Summary of Branch Meeting 311024

The October branch meeting of GMB Northants Community Branch (C51) took place on Thursday the 31st October 2024 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 October Summary Minutes are also here

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Summary Minutes of the Branch Meeting held on 31st October 2024

Matters Arising

Secretary reported on ‘issues’ in trying to make a payment to Ukraine Firefighters.  The Just Given platform was closed.    Refer to Secretary’s report.

Correspondence.

• Kettering CLP – several emails over the course of the month.
• Members requesting support, guidance, and representation – quite a high volume.
• Adele Atkis – Regional Committee mins.
• East Midlands LP – updates – several emails over the course of the month.
• 38 Degrees – several emails on campaigning issues, national and international.
• Neil – request for GMB merchandise. To be delivered!
• Nicaragua – regular updates via email.
• Pride 2025 – request for sponsorship. Decision deferred until branch reach a decision on future funding requests.
• Adele Atkiss – CEC minutes.
• Pellecraft – request for funding.  No further action.
• Requests to join the WhatsApp group.
• KCLP – call for support for canvassing.
• Wortley Hall – Xmas dinner.
• Adrian – website inclusions.
• Gordon – audit.
• Regional Retired Members Association.
• Martin Allen – Vacancies in the GMB.
• Kate Casewell – branch expenses.
• Food banks – reports.  Refer to Secretary reports.
• Ian Cameron – call for candidates.
• Neil – workplace report, via email.
• Reports from officers. 
• Retired Members Association – Regional.
• Gordon – DEC Middle East.  Decision to be taken on agenda item – future branch funding.
• Adele Atkiss – Regional EC mins.

Secretary’s Report

• Update on food banks activity.  It is notable that many of the food banks have extended the remit of their activity to include supporting the homeless.  Obviously, this stretches resources significantly and they welcome the support given by the branch. 
• Retired members Association.  Secretary reported that he is the newly elected Regional Secretary for this association and will be reporting back on activity in future branch meetings.
• Ukraine Firefighters – problems with using ‘Just Giving’. Further discussion, re. funding.
• Regional Council Elections – nominations:
• Jackie – Reserved Women’s Section – Proposed, Ray, Seconded, Maggie.
• Pat – Public Sector – Proposed, Maggie, Seconded, Ray.
• Verena – Youth Section, Proposed, Adrian, Seconded, Ray

Future Branch Funding
Decisions taken on future funding: 

• After a lengthy discussion it was agreed that the following banding for funding for the foreseeable would be:
• Membership Hardship - £xxx
• Disaster Crisis requests - £xxx
• Industrial Action (members support) - £xxx.
• All requests coming into the branch will be considered, as per usual business.  The above decision will act as a guide.
• With regard to recent requests, namely Ukraine Fire Fighters – Maggie suggested to contact local Brigades, as they have been supporting the Ukraine conflict.  Secretary to follow up. 
• Gordons proposal for funding for DEC Middle East (Gaza) – Agreed £xxx.

Presidents Report:
Jackie reported on the Regional Council meeting – 23rd October 2024.  Jackie commented on real progress on operational issues within the council which she was pleased about.  

Item report:

• Branch Development Plans – rulebook (2025) change to include retired members in future branch development plans.  
• Concern was raised that some branches were not doing development plans. 
• Jackie proposed that the President and the Equalities Officer should be included in the Branch Development Plan going forwarded.  The secretary reported that he has worked very closely with Rachelle in the yearly development plan but agreed that it should and could be more inclusive next year.  Secretary to put into action.
• Motor Drivers fund benefit – support for private and professional drivers.  Jackie expressed that the fund should be more accessible and better highlighted on the union’s website.
• Retired members – very little information on members who have ‘passed’ (deceased).  That information needs to be forthcoming to the branch in order to claim funeral benefits.  Jackie spoke very passionately about the way retired members are treated.  “More needs to be done”.  Adrian reported that we have 260 members over the age of 65 in the branch.  
• GMB Protect – presentation from Dan Harrison UIV.  Making new members aware of union benefits and directly engage with members.  Apparently, very successful with other unions and should be introduced in this region next year on a trial run for 6 months.  
• Discussion on a recent dismissal of a Branch Secretary.  Case was taken to an ET for unfair dismissal.  Questions raised as to the employment status of branch secretaries.
• Written reports – discussion on the cost of strikes and how expensive they are to the union.  
• Legal report – long debate on Unionline having failed members.  Less involvement of branch secretaries has not been beneficial to members or the branch.  “There needs to be more involvement of branch officials going forward”.
• Maggie agreed with the comments made from the report, “which is why we need to have Unionline along to the branch”.  

Digital Communication Officer

• Website activity (GA4) for last 30 days: we had 201 (+16) website visits (sessions) by 179 (+22) people (users)
• News Items Added to Website:
• Summary of Branch Meeting 260924 October 2024 GMB Northants Branch Meeting
• WhatsApp Group has 42 (+2) members
• The October Email Newsletter was sent out on Thursday 24th October 2024 to 1,634 members (October members list) and has been opened by 753 members, a 46.3% opening rate
• X / Twitter: 814 Followers.
• Facebook: 410 Followers. Last 28 days: Posts Seen (reach) 18 (-85.6%)
• ZOOM: The annual plan was renewed on 19th October. Renewal cost £xxxxx inc vat.

Accompanying Reps Report (ARs) 

• Alan reported being busy, receiving representation requests from members directly and from regional office and Rachelle.
• He also reported the desperate situations some members find themselves when in conflict with their employers and how important it is to listen and support them in dealing with issues they face in the workplace.   

Workplace Report
Apologies received.  The secretary reported on a written report from Neil around recruitment and health and safety at his place of work.  

Any Other Business

• Maggie reported on work with the constituency Labour Party. By election result.  Tory win!  Looking for candidates for next year’s NCC election.
• Rajko – asked about Adrian’s workload.   He was informed that this matter had been dealt with

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