Surrey County UNISON Annual Report 2015/16

AGMMeetingsMarch 2016We are again holding 20+ meetings this year to try to make sure everyone who wants to can attend.You only need to come to one meeting.Your employer should give you time off to attend if you give them sufficient notice.

Picture: Surrey County UNISON Branch delegates at last year’s national conference in Glasgow.

2016 Workplace AGM meetings:Jurgens Centre, Egham (mainly for Anchor members) on 1st March at 2pm

Oakwood School on 7th March at 3.05pmFarnham Heath End School (room 1) on 7th March at 3.30pm

Warwick School on 8th March at 3.30pmBrooklands College, Weybridge Campus on 8th March at 5.30pm

Quadrant Court, Woking (Room G16) on 9th March at 12pmClifton Hill School on 10th March at 3.45pm

Esher Civic Centre (conference room) on 14th March at 12pmJubilee High School (theatre) on 15th March at 3pm

St Francis Centre, Guildford (training room) on 16th March at 12pmThames Ditton Library (also for Emberbrook Care Home members) on 17th March at 5pm

Linden Bridge School on 22nd March at 3.30pmBourne Hall, Ewell (Library) on 23rd March at 5.30pm

Fairmount House, Leatherhead on 24th March at 12pmConsort House, Redhill (room T2) on 29th March at 12pm

Guildford Library on 30th March at 12pmArundel House (for Coveham members too) on 30th March at 2pm

County Hall, Kingston (room G30) on 31st March at 12pmPond Meadow School (also for Christ’s College School) on 8th, 15th or 22nd (tbc)

Welmede Housing and Surrey Choices – to be arrangedSee website www.surreycountyunison.org.uk for updates

We are holding meetings in every workplace where we have more than 25 members. If your workplace is not listed please try to attend one of the ones above. Contact us if you are not sure.

ContentsBranch Secretary’s Report Pages 2-3

Reports from the UNISON Team Pages 4-18

Save Our Services in Surrey Page 19

AGM agenda Page 19

2015 Accounts Page 20

Budget for 2016 Page 21

Affiliations Page 22

Officer Elections Page 23

Minutes from last AGM Page 24

Branch Secretary’s Report 2015/162015 turned out to be yet another difficult year for Surrey UNISON, with many of us suffering from ill health. I had a heart attack in August taking me out of action for a few months. Two years ago at an AGM I had remarked upon the

premature deaths of Ian MacDonald (our ex-branch secretary) and Bob Crow (RMT Rail, Maritime and Transport Union General Secretary) and had told members to look after themselves – then I turned 50 and had a life-threatening incident myself. It makes you think. I have made some major changes in my life since. I have stood down as Branch Secretary (handing over to the extremely capable Jane Armitage). I will be playing more of a supportive, mentoring role to the branch officer team. I have also stepped down as SCCTU (Surrey County Council Trade Unions) Secretary.

Last year saw the election of a majority Tory government and the local Tories swept the board in Surrey’s local council elections. 2016 is certainly not going to get any easier. On the other hand we have seen the election of the most socialist-thinking Labour Party leader for decades, Jeremy Corbyn – someone that UNISON will be very pleased to work with on combatting the austerity programme.

Last year saw a further wide range of restructures and reorganisations (a permanent feature of local government now). I was involved in supporting members in Trading Standards, the Library Service, SCC Environment & Infrastructure, Surrey Choices, Schools, FE Colleges and more. As we write, we are in the midst of pay negotiations with SCC over the whole ‘Pay and Reward’ package for 2016 and beyond (SCC are looking at some major potential changes). I am very proud that we have managed to establish a regular Union Reps Forum with SCC to discuss Pay and other issues. We will ballot all members on Surrey Pay with any final offer from the council. I am also involved in negotiations and consultation with Surrey Choices and the Surrey FE Colleges over pay and trade union recognition issues. FE Colleges are currently balloting over the 0% pay offer for last year. Watch this space.

Surrey County Branch

0208 541 9091

UNISON@surreycc.gov.ukUNISON, Room G17, County HallPenrhyn RoadKingston-upon-Thames KT1 2DN

Websites: www.surreycountyUNISON.org.ukwww.UNISONsoutheast.org.uk

Facebook members group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/ surreycountyUNISON/

Follow us on Twitter:@SurreyUNISON

2

Our resolution calling for a £10ph minimum wage was accepted by both the regional and national union. We have played a major role in getting this adopted as UNISON policy. We are now campaigning for £10ph minimum in local pay campaigns and for the regional and national union to prioritise the issue of low pay in public services generally.

I have continued to play the key role in Save Our Services in Surrey (SOSiS) and we were very busy earlier this year with the planned closure of the six SCC Elderly Care Homes. We held petitions, lobbies and marches and managed to get the plans delayed but sadly not halted. To get involved with SOSiS look at the article later in this report.

I have worked on growing and developing the small team of activists we have in the Community service group. I attended the UNISON Community Conference and Helen and I hosted a successful Community Reps meeting at ours, supporting Tanya and Louise (branch employees).

The UNISON team has developed well over the past year. We won an award for the best County branch for our recruitment and came second out of all the 150 or so branches in the SE for our overall performance. All teams have their issues and moments but we have all pulled through – particularly those of you who helped cover for the sickness absenses throughout the year. Thank you for that. You can see from the picture of our recent branch development day below that we have a good, strong team at the helm and all of those who stood have been elected unopposed for 2016. The two big issues next year (alongside the expected cuts and restructures) will be pay and the Trade Union Bill. This legislation could tie us up in knots, could take away our right to have subs deducted at source, our right to facility time and our very important right to take lawful industrial action etc.

We said goodbye to Ginny, Chloe, Louise and Phatho during the year. I wish them all well and they will all be missed by the branch. Helen Treasure is going on maternity leave and we wish her all the best and look forward to her return to UNISON activity when she is able. We also welcomed George as our new Young Members Officer and Vicki as a new Organiser employed by region to work in our branch. Last year I said that I hoped 2015/16 would see a little less stress, a little less pressure and a lot more hope than the last few years. It didn’t happen for everyone so here’s hoping for 2016/17.

Paul Couchman

3

ReportsJane Armitage – Deputy Branch Secretary and Education Officer (Also national Local Government Service Group Executive member and Deputy Regional Convenor)

Working in the branch as Deputy Branch Secretary - All sorts of tasks come my way – not only recruitment, advice, cases, restructures and assorted consultations, but quite a number of corporate meetings about HR issues and policy, pay, terms and conditions, job evaluation etc. As part of our branch strategy of empowering activists, I have been supporting a number of stewards with casework, advice and meetings. This has given me a great amount of satisfaction – seeing people grow, develop and become more confident. Well done stewards!

