TUESDAY 20 May 2003 @ 2:30 PM IN THE PICASSO ROOM St CLEMENTS HOSPITAL

      Present: Arthur White, Ted Moore, Paul Taylor, Julie Cracknell, Geoff Reason, Ray Hill, Annette Petty (Minutes), Philip Bloyce (Chair), Matthew Robinson and Sandra Smith

Apologies: Jamie Starling, Cliff Dawson, Ian Talbot, Linda Bird, Judith Wilson and Wendy Arbon

1.   Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 April were agreed as a true and accurate record.

2.   Matters Arising

a)   Page 1. No 3. Election of Officers 2003                                                                                                                                              The meeting proposed and accepted Matt Robinson as the Branch Lesbian/Gay Officer.

b)   Page 1. No4. Ratification of Stewards                                                                                                                                          Letters have been sent to 4 stewards enclosing another nomination form and requesting it is completed and sent back by return of post in respect of re-election, and another letter has been sent to 4 stewards who did not attend the AGM and have not returned their nomination forms for re-election assuming they no longer wish to represent their local members.

c)   Page 2. Item 6. Disciplinary Workshop                                                                                                                                                  A successful day was held on 15 May which was attended by 9 stewards.

3.   Presentation/Education Session (May)

The Disciplinary Workshop which was attended by 9 Stewards was held in Bury St Edmunds on 15 May.  An evaluation sheet will be forwarded to those who attended for completion/return to Annette.  Geoff suggested that “Bitesize Learning” is the way forward for all to learn.   The meeting discussed another training session to be organised – Annette to confirm either 21 or 22 July to be held at Bury St Edmunds Cathedral Committee Room.  The workshop will cover Risk Assessments/H&S Inspections/Advice on Infection Control.  Annette to email all the H&S Reps initially to get feedback.

4.  Steward/Officer Reports

a)   Geoff Reason                                                                                                                                                                                       As Geoff is part of the “Improving Working Lives” for the Trust, he is attending the orientation day on 21 May and a 4 day assessment course on the IWL principles on 16 June. Philip and Ray are also part of the IWL Group.

b)   Patrick Stead, Halesworth                                                                                                                                                             Arthur reported to the meeting that he has been interviewed by Ingrid Phlin, Acting Facilities Manager for Sharon Warner and accused of discrepancies with the cleanliness of rooms at Patrick Stead. Arthur suspects this is harassment and has been advised to write to Ingrid requesting that these accusations stop immediately, otherwise he will be making a formal complaint.

c)   Felixstowe General                                                                                                                                                                           Julie reported that the Off Duty Rota is being distributed to all staff and the night duty have a copy of the rota at home. The off duty rota should remain in the building because of security implications. Julie to speak to Sue Bruce regarding the situation tonight. At Felixstowe General, self rostering is managed. 

d)   Walker Close                                                                                                                                                                                    Paul reported that H&S inspections are ongoing, the parking situation is a continuing problem with regard to fire escape routes being blocked.

e)   Walker Close Sleep-Ins                                                                                                                                                                   Philip reported that a meeting has taken place with Cliff Dawson, Paul Taylor, Marie McCleary, Paula Clarke and Marie Williams from Finance regarding the sleep-ins in Learning Disabilities. In conjunction with the Agenda for Change negotiations are in progress and are trying to harmonise times i.e. 2300 to 0700 hours. A little progress has been achieved and another meeting is scheduled for 4 June to discuss rates/costs which should be linked to the Agenda For Change (see page 9 in the Health Group Conference Report) and the status of accommodation which is currently provided.

e)   Private Finance Initiative                                                                                                                                                                      At present Philip is in discussions with the Grosvenor House Group who took over the Wedgwood Unit at Bury catering facilities.  Approximately 3.5 staff are being made redundant and voluntary redundancies are being looked at, however the true figure is 6/7 staff. 12 Staff out of 19 have requested voluntary redundancy and Philip is obtaining financial quotes from Payroll on their behalf. Trust Council next meeting to be held on Thursday 21 May at 1000 hours at Suffolk House.

