Branch Committee Minutes
Wednesday 20th January 2010
Present:
Peter Crews, Kevin Jouvenat, David Smith, Helena Watson, Anita Lewis, Graham Evans, Terry Evans, Angela Pring, Ceri Mogridge, Gail Jones, Glenn Jones, Dean Price, Alex Clark, Ron Eveleigh
1. Apologies
Belinda Jeffries, Kate Jeffries, Paul Rowlands, Andrew Conn, Graham Emery, Dilys Jouvenat, Glenn Jones, Jeff Thomas,
2. Minutes of Last Meeting
After one alteration, the minutes were accepted for accuracy.
(9.4.1 Police Admin and not Pensions had transferred to Capita)
3. Matters Arising
3.1 Flowers had been taken to Kate Jeffries. Kate was feeling much better and plans to visit the branch office.
7.1.2 DP acknowledged Graham Evans’s efforts and hard work in the schools recruitment campaign.
4.1 Calendar of Meetings
Lists of all meetings for the forthcoming year were available for officers. PC stressed the importance of all officers making every effort to attend.
4.5 Integrated Children’s Teams
Proposals had been received and amendments to job descriptions had been submitted to the authority.
4. Branch Secretary’s Report
AGM 2010 – Committee discussed AGM brief.
4.1 AGM to be held on 4th March 2010. Venue changed to Clwb Y Bont., Pontypridd. Agenda to consist of AGM followed by a buffet, music quiz and disco. Information to be distributed amongst members from Jan 21st onwards.
4.1.2 (Copies of Branch Rules and Agenda were handed out to committee members.) Committee discussed Branch Rules and changes to Honoraria payments and rates.
4.1.3 It was agreed that previous steward roles of Membership Services Officer and Branch Project Officer be merged and replaced with the title ‘Membership’s Officer’
4.1.4 Committee agreed to the new Honoraria rates.
4.1.5 Nominations of Stewards
Stewards must be re-elected and nominated via election forms.
4.1.6 Branch Charity. Info to be distributed with the main AGM write-up.
4.1.7 All AGM info to be distributed via email, and via stewards and workplace contacts advertising posters at workplaces.
4.1.8 The AGM Brief was formally accepted by committee members
4.2 RCT Policies
Current policies to be circulated to committee for comments and feedback
4.2.1 Following a recent ET Appeal case which stated an employer cannot avoid paying A/L entitlement while someone is on sick leave; Branch Officers are now in negotiation on a new sickness policy with the authority.
4.2.2 Sickness Policy. RCT had also proposed a new ruling where surgery deemed as ‘elective procedure surgery’ (e.g. cosmetic) would have to be taken without sick pay.
4.2.3 New Smoke-Free Policy
Copies of policy to be emailed to committee for comments
PC discussed the policy in depth and the problems and issues expected to arise from members.
4.2.4 New RCT Disciplinary Policy
The new proposal stands as a first warning to be held on an employees file for 6months; 2nd warning 9months and Final warning for 12months. Under new ISA Regulations any incidents involving vulnerable adults or children will be permanently held on a persons file.
4.2.5 SWFRS Amendments to Inclement weather Policy.
Committee discussed the current issues regarding the lack of action plan or policy in place within RCT for dealing with inclement weather.
PC to utilise the SWFRS policy to make proposals to RCT for a more efficient policy to be made
4.3 Action Plan Meetings 2010
All officers had been invited to attend meetings with PC to discuss their plans for 2010, any resources or support needed etc.
Officers to liaise with admin to arrange meeting dates.
4.4 Further Education Seminar 2010
It was agreed to send all three current reps within FE.
DP to meet with reps next week to discuss their roles within the branch and to co-ordinate future help and guidance.
4.5 Branch Secretary reported that as new service groups were now operation, the branch has members both in Local Government Service Group and the Community Service Group (i.e. RCT Homes members)
4.5.1 Committee discussed new community services groups within UNISON (e.g. RCT Homes) who now have eligibility to attend National Conference on behalf of Community Services.
4.5.2PC to obtain clarification of rules and regulations for such groups attending Conference.
4.6 National School Support Seminar, April 2010, London
It was agreed that DP will co-ordinate with people to attend.
5. Branch Officer Reports
5.1 Finance Officer Report (Report handed out to those present)
KJ discussed yearly budgeted balances for the branch and reported an increase in income by £35k.
5.1.2An increase in £7k, mainly due to mailing and office supplies having made a saving of £6k compared to recent years.
5.1.3Activists expenses were down by £5k.
5.1.4It was agreed that the surplus budgets be used for officers requirements as necessary. Requests to be submitted in officer action plan statements.
5.2 Retired Members Officer
RE informed committee of the forthcoming meeting taking place on January 28th Guest speaker to attend is Brain Davies from Pontypridd Museum.
5.2.1 Meetings to be held on the last Thursday of every other month. All officers welcome to attend.
5.3 Welfare Officer
GJ reported that she had received 5 welfare cases since beginning December and is expecting more due to recent closure of Bosch factory.
5.4 Environment Officer
Glenn had received an email from Peter Short giving approval for training people in Unison House Cardiff. Email to be forwarded to Branch Sec.
5.4.1 Glenn to liaise with Corporate Green group and to report on any opportunities for UNISON involvement.
6. Branch Convenor Reports
No Reports
7. Branch Project Report
No report
8. Membership and Recruitment Reports
Membership currently stands at 5117 members, still awaiting figures for December. Branch had been cross referencing with RMS on figures for accuracy and also to establish all membership types.
9. Any Other Business
Pensions Seminar Feb 3rd, London
HW and Glenn Jones to attend. Travel to be arranged via admin.
UNISON office
31 - 33 Morgan Street
Park View
Pontypridd
CF37 2DS
Tel: 01443 400401
Fax: 01443 400288
e-mail rctunison@btconnect.com