In addition, for the first part of 2015, I managed the work in our Community and Voluntary and Private Sector – line managing our case worker and taking responsibility for the day to day work of our fighting fund local organiser. I then had to take a period of sick leave – but I am well and fit again now and resumed

deputy branch secretary duties. However, there has been a change in responsibilities and I am now responsible for SCC corporate work – as well as the usual cases, consultation and supporting stewards.

One area of work, where I’ve been representing UNISON staff since last December, has been the formation of ORBIS – SCC’s partnership working with East Sussex CC and the sharing of a number of services. Thank you to Jason for taking on a lot of the work in recent months. The unions have generally been consulted throughout the change process – but there is a lot of change and we are planning more activist involvement in the New Year so that we can keep on top of these changes. Another issue raised recently by a member highlighted a lack of understanding by managers about staff with dyslexia. So our disability officer arranged a meeting with SCC and myself to discuss the issue, to plan how we can raise awareness of dyslexia and Access to Work and where local managers can get support and understand the most appropriate way to help staff.

One event I attended in November was the TUC Lobby of Parliament about the Trade Union Bill (see pictures). Unfortunately I was unable to meet with my MP, as apparently he was far too busy. But it was a good day with some fine speakers and the UNISON choir.

Another piece of work I have been involved in, representing UNISON members, has been the development and inclusion of restorative practices within SCC. I was pleased to be asked to speak at

4

the launch event alongside David McNulty and Carmel Millar, where I was able to emphasize that the unions support restorative ways of working not only for formal processes but also throughout our daily working lives – building value and respect for all staff.

In October I helped plan and present the Branch Development Day. The topics: Proud to be in UNISON (developing identity and participation); Defending the Union (the austerity agenda and Trade Union Bill); Developing and Building A Stewards Army (the organising agenda); Improving Communication (how/ why/ new ways). There was some really great discussion from our activists and some great suggestions to take forward into 2016. This year I have been Equalities Officer and Vice Chair for Surrey County Council Trade Unions (SCCTU) and I have just been elected secretary of SCCTU for 2016.

Regional responsibilities include participating on the SE Local Government Committee, the Regional Council and being Deputy Regional Convenor – supporting UNISON branches in the SE.

National Responsibilities – I am the SE representative for the Local Government Service Group Executive (SGE) where we discuss a large range of issues that affect Local Government staff and implement motions passed at Local Government Conference. The SGE has a number of sub-groups to work on specific areas and I am on the Recruitment sub-group. For the first quarter of 2015 I was the SE Rep on the Youth and Community Workers Committee and from that became the UNISON rep for the Education Training Committee of the National Youth Agency and the UNISON rep on the steering group to keep an eye on the formation of the Institute of Youth Work.

Jane Armitage

Nina Boyd – Convenor for School Support Staff

This last year has been a difficult one for UNISON Members in education, due to the re-structuring and re-modeling in so many schools. Of course, as usual, it comes down to budgets being cut so viciously and the “knock on” effect of staff being made redundant all over the county. Not only in local authority schools but also the funds coming from central government to the academies has not been as much as hoped and expected.

We have had to say goodbye to so many valued colleagues and friends then be asked to do more work than before, to make up for the loss of those staff.

Never has it been so important to belong to UNISON, so ask your colleagues and advise them of the benefits that membership can bring. Benefits like having representation with someone to look after and advise them, if they have any problems. Legal advice if required, good terms with insurances and even our own holiday property in Croyde Bay, with special terms for all members. UNISON also has a Welfare structure in place with counselling if required and help with debt problems, Adult Education available for any members who would like to have professional development whilst working.

The biggest benefit is to know that you are a member of the large UNISON family and you do not stand alone in the fight for better conditions and can do something about injustices in your everyday working environment. Remember, the more members we have the louder we shout!

Nina Boyd

5

Alan Clyne – Convenor for Surrey County Adult Social Care Staff

There can be few members in our branch who look back to the last twelve months and say; “yes my job just got better”. Currently we have nearly 600 members employed by Surrey County Council Adult Social Care Directorate. In recent months Adult Social Care seems rarely out of the “headlines”, but not for the good reasons of members day in and day out trying their best to help some of the most vulnerable in our community whatever their job role.

Rather the national context is around the Government (indeed successive Governments) seeing the funding of Social Care in the “too difficult to do tray”. Since the general election the Conservatives have delaying implementation of some of the new financial duties/responsibilities of the Care Act and at last month’s spending review the chancellor sidestepped neatly the social care funding gap resulting from his austerity cuts and giving local councils the

responsibility and “blame”. It’s all about reducing the role of the state for ideological reasons. UNISON nationally continues to campaign around the fact that better terms and conditions in the workplace have a direct correlation to better quality of service and care. Local Authorities have a responsibility as commissioners of services to balance budgets, but also to do so ethically. The “Living Wage” has been hijacked by George Osborne and the minimum wage rebranded. Even this very modest increase in pay is seen as a huge threat by some Private and Voluntary Care providers. Whilst the social care “market place” is in turmoil, local councils continue to look at new ways to work differently, this often means merging services or outsourcing.

This year began with a success in Re-ablement Services. New guidance was agreed jointly with Trade Unions, Management and HR. This was to bring clarity and consistency to working time and ended the so called ‘deficit hours’ system that had been of great concern to some of our members.

The older news that Surreys “in-house” older persons care homes were to close was met with dismay. A great deal of my time has been taken up with this and now the first two homes Brockhurst and Longfield have closed. It has been a very difficult process for the residents, families and staff, but UNISON have had a lot of input behind the scenes to try to help get the best outcome for OUR members under these stressful circumstances. It is hoped that some of the lessons learnt of the phase one process, can be used to some effect this coming year.

There has been lots of talk about Social Care integration with the health service and some local pilots and initiatives. However, it felt like this year little really got off and running in the locality teams. That is not likely to be the case in 2016 as there will undoubtedly be a big push to integration. We really need our members to update us on what’s happening in your area over the coming months. Ideally we should have a REP or Contact in every team, please consider if you can help.

