Penultimate Presidential Update

Welcome to my penultimate Presidential letter! Where has the time gone?  It’s been another busy month representing the IRRV. You may recall that when I left you last month I was preparing to head off to the East Anglian AGM. Well, I’m pleased to announce that the sun shone in Norfolk at Peter Beales Roses where the Chief Executive and I were treated to yet more marvellous hospitality. 

Unfortunately David then had to leave but I stayed on for the tour of the grounds and gardens and even survived the demonstration. It’s probably just as well David had gone as the gentleman providing the demonstration of all things rose related became very enthusiastic about the quality of his secateurs which promptly flew from his hand and skimmed my leg, much to the horror of Chairman, Adrian Mills and other Exec members. Imagine being known as the Association who maimed the President! Hopefully I managed to allay their fears and calls for First Aid were turned away as unnecessary but it did provide a little humour for the afternoon as we teased the gardener especially when he threatened to show us how to prune roses with an electric hedge trimmer……I maintained a safe distance.

Actually, perhaps the President should get danger money as writing this I’ve realised that the next event was the IRRV Association National Golf Day organised by Council Member Mr Bob Trahern. Not being a golfer, I was happy to help out selling raffle tickets and even agreed to sit in a hut at the half way point to catch those I’d missed in the club house. Getting to and fro said hut proved interesting on occasion! However, it was well worth it to also persuade the teams to make a further donation to my chosen charity – Planets - raising a tot of whisky in memory of Mike Peterson an extremely active member of the Scottish IRRV Association who sadly passed away suddenly and whose funeral was that very day. The Scottish Association team did him proud. An all-round excellent event culminated in dinner and prize giving. The Association prize going to the West Midlands and the sponsor’s prize to Rundles - see left and below.  I've also decided that I really do need a box to stand on when having photographs taken like this! 

As I say, I couldn’t really comment on the quality of the golf but I must say that there seemed to be a healthy rivalry with regard to golfing attire, with many teams going all out and purchasing bespoke shirts emblazoned with their team and, in some cases, individual member’s details! Being an Exec member of the London and Home Counties Association, I have to say I am a little biased in favour of their emerald green outfits. 

 

That was the Monday and on the Friday of that week, I headed off to the final dinner event of the calendar – the South Eastern dinner. Some may say they saved the best ‘til last but I couldn’t possibly comment! Set in the beautiful surroundings of Chilston Park, it was wonderful to catch up with colleagues from the region including Association President Patrick Knight who, I’m pleased to say, didn’t have any unusual gifts for me as he did when he presented Kerry with a vinyl copy of Puff the Magic Dragon many years ago! You’ll have to ask Patrick to explain I’m afraid.

A quick trip to the Council House in Birmingham the following Monday saw the Chief Executive and I represent the IRRV at the CIPFA President’s dinner. Keen followers of these tomes will note that there were no unforeseen trips and the weather had significantly improved since my last visit to the City. Unfortunately, CIPFA and IRRV Council member Mr Richard Harbord had to change his plans at the last minute and wasn’t able to join us for the dinner. However, we did manage to meet him briefly for a coffee at a local hostelry. It was one of those venues where you have to ask to use the facilities, which he wisely did prior to boarding his train home. Having been escorted to the door, which the young waitress duly opened using the key code, time ticked by while the Chief Exec and I waited for his return. And it ticked by. And it ticked by……….. then I suddenly realised that there was rather a lot of banging coming from the toilet. It transpired that Mr Harbord was in fact “trapped” inside. Even with the assistance of the waitress, it took a few attempts to rescue him. Sadly, he had tried to call the Chief Exec for assistance but his phone was on silent and went to voicemail. Suffice to say Mr Harbord was less than impressed.

