Summary Minutes of Branch Meeting 260326

The March branch meeting of GMB Northants Community Branch (C51) took place on Thursday the 26th March 2026 at 7pm on Zoom.

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​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 March Summary Minutes are here 

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GMB Northants Community Branch
Summary Branch Minutes 26th MARCH 2026

1. Apologies

• Attendance and apologies were noted.

 
2. Minutes of Previous Meeting (26th February 2026)

• Minutes were confirmed as a true and accurate record.
• Proposed/accepted by members present.

3. Matters Arising

• No specific matters arising were raised beyond items covered later in the agenda.

4. Correspondence
Reported by Alan Irwin:

• Updates from Rachelle regarding:
  • Accompanying reps
  • Ongoing training programmes
• Correspondence with the Retired Members Association (concerns noted).
• Information received on Civil Service pensions.
• Multiple TUC webinars available for members.
• High volume of member casework:
  • Disciplinaries and individual support ongoing
• Continued issues due to lack of full-time officer resource.
• Growing membership and activity at St Andrews (over 200 members, no recognition agreement).
• Regional updates and:
  • Chainmakers event (via Richard Taylor)
  • Banner Theatre productions
• Introduction of referrals to Midland Casework (follow-up required due to delays).
• Acknowledgement given to Adrian for website updates.
• Ongoing communications:
  • GMB Education (mental health, first aid courses)
  • Labour Party (Corby & Kettering)
  • North Northamptonshire Council

5. Secretary’s Report
Presented by Alan Irwin:
Workers Memorial Day

• Significant issues with North Northamptonshire Council:
  • Repeated lack of response to requests to use council chamber
  • Final refusal issued with no clear justification
• Decision taken:
  • Event to proceed outdoors (as in previous years)
  • Location: Steelworkers statue
• Concerns raised about treatment of the union and wider access issues affecting Labour groups.

St Andrews Workplace

• Situation described as worsening:
  • Increasing number of anxious members
  • Rising casework pressures
• Concern expressed that:
  • Without additional resources, workload may become unmanageable

6. Financial Report
Presented by Alan Irwin:

• Report accepted by members.

7. Special Speaker – Lee Barron MP
Lee Barron MP addressed the meeting, covering:
Trade Union Representation

• Commitment to representing working people in Parliament
• Active engagement with unions at both national and local levels

Workers Memorial Day

• Strong support expressed
• Ongoing discussions with family of a recently deceased worker (“Kenny”)
• Intention to:
  • Commemorate at event
  • Raise in Parliament (potential PMQs)
  • Invite family to attend

Employment Rights

• Support for strengthening Employment Rights Act
• Opposition parties noted as seeking repeal
• Continued campaigning for worker protections

Local Government Issues

• Criticism of North Northamptonshire Council:
  • School transport policy
  • Failure to spend Section 106 funds (~£75m)
• Plans to hold council accountable

Political Landscape

• Concern over rise of Reform Party in local elections
• Acknowledgement of:
  • Labour communication challenges
  • Need to improve public messaging

AI and Workers’ Rights

• Work underway to establish a Workers’ Charter on AI
• Focus on:
  • Protecting intellectual property
  • Preventing exploitation of workers’ content

Additional Points Raised During Q&A

• Continued support for WASPI women
• Environmental concerns in Corby (ongoing engagement with affected families)
• Support for:
  • Votes at 16
  • Assisted dying legislation (subject to parliamentary process)
• Concerns regarding proportional representation (balanced view expressed)

Member Questions & Discussion Highlights
Key topics raised:

• WASPI campaign support
• Environmental and public health concerns (Corby contamination)
• Impact of global conflict
• AI risks and regulation
• Electoral reform
• Section 106 funding delays
• Voting age reform
• Assisted dying
• Pride in Place funding:
  • £20m over 10 years (from 2027)
  • Push for earlier release of funds
  • Commitment to community-led decision making

8. Any Other Business

• No additional items formally recorded.

9. Date of Next Meeting

• To be confirmed.

Thursday 30th April 2026 (via Zoom).

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