Surrey Choices (Local Authority Trading Company) has been running now for well over a year. We are now in a position to hand over to colleagues within the Branch to take forward the ongoing and much needed work with the new company. A huge amount of change has been going on after this TUPE transfer, and the next year will be critical. Another of Surrey’s “new models of delivery” has landed back on our agenda with a bang, First Point (the social enterprise company serving the Deaf and hard of hearing community) have been left with a very uncertain future following their current contract with SCC ending.

6

As well as trying to keep up with the strategic big picture on members behalf, we have been doing the normal business of trying to support members with individual casework on such areas as disciplinary, capability and grievance procedures. This can be a time of great anxiety for a member and we try to resolve things informally if it’s possible. The branch office has experienced quite a bit of sickness absence this year and that has meant that we have not always been able to always get back to people in as timely a way as we would like.

There are lots of other areas I could mention, members are still awaiting two years later (post health check) for a workload management tool to help measure allocation! And there could be some significant changes suggested by Surrey regarding pay and reward (watch this space). Having a local AGM meeting in your own workplace in March is a good way of getting in touch and bringing the branch to you and making it relevant to your issues. I am looking to get out to visit the locality teams in the new year, please get in touch. I can come and speak at a team meeting or just visit you at work.

Alan Clyne

Nancy El-Shatoury – International Relations Officer

Round up of some of UNISON’s work in the international arena during 2015.

Refugees matter!UNISON is campaigning for the rights of refugees. Over 2000 people have died this year crossing the Mediterranean including a Syrian mother and all seven of her children on 9 December. Many were fleeing Islamic State and war in Syria and Eritrea. UNISON General secretary Dave Prentis called for the government to take positive action as the refugee crisis unfolds on Europe's doorstep. "The daily images of desperate men, women and children fleeing the escalating violence have shocked the world". UNISON believes that the UK has both a moral and legal obligation under international and EU law to receive refugees and should significantly scale-up its resettlement programme.

No good news from Palestine The situation in Palestine is critical. Since October over 90 Palestinians have been killed, and over 6,000 injured. This latest escalation of violence has also seen over 1,800 Palestinians arrested, including 297 children, bringing the total number of Palestinians in Israeli detention to approximately 7000. Many of those are held in administrative detention, allowing Israel to hold prisoners on secret charges without charge and trial. Palestinian prisoners, including children, are subject to torture and abuse. UNISON and our branch support War on Want’s work with Addameer: Prison Support and Human Rights Association in Palestine as well as the Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Much needed good news from ColombiaColombia continues to be the most dangerous country in the world for Trade Union members. Justice for Colombia is supported by UNISON and our branch. An international peace delegation including senior ANC representatives and actors involved in the Good Friday Agreement went to Havana, Cuba, to meet negotiators in the Colombian peace talks in order to share their experiences and offer continued support for the peace process as it enters its crucial final stages. This follows a three day visit, also organised by Justice for Colombia, which brought together lawyers from Britain and Ireland to meet with lawyers of the Legal Negotiating team advising the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC).

7

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership - TTIPUNISON is taking part in an ongoing campaign against these negotiations and in last year’s International Officer’s report I explained that the secretive EU-US trade deal - far from opening up trade in a positive way - could severely restrict decisions made for the good of citizens at local and national level. Examples are attempts by governments to introduce a policy to ban tobacco advertising or introduce a minimum wage. This could be challenged by big business who consider that these decisions would have an unacceptable impact on profits. At the local level councils could be forced to favour big American corporations over local, sustainable businesses in their procurement. Councils could also be challenged for doing things like denying planning permission for fracking in their local area. UNISON has joined forces with Global Justice Now to launch a campaign to get local councils to declare themselves TTIP-free zones.

Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA)Life is very tough for women in Swaziland and UNISON is affiliated to ACTSA, supporting a campaign working with the Swaziland Rural Women’s Assembly on a four year project to improve women’s rights. Poverty, high levels of gender-based violence, traditional laws that classify women as minors and the failure to implement laws that in theory guarantee rights and equality all contribute to huge discrimination.

The campaign will help develop women’s groups throughout the country into strong, democratic

organisations and develop the leadership skills of women to stand for election in their communities and civil society organisations.

Labour Behind the Label and the real cost of cheap clothesOur branch affiliated to this campaigning group this year. Members will recall the terrible Rana Plaza disaster in April 2013 where at least 1,129 garment workers were killed and 2,515 seriously injured when the shoddily constructed building collapsed. It housed 3122 workers, half of whom were women. Cracks had developed the day before but the factory owner demanded that the workers returned the next day. The building collapsed shortly after 8 a.m. that morning. Labour Behind the Label supports garment workers' efforts worldwide to improve their working conditions, through awareness raising, information provision, encouraging international solidarity between workers and consumers, and working to enable Bangladeshi Trade Unions to organise. They helped set up a small office and established an organising team in Gazipur. 18 new factory-based unions have been registered and 200 new members a month recruited. They need long-term support to carry on the good work.

TUC Playfair Qatar Campaign. Playfair Qatar is a TUC campaign to raise awareness - working with football fans - of the abuse of worker rights in Qatar. In 2022 Qatar will host the World Cup, taking the tournament to the Middle East for the first time. This has sparked a major construction frenzy in the world’s richest country as it prepares to host its most glamorous event to date.  Unfortunately, for the workers building World Cup stadiums in Qatar, the reality is far from glamorous. Workers - drafted in mainly from India, Nepal and Bangladesh - are forced to live in squalid and overcrowded conditions, paid as little as 45p an hour and work in a dangerous environment. To date almost 1000 workers have died in Qatar. There is little sign of any improvement in their conditions.

8

Finally

What next for 2016 in Cuba?Members will have heard about the so called thawing of diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba. UNISON and the Cuba Solidarity Campaign highlight many outstanding issues.

Bills will be presented before Congress in 2016, which aim to relax travel by US citizens and increase trade with Cuba. However, the cornerstones of blockade legislation: the Helms-Burton Act, the Trading with the Enemy Act, and the Cuban Democracy Act remain in place and must be removed before the blockade can end. There are five core issues which need to be tackled before relations between the two countries can be considered normal: The blockade should end – 77% of Cubans have suffered this since birth The US should stop funding illegal, subversive policies against Cuba, including TV and Radio

Martí propaganda broadcasts Cuba should be compensated for damages caused by the blockade The illegally occupied territory of Guantánamo Bay should be returned. The Cuban Adjustment Act, which stimulates brain drain and encourages economic migration

should be revoked

Members may be interested to know that Cuba was required to lease part of Guantanamo Bay to the US in the 1903 Cuba-America Treaty, as a naval/coaling station. Critics consider its current use as a prison camp violates the terms of the treaty. Of course this is only one of the 1000 US military bases in countries across the world. Action by the US Congress is essential to make these changes. But our own British government has a role to play in joining international pressure on the United States government to end the blockade and return Guantánamo to Cuba.

