North West National Council reps

2007-04-23T10:50:00.000Z

NUS National Executive Committee Meeting
Kings College SU, London: 19/04/07

Introduction & apologies

Minutes & matters arising from last meeting

Interim Management Update [this was in closed session]

NEC Elect Induction

Progressing with the Governance Review: no firm plans or ideas made but initial ideas about consultation and the need to keep reporting back to the membership was stressed, so look forward to updates on the Governance Review at Regional Conferences in 2007/8!

Motions:
Darfur: Called for UN intervention and the enforcement of the no-fly zone. Opposition to the deportations of Darfuri’s seeking asylum in Britain. Campaign for awareness around the abuse of women in Darfur, linking in with the NUS Women’s Campaign. NUS reaffirmed its commitment to working with Aegis Trust and to affiliate to the Protect Darfur campaign. Also that ‘Africa’ is the priority campaign for the Society and Citizenship Zone.
Amendment: to establish a joint committee between NUS NEC and members of Aegis Students was accepted into the motion.

Climate Change: It was resolved that the NUS NEC would make a submission to the draft Climate Change Bill welcoming it but asking for it to be strengthened. Supporting People & Planet’s Go Green campaign. NUS is banning expenses for flights within Britain except under exceptional circumstances, which would include disabled students. Also joined the Stop Climate Chaos umbrella organisation and plans to work with the Mayor of London to develop a guidebook for London SU’s on how to reduce carbon output.

Opposition to bans on religious dress: supported the right for people to wear what they wanted to wear and to make a submission to the consultation on guidelines for school uniforms opposing bans on the wearing of religious dress and to campaign against all attempts to ban religious or cultural dress on campus.

NEC Handovers Motion: there will be handovers including a written handover pack in future for NEC-elect.

Save Sadiq Abakar / Deportations to Sudan: resolved to support Sadiq’s campaign launched by Lambeth College SU and to donate £50, also to campaign for an end to deportations to Sudan.

Iran Solidarity: affirmed support for Iranian students, workers and women against the theocratic regime; total opposition to any military attack or economic sanctions against Iran; opposition to both US/UK imperialist domination of Middle East and Iran's regional-imperialist ambitions; opposition to all nuclear weapons. Welcomed the election of Mansour Ossanlou as NUS Honorary Vice-President.

Support Metronet Workers: resolved to support the Metronet workers in their dispute over subcontracting. Motion fell.

National Demo: resolved to hold a first-term national demonstration for free education in central London, not on a Sunday. Motion fell.

Meeting closed early at 4:00pm

If you want to see any of the motions in full or want clarification on anything in this report please contact me via email or phone (01524 592197).

Cat Smith
NEC Observer (North West Region)

2006-12-19T11:49:00.000Z

NUS NEC Meeting – 18th December 2006, 11am – 5pm
University of London Union

Meeting began at 2:05pm – it was closed session before this.

Minutes and matters arising: a few minor amendments to the minutes and passed as a true and accurate record.

Management Team Update: £670,000 off expected on extra – plans are afoot on how to deal with that – announcement tomorrow (19th December) about resolution. Charities Act – provides clarity, all SU’s register with Charities Commission by 2008 and some SU’s being integrated into University structures although due to differences between different SU’s around the country may be different situations.

NUS Extra: 206,000 sales to date. The way forward; increase sales in FE (NUSSL taking on drive of sales in FE), exclusive discounts (ongoing but firmer feedback from suppliers, brand recognition), and key discounts (need to get bigger names on the card, need a range of suppliers for maximum value). It was brought up that HMV have launched their own free student discount card. The discussion dissolved into something about MySpace and Facebook and how important it is that the NUS is up-to-date with cultural phenomena – NUS needs to get ‘down with the kids’!

NEC Agreements and Procedures: [document attached from Marie Burton] legal status of elected officers ambiguous as is the law, basically full time officers can be seen as staff whereas part-time officers not. Discussion went over disciplinary procedures and bullying and harassment policies as well as CRB checks and working with students.
Questions were asked about the autonomy of the liberation and special region officers.

Safeguarding policy passed.

Motions
Anti-Semitism Inquiry
- both amendments fell (GW & RC)
- SW took parts on Resolves 3: voted into the affirmative.
- RC took parts on Resolves 4: voted into the affirmative.
- Motion passed

Supporting Medical Students
- amendment from RB accepted
- amendment from AK & CA accepted
- Motion passed unanimously

Faith on campus
- discussion
- Motion passed

The time ran out for discussing motions but due to time relevance DC’s motion will be voted on via email.

UUK Code of Standards for University Accommodation: presented by Veronica King who pre-warned the NEC she might be pissing UUK off…

Meeting ended at 5:00pm.

