13th June 2001 @ The Lodge, Hartismere Hospital, Castleton Way. Eye

Attendance: Jane Sutton (Chair) Philip Bloyce, Jackie Taylor, Ian Talbot, Paul Taylor

Apologies: Julie Harrison, Richard Cable, Andy Willcox, Ray Hill

Minutes of the last meeting were not available on the day

1.   Branch Accounts

Ian Talbot has now passed the Branch accounts over to Mervyn Scourfield-Thomas (New Branch Treasurer). The old East Suffolk & Ipswich Branch account with Unity Bank will be changed to the Branch name, Suffolk HealthCare.                   Action: The agreed signatories for the new account are:                                                                                                 Mervyn Scourfield -Thomas / Ian Talbot / Gordon Morris / Philip Bloyce / Jane Sutton / Ray Hill

The current balance is approx. £600.00 but problems continue for the Branch (Rule G7) with Head Office not accepting the books despite apparent clearance by the auditors.                                                                                                          Action: Ian to contact UNISON in London to try and reach an agreement. If this is unsuccessful, Mervyn Scourfield-Thomas will be instructed to pursue the case further. A former Treasurer and account holder for Allington Community Branch has not yet made contact and signed off the old but active account with Lloyds Bank (approx. £10,500) despite reminders.           The future: The Branch accounts will be presented after Christmas each year to meet UNISON’s timetable.             Immediate action: Aim for the accounts to be in order within 6 weeks time.                                                               Secondary action: To open a special UNISON Capital account with the Britannia Building Society and the current account with Unity Bank to be amended to the new Branch name. MST to be invited to attend the September’s Branch meeting and thereafter at least twice a year.

2.  Organise 2001

Ian and Philip have met with Geoff Reason SRO to discuss a plan for this years objective to recruit 2001 members. That would be an increase of the current membership by just under 400 additional new members. To help achieve the new target, the Branch will in addition need to recruit more representatives particularly in Primary Care with the aim to have a co coordinator active in each PCT.

The Road Shows will cover the following areas:

North             June 26^th  > postponed                       Coastal          June 27^th  > postponed
Central          July 17th                                              West             July 20th
Ipswich         July23rd

It is planed to visit several various sites with recruitment material. Geoff Reason will be sorting out the exact itineraries for each area.

3.   Access to Training

Concerns expressed by Jackie regarding member’s access to NVQ training within LHP.

Action: To advise members having difficulties accessing courses to discuss problem with service managers, as they are the ones who hold the budgets not the training department. Philip to check the minutes of meeting when the Trust’s current approach to NVQ was discussed.                                                                                                                                     Current situation: Denise Needle (Head of LHP training dept) is apparently leaving the Trust in August. However, she will be invited to a staff group meeting before she leaves to discuss the way forward.

4.   Sleep-ins

Members working within learning disabilities continue to express concerns regarding payment for sleep-in duties. The alternatives to sleep-ins have been discussed but these have considerable financial implications to the Trust. The Working Time Regulations Audit will hopefully highlight the present situation.

5.   Branch Campaign

 Agreed to continue the Branch Health and Safety Campaign.

Meeting closed at 16:45

Next Branch meeting will start at 15:00 on 11^th July 2001 @ The Lodge. Hartismere Hospital, Castleton Way. Eye.

JS 130601