A busy year for UNISON internationally - looking forward to renewed efforts and renewed international solidarity in 2016 !

Nancy El Shatoury

Sandy Gow – Branch Treasurer, Equalities Coordinator and Convenor for Surrey County Children, Schools and Families Staff

Equalities CoordinatorI have been the Branches Equalities Coordinator since April 2015.

What does my role involve?It involves ensuring that Equality and Diversity is embedded throughout the organisation. At times there are barriers in achieving this, for example, dealing with personal prejudices and viewpoints. The challenge is overcoming these for the good of the organisation and the benefit of all our members

What attributes does the role require?I think that the Equalities Coordinator needs to be diplomatic, understanding and non-judgmental in dealing with sometimes very personal, sensitive or emotive issues. It is essential that you are able to communicate at all levels of the organisation. Success is dependent upon being able to work together, being friendly, approachable and flexible.

9

Moving forwardFrom a personal point of view, I would like to develop my understanding of Equality and Diversity further and look into attending more training courses. I need to keep aware of changes in government legislation and practices and implement them into our authority.

Children's ConvenorThis has been my most challenging role within UNISON.

Challenging issues within the Social Worker community have arisen following on from a poor OFSTED report. Issues that need to be addressed:- Recruitment and Retention, excessively high case loads, disciplinaries and capabilities, high use of Locums, high sickness levels, working over contracted hours due to high case loads, not feeling valued.

I met with Caroline Budden, Head of Children’s Services and have raised these issues, along with concerns regarding the proposed new assessment and accreditation scheme for Social Workers. Caroline will be holding meetings at the Area Offices in January to listen and to reply to concerns.

I have been involved with the following issues as well as supporting members with their individual case issues.

Access to Education RestructureNo Smoking Team Restructure

Commercial Services RestructureNW finance Team Relocation

Highways RestructureEarly Years Collective Dispute

Waverley YSS RestructureSEND Restructure

A colleague from UNISON and I have also been carrying out recruitment sessions at the Area Offices this year and we are planning to run some more sessions in the New Year - so I look forward to meeting existing and new members.

Treasurer This is the second year I have held this position. My job role entails administering the branch finances with the exception of UNISON staff pay which is administered by Surrey’s payroll team. Our financial year runs from 1st January to 31st December, I then close our accounts and submit them for audit; our accounts are then yearly audited by external auditors.

Any proposed expenditure within the branch is discussed by the F&GP committee and then presented at the monthly Branch Committee meetings for discussion and agreement.

Working with the Office Manager, Jan Callender, we have been able to make major changes within the UNISON Office, bringing in new effective and efficient equipment and working practices to save time and money which has been reflected in our accounts this year.

Sandy Gow

Note: 2015 Branch Accounts and 2016 forecast on pages 20/21 for acceptance at AGMs

10

George Makarau – Young Members’ Officer

As George has only recently begun his time with us as Young Members Officer there is no specific annual report. George did provide us with this report of his attendance at the national Young Members’ Weekend:

The event was held in Nottingham at the Crown Plaza Hotel in May.

Admittedly, like most young members, I was not fully aware about how the union works and it’s full sole purpose. To top it all off, I was fairly nervous as, unlike from most branches, I was the only one to attend from Surrey. Nonetheless, upon arrival, I was stunned by the warm welcome I received from everyone else that was in attendance from across the country.

The weekend kicked off with an evening meeting to which we were introduced to the rest of our regions, organizing team and so on.

Throughout the weekend, we covered current issues with the general election being the main talking point where members shared their views/concerns. The second most talked about issue was the minimum wage, where on Saturday we went out onto the street interviewing members of the public about their views and asking them to support us in asking for an increase in the minimum wage. This was a great success as the majority agreed and signed our petitions.

Overall, this was a fantastic weekend where I managed to learn a lot more about how a union operates and how to become more active. Since then I have now become a Steward (Rep) and the Branch Young Members Officer as a result.

I would therefore urge anyone who is under the age of 27 (Young Members) to take the opportunity to attend this event in 2016 as not only will you learn about our union but also have an enjoyable weekend with like-minded people!

George Makarau

Jason Norris – Green/Environment Officer and Convenor for Surrey County Business Services Staff

Convenors ReportThis Convenors report has been difficult to write as this is my first year in this role and it has been a steep learning curve. My understanding of the context of the work prior to starting was limited; so I can only report directly on the events rather than produce an insight into events balanced against professional expectations. Someone said ‘You don’t know, what you don’t know’...very true

OrbisWhere to start? This is the largest restructure that Surrey County Council has ever undertaken; it affects 1,400 people in the Business Support departments including HR & OD, IMT, Legal, Procurement and Property. The two founding partners are Surrey County Council with East Sussex County Council and it is projected in the Business Plan that the whole

11

process will take 3 years and full integration will be in early 2019. Both UNISON and GMB are invited to monthly conference call meetings to discuss where we are with the process.

In July Orbis informed UNISON that they had been in discussions with potential partners, both Brighton & Hove City Council and Woking District Council had shared papers with their respective Cabinets, seeking a mandate to explore the possibility of joining the Orbis partnership. As of November Brighton & Hove have officially been confirmed as joining Orbis, in fact, some business groups have had B&HBC in engagement sessions already.

In October the Orbis Business Plan went to East Sussex County Council Cabinet and to Surrey County Council, both authorities have now signed off the business plan. This means they supported the improvements and savings that can be generated through the partnership and recognised the investment required for the implementation of the Orbis Partnership. The Orbis business plan has an objective of saving net financial efficiencies of £30m by year five against the 15/16 baseline figure.

At all stages there is a projection that there will be a minimum redundancy rate of 15% across all partners. By April 2016 the first wave of the actual restructure will begin, as Orbis ‘management de-layering’ restructure and appoint the new Senior Management team. The business plan projects that the development of the operating models will follow and then the operational restructure for all other staff will be complete by April 2017. That’s without the full disclosure about how terms and conditions may change/erode over time.

We have already had an open meeting of all UNISON members in Business services, which was well attended and a number of interesting issues were raised, which I took back to the ORBIS leadership team. Jane and I plan to do more of these next year as the reorganisation picks up pace and staff will start to feel the potential impact.