I’m glad to say that no such issues were encountered at the next event, the Wessex Association’s AGM and min-conference which took place in the beautiful city of Winchester where we welcomed in new President Terri Horner. I’m ashamed to say, Winchester wasn’t somewhere I had ventured previously but somewhere I certainly intend to return to. While it’s been a pleasure to attend all the AGM’s it was a privilege to be able to present a certificate in recognition of Long Service to Exec member Stuart Dawson. I couldn’t possibly describe his achievements as eloquently as Ray Hatchard did but hope the picture give you a flavour! 

So, until next time............Louise.

August update from the President!

The world of the IRRV gets smaller by the day, as our President finds out in her recent round of travels

Dear reader

Well, I closed my last article with details of my trip to Dubrovnik and I'll open this one with details of a trip which was somewhat closer to home - Birmingham for the Investigation and Fraud Workshop. Eagle-eyed readers may recall that my last trip to Birmingham ended in literally a trip!  However, I’m pleased to say that there were no such accidents this time, despite some weather which was truly reminiscent of the wettest Welsh day. Amid the wonderful setting of the Council House, fraud and investigation practitioners gathered to hear speakers from a wide range of areas discuss some of the most topical issues of the day and to engage with the exhibitors. 

It was also my pleasure recently to host the annual Past Presidents and Honorary Members’ lunch in London. It’s fair to say that this select gathering gets together once a year to reminisce and catch up with good friends. There were absences, as a number of IRRV individuals have been drawn to warmer, international climes of late and I’d like you to indulge me a moment while I retell a tale which demonstrates exactly how international the Institute really is. 

One of the managers at RBWM, let’s call her Sarah (after all this is her name!), recently took a break in Cyprus and she and her partner became keen attendees at the afternoon quiz in the hotel. Being the friendly sort, and noticing a gentleman on his own, she and her chap got talking to him and quickly established that “Pete” was originally from the north-west like herself and was not in fact on his own at the hotel but with his wife, who preferred to take some time out of the sun while he went to the quiz. They also quickly established that he now lived in Telford!  

A few days later, Pete’s wife, Sue, did however join him and the two couples started talking. This being the first time Sue had met Sarah, the conversation turned to Telford and the fact that Sarah usually attended a conference there in October, so knew the area a little. Hearing this, Sue said something along the lines of “Conference? In Telford? In October? Would that be the IRRV conference?” - which of course it was. It turns out that Sue worked within the Revenues team of Telford and Wrekin Council. So it just goes to prove that when you’re an IRRV associate, it’s a very small world indeed! I look forward to meeting Sue and her colleagues in October. 

We’re not quite there yet, of course. There are still presidential duties to attend and I’m so lucky that the most recent have allowed me to catch up with some more good friends and former colleagues. On 20th June, I attended the Wales Conference in Llandrindod Wells, expertly organised as ever by Executive members led by Islwyn Lewis Jones, currently North and Mid Wales Association president, and Lisa Hayward, South and West Wales president. Just to re-emphasise the “international” theme, Laura Smith, Thames Valley President, was also in attendance. It’s so much more accessible now that we don’t have to pay to get into Wales across the Severn Bridge! 

Tomorrow also sees me attend the East Anglian AGM near Thetford.  I’ve worked across the breadth of the country, having started in South Wales, then moving across to Ipswich in Suffolk, so I’m looking forward to returning to that area.  The coming weeks see yet more travel around the UK as I form an inspection team for the coveted Performance Awards with our esteemed Chief Executive. I look forward to meeting the teams and following their success on the night - in Sue’s home town!  

Yours

Louise

Louise Freeth is President of the Institute

July update from the President!

July 2019 – Letter from the President

From Chester-le-Street to Dubrovnik via Leeds!  An IRRV President’s life certainly brings variety 

Dear reader

April ended with the third round of National Council meetings, at which the outcome of the working parties’ recommendations on the consultation and future strategy for the Institute was the topic which dominated the day. I’d urge all members to attend the AGM in Telford, to vote on the issues which need to be put before that meeting and learn more about the outcome of the consultation process. 

