2011 / 1032

At the AGM held in April, Louise Freeth was elected as President for 2012/13. David Graaf was elected as Vice-President and will assist Louise during her year. Paul McDermott carries on as Secretary, Nick Rowe takes the role of Assistant Secretary and Allan Clark continues as Treasurer.

 

Copies of presentations from - Appeals - the Present & Future

21/03/2011 / 983

On the 7th December we were pleased to present as association meeting on the subject of Appeals and were fortunate to have two excellent speakers to present papers on highly topical areas. copies of both presentations can be downloaded below;

Judge Edward Jacobs is one of the founding judges of the Upper Tribunal, assigned to the Administrative Appeals Chamber from its creation on 3 November 2008. Judge Jacobs presented a selection of recent decisions of the Upper Tier Tribunal, on a range of housing benefit matters.

Lee Anderson BSc (Hons) IRRV (Hons) is the Operations Manager with the Valuation Tribunal Service and he provided a presentation dealing with the change from April 2013 when the VTS becomes responsible for Council Tax Support appeals.

Association Meeting 13 August 2012

16/08/2012 / 1153

You may recall that the Association held this meeting about Council Tax Support and other changes to Council Tax. We are greatful To Simon Horsington for allowing us to post his slides on our home page.

 

 

Association Golf Day

16/08/2012 / 1152
To continue a year of exceptional sporting challenges, may I remind you that the Annual IRRV London & Home Counties Association golf tournament will take place on Monday 10th September 2012 at the South Herts. Golf Club's Vardon course. Since the tournament’s inception eight years ago, the day has continued to be generously sponsored so that entry is £35.00 which includes green fees, breakfast on arrival at 9am, dinner (tie required) and trophies. The format is individual stableford scores using full handicap (max 24). The club is located in Totteridge North London and the course is renowned for its relatively small, often sloping greens, and the undulating nature of the land place a premium on intelligent shot placement. This, together with putting surfaces which are amongst the best in the south of England is why South Herts. has regularly been chosen as an Open Championship pre-qualifying venue and for the London & Home Counties tournament. If you would like to join us, it is essential that you book a place urgently, please contact Andy Cummins on 07841995732 or by email andy.cummins@phoenixcommercial.co.uk The Association’s grateful thanks go to long time supporters Equita and Newlyn plc and to Phoenix Commercial Collections Ltd., for agreeing to sponsor this event for the first time.

Quiz Night - Friday 30th November 2012

08/11/2011 / 1083

There are places for only three more teams at this years annual association quiz to be held on Friday 30^th November at the popular Barley Mow.

For those who have not entered before, teams of three will face rounds of general knowledge questions (including one picture round) set by Gary Watson, with a highly charged and often emotional head to head final round for the top two teams. 

The cost is £10 per head to include prizes and buffet. Proceeds will be donated to the President’s charity Cancer Research.

The quiz will commence at 6:30pm Barley Mow’s address is 104 Horseferry Road Westminster London SW1P 2EE, the nearest stations are St James’ Park and Victoria.

Please book your places by email, team names plus participants would be helpful if known!

paulmcdermott@exacta.co.uk