RCN NORTHUMBERLAND TYNE AND WEAR BRANCH
MINUTES
The Branch meeting held on the 27 January 2015 at the Northern Regional Office
ATTENDANCE
Sarah Eardley
Susan Johnson
Sarah Embleton
Denise McLaughlin
Sarah Gardiner
Lee Ranyard
Shona Gray
Lorraine Snoddon
Mark Goodall
Mark Tull
Cath Heslop
Michael White
Emma Hogben
SECRETARY TO THE BRANCH
Jan Weightman
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Richard Atkinson
Carol Lancaster
Jane Bendelow
Grace Onuoha
Jane Black
Brian Robinson
William Corulla
Christine Straughan
Nigel Denyer
Christopher Wakeman
Mary Douthwaite
Ken Wright
Jane Hamilton
Paul Young
1
Judith Hunter
Ann Mott
Stephen Hyde
Kath McCourt
Pat Bottrill
ITEM
SUBJECT
page
01/2015
Welcome, Introductions and Apologies
02/2015
Notes from the previous meeting
03/2015
Matters arising from the previous meeting
04/2015
Recruitment
05/2015
Treasurer’s Report
06/2015
Branch Action Plan
07/2015
Reporting on Casework
08/2015
Feedback on Mentorship Programme
09/2015
Future Activists Programme
10/2015
Congress 2015
11/2015
Board papers
12/2015
Date and time of Next Meeting
13/2015
Any other business
2
01/2015
Welcome, introductions and apologies
1.1
Denise welcomed everyone to the Branch Meeting
Apologies noted
Meeting was quorate
02/2015
Notes of previous meeting
2.1
Northumberland Tyne and Wear: The notes of the previous meeting were
accepted as a true and accurate record.
03/2015
Matters Arising from the previous notes
3.1
Denise reported that she had raised the Safer Sharps issue at the Safety
Reps Committee meeting and that this is a National problem which is
being looked into.
3
04/2015
Recruitment
4.1
Membership Stats were circulated and Greg reported that the figures had
slightly decreased but retention is an issue and recruitment opportunities
remain a challenge.
4.2
HCA Membership is still lower than the Branch would like and it was
agreed that this would be addressed during the coming year.
4.3
4.4
Fresher’s at the University of Northumbria will be on the 24th and 25th
March 2015 Colette will email details to the reps. Lin asked the reps to
make every effort to attend as Unison have a huge presence at these
events
Lin reported that she and Jane had done a walk about in Wansbeck which
was very beneficial and raised the profile. Reps were asked about the
possibility of having similar within their trusts but the majority felt that the
low key approach worked better.
05/2015
Treasurers Report
5.1
Branch members were informed of the amount of monies in the Branch bank
account for 2015.
5.2
The Branch is interested in using some of the historic funds to purchase
recruitment materials and also to look at assisting with the cost of
attendance at Congress.
4
06/2015
Branch Action Plan
6.1
Denise reported on the action plan. “Achieve to have updated Recognition
Agreements with appropriate facilities agreements also under this section of
the plan the What if Campaign has been added. Within the Facilities
Agreement it was discussed that Reps should approach Trusts about
access to the Union Offices as Unison seem to dominate the space
provided. “
6.2
Denise will send Colette a copy to forward to the Branch
07/2015
Reporting on Casework
7.1
8 new cases had been opened since the last Branch Meeting.
7.2
Greg reminded activists to put cases on the portal to reflect the work that
they do within the Trusts. Mark reported that Sickness cases with NTW
are really high at this time, and Trusts are really taking a stern approach to
sickness absence.
5
08/2015
Feedback on Mentorship Programme
8.1
Colette reported that appointments were being made and all reps were
compliant and engaging with mentorship.
8.2
It was acknowledged that work pressures did sometimes make it difficult
to attend these meetings.
09/2015
Future Activists Programme
9.1
CLD future course dates for 2015 were given to the branch. Denise
reported that the guidance for this will be changing this year.
10/2015
Congress 2015
10.1
Denise reported that to date she had received no expressions of interest
for Congress and asked the branch who wished to attend.
Those wishing to attend are: Attendees: Emma Hogben, Mark Goodall,
Lee Ranyard, Sarah Embleton, Pat Bottrill, Ann Mott, Shona Gray, Kath
Heslop and Sue Johnson. It was agreed that Colette would email the
branch for any further requests to attend from members who were not
present.
10.2
Colette reported to the branch that the Hotel was once again being booked
centrally and the hotel is the Durley Dean Hotel. Also this year the
cancellation charges are extremely high so can the branch bear this in
mind when booking places.
6
11/2015
Board Papers
11.1
Michael reported on this last board meeting and asked if any members
wished him to raise anything at the next meeting to contact him directly.
The next meeting is the 11th February 2015.
12/2015
Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting will be on the 5th May 2015 starting at 10.00am.
Colette raised that the meeting may have to be held at an external venue
due to numbers. Sue Johnson agreed to source a room at Northumbria
Trust, Cobalt. Colette will confirm this nearer the time.
13/2015
Any other business
Nothing to report
7
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