The AGM season also continued apace, as I journeyed to the Northern Counties and the picturesque setting of Chester-le-Street and the County Cricket Ground. The event was preceded by a professional meeting on revenues collection, which brought together an audience from both local government and registered social landlords, thanks to the organisational ability of Council member Ian Ferguson. The day was topped off by an evening meal with the speakers and members of the Executive in the haunted Lumley Castle. For those who have not visited, it is certainly somewhere I’d recommend, if only for the history. Dating back to 1389, Lumley Castle holds stories of betrayal, war and was a favourite among visiting monarchs. 

It was then my pleasure to attend the Spring Conference in Leeds, which, although I may be slightly biased, I thought was very successful for both delegates and exhibitors alike. It’s always slightly risky asking high profile speakers to address a conference and we did get off to a slightly shaky start as the first speaker on the benefit stream was unfortunately unable to get to us due to travel disruptions. However, Richard Harbord did a sterling job addressing the mixed audience of both revenues and benefits practitioners, on the topic of local government finance.  As always, the event was an opportunity to catch up with suppliers and colleagues from other authorities and discuss the issues we’re all facing, albeit perhaps over a beverage or two in the hotel bar. 

From Leeds, I had a quick turnaround at home before accompanying the Chief Executive to The European Group of Valuers' Associations (TEGoVA) event in Dubrovnik. TEGoVA represents a group of 71 valuers’ associations from 37 countries and is a truly international event, with representation from across Europe and across “the pond”, with delegates from the USA, Canada and indeed China. Now those of you who know me will realise that not only are my language skills limited (I can’t even speak Welsh!) but I am in no way an expert in valuation matters. Luckily, the Chief Executive had warned me about the language issue and headsets were available to ensure that we understood the presentations, with the help of simultaneous translation. 

Following a fairly standard conference format, with presentations on the first day, the second was more of a United Nations style event with each Association sitting at a large table behind the flag of their nation and voting on various proposals, including whether to admit a new Portuguese association. The role of IRRV President is certainly not a dull one but is most certainly one which broadens your horizons. Although I’m still no expert on valuation, I do now know a little more about football, following an interlude at a local hostelry to watch the Watford match with our aforementioned Chief Executive, David Magor. Sadly the result didn’t go his or Watford’s way! 

Yours, 

Louise

Louise Freeth is President of the Institute

I’ve discovered that the IRRV Presidency, as with everything else in life, has certain “seasons” associated with it. As we entered the Spring, I attended the first of the AGM’s at the Thames Valley Association. All Associations are special in their own way but Thames Valley deserves a particular mention as, not only is it the Association which is closest to where I work but it is also one which was dormant from 2001 to 2008 when it sprang to life again thanks to a small number of dedicated and hardworking IRRV members, some of whom remain on the Executive Committee today.

The AGM was followed by a professional meeting focusing on Business Rates and the following day saw the Thames Valley Association dinner held in very grand surroundings near Hook. It’s often the case that the Association presents the President’s “party” with a bouquet of flowers. For many years, this has been presented to the partner of the President since the latter have been, in the main, men. On this occasion, as others, however, the Association has presented the President with the bouquet, much to Kerry’s relief who may look a little awkward with such a floral tribute! Sadly though, I put said bouquet in a safe place while mingling with the guests and promptly forgot them. Luckily it was close to home so I was able to call in the following morning to collet them. It’s fair to say that the few people I saw didn’t look quite as cheery as they had done the night before…..

So, as I started to explain, the AGM season seems to be well and truly upon us and my next meeting was for the West Midlands up in Birmingham. This was a well-attended meeting, despite the fact that I was advertised as the main speaker. All was going very well until I came to catch my train home and, rushing towards New Street station, promptly lost my footing and ended up with my face a little closer to the pavement than I intended. Quickly trying to right myself, my faith in humanity was well and truly restored as several people stopped to help me up.  It’s been many years since I suffered a fall, with a scuffed knee and badly sprained ankle, unaided by alcohol anyway. Unfortunately, I’m still suffering slightly as I write some 2 weeks later.