Any questions or requests for papers please email me; Cat Smith

2006-11-20T23:59:00.000Z

National Council Report: Adam McNicholas, North West National Councillor
Tuesday 14th November 2006
Loughborough Students Union

Introduction

Please find report below on the 1st meeting of NUS National Council 2006/ 07. Unfortunately as the minutes are not yet available I have not been able to clarify some points but I felt it important to get the Report out ASAP. Minutes from National Council will follow

Election of Chair
A chair was elected following hustings and an election

Minutes of previous meeting
Minutes from the previous meeting were passed by National Council

Apologies
Apologies were received from certain members of the NUS National Executive Committee (NEC) who were not in attendance. However, it was noted that a number of members of the NEC who were not in attendance had not submitted apologies. Concern was expressed (please see Report Motions)

Report and Plan Consultation
Time is allocated at the beginning of National Council to scrutinise the work of the NEC on the implementation of policy, outlined in the NEC Report and Plan.

These sessions run as open forums in which convening NEC members from individual zones, chair a debate on the work carried out within their zone. It was decided between Wilf (HE North West Councillor) and I, that we would attend different zone commissions to ensure the Region got feed back on all the zones (Education, Welfare, Society and Citizenship and Strong and Active Unions)

Zone allocations

Welfare Commission: Wilf Watson-James
Education Commission: Wilf Watson-James

(The details of these zones will be fed back to by Wilf in his report)

Strong and Active Unions Commission: Adam McNicholas
Society and Citizenship Commission: Adam McNicholas

Strong and Active Unions, Chaired by Stephen Brown, NUS National Secretary

There were two points of focus from the Report and Plan that were discussed although others points were bought up

1. TUC Partnership
The TUC Partnership, as outlined in the Report and Plan was discussed at Regional Conferences and received similar positive feed back from Councillors

Questions were asked on the funding for specific members of NUS staff allocated to the TUC Partnership project. Council were informed that the allocated member of staff is funded through the partnership

The NEC members present encouraged Councillors of the positive benefits of SU engagement with Unions. Nottingham Students Union was identified by a Councillor as having developed an encouraging programme with Amicus.

2. Communications Strategy

NUS are currently reviewing communication between NUS and the membership

There is an internal review that is ongoing. This review will follow a period of consultation and engagement with the membership in the next calendar year to ensure NUS receive constructive feed back on developing and implementing a communications strategy

Areas of concern identified:
· Nusonline and officeronline
· The Brief

Despite some constructive criticism regarding current communication practices, there was positive feed back on the STADIA networks

Other matters arising

Student Union Governance

The NEC were asked to confirm NUS’ stance on non-student trustees at SU’s. Councillors were referred to a recent briefing from NUS on Student Union governance, available on the Strong and Active Unions section of officeronline.

NEC stated that it was not their place to dictate to Constituent Members on their individual governance reviews.

Annual Report

In line with the development of a Communications Strategy, an NUS Annual Report will be developed in time for the next academic year

Society and Citizenship, Chaired by Kat Stark, NUS Womens Officer

It was noted that this is the first year the Society and Citizenship zone

Point of reference, Jamal (Block of 12) has resigned from the NEC. Jamal shared the responsibility of this zone with Kat Stark. Councillors were informed this was due to him moving abroad

Again, reviewed the work outlined in the Report and Plan. It was suggested by the convenor that anyone submitting motions for Soc and Cit to annual conference should consider whether or not they be submitted as a ‘priority campaign’ to enable more focus within this zone

Priority Campaign update and consultation: Admission Impossible, Chaired by Gemma Tumelty, National President

As at regional conferences, a priority campaign update was given, however this time (at National Council) there was more emphasis on what is being done at SU level. As National Councillors, we have a remit to assist with the implementation of priority campaigns.

Ideas were shared on lobbying and awareness/ publicity campaigning

Ideas included

· A national cycle ride, meeting outside the Houses of Parliament to deliver letters to MP’s/ PM
· Making DVD’s of case studies of the effects of tuition fees to send to MP’s and VC’s
· Continued lobbying MP’s and Councillors: post card campaigns and letter writing

Councillors were encouraged develop links between HE and FE when campaigning at regional level

There will be a lobby of Parliament next year coordinated by NUS

Gemma Tumelty urged SU’s of the strategic nature of the campaign and stressed the importance of the work done by SU’s at regional level

Motions

1. Disabled Students Campaign Conference

Amended and passed

2. Priority ballots at NEC meetings

Passed

3. Age discrimination and teaching students

Passed

4. Fee increases for mature students in the FE sector

Passed

5. Free speech for NEC observer

Fell

6. BNP Conference in Blackpool

Passed

7. For the transport for London campaign

Passed

8. Students with Children motion

Passed

To ensure an accurate account of these debates and motions is given, the minutes will be circulated when they have been produced

Report motions
Concern was raised regarding certain members of the NEC not attending without apologies

Suzie Wylie received a motion of censure from National Council due to not blogging on officeronline, as is constitutionally required

Commendations
· Wes Streeting (VP Education) and Richard Angel (NEC) for work on TUC Partnership
· Gemma Tumelty (National President) and Wes Streeting (VP Education) for Admission Impossible Road Show
· Alex Kemp (Disabled Students Officer) and Richard Budden (NEC)

For any further feed back please contact me

Adam McNicholas
Communications Officer/ NUS National Councillor, North West HE

guildcomms@liv.ac.uk
07968 356 811

2006-11-03T15:50:00.000Z

The meeting on the 2nd was cancelled and moved to the 22nd November. I don't have any papers for it yet. I will see some of you at Regional Conference on Monday in Manchester Met Uni where I will say pretty much what's in the blog for the benefit of those who don't read this (I know it's difficult to believe that people haven't started bookmarking this site!!). Looking forward to it... any questions email me, contact details here. Cat xxx (NEC Observer)

2006-09-28T11:40:00.000Z

The next NEC meeting will take place on Thursday, 2nd November.

