UNISON NEC Elections 2019: Nominate Denise and John for Community Seats

"Dear Branch Secretary

We did send a request on 7 January 2019 and we apologise for sending another request if your branch has already decided nominations but we believe that some branches did not receive our previous request. We understand from UNISON that your branch is entitled to nominate for Community NEC seats. Please see attached our joint nomination request (see also below). We hope your branch will consider nominating us. If you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact us.

NEC Elections 2019: Community General Seat & Female Seat Nomination Request
John Gray Denise Thomas

RMS 3083288 RMS 8688788

31 January 2019

Your branch is entitled to nominate candidates to the two Community seats for this year’s National Executive Council elections. We request that your branch considers nominating John Gray for the General Seat and Denise Thomas for the Female seat.

Denise is currently the Major Charities representative on the Community Service Group Executive (SGE). She is also a grassroots UNISON activist holding positions as Branch Black Members Officer and Welfare officer for Ymlaen/Forward Cymru Wales. Ymlaen/Forward Branch has over 4500 Community members in over 400 organisations. Denise is the secretary of the UNISON Black Workers Self Organised Group and sits on her regional committee and women’s committee.

John is currently the Community NEC General seat representative and has been an activist in UNISON for many years and held a number of branch and regional positions including Treasurer, Health & Safety, Welfare, Labour Link, International officer and Assistant Secretary. He is employed by a large Housing Association and is the Branch Secretary of the Greater London Housing Associations Branch which has over 3000 Community members. Recently he led a successful campaign that resulted in UNISON winning a ballot by a massive majority in favour of trade union recognition.

Denise has a background working in the Voluntary and Community sector for the past 26yrs supporting Adults with learning disabilities. As a branch activist Denise has focused on organising, recruitment and representing members to get a fair pay deal within her organisation. As a regional activist and SGE member she has fought to promote equality and inclusive work places.

John has served the union as a NEC member on the Policy and Development Committee, Trustee on the UNISON staff pension fund, National Labour link and is a trustee of UNISON “there for you” (Welfare) fund Committee & Vice-Chair Industrial action committee.

We deserve a Pay Rise!

Care and support staff wages in particular are under threat as unscrupulous employers deliberately underbid to win contracts then try and do their upmost to destroy TUPE protections.

Many Housing management organisations are cash rich after years of rent rises yet still refuse to give their staff decent pay rises. In the voluntary sector employers are funding the National Living wage by attacking terms and conditions and increasing workloads. 2

Both of us as NEC and SGE members have been working and campaigning with branches and regions to oppose these measures. We believe that Community members must play our part in opposing Austerity and arguing for an alternative economic policy. We need to pull together and get rid of the current UK government

We also support the Community specific campaigns below such as:-

· Better funding & resources for branches that support Community members. Community workers often work for small employers and in isolated workplaces.

· Campaign for Inclusive Workplace policies by employers

· No public money for “union busters”. Any employer that does not have a trade union recognition agreement should be barred from grants or contracts from local or national governments.

· Sector Wage Councils. Set up to decide the pay and conditions of all staff by collective bargaining including a living wage minimum for all Community workers and agency/sub-contractors.

· UNISON Ethical Care Charter. All employers must be called upon to support and sign up.

· Better governance and democracy. Increasingly many of our employer management boards are run by highly paid unelected and unrepresentative “elites”. There should be union employee representation on all Community Trust or management boards, especially remuneration committees (if applicable)

· Defend Pensions. Protect the Social Housing Pension fund and the Pension Trust from further cuts. Access to a decent defined benefit pension scheme for all.

· Better health & safety at work in particular protecting members by supporting the “End Violence at Work” charter.

· Recruit & train more activists to support members

We believe that we would both work together well as your Community NEC team. While Denise’s employer is a charity, John’s is a housing association, so we represent and complement both of the major sectors in the Community Service Group.

If you would like either of us to come and attend a branch meeting or hustings (under UNISON election rules) then please let us know and if we can, we will be delighted to come and speak.