Following the Easter week-end, it was my pleasure to attend both the North and Mid Wales AGM and the Lancashire and Cheshire AGM in the same week.  I’d like to thank both Associations for their generous hospitality and have no doubt that both new local presidents, Islwyn Lewis Jones and Catherine Nicholson, will ensure that their local members of the Institute have a full programme of events to support them. 

The month of April ended with the third round of National Council meetings at which the outcome of the working parties’ recommendations on the consultation and future strategy for the Institute was the topic which dominated the day. I’d urge all members to attend the AGM in Telford to vote on those which need to be put before that meeting and learn more about the outcome of the consultation process.

The AGM season also continued a pace as I journeyed to the Northern Counties and the picturesque setting of Chester le Street and the County Cricket Ground. The meeting was preceded by a professional meeting on Revenues Collection which brought together an audience from both local government and Registered Social Landlords thank to the organisational ability of Council Member Ian Ferguson. The day was topped off by an evening meal with the speakers and members of the Exec in the haunted Lumley Castle. For those who have not visited, it is certainly somewhere I’d recommend if only for the history. Dating back to 1389 Lumley Castle holds stories of betrayal, war and was a favourite among visiting monarchs.

It was then my pleasure to attend the Spring Conference in Leeds which, although I may be slightly biased, I thought was very successful for both delegates and exhibitors alike. It’s always slightly risky asking high profile speakers to address a conference and we did get off to a slightly shaky start as the first speaker on the Benefit stream was unfortunately unable to get to us due to travel disruptions. However, Richard Harbord did a stirling job addressing the mixed audience of both Revenues and Benefits practitioners on the topic of local government finance.  As always the event was an opportunity to catch up with suppliers and colleagues from other authorities and discuss the issues we’re all facing albeit perhaps over a beverage or two in the hotel bar.

From Leeds I then had a quick turnaround at home before accompanying the Chief Executive to The European Group of Valuers' Associations (TEGoVA) event in Dubrovnik. TEGoVA represents a group of 71 Valuer’s Associations from 37 Countries and is s truly international event with representation from across Europe and across the pond with delegates from the USA and Canada and indeed China. Now those of you who know me will realise that not only are my language skills limited (I can’t even speak Welsh!) but am I in no way an expert in valuation matters. Luckily, the Chief Executive had warned me about the language issue and headsets were available to ensure that we understood the presentations with the help of simultaneous translation. Following a fairly standard conference format, with presentations on the first day, the second was more of a United Nations style event with each Association sitting at a large table behind the flag of their nation and voting on various proposals, including whether to admit a new Portuguese Association. The role of IRRV President is certainly not a dull one but is most certainly one which broadens your horizon. Although I’m still no expert on Valuation I do now know a little more about football following an interlude at a local hostelry to watch the Watford match with the aforementioned Chief Exec. Sadly the result didn’t go his or Watford’s way.

May's Presidential update from Louise!

Dining in sumptuous Grade II listed accommodation and dancing to “Reach for the stars” – can a President’s life be more varied than that? 

Dear reader,

As the current month draws to an end and I prepare to lose an hour’s sleep this evening (have you worked out when I’m writing this yet?), it’s time to reflect on the activities undertaken this far. In fact, I’m now approaching the half way mark in my term of office as IRRV President. The first half has certainly flown by and with the calendar filling up fast, I’m sure the second half will pass equally as quickly. 

The month started with my own local Association Dinner – London and Home Counties. It is certainly a very different affair, set within the surroundings of the Innholders Hall in the City of London. As my tour of the country continues, I’ve quickly learned that each of the Associations plan a unique evening but it is perhaps the setting of the London and Home Counties which provides a somewhat different experience. The Innholders Hall is a Grade II listed building, featuring a beautifully preserved 17th century Old Court Room and an impressive Great Hall. The Hall is first referenced in a public assessment document dating back to1522, but I’ll stop there before I detract from Mr Watson’s tour through the ages! I’d recommend that you visit the President’s blog to see some picture of the evening, as words don’t realty do it justice.   

