REPORT OF THE PARTNERSHIP BOARD

The Branch has recently met with the employers and other trade unions at the Partnership Board.  Your branch was represented by Paul Aldous, Helen Muddock (also present as Joint Secretary), Sheila Reynolds, Malcolm Gibbs, David Church and Robert Grimley. 

Amongst the items discussed were:

The Redeployment Policy where we were asked how the new procedures were working. Your comments are welcomed on this.

The Collective Disputes Policy which looks at how major disputes will be handled in the future. The unions did not agree to sign this off but agreed to defer it to the next meeting.

The staff survey results.  A separate article on PDR’s is on the website.

Consultation around the Bury Public Service Village project. Your views on this should be sent to Sheila Reynolds.

Early discussion on the proposals for the Lowestoft Public Service Village

A new domestic abuse policy which is intended to help victims of domestic abuse whilst at work. Further discussions will be held on this prior to the next Board meeting in June.  It is hoped to launch the policy in November.

Consultation structures below the Partnership Board

The creation of a single Life Long Learning agreement to be used by all unions in Suffolk

The Employment Equality Review which is looking at streamlining the information collected by the authority and how the information is used.

The creation of a consultation log of all issues currently under discussion with the employers.

If you require more details about any of these items please contact the UNISON office. If you require more details about any of these items please contact the UNISON office.

---

ANNUAL DELEGATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONFERENCE

The Branch Committee has agreed to submit 4 policy motions to the National Local Government Conference on the following subjects: 

Inappropriate Journalist’s/Portrayal of Disabled People

Crisis in Home Care

Structural and Organisational Change – The Local Government Workforce

Unitary Authorities

The Branch has also submitted an amendment to National rules on the election of the Disabled Members Officer.

If you wish to have more details of the wording of these please contact the Office or your local Steward. 

Members will shortly be receiving through the post the preliminary agenda for the National Delegate Conference and Local Government Conference. If you wish to submit any amendments to these motions (other than rule amendments which is disbarred under national rules) please contact the branch office.

The closing date for submission of amendments is the Branch Committee Meeting on 15 April 2008