Latest From Napo 60

3rd June 2015

Dear Colleague

FEEDBACK ON AGM FORMAT CONSULTATION

You will know doubt be aware that Napo had begun an informal consultation process on the future format of AGM (BR46-2015 and BR49-2016). This was in light of a need to book a venue for 2016 which is due to be in Wales and in response to feedback from members that travelling to Llandudno was not accessible for all branches and members. As such Napo has been looking at more central locations to hold AGM 2016 and had found St David’s Hall in Cardiff.

We are also aware that it is becoming increasingly difficult for members to take time off work and the AGM planning group drew up some alternatives that would keep the AGM accessible both in terms of travel and time off as well as potentially making a better use of our resources.

Although we had originally planned to go through formal decision making bodies such as the NEC and AGM with the initial feedback we had received, the venue in Cardiff required us to confirm our booking by 1st June 2015.

Whilst we have had some responses from branches and individual members, we do not have the volume of opinion we need to justify us producing a paper to NEC and changing the format for 2016. Given this, we will leave the format unchanged for 2016, but continue with our consultation process in respect of changing the format from 2017.

The feedback we have had so far has been mixed and valuable. Please continue to consult with your members, at branch meetings, and feedback to us with your views so that we can report to NEC prior to this year’s AGM and look to having a fuller debate on this issue with our supreme decision making body when we are in Eastbourne.

Yvonne Pattison
Napo National Co-Chair


TO: NAPO MEMBERS

What I worry about

Having read messages this week from Sara Robinson, Deputy Director of the London NPS, and from Colin Allars, the National Director of Probation, on the occasion of the first anniversary of the creation of the National Probation Service, I thought it only fitting that I share my views on the past year too.

Colin Allars acknowledges that “there is still a lot to be done to improve the way that we work and the systems that we operate” and Sara Robinson admits that “there are some business processes including ICT and HR and Shared Services that need further central review and development”.

There certainly is.

Members tell me daily of the difficulties and frustrations of trying to get anything done in the NPS. What this says to me is that all the good work of which they are so proud has been achieved in spite of, rather than because of, the creation of a National Probation Service.

What I worry about is the human cost and the toll this is taking on you all.

Both Patricia Johnson (Branch Vice Chair) and I meet with Senior Managers in the NPS and seek to influence the implementation of national directives. But that is all we can do while everything is decided nationally. We will however continue trying and we will hold local management to account for ensuring safe practices. In this respect my message to you all is to take personal responsibility for your health and well-being.

Meanwhile in the CRC, MTCnovo are starting to roll out their plans for restructuring. On the basis of the information I have so far, there is every indication that these plans will be the subject of full and meaningful consultation. They say that they want to know what you think so let us tell them.

To MTCnovo’s credit they have given us adequate facilities time to enable us to seek the views of members and participate in the consultation exercise. We will be arranging a series of meetings which you should be allowed to attend as part of the consultation process.

Many of you were extremely active when we were campaigning against the privatisation of the probation service. That campaign was lost. But it is important that we carry on looking after each other by making sure that this union stays strong and viable.

What I worry about is that, as a consequence of the “split” it will prove increasingly difficult to maintain a functioning branch that can be of service to all its members.

We have failed to achieve a quorum at the last three branch meetings.The branch cannot carry on in its present form. Restructuring proposals have been agreed that will see the creation of new regional roles. This will enable the branch to be more responsive to local needs and concerns. But only if members are willing to step forward and fill these new positions.

The union only exists if its members want it to. Consider what part you might play in your union. If you would like to discuss this please do not hesitate to contact me.

The Branch AGM is on Friday 24th July. Put the date in your diary. Tell your manager of your intention to attend.

Pat Waterman
Chair
Greater London Branch