Of course, the evening doesn’t just happen, and my thanks go to everyone on the Executive Committee, especially Chris Grose, for organising it - and the local President, Andy Cummins, for allowing me to share in his evening. With his good lady wife being originally from Scotland, the top table represented a fair few of the Celtic nations. 

With a slight interlude, during which I represented the Institute at the Association of Accounting Technicians’ lunch, in similarly grand surroundings at the Fishmonger’s Hall in the City, it was on to the next Association Dinner. 

This time the evening was organised by the Lancashire and Cheshire Association in Haydock Park. We had a plethora of Presidents attend that dinner - with East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire represented. A warm welcome was extended by the Lancashire and Cheshire Executive and I’d again like to thank them, especially Linda Price and their President, Robin Gibbons, for a wonderful evening. In fact, I may have enjoyed their hospitality a little too much as I found myself on the dance floor accompanied by Dave Chapman and Kerry Macdermott, attempting to re-enact the tutors’ routine from the revision course when that well-known Steps song “Reach….” was played. Anyone who has attended the revision courses over the years may recall the tutors’ “entertainment”. Sadly, I didn’t manage to stay up until the bacon butties arrived at half past midnight. Organised by incoming president, Catherine Nicholson, I’m sure they were most welcome for those still networking! 

Yours, 

Louise

Louise Freeth IRRV (Hons) is President of the Institute

April's Update from the President

A strategy for the IRRV and a strategy for getting to meetings on time 

– both significant for our President!

Dear reader,

As I write this, it’s a gloriously sunny Sunday afternoon and I’ve just returned from the West Midlands Association annual dinner, held in Bromsgrove. It has been a fairly quiet start to 2019 so far, with the dinner being the first Association event to date. As always, the local Association did themselves proud with a wonderfully well organised event. I’d like to formally extend my thanks to the Association President, Neil Jinks, and the entire Executive Committee, who made the event such a success. 

However, I have to admit that things were a little fraught in the Freeth car initially as we struggled to find the hotel. I think the sat nav was having an off day, as we checked the post code several times and still ended up driving in … and then out … of the centre of Bromsgrove more than once! Luckily Kerry decided to try the map app on his phone, which took us back the way we had come for 2.5 miles. I must admit I was somewhat sceptical but, to be fair, it worked and we found the hotel, which actually couldn’t have been much easier in terms of how close it was to the motorway and indeed how far it was from the centre of Bromsgrove - where we had been initially. 

These things happen, of course, but we had carefully planned our departure in order to ensure that we arrived at the hotel in time to watch one of the most crucial matches of the 2019 Six Nations tournament – England v Wales. Sadly our plans and hopes were dashed as we arrived, flustered, with the first half well underway and the score sadly against Wales. Nervously waiting until half time to get a drink to calm the nerves, we did then manage to watch a glorious victory for Wales. Apologies to all those English supporters! 

Before we knew it, it was time to get changed and join the West Midlands Association for their dinner and official photographs. After a wonderful meal, and a few obligatory speeches, the night concluded with a disco and a casino! I was a little concerned about the latter, as my luck had probably been used up for the day with the Welsh victory! However, it turned out to be played with fake cash. Not that it helped me much though, as I didn’t do very well at all.    

In addition to attending Association dinners and other social events, the President is also responsible for chairing the national Council meetings and moving forward on any strategic issues. The first meeting of Council in 2019 was held on 28th January at HQ in High Holborn, where one agenda item dominated, i.e. responses received to the consultation on the future of the IRRV. It was heartening to see that there were 17 responses in total, some from individuals but many more from Associations representing the views of numerous members. Unlike some other consultations, we are genuinely interested in the views of our members and it was decided, after quite a lengthy discussion, that the best way to move things forward would be to have a smaller meeting with the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, President, Senior and Junior Vice Presidents, Honorary Treasurer and chairs of the standing committees. This took place on 21st February, largely by conference call, in order to keep costs to a minimum. A list of action points will be taken to the next Council meeting in April for approval, unless there is a requirement to have them approved at the forthcoming AGM. An extraordinary meeting was considered but decided against, therefore the AGM will see changes approved in Telford in October. So, watch this space!   

