The February branch meeting of GMB Northants Community Branch (C51) took place on Thursday the 26th February 2026 at 7pm on Zoom
Below are the summary minutes of the meeting. A full copy of the minutes are circulated to attendees and available on request from the branch secretary
A PDF file copy of the February Summary Minutes are here
GMB Northants Community Branch
Summary Branch Minutes 26th February 2026
Minutes of the Previous Meeting (29 January 2026)
The minutes of the previous branch meeting were circulated prior to the meeting.
Decision:
The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
Matters Arising
No additional matters arising were raised that were not covered elsewhere on the agenda.
Correspondence
The Branch Secretary reported that a significant amount of correspondence had been received since the previous meeting.
Key items included:
• Communications from various Labour Party constituency organisations across the region.
• Information regarding East Midlands Labour Party conferences, including events discussing the Living Wage.
• A request for support from Corby Pride organisers.
• Updates relating to the Employment Rights Bill and trade union matters circulated by regional officials.
• Information regarding Health and Safety Forum meetings scheduled for March.
• Communications relating to GMB vacancies and trade union educational opportunities.
• Notification of the Chainmakers Festival scheduled for 27 June.
• Invitations and updates relating to Wortley Hall events and trade union cultural activities.
The branch also received a letter from a member thanking the union for support provided in a workplace matter.
Funding Request
A request for financial support was received from Corby Pride, with organisers seeking sponsorship funding.
Proposal:
The branch provide £200 financial support to Corby Pride.
Proposed: Alan
Seconded: Neil
Decision:
The motion was carried.
Secretary’s Report
The Branch Secretary provided updates on several key issues.
Workers Memorial Day 2026
• Ongoing discussions have been taking place with local council representatives regarding arrangements.
• Confirmation for the event has been requested in writing from the council.
• Preparations for a theatrical performance linked to the event are continuing, including discussions with the production team and cast.
• The local MP has indicated an interest in attending and speaking.
General Secretary Election
Members discussed the upcoming GMB General Secretary election.
• Currently there appears to be only one candidate who has passed the formal nomination process.
• Two other applicants reportedly appealed decisions not to proceed but were unsuccessful.
• Members expressed concern that there is only one candidate in such a large union, and that a broader democratic contest would be preferable.
Discussion took place regarding whether the branch should nominate the candidate.
Decision:
The branch will review the correspondence and consider the matter further, with a possible decision to be taken at the March meeting.
Retired Members
Concerns were raised regarding retired members being removed from membership lists due to non-payment of the new retired member contribution (£13.10).
Issues discussed included:
• Some long-standing members being advised they were no longer members when attempting to pay their contribution.
• Reports suggesting this issue is occurring nationally across the union.
• The Branch Secretary had contacted the membership department to resolve specific cases.
Members were encouraged to remind retired members to ensure their membership is maintained.
The matter will be raised at the upcoming Retired Members Meeting in Leicester.
Union Line / PM Law
Members were informed that the law firm PM Law, linked to union legal services, had reportedly entered bankruptcy.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available
Digital Communications Officer Report
a) Website activity (GA4) for last 30 days: we had 1,053 (-83) website visits (sessions) by 1,012 (-83) people (users)
b) News Items Added to Website: A DISGRACEFUL BETRAYAL OF WASPI WOMEN , GMB Northants Retired members , Midlands Pride Events 2026 , Summary Minutes of Branch Meeting 290126 , February 2026 GMB Northants Branch Meeting
c) The Retired Members Email Newsletter was sent out on Friday 20th February to 97 members (October members list) and has been opened by 29 members, a 30% opening rate
d) The February Email Newsletter was sent out on Saturday 21st February to 1797 members (December members list) and has been opened by 478 members, a 26.7% opening rate
e) X / Twitter: 793 (+0) Followers. Facebook: 512 (-1) Followers. Last 28 days: Posts Views 275 (+120%) seen (reach) by 69 (+130%) people. . YouTube: 58 (+0) Subscribers. Last 28 days- views: 36 (-25)
Equality Officer’s Report
Members discussed attendance at the Regional Equalities Conference.
It was noted that retired members currently do not have representation within that conference structure.
The matter may be raised at regional level.
Regional Organiser’s Report
Updates were provided regarding national union matters, including the General Secretary election and developments affecting union services.
Health & Safety and Education Report
Members were reminded of an upcoming Health and Safety Forum meeting scheduled for March.
Political Reports
Updates included:
• Political engagement with local Labour Party organisations.
• Campaign activities and conferences across the region.
Any Other Business
The following matters were raised:
• The branch will promote the attendance of a guest speaker at the March meeting.
