IRRV Annual Scottish Conference & Exhibition 2018
Crieff
5th - 6th September 2018
Scotland 2020 Vision
Valid for IRRV CPD Points
The Institute is delighted to announce details of its 2018 Scottish Conference. The Conference is – by popular demand – returning to the Crieff Hydro Hotel, where conference attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy the excellent recreational facilities set in beautiful surroundings.
The theme of this year’s Conference – “Scotland: 2020 Vision” – comes at an important time for Scotland and will look in-depth at the key issues facing the public services as we approach 2020, with particular emphasis on valuation, benefits and revenues issues.
There are many significant issues affecting revenues, valuation, benefits and welfare reform ahead and the IRRV Scottish Conference will again live up to its long-standing reputation of being at the forefront of debating key issues and solutions.
We are delighted that Derek Mackay MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution, has kindly accepted our invitation to give the Ministerial Address to conference this year.
In addition to delivering key updates on these big issues and encouraging debate about these, conference will also examine the improved delivery of Scottish public services in a time of financial challenge and will examine how to provide quality services, with an emphasis on continuing improvement into the future.
EXHIBITION AND AWARDS AREA
A key feature of any Conference is the exhibition, which in recent years has grown substantially in both number and range of stands, providing delegates with the opportunity
to visit companies specialising in many areas of interest.
We are pleased to announce that there will also again be a Scottish Awards Area, where Scottish organisations entered for the IRRV Performance Awards will have the opportunity to showcase their entries.
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
This year’s Conference programme is both wide-ranging and will be of great interest to all who have a role to play in local taxation, valuation, benefits and related fields.
The afternoon sessions are designed to appeal particularly to those at the ‘sharp end’ of service delivery. Special rates are available for those attending afternoon sessions only, when accompanied by a full or day delegate. The Institute is also pleased to advise that IRRV Students will again have their
own Seminar at the Scottish Conference (on Thursday 6th September) and this will also enable them to attend several of the main Conference sessions. Details will be sent to students directly.
This conference and accompanying exhibition is a major event in the Scottish local government calendar and offers everyone with an interest in local government and related fields, the opportunity to debate key issues, listen to new ideas and make a contribution by expressing their opinions.
EXCELLENT VALUE DELEGATE RATES
The IRRV Scottish Conference remains excellent value for money, making it one of the best value major events in the Scottish calendar. These are as follows:
Rate A – Full Residential Delegate
£468.00 (plus £93.60 VAT)
Rate B – Non-Residential Delegate
£384.00 (plus £76.80 VAT) (excludes Gala Dinner)
Rate C – Day Delegate (per day)
£244.00 (plus £48.80 VAT)
Note: IRRV members will receive a 10% Discount on Rates A & B
WHAT’S INCLUDED
The IRRV Scottish Conference offers outstanding value for money: two buffet lunches, the Conference Gala Dinner,
bed and breakfast accommodation at the Crieff Hydro Hotel (subject to availability) including free use of parking and leisure facilities, coffee and tea at various times, all conference documentation including speakers’ handouts, and free entrance to the conference exhibition – all for £468 plus £93.60 VAT.
The Institute is again including excellent delegate offers to encourage attendance. Every fourth delegate (of the same Delegate Rate Type) from the same organisation comes entirely free of charge. Additionally, where an organisation has at least two full delegates (ie Rate A or B), it will be permitted to send up to 4 “half day” delegates to the afternoon sessions only on either day of the Conference for only £150 + £30.00 VAT.
ADDITIONAL NIGHT’S ACCOMMODATION
For residential delegates also wishing to stay on Tuesday 4th September, we are able to arrange Bed and Breakfast accommodation at the Crieff Hydro Hotel for an additional £89.00 plus £17.80 VAT (subject to availability). Should you require this, please tick the appropriate box on the booking form.
GOLF COMPETITION
We are delighted to advise that there will be a golf competition as part of Scottish Conference again this year, kindly sponsored by Civica. Please contact the IRRV Scotland Office on 01382 456029 – scotland@irrv.org.uk – for an application form and further details.
COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS
The Institute reserves the right to charge a supplementary fee of £250.00 plus £50.00 VAT per person to representatives of commercial organisations not exhibiting or supporting the Conference and wishing to register delegates.
PROGRAMME CHANGES
All speakers are subject to confirmation. The Institute reserves the right to alter the programme as necessary without notice.
KEY CONFERENCE SESSIONS 2018
This year’s Scottish Conference and Exhibition sees the key issues facing public services and our professions being fully explored. Conference sessions include:
Ministerial Address: Derek Mackay MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution – confirmed
Barclay Review Update
Collection and recovery challenges in the environment of welfare reform
Impacts of Brexit on Scotland
Leadership in Scotland’s public services – Challenges for the 2020s
Progress on Welfare Reform – an update from DWP
Revenues and Welfare – a finance director’s perspective
Universal Credit Full Service – a practitioners’ perspective
Better procurement in revenues and benefits – a Digital Office update
Scottish Social Security – challenges ahead
Council Tax and Council Tax Reduction topical issues – a panel session
Non-Domestic Rates topical issues – a panel session
Robotics – can automation improve your service?
Changing the local taxation landscape
Delivering corporate and organisational change in the public sector
Reflections on Scotland’s public services
This year sees a comprehensive programme of sessions for valuation professionals, including:
The future of real estate
The valuation challenges of future real estate HERE
The future of Valuation Appeal Panels and their integration into the Tribunals Service
Use of GIS and remote data access – the key issues
The Plant & Machinery rating review: so where next?
Is Harmonisation dead?
Recent rating decisions and impact for the future
The new appeal regulations – are they working?
Any queries?
If you have any queries, please contact
Fraser Macpherson
IRRV Manager
2A Argyle Street
Dundee
DD4 7AL
Telephone/Fax – 01382 456029
email - scotland@irrv.org.uk
How to Book
Please complete the booking form and send/fax it to the address above. You may also e-mail bookings to scotland@irrv.org.uk. Full joining instructions will be sent to delegates once a booking form has been received.
As places are limited, early booking is recommended. The IRRV regrets that, under normal circumstances, delegate fees cannot be refunded. However, delegate substitutions may be made at no cost at any time prior to the Seminar, subject to these being notified to the Institute.
Please note that attendees must bring with them a laptop that can connect to public wifi. The venue will provide complimentary wifi access.