Organising stewardsThis year I was really happy to welcome two new stewards into the Business Service Directorate – George Makarau and Shabina Mojid to the team. Where there were none (excluding Legal), now there are three! Both are now in the process of getting trained up so that they can get involved supporting their colleagues in Business Services. Jane and I have developed a plan to arrange regular steward meetings, we had the first one after the team training day.

Green Officer ReportAs the first Green Officer in branch for some time it was difficult to know what the role entailed. When reading the UNISON national website there are no obvious links or pages for the Green initiatives that UNISON are involved with, however they do support a lot of the work being done by other lobbying organisations such as The Climate Coalition or SERA. I chose to make contact with these organisations and see how I could help.

What I have found is a truly liberating lobbying experience that all individuals can be active in, be heard and get involved. There is now a huge global online community of lobbying organisations that allow you to sign up to petitions and add weight to campaigns that will pressurise governments and large multinational corporations. We all know the power that large global corporations such as Pharmaceuticals, Banks, Weapons manufacturers and Petrochemical companies have over politicians (that’s why they get the board member status when they retire from politics!) and it’s up to us as individuals to join the collective and build pressure for social and environmental change. You can even develop your own campaigns and petitions - as per the team away day this is an online campaign model that UNISON will be emulating in the future...watch this space!

12

Lobbying organisations you can join to become active and empowered –

38 Degrees - https://home.38degrees.org.uk/Is your local hospital under threat? Know a beautiful place that needs protecting? Is there a company that should be challenged, or something the government can do to make the UK a better place? With 38 Degrees, you can start a campaign on any issue. It only takes a few minutes to get started.

Avaaz – https://avaaz.org/en/index.php‘Avaaz’—meaning "voice" in several European, Middle Eastern and Asian languages—launched in 2007 with a simple democratic mission: organize citizens of all nations to close the gap between the world we have and the world most people everywhere want. 42 million members in 194 countries.

Carbon coalition/For the Love of - http://www.theclimatecoalition.org/The UK’s largest group of people dedicated to action on climate change, representing 11 million people across the UK. The network brings together over 100 organisations, form environment and development charities to unions, faith and belief, community and women’s groups

Friends of the Earth - https://www.foe.co.uk/To unite, inspire and empower people to take the urgent action needed to protect the environment for current and future generations. We make change by campaigning – working with others.

Greenpeace - http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace.

NEF - http://www.neweconomics.org/NEF is the UK's leading think tank promoting social, economic and environmental justice. Our aim is to transform the economy so that it works for people and the planet.

SERA - http://sera.org.uk/At SERA, we believe that tackling environmental problems is key to delivering opportunity and fairness. From climate change to community energy, waste to transport, SERA is interested in the most important environmental and social challenges facing Britain.

SumofUs - http://sumofus.org/SumOfUs is a movement of consumers, workers and shareholders speaking with one voice to counterbalance the growing power of large corporations. Join us on our journey as we seek to make the world a better place for ourselves, our children and all who share our planetPlease join up with sum of these and share with all your friends and on social media.

New update - Climate change march Nov 28 We did it! The Global Climate March broke records as the largest climate mobilisation in history! From São Paulo, to Sana’a, to Sydney, over 785,000 of us marched at 2,300 events in 175 countries united in one voice calling for a 100% clean energy future to save everything we love. According to organisers Avaaz, the largest took place in Melbourne (60,000 people) and London (50,000). All this was achieved despite the largest march, in Paris, being called off due to security concerns. Instead, thousands of shoes were laid out to symbolise the missing protesters.Pictures of all the marches can be found here - http://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2015/nov/29/global-climate-march-2015-in-pictures and https://secure.avaaz.org/en/climate_march_report_back_loc/

Jason Norris13

Andy Pattinson – Branch Chairperson, Health and Safety Officer and Welfare Officer

Notes from the ChairThis year has been a busy time for anyone associated with the running of Surrey County UNISON Branch, and I am pleased to say we have come to the end of 2015 more united and stronger than ever! We were awarded the UNISON South East Region “Best Recruiting County Branch of 2014/15” earlier this year (see pic). This was given to our Branch due to the ongoing recruitment campaigns and work we do to attract non members in joining our organisation. We have employed a Case Worker (Tanya) and a Fighting Fund Local Organiser (Vicky) specifically to work with employers from the Community and Voluntary sector. Jamie has also been employed by the Region to work with Nina within Surrey Schools. This work continues to be a vital part of the work we do as more

and more of our membership are working for other employers outside of Surrey County Council.

We continue to recruit and train new stewards to our organisation, as we try and reach out to all members by responding to relevant issues employees are facing within the workplace. Our eyes and ears are the members and we continue to listen and act on information that is passed to us, at ‘the coal face’ as well as structured meetings with H.R and Management. We continue to represent your views at every level within the work place, be that at individual case level or through teams and at Senior management levels. We also work at Regional and National Level in getting members voices heard. As this Government pursues the relentless policy of Austerity, it has never been more important for individual members in supporting their union when it comes to matters of the collective. Sometimes a language seldom mentioned in Surrey, the notion of Collectivism.

Therefore, as matters surrounding the Trade Union Bill are played out on a local level, feel free to sit up and take into account the civil rights you may be about to lose as a result of this Bill, and join UNISON in trying to defend those rights. We have traditionally a strong working relationship with the council in Surrey and with SCC elected members. However, central government wishes to change these working arrangements and that will be to the detriment of both employers and employees working in Surrey alike.

As we look forward to the challenges that face our Union for 2016, our Branch intends to develop and train the individual skills of our members to add to the Branch experience and to support and mentor our contacts and Stewards in the workplace, so to continue to build on our successes of last year. We welcome any new faces at Branch meetings and events organised for activists. Please keep an eye out for conferences that may appeal to you, be it Women’s, Black Members, LGBT, Disabled members, Young member’s weekends, Social Care Forums, Local Government or National annual Conferences. Please use your membership so as to get the full benefits of your subscription fees as well as all those other benefits you can gain from membership widely published on the Website.

We all started off as members with an interest in something - this led to attending a meeting, a forum, or a conference (for example). This led to meeting other members and activists and led to being part of a branch and becoming a team. With this in mind, we look forward to meeting you in 2016.

14

Health and Safety Report

Did you know that under Health and Safety law you have the greatest influence within the workplace than any other Trade Union role? This is because all employers are governed by duties under the Health and Safety at work Act 1974 and Management of Health and Safety at work Regulations 1999.So before you switch off and yawn, close your eyes...

