- Conference
- 2008 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 26 February 2008
- Decision
- Carried
Conference welcomes the Make Public Services Count campaign in response to the Government’s continued reform agenda for public services.
1)the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review means public bodies have to deliver at least 3% year on year efficiency savings;
2)the Government’s financial settlement for local government means many Councils will face major cuts over the next 3 years;
3)the effects of Government White Papers on Health; Local Government and Police mean changes in the role of elected members and local councils.
The results are:
a)an acceleration of commissioning and an increased role for the private sector in the management and delivery of services;
b)increase in shared services;
c)ever increasing demands for efficiencies and savings;
d) a weakening of democratic accountability;
Conference believes that to respond to this agenda the NEC should develop a strategy in conjunction with regions which seeks to –
i)develop an alternative agenda for public services based on workforce involvement;
ii) campaign and promote this alternative agenda at local, regional and national levels;
iii)build alliances with service users, organisations representing users and communities to defend public services and to promote an alternative agenda;
iv)develop strategies and support mechanisms for increased community and trade union participation and control in the delivery and management of public services and policy development;
v)develop organising strategies to maximise the campaigning potential based on UNISON members as citizens and where they live;
vi)provide guidance and support for regions and branches to maximise UNISON participation in LSPs scrutiny and relevant regional bodies;
vii)promote and publicise in-house options in delivering service improvements value for money and efficiencies;
viii)develop and promote strategies to maximise trade union and workforce involvement in efficiencies, improvement and procurement strategies.