Latest From Napo 178

I notice that Napo have published details of motions to be debated at this years Southport (Stockport? Well done Mike for spotting error) AGM and a ballot has opened in order to allocate priority for consideration. In addition to all the expected issues, the following particularly attracted my attention:-  

National Executive Committee

35. Rebuilding Our Activist Base 

Napo bases itself on the dedication of key activists in workplaces to maintain the visibility of the union, forge effective relationships with members and fight injustice from employers at a local level. 

The branch is THE vital component in training these activists and in building the solidarity that gives meaning to our collective strength. It is also the place where our elected representatives and full-time officials are held to account. 

Any strategy to increase our membership that neglects the branch is building on sand and threatens the lifeblood of the next generation of activists. This AGM calls on Napo to recalibrate the ‘Strategy for Growth’, putting the branch at the centre. 

Proposer: Kent Surrey and Sussex Branch

36. General Secretary Election Process 

This AGM notes the recent General Secretary Election process gave too short a time to allow many Branches to arrange hustings; meaning the vote was based mainly on a written statement alone. 

This AGM believes the process needs to be reviewed to enable members to have better access to candidates in order to make informed decisions for the vital role of General Secretary. 

This AGM calls upon the NEC, as the employer body, to review the process and bring the reviewed process to the next AGM. 

Proposer: London Branch

37. Preserving Professional values with the Probation Journal 

Napo has a longstanding relationship with the Probation Journal, a publication whose reach extends far beyond that of our Trade Union and Professional Association, of which we can all feel justly proud. 

For many of us in Probation, reading the Journal helps us to stay firmly connected with core probation practice and values, which can feel a distant memory with the increasing bureaucratisation and dumbing down of our work. In the difficult financial times Napo faces, the income generated by the Journal could come under scrutiny, with calls to reduce funding or change the way it generates income. However, the benefits of this renowned Journal in terms of recruitment, retention and shared values cannot be underestimated. 

As inexperienced staff / trainees continue to be recruited in swathes, membership to a professional collective and access to the Probation Journal and associated publications should form the cornerstone of Napo’s recruitment activity as a Trade Union and Professional Association. This potential is currently underutilised. The Probation Journal should be a key investment into recruitment and essential to the preservation of our core identity as professionals. AGM instructs Napo to commit all necessary support and funding to the Probation Journal. 

Proposer: London Branch

38. Napo Expenses 

Napo expenses have not changed since 2007, when a litre cost approximately 95p a litre, it now costs 118p a litre (average for 2007 and 2017, diesel). This means current rates awarded by Napo are unlikely to cover the fuel costs themselves, let alone the wear and tear costs. NPS reps have to claim for all their union expenses from Napo as the civil service refuses to allow us to claim for anything union related, even if it is a meeting with the employer. As such, they can be considerably out of pocket and more so perhaps than CRC reps who, as far as we are aware, can generally claim for expenses from their employer.

Pressures on branch funds are more acute than they were due to the situation with NPS reps. As such, an increase in funds to branches would need to be considered in order to ensure the burden for the increased rate does not fall to branches. 

This AGM calls for Napo to increase their expenses rates to something that reflects actual fuel costs in 2018 rather than 2007. 

Proposer: South Yorkshire Branch

39. Commitment to Napo Committees or a New Direction 

The Committee structure supports Napo’s member led and democratic functions and ensures mandates approved by members at AGM are carried out. Napo’s Constitution and structures currently rely on members joining Committees and influencing, shaping and driving activity through participation to strengthen our Union. In the past Committees have worked well. NEC reduced the number of face-to-face Committee meetings to manage deficit budgets and find alternative and less onerous ways of working. This has not encouraged members to hold positions on Committees, with some having no elected members and significant vacancies in others. Officials or Officers are left to undertake Committee work. When Committees are not functioning, it removes a key layer of accountability from Napo work and effects changes in the democratic structures that provide for members to lead Napo to fulfil AGM mandates. 

This AGM seeks to mandate the NEC to: 

• review the Constitution, organisation and function of its other Committees; 

• establish alternative, more flexible and effective methods or working groups to undertake the work of the union; 

• consider replacing Committees with annual working parties to complete a particular function dependent on motions agreed at each AGM and potentially disband once the work is complete. 

Proposer: Jamie Overland 

Seconder: Denise Mason