…Consider thisEmployees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of other people, who may be affected by their activities and work. This implies that employees should take positive steps to understand the risk factors in their work, and for employers to comply with safety rules and procedures and make sure that what they do or fail to do at work does not put anyone at risk. So, the priority over all other demands for your employer is the Health and Safety of all staff who are employed within an organisation. So if you are in a school, it is not safeguarding it is your Health and Safety. If you are a Social Worker it is not safeguarding, it is your Health and Safety. If you are a Security Guard, it is not security, it is your Health and Safety and so on. What does this mean in practice? Your terms and conditions of employment cannot be compromised under Health and Safety. You should never be put at risk through carrying out your job role. All actions must be risk assessed. Your life may depend on it.

And if it’s not your life... then it may well be your lifestyle. With the Governments push for services to meet the demands of the population, don’t be surprised when ideas are launched about your own working time arrangements. If you work in social care, there is an increasing push for departments to be open later to see the public after 1700, or increasing the days being open to cover weekends. You may require flexible working arrangements with your employer and we can support you with this. Or we may need to support you to keep your regular pattern of employment as it is, so you can fulfil your family commitments.

Under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 and the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996 employers must consult with employees on health and safety matters. Consultation involves employers not only giving information to employees but also listening to and taking account of what employees say before making health and safety decisions. A decision that involves organisational change that could affect the health and safety of employees, such as a change in working patterns and a change in shift patterns, the employer must allow time to give employees (or their representatives) information regarding the proposals. The employer must also give the employees (or their representatives) the chance to express their views. Then the employer must take account of these views before reaching a decision (Health and Safety Executive 2006).

Your health and wellbeing must be considered within the context of your role within an organisation. Managing issues such as the physical environment, the workplace and welfare are paramount here. Issues of lone working, working from home, injuries sustained as a result of your working life. Body

15

Mapping is a good guide to work with managers with. Where does it hurt? Use a visual aid by having the outline of a human figure and ask colleagues to ‘stick’ where the tensions, strains or injuries have been or are occurring within the body. Where there are common themes, collective issues can be addressed. Where there are individual needs, we can help address these with the employer. Equipment can be purchased to support you.

In 2013/2014 8.3 million days were lost due to Musculoskeletal Disorders (ie muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, discs, blood vessels, etc.) according to the Health and Safety Executive. There were 184,000 new cases recorded of MDS. 526,000 out of a total 1,241,000 Work related injuries. Causes of this are numerous. Lack of training and supervision, tasks are not properly assessed, no risk ratings, poor or non-existent DSE assessments, lack of training for manager or supervisor, no proper maintenance, poor or no consultation. These are prevented through thorough Risk Assessments, assessment charts (MAC), instruction, supervision and training, policy and procedure on prevention, safe systems of work, retention, rehabilitation and return to work, Legal compliance, internal auditing.

UNISON provides excellent training for Health and Safety Representatives. Information on this can be shared from our Branch; you may wish to consider becoming a Health and Safety Representative within your team. Your Branch can ensure proper consultation and legal compliance including procurement of equipment and job design, ensuring workplace adjustments where required, dealing with attendance management issues and occupational health providers. UNISON can identify and raise issues with employers, attend local safety committees, influence corporate safety policies, give legal advice and representation. So think about it, what improvements can be made in your team?

Andrew Pattinson

Kala Rosser – Convenor for Surrey County Chief Executive’s Directorate Staff and Senior Libraries Representative

It has been a very difficult year for the Library Service with the restructure that started in December 2014. Many experienced staff have left since and still many more are on the way out. Despite our efforts, not enough people joined UNISON to stop the worst happening although our membership has gone up considerably.

Despite the length of time that the reorganisation has been going on, the situation is not improving; due to staff shortages and problems recruiting new staff, the workload has increased considerably and many staff suffer from stress and anxiety. I have been very busy giving advice and support to our members but so far nobody has decided to take any action.

I have been trying to recruit new stewards but haven’t had much luck; increased workload means I can’t give it enough time and attention and library staff are too worn out to have the energy to get involved. We do have two new stewards though, Charles De Freitas and Wendy Worf, and I would like more members to get involved, especially in Libraries & UNISON meetings.

All in all it doesn’t look positive for the Library Service - with yet more budget cuts approaching, the situation is bound to get worse. I am hoping that we manage to get more members soon, holding a few of our AGMs in the libraries should help with that.

Kala Rosser

16

Tanya San Juan – Branch Employed Caseworker/Organiser for the Community and Private Sectors

It is a pleasure to be able to write a report on my work for a third year. There have been many challenges this year. As ever most of my time is spent representing members as a caseworker, but I am now spending more time supporting and working with Stewards. I was also fortunate to be able to work with three excellent fighting fund organisers. At the start of the year I was working with Louise Barter, who was employed by region to work with our outsourced members. I also continued working with Victoria Olisa, who was employed as part of the national housing association project, which is aimed at recruiting and organising in 5 housing associations, for us it was Anchor housing. My work representing members, both individually and collectively, has remained challenging but very rewarding. Since the start of the year I have represented members at 45 disciplinary hearings and 28 other formal meetings. This is in addition to informal meetings with members and stewards. I have attended over 200 meeting this year, with members, activists and employers.

During February I accompanied three of our stewards, Rose, Karen and Frank to the Community conference in Bradford. It was great to see such a good attendance from our branch, to see our activists getting involved in the workshops and the conference. Helen Couchman, our Dimensions steward was also in attendance as our national SGE member. The Branch Secretary also attended as a visitor, so we had a group of 6 of us from the branch.

During April, the branch was able to work with the South East Region and UNISON nationally to run a blended stewards course. This was mainly due to the hard work of Victoria and Louise. This is a stewards course, but spread over 3 days, not 5. It is aimed at employers where we do not have recognition and stewards may not be able to get released for training. We had 5 stewards attend this course (see picture on next page). Three of these stewards were from Anchor, and two from smaller charities. In August, the Branch said goodbye to Louise. Louise worked with the Community and private employers as well as East Surrey College. During her time she recruited a large number of new members and activists. Her enthusiasm and energy was also infectious. In addition Louise and I were asked to take part in a workshop as part of the SE local government conference in September at which the branch won an award for recruitment, much of it in the community and private sector.

