Summary of Branch Meeting 240425

22/5/2025

The April branch meeting of GMB Northants Community Branch (C51) took place on Thursday the 24th April 2025 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 April Summary Minutes are here

GMB Northants Community Branch
Summary Minutes 24th April 2025

Correspondence.

Labour Party – local election correspondence.
Members, contacts made to members, via emails, phone @ 24.
Adrian – website inclusions.
Kettering Home Start – Annual Review 11th July 2025
May Day Event – Regional activity.
Neil – podcasting and you tube video proposal – Secretary’s report.
Rachelle – Women’s Chainmakers .Festival – 28th June 2025
Nicaragua update.
Education – H&S, Stage 1 15th April 2025.
WASPI – receipt for donation.
Sarah James – Skegness Carnival invite.
Regional Committee Minutes. – Jackie to report.
Pellecraft – receipt for Neil’s jacket.
Adele Atkiss – Regional function at Congress 2025.
Region – The Planks Gave Way. Workers Memorial Day.
Rachelle – new Rep.

Branch Secretary’s Report

Meeting with Neil and Abi. Future branch work.
Canvassing – Local elections.
Corby The Wasted Years – update.
Rayko update.
Future of education in the branch.
Jackie endorsed the need for the branch to focus and promote education and training going forward.
Pat expressed her experiences from work and the importance of education and training within the branch and in particular more women as H&S reps.
Neil entered the debate from his experience in the workplace and going on courses and his Stage 2 current studies.

Excellent passionate and interesting debate!

Branch Elections , June 2025.
Reminder of elections in June. Officers always available to talk to any potential candidates as agreed by the branch.

Presidents Report:

Jackie explained that she has been very busy campaigning as a candidate in the forthcoming elections. The branch wished Pat every success on May1st.
Will be attending the Regional Council meeting on the 21st May.

Digital Communication Office
Jackie presented Adrian’s report in his absence.

Website activity (GA4) for last 30 days: we had 196 (-5) website visits (sessions) by 146 (-18) people (users)
News Items Added to Website:

WhatsApp Group has 49 (+0) members
The April Email Newsletter was sent out on Saturday 19th April March to 1,707 members (April members list) and has been opened by 753 members, a 44% opening rate
X / Twitter: 790 (+0) Followers.
Facebook: 460 (+5) Followers. Last 28 days: Posts Views 528 (+2%) seen (reach) by 86 (-25%) people.

Equality Officers Report

WASPI – Pat again expressed her thanks for the branch donation and reminded people that she has been giving frequent updates on WhatsApp group for which she was thanked. Video will be available on the website of Pat addressing WASPI in Leicester.
Pat will address Congress 25 on retired members, Motion 24. Not sure at this stage what date. Pat to report back to the branch after Congress. Pat told the branch that there is “a groundswell of support” for retired members to be better recognised in the union.

Youth Officers Report

Verena had tended her apologies. The branch secretary reported to the branch that following the Zoom meeting we had discussed how we might make contact with younger members and suggested we have a presence at local/regional events where young people gather. This is something the branch is looking at going forward. Secretary to report at future meetings.
Pat reported that LGBT information will filter through very soon about local events.
Neil told the branch that he and Abi had done surveys in the workplace and that members are interested in the work we do outside of branch business and we need to do more videos to promote and encourage that interest. This will also get us more views on the website once posted.

Accompanying Reps Report (ARs)

Alan reported he’s been very busy, as usual with advice to members and physical representations. However, he reported that his focus has been diverted towards the local elections as a candidate but expects to be very busy after May1st.
The Secretary reported that we are getting a steady flow of contacts direct from members looking for advice.
Quite a bit of activity from xxx. Have been discussing this with Rachelle and we both agree that it would support us greatly to have a workplace Rep. in xxx. Jackie suggested that we contact Rachelle to propose a visit to the workplace. Secretary to report back to the branch.

Workplace Report

Neil gave a full and comprehensive report from his workplace, on behalf of Abi and himself.
He reported on some of the cases (confidential) he has been dealing with and the outcomes.
Neil reported on recent recruitment drives and thanked Abi for the support he has received from her.
Suggested possible surgeries to meet members going forward.
Report on meetings with senior management.
Report on H&S issues – PPE etc…
Neil and Abi were again thanked for their continued work in the workplace.
Sterling raised a question about an issue that has occurred in his workplace which we debated and offered advice on to assist him. Neil was able to refer to a similar case from his workplace, re. a monitoring policy. Sterling was advised to be vigilant with any new measures being put in place in the workplace and seek advice and guidance when necessary from branch officers.

Any Other Business
None.

Date and Time of Next Meeting
29th May 2025– Zoom.

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