Denise Thomas & John Gray

"East End promise: an interview with Newham mayor Rokhsana Fiaz"

(hat tip "Inside Housing") Newham’s new mayor has a tough job on her hands to tackle some of the country’s worst housing deprivation. Peter Apps finds out how she plans to do it. Photography by Peter Searle

"Newham’s new mayor has a tough job on her hands to tackle some of the country’s worst housing deprivation. By several measures, the east London borough of Newham has the worst housing crisis in the UK. It has the largest gap in the country between the social housing that becomes available each year (588 homes) and the number of families waiting for it (25,729).

One in 25 people in the borough are homeless, the highest proportion in the country. Since last May, for the first time in 23 years, someone different has had the responsibility for turning the borough’s housing situation around. Newham’s new mayor is Rokhsana Fiaz, a first-generation daughter of Pakistani parents and a lifelong East Ender. Ms Fiaz is far from the archetype of an aloof, out-of-touch political leader. Her answer? To build thousands of council-owned homes for social rent.

This is something for which campaigners and commentators have been calling for years – but others have warned that it is impossible to do so in the current funding climate. Ms Fiaz is undeterred. “This administration is about pursuing what was thought of as impossible and making it possible,” she declares. While recent history is against her (in 2017/18, just 16 homes for social rent were built in Newham and just 157 have been added to the borough’s stock in the past three years), Ms Fiaz believes the policy climate is turning. “We are beginning to tear up the orthodoxy book that has very much framed the approach to housebuilding and housing delivery for the past couple of decades because it is just simply not sustainable. If you don’t want to be part of this new story about housebuilding in this country where councils are in the driving seat, that’s fine – you can go elsewhere because I’m only interested in working with developers and partners who want to be on the right side of history.”

Ms Fiaz is trying to make history in Newham. And if she succeeds in getting a generation of its children out of temporary accommodation and into their own homes, then history is exactly what she will make.

See full story here (paywall) https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/east-end-promise-an-interview-with-newham-mayor-rokhsana-fiaz-59919

Planning issues usually make my head hurt.....

Planning issues usually make my head hurt but thanks to @NewhamLondon officers for today helping Cllrs and local residents understand better the #LocalPlan #localcentre #towncentre #contiguous #ribboneffect. 

The idea of calling the left hand local centre the "#FatChaps centre" was all mine. 

I had local knowledge #bestkebabs

Ightham Mote & One Tree Hill walk

Off message but great walk two Sundays ago in Kent even though we got hopelessly lost. We drove to and parked at the National trust owned moated Manor House at Ightham Mote. Which dates from the 13th century and is justifiably described  as "the most perfect medieval house in England".

We were suppose to do a 6 mile Jarrold Pathfinder circular walk via Oldbury Hill but ended up to our surprise, at One Tree Hill instead. Obviously, Gill and I blamed each other for the map reading error but since we ended up with a lovely 5 mile ridge walk, it didn't really matter.

A fantastic walking and history area only a short drive from London.

Newham Holocaust Memorial Day : Torn from Home

A really moving ceremony. Well done to all involved. I was so proud of all the confident and articulate young people who came up to speak and the great music that they played. Hat tip pictures and copy below to Newham Council Website/Facebook page

 "The candle-lighting ceremony, led by Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz and including Holocaust survivor Harry Olmer BEM, was part of Newham Council’s annual event to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. The theme this year was Torn From Home.

Around 400 people, mainly schoolchildren, gathered to reflect on how the loss of a safe place to call home is part of the trauma faced by anyone experiencing persecution and genocide. This included remembering those who suffered and died in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides and refugee crises such as Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Darfur, Myanmar, Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan.

Harry Olmer, 91, was born in Poland. He was 12 when World War II started. During the Nazi persecution of the Jews, he survived the horrors of five labour and concentration camps. He last saw his mother and sisters after he, his brother and father were separated from them in 1942.

Harry said: “It is vital that children and young people have an understanding of what can happen if we do not stand up to racism, prejudice or hate against those that are different by race or religion.”

Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz spoke about how people must never forget the horrors of the Holocaust. She said: “The Holocaust was an unparalleled human tragedy and act of evil. Six million Jewish people were murdered, simply for who they were. At least another five million people – Roma, people with disabilities or held certain political beliefs – were also killed, alongside many others. Millions of people were sent to their deaths because of the perverted, racist ideology of the Nazi era.