Vicki came to work with us in November (pictured left). Vicky is a fighting fund organiser, who works with specific employers to recruit members and activists. She has made an impact already and showing what a passionate trade unionist she is and I am looking forward to what we can achieve together next year.

I have really enjoyed working with all our stewards this year. A big thank you to you all. I also must specifically thank Shelia Wilson who represented members at Welmede this year and carried out some fantastic casework.

Tanya San Juan

17

Picture: Our first ‘blended’ course for new UNISON Reps in the Community and Private Sectors

Jan Callender – Office Manager(pictured below)

One of Jan’s main jobs is to look after our membership database of 5,000 members and make sure that members’ records are up to date, but she cannot do this without your help. UNISON are not informed by Payroll Offices when changes occur with our members’ personal data. So:

* Have you have changed your surname * Have you have changed your email address * Do you have an email address but you are not sure if we have it on our records * Have you changed your contact number(s) or added a new one * If you pay your subscriptions by direct debit, do you know if you are

paying too much in subscription payments or too little * Do you have 2 jobs with one or more employer, if so, are both your jobs covered with UNISON membership? It is not automatic that both

jobs are covered, so unless you tell us, we don’t know * Have you moved home address? * If you are due to retire, UNISON offer retired membership.

If any of the above applies to you, or you are unsure whether you have told us about any changes, please email Jan directly janet.callender@surreycc.gov.uk and she will check this out and update your membership as necessary. We continue to thrive with new members joining every day, so if you know a colleague who may wish to join, ask them to visit our website www.surreycountyunison.org.uk. We have many Stewards but would welcome more new Stewards to come on board, so if you are interested, please contact us on unison@surreycc.gov.uk.

Take a look at our website www.surreycountyunison.org.uk and let us know if there is anything else you may like added. Join us on facebook www.facebook.com/groups/surreycountyunison/.

Christina Rogers (pictured above) is another highly valued member of our office admin staff. It is likely that you will speak to Christina if you ring the UNISON office in the mornings. Christina manages all our members’ case files as well as much, much, more.

18

Join Save Our Services in Surrey www.sosis.org.uk

Our UNISON branch is proud to have set up Save Our Services in Surrey in 2009. SOSiS is supported by every major local trade union and has the support of many community groups, residents associations and individuals. We have been part of many successful campaigns to save schools, colleges, hospitals and libraries. We are still campaigning to save local fire stations and, most recently, the 6 Surrey Care Homes.

If you are not on the SOSiS mailing list go to our website or email saveourservicessurrey@gmail.com. You will then hear about meetings, campaigns, petitions and events as they are known. The SOSiS Facebook Group is at https://www.facebook.com/groups/saveourservicesinsurrey/ and they have a Twitter account @SOS_Surrey.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS 2016 Preliminary Agenda for all meetings

Welcome and introductions Apologies for Absence Brief address from Branch Officer or Local Rep Matters arising from 2015 AGM notes Moving of the Annual Report Questions arising from the Annual Report (including Accounts, Affiliations and election

of Officers for 2016/17) Vote taken on whether to accept the Annual Report Interest sought for any vacant posts Election of Local Reps Local workplace issues

Some copies of the Annual Report will be available at each AGM meeting. They will also be posted on our website at www.surreycountyunison.org.uk. You can request printed copies by contacting the office. Any voting will take place at each meeting and added together. A quorum of 100 total attendance across all meetings is required for decisions to be binding. It would be very helpful to know in advance which meeting you hope to attend and if you have and access issues, so we can judge requirements. Please email UNISON@surreycc.gov.uk or call on 02085419091 to let us know.

19

Surrey County UNISON Accounts 2015Income

Branch Funding 171,214Retired Members subscriptions 330Investment Income/ other income (from savings account and access to work ) 958Total 172,502

Expenditure

Salaries (includes all on-costs) for 3 Unison branch staff plus 1 Regional FFLO (50% payment over year) 108,209Rent (office rent paid to SCC) 245Other admin

Photocopying 3516Stationery 2227Telephones (mobiles and office broadband) 842

Professional Services (includes archiving, LRD subscription, SCC equipment charge, leasing charges for franking machine and old photo copier) 8857Equipment (laptops / printer etc..) 6250Office expenses (petty cash - misc office supplies) 500Printing 9163Postage 5226Bank charges (monthly charge for using Bacs/ stopping cheques not presented, set up charge for debit card) 143

Conferences and group meetings (includes public transport costs, accommodation, mileage, room hire, subsistence) 12557Activist's expenses (public transport, mileage) 16839

Publicity 2670Education (course fees, travel, refreshments, books) 3510Donations (Barnett Unison, London Met, Outreach) 2700Affiliations (ACTS, War on Want, labour Research, Diversity Works, West Surrey Trades Council, Save our Services, National Pensioner Convention, Burma Campaign, Labour Behind the Label) 700Local activities (flowers for retired Branch Committee member) 20Credit in case of redundancy -11700Total 172474

£28.00 CRTotal reserves carried over to 2016 approximately £40,000Industrial Action Fund stands at £103,000Ian MacDonald Memorial Fund stands at £2,000Surrey County UNISON Budget Plan 2016

20

Income

Branch Funding 175000

Investment Income received interest/ other income 1200Retired Members subscriptions 250

Total 176450

Expenditure

Salaries (includes all on-costs) for 3 Unison staff plus 1 FFLO (50% payment over year) 101000Rent 300

Other admin

Photo copying 1800Stationery 1800Telephones(mobiles and office broadband) 2100Professional Services (includes archiving, LRD subscription, SCC equipment charge, leasing charges for franking machine) 8800Equipment (laptops/printers etc..) 4000Office expenses (petty cash- misc office supplies) 500Bank charges (monthly charge for using Bacs/stopping cheques not presented, set up charge from debit card 250Postage 8000Printing 7750

Conferences and group meetings 20000Activist's expenses - public transport, mileage 18220Publicity 4000Education 5000Donations 3000Affiliations 1870

other expenditure (cover possible redundancy) -11940Total 176450

Surrey County UNISON Affiliations List 201521

Note: The Branch Committee looks at affiliations and considers any new requests for affiliations during the year. They can be local, national or international. They must be carrying out work and running campaigns which are in line with UNISON general policy. This is the full list of those organisations to whom we are currently affiliated and which the AGMs will be asked to ratify.

