Tuesday 15th May at 2pm,
Monet Room, Suffolk House, St Clements Hospital, Ipswich

Present: Philip Bloyce, Steve Cook, Ian Talbot and Annette Petty (Notes)

Apologies: Yvonne Cleary, Ray Hill

Philip welcomed Debby Thornton who was nominated earlier and ratified during the meeting. Annette will be notifying Suffolk PCT HR and UNISON. Constituency areas to be covered and confirmed at a later date. Brief discussion with Philip and Ian about the branch including explaining meetings stewards are invited to, branch rules, reps list, expense forms, headed paper, compliment slips, business cards etc. Ian, Philip and Steve to act as mentors for Debby for any concerns, and support she may require.
Philip emailing Staff Side Meeting dates/JSF and Annette to email out Branch Meeting dates/organise Steward Stage 1 and 2 training at Bury St Edmunds/Cambridge - forward branch membership packs/goodies for new joiners.
Ian appointed Jamie Starling returning as Branch Steward (already completed Steward Stage 1 and 2 training) in his absence due to availability for the meeting. Annette will be informing SMHP HR dept and UNISON in due course.

1. Transport Policy
Philip Bloyce and Jan Togher from SMHP HR dept have written a new transport policy together with John Dewar from the Transport dept in Bury St Edmunds. The “Grey Fleet” will be replacing the current 3 rates on offer and no choice in the local policy minimum rate of 50p suggested. Jan suggested lease car rates are increased to 4500 miles from 3500. This is only viable for business only lease vehicles, and it was suggested a tax requirement. More discussions will take place mid June with SMHPT – Philip has lists of the “Grey Fleet” excess mileage/lease cars. The PCT rate is currently 40.5 p per mile up to a maximum of 9,000 miles. The new staff transport policy for SMHP will be issued in due course following approval at JSF and June 5th Staff Group. A protection arrangement has been put into place over lump sums. New legislation applies only if staff use their own vehicles. Philip confirmed Paul Gowen and Tony Buckle, Risk Management are implementing the policy for the PCT.

2. Carbon Footprinting – Recycling
It is common knowledge that some staff cycle into work and others walk. However, the vast majority take the car as public transport often causes difficulties for one reason or another. UNISON would like to know what impact this is having on carbon footprinting and recycling issues are not being dealt with by the Trust. Following discussions it was decided to make July 2007 Branch Campaign awareness month for recycling, a poster will be produced as soon as possible by Ian to raise awareness and use space on the branch H&S website to get members views on this important topic. Ian will contact Sharon Warner, Housekeeping Services, Coburn House to discuss etc.
Action – Ian Talbot

3. Anonymous Joint Staff Side for Trade Unions Questionnaire
Following the large response to the questionnaire from Suffolk NHS staff (over 1000 replies) a page link to the branch website on behalf of Philip has been set up to thank staff for their response and support. The questionnaire results are currently being collated to produce a report for submission to all relevant employers. Once completed and delivered, the results will be published and made available and to all staff accordingly.
Action – Branch Office

4. PCT Funding/ Branch Position Update
Philip will be updating Yvonne at Region regarding Suffolk PCT’s position concerning re-financing and possible re-charging for reps time. Philip has a copy of “Implementing the Central Fund” by the PCT.
Standing Down:
David Edginton stood down last month due to personal reasons as Senior Branch Steward until 2008. A “Thank you” card/gift to be organised for David in due course for all the support he has given to members and the branch office over the years.
Action – Annette
UNISON is under threat:
The core branch structure is currently under threat as SMHP have decided after several years to withdraw it’s support for secondment to the branch secretary. Many concessions have been made over the years to ease financial burden to the Trust and keep NHS expenditure to a minimum including IT costs, office furniture and running costs, stationary, transport, education and even the wage bill. This is not partnership working, but concessionary working practice only.
It is important that this situation is monitored regularly and discussed at Branch Officer Meetings ONLY – with updates to regional office.
Action – branch officers
The branch office has been thinking of ways to put into practice contingency plans should SMHP continue it’s standing to discontinue it’s share funding for 0.6 of a post which is currently taken by the branch secretary, who’s job is now at risk of redundancy. The branch secretary post is full time, but was split into two a few years back to enable functionality and management for working within the PCT, Private and Voluntary health sectors throughout Suffolk. Questions Raised: How will the branch cope? What are the alternatives? Will we have a branch secretary? Is Union Busting being practiced? Will the risk be ongoing? Full time branch officer? It is important and sensible to think of the branch management, facility time etc.

5. SMHPT – Witness Statements
There have been some discrepancies between Robert Nesbitt (SMHP) and branch confidentially regarding witness meetings and statements which are and always have been confidential between our member and the branch officer involved. In addition, any paperwork submitted to the branch is kept in the strictest confidence and remains completely confidential and in compliance under the Data Protection Act. In addition to this and looking deeper into the situation, UNISON’s Regional Office are unsettled that key branch officers are forming part of the investigation teams working alongside the Trust on their behalf as they should be performing in an advisory if and when required capacity only. Ian pointed out that the present arrangements are potentially leaving the branch handicapped due to the shortage of officers trained to deal with support and delivery for disciplinary hearings and grievances. It was also reiterated that if a member chooses not to take or adhere to UNISON advice, then the case will be dropped at the first instance.

6. Education Away Day – 16th July – Recruiting New Members
Ian will forward details to reps in due course at Cambridge Professional Development Centre, to include step building etc.
“Dragons Den” – Branch Development Day – 23rd July. Apologies from Ian Talbot – has emailed Philip, Steve etc to ascertain if someone from the branch can attend.

7. H&S - SMHP
Local Risk Management H&S Group has its next meeting on 16th May. Apologies have already been sent in from Ian as it is not appropriate for him to attend at this time. Ian will also be emailing Pat Magennis to amend the current Trust contact list and also contact Paul/Glyn to ascertain if they are willing to attend the future meetings.
Action – Ian Talbot

Eastern Region H&S Committee Recruitment & Organisation Training Day – 12th June
Annette has emailed details to H&S reps – Paul Taylor maybe attending. Deadline for return of forms – 25th May.

Date/Time of Next Meeting
Next Full Branch Committee Meeting takes place on Tuesday 19th June, 2pm, Monet Room, St Clements Hospital Main Building – please forward any agenda items direct to Ian Talbot one week beforehand.
Refreshments will be available

There being no further business the meeting closed at 4pm
 

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