“As we remember those who suffered and died in the horrors of the Holocaust, we must unite against all forms of hatred and persecution wherever it exists to ensure that an atrocity like the Holocaust never happens again. We all have a responsibility to remember the horrors of the Holocaust – and to pass down that memory to future generations.

“The theme of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day is Torn from Home. Home is a place of safety, comfort and security. But for many people who are forced to flee persecution, it is a place they cannot return to. Newham has a proud history of tolerance and diversity, of being a genuine home to people from different countries, and a safe haven for those who have fled persecution. As a community, we strongly oppose all forms of racism and prejudice that drive these crimes and suffering. And we must continue to be a safe haven to all those persecuted throughout the world.”

Newham’s commemoration began with the Quwwat-ul-Islam Girls School Choir performing a song called One Day. The Klezmer Bridging Sounds Orchestra performed Gelem Gelem, an anthem of the Roma people murdered in the Holocaust. The 282 Squadron RAF Cadets Band from East Ham performed Abide With Me. Readings were given by pupils from St Luke’s Primary School, New City Primary School, Essex Primary School, Lathom Junior School, St Stephen’s Primary School, Kingsford Community School and Sir John Heron Primary School.

Other speakers included Lady Hannah Lowy Mitchell, a documentary maker and emeritus trustee for Women for Women International and chair of the Lowy Mitchell Foundation, and Lord Parry Mitchell, who chaired the Coexistence Trust, which encouraged dialogue between Jewish and Muslim students on UK university campuses.

Six candles were lit in memory of the six million who lost their lives during the Holocaust and other genocides. They were lit by Harry Olmer; Deputy Lieutenant John Barber, the Queen’s Representative in Newham; Adnan Khan, 17, a survivor of persecution in Afghanistan; Leah Lovett, a member of Newham’s Jewish community; Lord Mitchell and Lady Lowy Mitchell.

The Mayor concluded: “The racism, anti-Semitism, and hatred that drove the Holocaust is something we must continue to fight. We must honour those who suffered and died by remembering their stories. And we must honour them by learning from the past: by speaking up against all forms of hatred and making our neighbourhoods places where people of all backgrounds can call home.”
​

Dinner with John McDonnell - Thursday 7th March 2019

An evening with John McDonnell MP West Ham CLP fundraiser/social - Thursday 7th March Dear Member We'd like to invite you to a really special CLP event - a fundraising dinner with John McDonnell MP, at the invitation of our MP Lyn Brown. John has served on Labour's front bench as the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer since 2015 and will speak about Labour's vision for transforming the economy. This is a ticketed event and you must buy a ticket in advance to attend. Tickets costs £25 each or £200 for a table of ten (early bird price until 17th February) and include a three course curry dinner. Soft drinks will be provided and a pay bar will be available. The meal will take place at Impressions, Milner Rd, London E15 3AD, from 7-10pm on Thursday 7th March 2019. The venue is close to West Ham Station and fully accessible. All Labour party members and supporters are welcome - please think about asking your trade union or local branch to book a table. You can reserve tickets by emailing westhamlabour@gmail.com and making a payment by cash, cheque or bank transfer to the CLP. All funds raised will go towards West Ham Labour Party's campaign funds. We look forward to seeing you there! In solidarity, West Ham CLP (picture of John McDonnell MP speaking in West Ham in 2016 at the launch of "Newham United Against Austerity" with Lyn Brown MP & (now) Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz, NUT Kevin Courtney, Peter Smith & UNISON Yvonne Green).

My Love Is Like a Red Red Rose (Robert Burns)

It's Burns night. Beautiful lyrics, Beautiful singing by Karen Matheson. Enjoy!

O my Luve's like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June:
O my Luve's like the melodie,
That's sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare-thee-weel, my only Luve!
And fare-thee-weel, a while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' 'twere ten thousand mile!

