Report from National Delegate Conference and Local Government Service Group Conference
Bournemouth 21-25 June 2004

Local Government Service Group Conference

• Local Government Service Group
  
  Delegates were mesmerised and often just as confused as the Standing Order Committee as to what was going to happen next as one shambles followed another. Just as unbelievably conference was unable to shift the decision not to allow the debate on the English, Welsh, Northern Ireland Pay 2004 offer until President, Dave Anderson ruled from the Chair to allow the debate - however, without a vote being allowed.
  
  Later in the week a rule change was passed that will allow Service Group Conferences to restructure themselves to reflect the different negotiating structures between Scotland, N Ireland, Wales and England.
  
  
• Local Government Finance
  Scotland's Angela Lynes moved the Composite on Reviewing Local Government Finance which was carried overwhelmingly. South Lanarkshire's contribution to the debate from Martha McAllister to the debate called for a review of all finance in local government. Edinburgh supported this.
  
  
• Motion 25 - Review of the Local Government Service Group Structures
  Tom Lithgow, East Lothian, urged conference not to ditch the School Meals forum - unfortunately conference weren't minded to agree.
  
  
• Motion 37 - Housing
  Scottish delegates decide to withdraw amendment 37.01 having taken advice from experts. Apparently bullet point 2 included technical issues that regarding writing off housing debt that was impractical and unachievable and would not have any significant impact and investments. Rory Malone of Dundee added encouraging information regarding the local postcard ballot where tenants reject the Council's proposals for stock transfer
  
  
• Local Government Pension Scheme
  The debate on Local Government Pension Scheme was enhanced by South Lanarkshire's Tom Clark's very pertinent comments about our employers' obligation to ensure our members have a decent pension to look forward to.
  
  
• Motion 39 - Services to Children amendment 39.01
  Scottish local government delegate Stephanie Herd called for a set of guidelines to how inquiries into child fatalities should be conducted to ensure consistency. Inquiries should identify opportunities to improve systems and procedures rather than apportion blame. The amendment and motion were carried unanimously.
  The policy on this amendment was set by Edinburgh at the Scottish Social Work Issues Group.
  
  
• Motion 42 - Direct Payments
  Again moved by Stephanie Herd, the motion supports individual's rights to choose the care arrangements that suit their needs - however this could pose a real threat to our members' jobs how provide care services directly through local councils. Individuals should be fully aware of their responsibilities as an employer should they choose to employ private care assistants.
  
  UNISON has to develop a strategy to recruit, organise and service these potential members. Conference supported the motion.
  
  
• School Workforce
  Unfortunately for many Scottish delegates the motions relating to remodelling the school workforce agreement seemed a bit remote and unrelated to the Scottish agenda - as did the nitty gritty elements of the NJC pay issue.
  
  The approval of the policy paper on Bargaining and Devolution heard on Thursday will sort this out for next year's agenda.

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