Yours, 

Louise

Louise Freeth IRRV (Hons) is President of the Institute

Fast approaching the half way mark in my term of office as IRRV National President, things are certainly beginning to get a little more busy! The first half has certainly flown by and with the calendar filling up fast, I’m sure the second half will pass equally as quickly.

March started with my own local Association Dinner – London and Home Counties. It is certainly a very different affair set within the surroundings of the Innholders Hall in the City of London. As my tour of the country continues, I’ve quickly learned that each of the Associations plans a unique evening but it is perhaps the setting of the London and Home Counties which provides a somewhat different experience. The Innholders Hall is a Grade II listed building featuring a beautifully preserved 17^th Century Old Court Room and an impressive Great Hall. I'm not great at taking photographs of events but luckily, others are and here is a small selection to provide a flavour of the evening. 

As you can see, a good time was had by all despite the fact that the Toastmaster decided to go home. Luckily London and Home Counties President, Andy Cummins, and I coped and I've decided that I know what I want to do if I ever leave Revenues and Benefits, although, having broken the solid oak sound block I fear my expenses could be a little high!    

 As is fitting at an Association event, Mr Cummins occupied the "big chair" flanked by myself and his good lady wife. 

My thanks must also go to Kevin McCarthy for the sterling job he did of sawing the security tag off my dress. As i may have said previously, its ok for the gentleman among you as you merely get your DJ dry cleaned and make sure you have a clean shirt. However, us ladies have other challenges including which dress to wear. A word of advice ladies, beware ordering a dress on line and simply removing the price tag before wearing. In future I will always check for any lurking security tags hiding in the hem which you may not spot until half way through the evening. With a large number of Enforcement Agents in the room you can imagine the speculation regarding whether I had indeed paid for the item! Rest assured, I had and my knight in shining armour, Mr McCarthy, saved me the embarrassment of trying to convince a shop assistant of this fact long after proof of purchase had been destroyed. Although I'm still not sure how / why Kevin developed this skill....... 

 Of course the evening doesn’t just happen and my thanks go to everyone on the Executive Committee, especially Chris Grose, for organising the evening and the local President, Andy Cummins, for allowing me to share in his evening. With his good lady wife being originally from Scotland, the top table represented a fair few of the Celtic nations.

With a slight interlude, during which I represented the Institute at the Association of Accounting Technician’s lunch in similarly grand surroundings at the Fishmonger’s Hall in the City, it was onto the next Association Dinner.

This time the evening was organised by the Lancashire and Cheshire Association in Haydock Park. We had a plethora of President’s attend that dinner with East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire represented. A warm welcome was extended by the Lancashire and Cheshire Executive and I’d again like to thank them, especially Linda Price, and their President, Robin Gibbons, for a wonderful evening. In fact I may have enjoyed their hospitality a little too much as I found myself on the dancefloor accompanied by Dave Chapman and Kerry Macdermott attempting to re-enact the tutor’s routine from the revision course when that well known Step’s song “Reach” was played. Anyone who has attended the revision courses over the years may recall the tutor’s “entertainment”. Sadly, I didn’t manage to stay up until the bacon butties arrived at half past midnight. Organised by incoming president, Catherine Nicholson, I’m sure they were most welcome by those still networking!

 

It was my pleasure to also join robin in presenting a Long Service Certificate to George Smith who celebrated 50 years of being an Institute member.

And I'll leave you with one final picture of the evening. Can you guess who these natty red and black shoes belong to? The owner will be well known to those who have previously attended IRRV events although he has now upgraded from his original black and white pair. Answers on a postcard please - sadly no prize though!