Newham Council Extraordinary Meeting on Repairs & Maintenance Service (RMS)

This is my speech to the crowded meeting on Tuesday where I moved a report with recommendations on why we had a £9 million overspend on RMS, what we did about it and what we are doing to make sure this never happens again.

"Thank you all for attending this extraordinary meeting.

The Chair has kindly agreed to hold this meeting in the spirit of openness and transparency to give councillors the opportunity to discuss the Council’s investigation into the allegations about the Council’s Repairs and Maintenance Service and also the completely unacceptable financial losses we have suffered.

There have been a number of inaccurate reports into this issue and the Internal Control Commission that the Mayor has announced will be investigating how this happened.

BUT even more importantly it will be looking at whole Council systems so that we can ensure this never, ever happens again. This is not isolated incident. We have suffered similar losses in the East Ham campus overspend (& being ultra vires), London Pleasure Gardens losses,  the Children services overspend and of course, the Olympic stadium debacle.

We want to create an effective system of internal controls, establish clear checks and balances and make Newham Council a beacon of best practice.

I will give a short outline of what has occurred. Then my cabinet Colleague, Cllr Ali, who is currently the lead member for Highways will give a more detailed information about what happened,

The RMS service was established in 2011. It is wholly owned by the Council and subject to Council financial procedures.

It has 4 key functions:

1. Repairs & Maintenance (R&M) for our Newham Housing stock

2. R&M Highways (minor)

3. Gas safety servicing

4. New build housing (minor)

In 2016, the Cabinet approved the "Keep Newham Moving Programme", a £100M investment over 10 years in highways. It agreed that RMS would undertake this work.

RMS had been identified as being subject to the Newham Council Small Business Programme which meant it was due to be externalised and therefore was told that they had to stop being Council bureaucrats, take risks, be entrepreneur and win new business.

At the time it was recognised that giving them these contracts was potentially risky since RMS had not undertaken such major highway works beforehand and certain measures were supposed to be put in place to control this risk.

By golly did they take risks, the senior management at RMS put a bid to the Council to carry out these works at a price far below what was actually needed to deliver it.

After this blunder RMS had to sub-contract these works to private contractors at a price far above the money they should have received from the Council. This resulted in a loss of £8.78M.

A number of serious allegations were made about financial mismanagement, including a whistleblower in June 2017.

This resulted in an investigation not only by qualified investigators, our internal audit but also two external auditing companies.

Specific advice was sought from these external advisers and also from a criminal barrister about whether there was sufficient evidence of criminality.

The advice was that there was insufficient evidence.

Despite the lack of evidence to support a criminal prosecution, there was evidence to progress disciplinary proceedings against staff and this resulted in a number of staff being dismissed or given final written warnings. A number of other staff have also since left RMS.

Even now if anyone has any actual evidence of criminality please let us know.

Finally, for now Chair, I would like to reassure Council  – as someone who has spent most of his professional career in enforcement and is used to attending court, working with police, instructing solicitors and helping put criminals into prison – that if there is any substantive evidence of criminality - we will prosecute.

(I will post my "right to reply" on the debate later)

Be Really Shocked about Homelessness in Newham

"A fairly shocking housing stat I've come across as background to a feature: There are 7,515 children in temporary accommodation within the 36km² which makes up Newham, east London. 

This compares to 4,920 across the 40,000km² which makes up the entire north of England.

The three northern England regions - the North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber. The population of these regions is c.15m compared to 330,000 in Newham"

hat tip Inside Housing news editor Peter Apps

Severe Weather Emergency Provision or Protocol: What is SWEP?

"Homelessness is an emergency whatever the weather but in winter and freezing weather, people are in even greater danger. Hannah Faulkner, Head of Pan-London Rough Sleeper Services at St Mungo's explains how we help bring people in from the cold during SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Provision or Protocol).

If you see someone sleeping rough, and the situation is an emergency, please don’t hesitate – call 999 for an ambulance or the police. Otherwise please use StreetLink to tell services where you’ve seen someone sleeping rough. StreetLink is the national homelessness referral line, which we manage in partnership with Homeless Link.. If you see someone sleeping rough, please @Tell_StreetLink through their website or app. Not sure what SWEP stands for? Watch our video:"