This Conference condemns the continued failure of Government to address the funding deficit in Social Care. The continued rationing of Social Care to those with the highest level of need means that more and more people with low and moderate needs are no longer eligible for services. Without that early intervention these people accelerate to […]
Conference motions
Conference deplores the fact that efficiency reviews across the UK are leading to a deterioration in the delivery of public services. Conference believes that these so-called “efficiencies” mask the effects of inadequate funding of local government and deplores the negative impact on services, staff and users. Stringent efficiency targets have been set in all four […]
Conference notes that in the last year major reforms have been announced to local government in England (Local Government White Paper 2006) and Wales (the Beecham Review – ‘Delivering Beyond Boundaries’). A major reorganisation of local government is also taking place in Northern Ireland. Conference condemns the fact that the proposed reforms will turn councils […]
This Local Government Service Group supports a non-selective, comprehensive state school system, controlled by local communities. As such this LGSG opposes the Government’s Academy Programme which replaces democratically controlled local schools with privately run educational establishments, funded by a combination of central government, businesses and other private organisations. We have similar concerns over the creation […]
This Conference congratulates the Local Government Service Group Executive on the work it has undertaken to protect local government workers pensions. We especially applaud the work of the UNISON negotiating team for their diligence in ensuring, wherever possible, equality for all participants. Our pension’s campaign is also concerned with the rights of disabled people; disabled […]
This Special Conference believes that the current package of proposals for the new LGPS represents substantial improvements in benefits for all UNISON members and their families, namely: ·The retention of a final salary scheme ·1/60 accrual rate ·A more flexible definition for period for pensionable pay ·Improved early retirement factors ·Pensions for unmarried partners ·Increased […]
Conference notes the continuing inhumane policies of the Government in relation to asylum seekers. Conference notes that UNISON members working in local government provide many services to asylum seekers and that many services are of a statutory basis. It is noted that legislation concerning asylum can contradict or in some cases over-ride other legislation in […]
This conference notes that the probation service in England and Wales has a tradition of working proactively on equality issues and well established equality networks for the various diversity strands. Conference expresses concern that this is not being effectively carried forward in the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), particularly in the context of the mixed […]
Conference welcomes the new duty on local authorities and other public bodies in England, Scotland and Wales to proactively promote gender equality, following the similar, longer-standing duty in Northern Ireland. The gender duty requires local authorities, when carrying out their functions, to have due regard to the need to: 1Promote equality of opportunity between women […]
Following on from previous Local Government Conference decisions, this conference welcomes the movement towards establishing a national framework for school support staff in England. Conference notes that over one third of schools in England are already self governing, with staff directly employed by the school, and that this figure is likely to increase. Given this […]
Conference welcomes the equality duties on race, disability and gender which require local authorities to promote equality of opportunity and eliminate discrimination for service users and staff, rather than wait for individuals to complain. Existing practices and any changes to employment or service delivery must be assessed to examine their impact – giving branches a […]
This Conference congratulates the work undertaken by local government branches that have used the Disability Equality Duty to eliminate institutional discrimination in the workplace. We are however concerned with reports that employers may not be meeting their new duties with regard to: 1)Identifying positive as well as negative outcomes especially in the recruitment of disabled […]
Conference notes that the Home Office has funded a three-year project for the Local Government Association to identify and promote good practice of councils and partner organisations in addressing domestic violence. In their guidance leaflet “Local Government’s Role in Tackling Domestic Violence”, one of the stated aims is to “develop domestic violence employment policies for […]
Conference notes the results of the UNISON 2006 Young Members Survey, which demonstrated that the policy issue of greatest importance to our young members is improved pensions provision, which was rated as important or very important by 89% of UNISON young members. Conference therefore expresses our great concern at recent and current attacks upon pension […]