InternationalPalestine Solidarity Campaign - http://www.palestinecampaign.org UK based independent organisation promoting peace and justice for Palestinian peopleAction for Southern Africa ( ACTSA) - http://www.actsa.org Working for peace, democracy and development across Southern AfricaAmnesty International - https://www.amnesty.org.uk UK based independent organisation campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all, and to end abuses of human rights ranging from the death penalty to free speech.Cuba Solidarity Campaign - http://www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk Campaigns in the UK against the US blockade of Cuba and for Cubans’ right to self determination and sovereigntyJustice for Colombia - http://www.justiceforcolombia.org Colombia continues to be the most dangerous country in the world for Trade Union members. War on Want - http://www.waronwant.org Fighting international poverty by campaigning in the UK for a better deal for the world’s poor, and working directly with poor people across the developing worldBolivia Solidarity Campaign - http://boliviasc.org Independent organisation working for human rights, defence of public services, land redistribution and indigenous peoples’ rights in BoliviaTamil Solidarity - http://www.tamilsolidarity.org Campaigning for the rights of workers and all oppressed people in Sri LankaBaby Milk Action - http://www.babymilkaction.org A non-profit organisation aiming to save lives and to end the avoidable suffering caused by inappropriate infant feeding.Labour Behind the Label - http://www.labourbehindthelabel.org/ Network of organisations supporting garment worker's efforts worldwide to defend rights and improve wages

The Branch International Relations Officer is happy to provide more information on any of the aboveNationalLabour Research Department (LRD) - http://www.lrd.org.uk Independent, trade union-based research organisationYouth Fight For Jobs (YFFJ) - http://www.youthfightforjobs.com Independent, campaigning, youth organisationNational Pensioners Convention - http://npcuk.org Umbrella pensioners’ organisation representing over 1000 local, regional and national groups.The Library Campaign - http://www.librarycampaign.com Independent national network of library friends groups and campaignsHope Not Hate - http://www.hopenothate.org.uk Trade-Union based national anti-racist networkCampaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) - http://www.cnduk.org Keep Our NHS Public (KONP) - http://keepournhspublic.com UNIMAG A monthly employment law email update newsletter

LocalSave Our Services in Surrey (SOSiS) - http://www.sosis.org.uk Surrey County Council Trade Unions (SCCTU) - http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/jobs/why-work-for-surrey/surrey-county- council-trade-unions-group Kingston Trades CouncilWest Surrey Trades Council

Please contact the office for information on any of these organisations. If there is a group you think we should be affiliated to, please let us know.

Branch Officer Election Results for 2016/1722

Elected unopposed (vote needed to ratify)The following posts received only one nomination each and the candidates are therefore duly elected pending acceptance at the AGM meetings:

Branch Secretary: Jane Armitage

Deputy Branch Secretary: Paul Couchman

Branch Chair: Andy Pattinson

Branch Treasurer: Sandy Gow

Equalities: Sandy Gow

Health and Safety Officer: Andy Pattinson

Welfare Officer: Andy Pattinson

Education Officer: Paul Couchman

Young Members Officer: George Makarau

Green/Environment Officer: Jason Norris

Labour Link Officer: Colin Southon

VACANT POSTS (to seek and record expressions of interest at AGM meetings)

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Members Officer Black Members Officer (SCC staff may get a day release per week to do this role) Communications Officer International Officer Women's Officer (SCC staff may get a day release per week to do this role) Disabled Members’ Officer Auditors X 2

Election of Convenors for 2016

Following the AGM meetings, during April, elections will be held amongst the elected stewards in each employer, group and directorate for Senior Stewards, Convenors and Branch Committee delegates. As a minimum, we would like to see Stewards elected as Convenors for:

Surrey County Council – for each directorate (ASC, CSF, E&I, C&C, CEX) School Support Staff FE Colleges The Community Service Group

23

Minutes of the 2015 series of Annual General MeetingsMeetings were held at 20 different workplaces. AGM 2015 was quorate

1) Apologies for absence:Tracey Wilkinson, Linda Schuler, Vicki Cartere, Sarah Holt, Kay Hayles, Robert Gregory, Perry Marcham, Peter Turner, Susan Haskell, Melanie Farrally, Lorna White, Andy Jones, Owne Munford, Natasha Gale, Tina Cartwright, Shannon Donnelly, Karl Longden, Iris Horton, N Clanden, Kerry Olrog, Louise Newman, Ian Parr, Jan Sparkes, Christine Longergan, Kevin Glenville, Lisa J, Anita Lawlor, Deb Clarkson, Maria Ferguson, Ann Edwards, Tracey Leon, Marylyn Butler, Ian Michie, Janet Ingate, Susan Waters, David Skee, Roy Hayman, Edna Hayman, Sylvia Turner and Sue Woodcock.

2) Present overall – 147 members and 13 non-members (100 required for a quorum). 3) Welcome and introductions4) Notes from previous 2014 AGM meetings noted5) Matters Arising – Office rent appears low, update on car parking requested.6) Annual Report accepted unanimously

7) Treasurer’s Report accepted with 2 abstentionsQ. Members wanted to know what ‘other expenditure’ referred to.Q. Members wanted more explanation as to what each figure represents. i.e. ‘other admin’.A. These have been answered and more detail included in this year’s accounts.Q. Do the retired members have a separate budget? A. No, but they can request funds from the Branch Committee.

8) Affiliations list was accepted unanimouslyQ. Can we renegotiate the amount we pay to affiliate to West Surrey Trades Council.A. This was successful for 2015. We now only pay around 10% of what we were.There were some questions on the political roles of various groups, which we affiliate to. These were answered when raised.Q. Can we have more info about each group.A. This year we have a short sentence and a link to websites.

9) Proposed Rule Changes (a) and (b) were accepted unanimously

10) The election of Branch Officers was ratified unanimouslyc) Interest was shown in:LGBT Officer – Sarah Jane Hilling and Chloe JamesLabour Link Officer – Colin Southon

11) The following local Reps were elected:Andy Pattinson (St Faiths), Chloe James (Farnham Library), Gina Goodchild and Gina Theocharous as Reps and Ricky Zalman as H&S Rep (Brooklands), Hannah Denyer (Consort House), Tim Dunsford (Quadrant Court), Istvan Gulyas (St Francis Centre), Colin Southon (Collingwood College), Olivia Walsh (Fairmount House), Coby Telford (Pond Meadow School), Sandy Gow and Jane Armitage (Quadrant Court), Lesley Sheridan (Jubilee High School), Sheila Jethwa and Jackie Jones (Blenheim School), Sue Nash (Woodlands School).

12) Individual workplace issues were discussed at each venue.

24