Women members conference 2015

12 – 14 February 2015

Southport Convention Centre, Southport

The national conference of UNISON’s women members’ self-organised group, to discuss issues and set policy affecting women members.

Registrations and enquiries

If you want to attend the conference, please contact your branch, who can register you as a delegate or visitor on the Online Conference System.

Venue and accommodation

Southport Theatre & Convention Centre, The Promenade, Southport, PR9 0DZ

The venue

The Southport Theatre & Convention Centre is one of the largest and most flexible multi-purpose venues in Merseyside and has undergone a major £40m investment programme. Incorporating the popular Southport Theatre, the beautiful Floral Hall and a variety of modern function rooms, this development also includes the stylish 4-star Ramada Plaza Hotel adjacent to our state of the art Conference and Exhibition Centre. The hotel has 133 bedrooms and enjoys a direct link with the Promenade Entrance, ideal for any guests who are staying in the hotel and are attending events at the venue.

Travel arrangements

Branches are asked to book all travel arrangements for conference through Stewart Corporate Travel. Travel application forms are attached to the conference bulletin.

Wherever possible, please ensure train tickets are delivered to you directly as collecting them from stations incurs an extra charge.

Travel costs for delegates will be funded nationally; travel costs for visitors must be paid for by the branch.

Branches are responsible for funding their delegates’ and visitors’ attendance at conference. Subsistence should cover the cost of accommodation, meals, childcare, dependent care and facilitation.

Accommodation

Branches are encouraged to arrange accommodation through VisitSouthport.

Using this booking service supports the work of our members in local government and ensures our continuing ability, as a not-for-profit organisation, to secure preferential rates for our conference venues.

A dedicated website is now available for attendees to book their hotel rooms for the conference online: http://www.visitsouthport.com/unisonwomens2015

You can also telephone VisitSouthport on 01704 533333 quoting ‘UNISON Women’s Conference 2015’.

Who should attend

The scheme of branch representation provides for a national conference of women members with representatives from regional and branch groups, women members of the NEC and members of the national women’s committee, the national SOG committees and national young members’ forum.

Representation is on the basis outlined below, up to a maximum of five delegates:

1 – 2000 women members : 1 delegate
2001 – 4000 women members : 2 delegates
4001 – 8000 women members : 3 delegates
8001 – 12,000 women members: 4 delegates
12,001 + women members : 5 delegates

If you are uncertain how many women members there are in your branch, your regional RMS department will be able to advise you.

In line with all other UNISON conferences, the principles of proportionality and fair representation contained in the NEC’s Scheme of Branch Representation will be applied to encourage participation of groups such as young and low paid members in particular.

Contact the conference office

UNISON Conference Office, UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London, NW1 2AY

Tel: 020 7121 5123

Resources