Tuesday 20th March at 2pm,
Monet Room, Suffolk House, St Clements Hospital, Ipswich

Present: Wendy Allen, Abigail Jordan, David Edginton, Philip Bloyce, Steve Cook, Ray Hill, Ian Talbot, Yvonne Cleary, David Kitchen and Annette Petty

Apologies: None

Following introductions, Philip welcomed Abigail Jordan, rehab worker and Wendy Allen, Mental Health Practitioner, both from Chilton Houses Constituency and David Kitchen from Frizzell. Ian explained the branch covers many employers related with health including BUPA, GP’s and private and voluntary health sector covering over 80 employers within Suffolk.

Annette to liaise with the education dept at region for Abby and Wendy to attend Stage I and II Stewards Courses under the facility time agreement – email travel claim expense forms – Ray to organise compliment slips/business cards.
Action - Annette and Ray

1. Steward Nominations 2007
Branch Secretary, Chair and Senior Officers – not required. See branch rules
Nominations received and ratified for the following stewards:-
Alison Brame, Abigail Jordan, Wendy Allen, Liz Potter, John Cripps, Dean Bevan, Ken Abbott
(no nomination required for Bob Holmes)
Judith Wilson and Cliff Dawson have stood down as Representatives.
Margaret Goddard and Mark Hillis have not been nominated.
Julie Hammett is on long term sick leave.
Employer to be notified of relevant changes and dates of the Branch Committee Meetings to be forwarded to all stewards.
No changes to branch rules.
Action - Annette

2. Pay Rises
Branch has received email/paper copy requesting members to accept/reject the 2.5% staged pay rise, and guidance to reject by National Office – to be returned by 26th March. Agreed to reject and carry motion for possible industrial action. Random members contacted are not happy with government recommendations. Ian will be contacting regional office.
Action - Ian

3. Frizzell
David Kitchen spoke about services Frizzell provide members including car insurance, personal loans, and financial advice. Frizzell have currently reduced a number of car insurance premiums – Nationally, 1 in 10 members have taken out car insurance.

4. Suffolk PCT – New HQ Rushbrook House
Philip delivered 100 recruitment packs to the new HQ on 15th prior to opening on 21st – Ian and Philip to meet with the Chief Executive on 27th March concerning issues such as car parking charges.

5. Recruitment Campaign 2007
Ian reiterated more representatives are needed by the branch. Template letter created for all GP Practice Managers within Ipswich areas with additional public information provided by David Edginton. Letter and membership packs will be sent to all GP’s within Ipswich area to encourage new membership.
Action - Annette

6. AOB
Yvonne attended a joint meeting with SPCT and SMHPT HR dept’s on 1st March to discuss branch facility time and an individual post which is currently under threat as this would have a considerable knock on effect to facility sharing with SMHP and Suffolk PCT. The PCT has not been contributing towards financing release time stating their service from UNISON already exists, putting extra financial burden on to SMHP. Discussions took place for branch guidance and the long term future considering the strain already imposed. The committee members agreed outline contents of a paper Yvonne is putting forward to SMHP by end March.

7. Date/Time next meeting
Next Branch Committee Meeting Tuesday 19th June, 2pm, Monet Room, SCH
Branch Officer Meeting Tuesday 17th April, 2pm, Monet Room, SCH


There being no further business the meting closed at 4pm

Download the notes:
Acrobat PDF version

Download Branch Rules:
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