f)    Brickfield Close                                                                                                                                                                                Quiet at present as Matt has been currently off sick for the past 2 months. There are changes taking place next door to the home and he is concerned that staff will be transferred without consultation, staff must be consulted before any changes take place.

g)   Bartlet, Felixstowe                                                                                                                                                                             Ray passed around copies of the Health Group Conference Agenda Report which he has compiled following his attendance at Harrogate in April.  Most of the motions were passed in the agenda and only 1 failed.  The Agenda for Change on Page 6 was a complex procedure and was voted “Yes” to go through to the next round, Unsociable hours/Overtime/Pay Bands can be re-negotiated after April 2004.

h)   Retired Members Secretary                                                                                                                                                               Ted Moore attended the Regional Conference on 21 May which was held in Ely with Bill Spalding the Regional Chairman.

5.   Health Group Conference

Geoff and Ray attended the Health Group Conference which was held in Harrogate 7-9 April. The conference was well attended and the debates were light hearted and good, there were 49 speakers in total. Three of the early implementers for Agenda for Change i.e. Papworth, James Paget and East Anglian Ambulance are being monitored/reported on a 6 weekly basis.  Papworth is by far the most advanced. The out of hours social payments reducing working hours from 39 to 37.5 was debated in respect of James Paget and East Anglian Ambulance members but has not yet been agreed.  The Department of Health training for Job Evaluators is slowing moving and half are still not trained, it is hoped to be delivered by the end of June.  Papworth/Addenbrokes, Peterbourgh, Essex Rivers/Basildon & Thurrock which are all Foundation Trusts are the 2^nd wave implementers for Agenda for Change. Members should have by now received the ballot paper for Agenda for Change, to be returned by no later than 30 May.

6.   AOB

a)   Branch Lists                                                                                                                                                                                       List of Suffolk Healthcare Unison Office Branch Accredited Officers/Reps Ian to email updated list to Philip and Annette for distribution. 

b)  Stewards Badges                                                                                                                                                                        Annette to order 30 badges (minimum order – cost £6.35 + VAT) from Kall Kwik on receipt of the new updated list.  The badge will have the Unison coloured logo and Name of Officer, Title and Place of Work.c)  Visits by RMS/Frizzell/Britannia Building Society/Medicash and UIA Annette has arranged the following bodies who work closely with Unison to give a short presentation at our Branch Meetings - RMS (July), Frizzell (Aug), Britannia (Sept), UIA (Dec) and awaiting confirmation from Medicash and Debt Service in conjunction with Unison Welfare.

c)   Pre-Retirement/Retirement Seminars                                                                                                                                            Frizzell are giving two presentations on July 16 at 7pm Rembrant Room,and August 5 at 2.30pm, Rembrant Room respectively on pre-retirement and retirement. Annette to forward invitations to Stewards/Reps to distribute accordingly. Ian to proof read invitation and agree before confirmation numbers are ordered.

d)   Computer Virus “Support by Microsoft”                                                                                                                                            Paul reported that this virus is currently affecting users and to be vigilant.

e)   Branch Rules                                                                                                                                                                               Annette to email to all reps/stewards for their perusal and comments to be forwarded to Ian Talbot before the next branch meeting on 17 June.

f)    Branch Mapping Exercise                                                                                                                                                          Currently being carried out by Ian/Philip/Annette. Ian is producing posters showing “Who’s Who” in the constituencies around the County and will email them to Annette to distribute.

g)   Health & Safety Seminar Bury St Edmunds 10/11 October                                                                                                         Annette has contacted all H&S Reps inviting them to attend this seminar costing £110 per delegate payable by the branch - please contact Annette by 20 June if you wish to attend.

7.   Date/time of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 17 June 2003, at 2.30pm, Picasso Room, St Clements Hospital.  Please forward agenda items to Annette by post/email prior to the meeting.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 3.15pm.