• Members discussed broader concerns about democratic engagement within the union.
Date of Next Meeting
Thursday 26 March 2026 (via Zoom).
The minutes of the previous branch meeting were circulated prior to the meeting.
Decision:
The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
Matters Arising
No additional matters arising were raised that were not covered elsewhere on the agenda.
Correspondence
The Branch Secretary reported that a significant amount of correspondence had been received since the previous meeting.
Key items included:
• Communications from various Labour Party constituency organisations across the region.
• Information regarding East Midlands Labour Party conferences, including events discussing the Living Wage.
• A request for support from Corby Pride organisers.
• Updates relating to the Employment Rights Bill and trade union matters circulated by regional officials.
• Information regarding Health and Safety Forum meetings scheduled for March.
• Communications relating to GMB vacancies and trade union educational opportunities.
• Notification of the Chainmakers Festival scheduled for 27 June.
• Invitations and updates relating to Wortley Hall events and trade union cultural activities.
The branch also received a letter from a member thanking the union for support provided in a workplace matter.
Funding Request
A request for financial support was received from Corby Pride, with organisers seeking sponsorship funding.
Proposal:
The branch provide £200 financial support to Corby Pride.
Proposed: Alan
Seconded: Neil
Decision:
The motion was carried.
Secretary’s Report
The Branch Secretary provided updates on several key issues.
Workers Memorial Day 2026
• Ongoing discussions have been taking place with local council representatives regarding arrangements.
• Confirmation for the event has been requested in writing from the council.
• Preparations for a theatrical performance linked to the event are continuing, including discussions with the production team and cast.
• The local MP has indicated an interest in attending and speaking.
General Secretary Election
Members discussed the upcoming GMB General Secretary election.
• Currently there appears to be only one candidate who has passed the formal nomination process.
• Two other applicants reportedly appealed decisions not to proceed but were unsuccessful.
• Members expressed concern that there is only one candidate in such a large union, and that a broader democratic contest would be preferable.
Discussion took place regarding whether the branch should nominate the candidate.
Decision:
The branch will review the correspondence and consider the matter further, with a possible decision to be taken at the March meeting.
Retired Members
Concerns were raised regarding retired members being removed from membership lists due to non-payment of the new retired member contribution (£13.10).
Issues discussed included:
• Some long-standing members being advised they were no longer members when attempting to pay their contribution.
• Reports suggesting this issue is occurring nationally across the union.
• The Branch Secretary had contacted the membership department to resolve specific cases.
Members were encouraged to remind retired members to ensure their membership is maintained.
The matter will be raised at the upcoming Retired Members Meeting in Leicester.
Union Line / PM Law
Members were informed that the law firm PM Law, linked to union legal services, had reportedly entered bankruptcy.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available
Digital Communications Officer Report
a) Website activity (GA4) for last 30 days: we had 1,053 (-83) website visits (sessions) by 1,012 (-83) people (users)
b) News Items Added to Website: A DISGRACEFUL BETRAYAL OF WASPI WOMEN , GMB Northants Retired members , Midlands Pride Events 2026 , Summary Minutes of Branch Meeting 290126 , February 2026 GMB Northants Branch Meeting
c) The Retired Members Email Newsletter was sent out on Friday 20th February to 97 members (October members list) and has been opened by 29 members, a 30% opening rate
d) The February Email Newsletter was sent out on Saturday 21st February to 1797 members (December members list) and has been opened by 478 members, a 26.7% opening rate
e) X / Twitter: 793 (+0) Followers. Facebook: 512 (-1) Followers. Last 28 days: Posts Views 275 (+120%) seen (reach) by 69 (+130%) people. . YouTube: 58 (+0) Subscribers. Last 28 days- views: 36 (-25)
Equality Officer’s Report
Members discussed attendance at the Regional Equalities Conference.
It was noted that retired members currently do not have representation within that conference structure.
The matter may be raised at regional level.
Regional Organiser’s Report
Updates were provided regarding national union matters, including the General Secretary election and developments affecting union services.
Health & Safety and Education Report
Members were reminded of an upcoming Health and Safety Forum meeting scheduled for March.
Political Reports
Updates included:
• Political engagement with local Labour Party organisations.
• Campaign activities and conferences across the region.
Any Other Business
The following matters were raised:
• The branch will promote the attendance of a guest speaker at the March meeting.
• Members discussed broader concerns about democratic engagement within the union.
Date of Next Meeting
Thursday 26 March 2026 (via Zoom).
| summary_branch_minutes_260226.pdf |
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