The May branch meeting of GMB Northants Community Branch (C51) took place on Thursday the 28th May 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 May Summary Minutes are here
Branch Summary Minutes 28th May 2026
1. Apologies
2. Minutes of Previous Meeting – 30 April 2026
The minutes of the previous branch meeting were accepted as a true and accurate record.
3. Matters Arising
No additional matters arising were raised outside items already included on the agenda.
4. Correspondence – Alan
Alan Irwin reported on recent correspondence received, including:
5. Secretary’s Report – Alan
St Andrews Update
Alan reported following a recent visit to St Andrews
Honorarium Payments
Alan advised that honorarium payments had not been processed this quarter due to an administrative issue at regional level.
Regional officials had apologised
Members discussed the financial and tax implications of processing payments directly through the branch and it was agreed that the matter would continue to be handled through the region.
It was confirmed that payments were expected to be corrected in August.
Retired Members Association
Alan and Pat attended the recent Retired Members Association meeting.
Strong concerns were raised around retired member activity and engagement within the union.
Casework
Alan updated members on a complex case he is currently involved with.
Discussion took place regarding increasing legal complexity in workplace representation, including the use of employment tribunal specialists by employers.
Concerns were raised regarding the level of support available to accompanying representatives dealing with increasingly complex employment matters.
Highland Gathering
The branch discussed a request for financial support towards the Corby Highland Gathering following reports that North Northamptonshire Council was unwilling to fully support the event.
Members acknowledged the cultural importance of the event and discussed possible support options.
6. Financial Report – Alan
Alan presented the financial report.
The financial report was accepted.
7. President’s Report – Jackie
No report was received due to Jackie’s absence.
8. Digital Communications Officer Report – Adrian
Adrian reported:
9. Equality Officer’s Report – Pat
Discussion took place regarding Pride events and branch involvement.
Members considered the costs associated with having an official branch stall at Corby Pride.
It was agreed that while branch representation and attendance remained important, the financial costs requested for a formal stall were currently too high for the branch to commit to.
The possibility of making a financial donation instead was discussed.
10. Youth Officer’s Report – Verena
No report was received.
11. Regional Organiser’s Report
Discussion was incorporated within the Secretary’s report
12. Accompanying Reps Report
Alan reported continuing high levels of representation work across the branch.
Discussion focused on:
13. Health & Safety and Education Report – Neil
Neil reported positive feedback from the Hazards Campaign regarding branch-produced health and safety videos.
The branch’s workplace violence and abuse video had been requested for screening at the Hazards Conference.
Neil had also been invited to potentially participate on a conference panel, subject to branch approval.
Members welcomed the recognition being received nationally for the branch’s campaigning and media work.
14. Workplace Reports
Members discussed:
15. Political Reports –Ross, Maggie
Political discussion included:
16. Any Other Business
Members discussed the importance of maintaining strong branch organisation, experience and activism within the union.
Thanks were expressed to all branch officers, activists and representatives for their continued work and commitment.
17. Date of Next Meeting
The date of the next branch meeting is Wednesday the 24th June 2026 at 7pm on Zoom.
Meeting Closed
2. Minutes of Previous Meeting – 30 April 2026
The minutes of the previous branch meeting were accepted as a true and accurate record.
3. Matters Arising
No additional matters arising were raised outside items already included on the agenda.
4. Correspondence – Alan
Alan Irwin reported on recent correspondence received, including:
- Member enquiries and ongoing casework.
- Banner Theatre productions focusing on climate justice.
- TUC AI forums and events supported by GMB.
- Labour Party summer campaigning events.
- Regional vacancies and Wortley Hall updates.
- Visitor tickets for GMB Congress in Blackpool.
- Expenses correspondence.
- Membership and branch data updates from region.
- Homestart AGM events in Kettering and Corby.
- TUC webinars and workplace events.
5. Secretary’s Report – Alan
St Andrews Update
Alan reported following a recent visit to St Andrews
Honorarium Payments
Alan advised that honorarium payments had not been processed this quarter due to an administrative issue at regional level.
Regional officials had apologised
Members discussed the financial and tax implications of processing payments directly through the branch and it was agreed that the matter would continue to be handled through the region.
It was confirmed that payments were expected to be corrected in August.
Retired Members Association
Alan and Pat attended the recent Retired Members Association meeting.
Strong concerns were raised around retired member activity and engagement within the union.
Casework
Alan updated members on a complex case he is currently involved with.
Discussion took place regarding increasing legal complexity in workplace representation, including the use of employment tribunal specialists by employers.
Concerns were raised regarding the level of support available to accompanying representatives dealing with increasingly complex employment matters.
Highland Gathering
The branch discussed a request for financial support towards the Corby Highland Gathering following reports that North Northamptonshire Council was unwilling to fully support the event.
Members acknowledged the cultural importance of the event and discussed possible support options.
6. Financial Report – Alan
Alan presented the financial report.
The financial report was accepted.
7. President’s Report – Jackie
No report was received due to Jackie’s absence.
8. Digital Communications Officer Report – Adrian
Adrian reported:
- Website activity recorded 430 visits from 392 users during the month.
- News items, branch minutes and agenda updates had been added to the website.
- Neil’s YouTube videos had been promoted across branch channels.
- The WhatsApp group membership had increased to 51 members.
- The branch newsletter had been distributed to 1,816 members.
- The newsletter achieved approximately 454 opens, representing a 25% open rate.
- YouTube engagement continued to increase, with the workplace violence and abuse video receiving strong viewing figures.
9. Equality Officer’s Report – Pat
Discussion took place regarding Pride events and branch involvement.
Members considered the costs associated with having an official branch stall at Corby Pride.
It was agreed that while branch representation and attendance remained important, the financial costs requested for a formal stall were currently too high for the branch to commit to.
The possibility of making a financial donation instead was discussed.
10. Youth Officer’s Report – Verena
No report was received.
11. Regional Organiser’s Report
Discussion was incorporated within the Secretary’s report
12. Accompanying Reps Report
Alan reported continuing high levels of representation work across the branch.
Discussion focused on:
- Increasingly complex employment disputes.
- Pressure on branch representatives.
- The importance of experienced branch activists supporting newer representatives.
13. Health & Safety and Education Report – Neil
Neil reported positive feedback from the Hazards Campaign regarding branch-produced health and safety videos.
The branch’s workplace violence and abuse video had been requested for screening at the Hazards Conference.
Neil had also been invited to potentially participate on a conference panel, subject to branch approval.
Members welcomed the recognition being received nationally for the branch’s campaigning and media work.
14. Workplace Reports
Members discussed:
- Ongoing workplace pressures.
- The increasing demand for union representation.
- Concerns regarding employer approaches to disciplinary and grievance procedures.
- The continuing importance of workplace organising and recruitment.
15. Political Reports –Ross, Maggie
Political discussion included:
- Local Labour Party events and campaigning.
- Community engagement activities.
- Concerns regarding Reform UK influence within local government.
- Broader political issues affecting trade unions and public services.
16. Any Other Business
Members discussed the importance of maintaining strong branch organisation, experience and activism within the union.
Thanks were expressed to all branch officers, activists and representatives for their continued work and commitment.
17. Date of Next Meeting
The date of the next branch meeting is Wednesday the 24th June 2026 at 7pm on Zoom.
Meeting Closed
| summary_minutes_280526.pdf |
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