April as a month seemed on the face of it to be a busy month and I was looking forward to a range of events across the country.
Associations who had planned events such as dinners and AGMs were to include the Thames Valley Gala Dinner, North Wales with an AGM, East Midlands AGM and number of other events were to have included a conference run by Landmark Chambers, the Rating Surveyors’ AGM and Dinner. Of course IRRV Council was also due to meet. Regrettably given the current “lockdown” these have either not taken place or not in the way that was originally intended.
I know many have been following the advice to “stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives” has been the mantra for us all to follow except for essential shopping, exercise or where working from home is not possible. I am pleased to note however a number of have used modern technology to facilitate meetings via on line meetings.
I took the opportunity to attend the Rating Surveyors’ Association Annual General Meeting held on “Zoom” Thomas Stratton, RSA President, attended with his badge of office and I thought I would make an effort to don my dinner suit, black tie of course and to have a glass of fizz in hand! It wasn’t quite the same though, albeit I was pleased to hear of his year in office and the work of the RSA coupled with the announcement of two new Honorary Members; Christopher Lewsley Barrister at Landmark Chambers who is also Editor of Rating & Valuation Reporter and Editor of Rating Appeals, and Duncan McLaren MBE a technical advisor at the Valuation Officer Agency. It was also noted that three new members of the RSA Committee were appointed John Webber (Colliers), Simon Griffin (JLL) and Alex Dickinson (Avison Young), congratulations to them all. Another departure from the norm is that Tom and the current Vice President John Myerson (Montagu Evans) along with Vice President Elect Tim Johnson (CBRE) are working as a team over the coming months on an extended handover
I have also started calling each of the IRRV Associations across the Country, speaking to Presidents and other Association Officers. I was able to jump in on to a call via Zoom with Catherine Nicholson Lancashire & Cheshire Association President and other Association Executive members which was most convivial given we were all sat in our respective gardens in the evening sun enjoying a drink together, chatting of the issues we have faced and how plans are being put in place to address pressing matters and concerns.
This month was to have included an IRRV Council meeting which did not take place but two Policy & Resources meetings were held to address a number of challenges that the Institute faces. Council and Officers are working on plans and preparing for the future. Some difficult decisions are likely and both David Magor and I recorded a message to be distributed via Insight and email to all members which hopefully you will have seen by now.
During this period of enforced lock down like so many others I have sought to do a number of jobs at home, thankfully additional sustenance has been provided by my wife, Helen with a range of cakes, biscuits and refreshments served up by “home” team – anything you want dad was the response from the kids, albeit I suspect that helping was more appealing than doing home schooling and homework.
During the course of the last few weeks I have taken the opportunity like so many to play a small part in helping those who are rightly being shielded or who are vulnerable. Its part of the daily routine now that the alarm from the Royal Voluntary Service comes in, via a snazzy App and I head out to help deliver prescriptions locally.
Aside from those dreaded DIY projects that never seemed to be done, now cannot be put off, I have also been busy sharing details and updates with those that follow on Twitter and Linked-In. Staff at IRRV virtual HQ have been working extremely hard to disseminate details of Government announcements, provide updates and offer advice to members that need clarification and assistance.
I’ve also taken the opportunity like many of you, I’m sure, to also brush up on a few technical subjects from the world of rating and valuation, improving my own continuing professional development and learning about something new. I’m pleased to say that some of these will be available in the coming months including Pod Casts on topical matters from the profession in Insight and Valuer. I’m certain though that it wouldn’t be appropriate to share extracts from the book I’ve finally found time to read “Winner – My Racing Life” A.P.McCoy although its an interesting read.
Turning to the future, by the time you read this I am hoping that at least we will have started to see the numbers infected and needing treating for this dreadful virus fall, albeit we will not forget those loved ones and colleagues who have succumbed, nor indeed the national spirit of working together to support each other and all those working in the NHS, the Care services, emergency services and key workers that have provided support to us all.
The focus of IRRV Council and Management has already turned to ensuring that we plan for the future, putting in place contingency arrangements and identifying not only opportunities for the here and now but also for the future with plans for web casts, virtual seminars and a different way of working but also once permitted conferences and meetings that rightly provide such a great opportunity for us all to share experiences and knowledge. Some including face to face meeting seem to be further away than perhaps we would like given that restrictions are likely to continue for some time to come, but we are planning and working hard to identify what is likely to be possible and workable in the circumstances.
In the meantime best wishes to you all, keep safe and well.