I will let you know what's happening nearer the time.

Cat Smith
NEC Observer (North West)

2006-08-08T18:59:00.000Z

Highlights from the NEC meeting on 03/08/06

Wes Streeting, NUS Vice President Education gave a report on the priority campaign on education funding and the cap on fees. It's looking good and I urge everyone to be in London on 29th October, you can see a bit of the city, maybe sight see a little before or after the main event which will be in Trafalgar Square.
Also, if you're an education officer you might like to know that there is an Education Conference planned for Novemeber. Wes has been busy!

Other things included discussion from the budgets and finding an NEC member to sit on the NUSSL Board, this was Stephen Brown, National Secretary. Related to this NUS Extra is to be rolled out nationally next year (as you are probably well aware) and sales are predicted to be 550,000 bringing in an estimated 2.25m into NUS. The web-launch is going to be on the 14th August, you'll be able to order your extra card online.

Motions passed easily on:
1. Guidance for FE colleges on tackling hate crime and intolerance.
2. Disability abuse
3. Work with the Aegis Trust
4. Green books - supporting a book on environmentalism for freshers
5. One water - a project to get more water pumps in Africa through bottled water in UK
6. Agenda for Africa
7. Keep our NHS Public - affiliates to Keep our NHS Public
8. Safeguarding the right to a fair trial - the NatWest Three
9. Building a greener NUS
10. Liberty Affiliation
11. Support for Student Nurses

I don't want to go into too much detail here but if you do want to know the details I'm more than happy to over email - see previous post for my contact details.

There was another motion on the Middle East, which needless to say caused the most discussion, it was very complicated but the final outcome was policy looking like this:

Escalation of Violence in the Middle East
NEC Notes
1. The escalating violence and military action across Lebanon, Israel and Palestine.
2. The Capture of the Israeli Soldier in Southern Israel who is currently being held in Gaza and the capture of two Israeli Soldiers in Northern Israel by Hezbollah currently believed to be in Lebanon.
3. The Capture of Lebanese and Palestinian government officials by Israel
4. Hundreds of innocent Lebanese, Israeli’s and Palestinian citizens have tragically lost their lives in the past weeks.
5. That more than half a million people have been forced to leave their homes
6. The escalating humanitarian disaster

NEC Believes

1. That on the 22nd of July, George Galloway attended a rally in London and said that “What I’m about to say is illegal in this country … Hezbollah has never been a terrorist organisation. I am here to glorify the Lebanese resistance, Hezbollah, and to glorify the resistance leader, Hassan Nasrallah …”, that Mr. Galloway went on to wish aloud that more Arab leaders were like Hassan Nasrallah and that at this same rally, placards were displayed that read, ‘We are all Hezbollah!’ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg6qWVGqEJ4)
2. Hezbollah is implicated in the following selected instances:
• Bombing of Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia killing 19 U.S Servicemen (1996)
• Bombing of Jewish Community Centre in Buenos Aires killing 96. The largest terrorist attack ever to take place on Argentinean soil, and the largest attack on Jewish non-combatants since World War II (1994)
• Bombing of Israeli Embassy, Buenos Aires killing 29, injuring 242 (1992)
• Abduction, torture and death of CIA Station chief in Lebanon (1985)
• The kidnapping of around 30 other Westerners between 1982 and 1992, including U.S. journalist Terry Anderson, British journalist John McCarthy, the Archbishop of Canterbury's special envoy Terry Waite and Irish citizen Brian Keenan.
• Car bombing of U.S. embassy on Beirut killing 241 & car bombing of French military barracks in Beirut killing 58 (1983)
3. That Hassan Nasrallah in his speech on the 9th of April 2000 at the Shi'ite Moslem "Ashura" flagellation ceremony, called ‘Nazi atrocities’ a legend ‘invented by the Jews’ and called for the dissolution of the state of Israel on the grounds that "Anyone who reads the Koran and the holy writings of the monotheistic religions sees what they [the Jewish people] did to the prophets, and what acts of madness and slaughter the Jews carried out ...
Anyone who reads these texts cannot think of co-existence with them, of peace with them, or about accepting their presence, not only in Palestine of 1948 but even in a small village in Palestine, because they are a cancer which is liable to spread again at any moment..."

NUS Further Believes

1. That the further escalation between Israel, Hezbollah and Hamas is detrimental to peace future stability of the region and will only lead more violence and to further loss of life.
2. That whilst the capture of Israeli soldiers is inexcusable, Israel has continued to exercise disproportionate military action on Lebanon.
3. The Lebanese army has been told not to respond to the Israeli attacks.
4. Hezbollah are continuing to launch hundreds of rockets at Isreal on a daily basis
5. That whilst the Lebanese President continues to support Hezbollah, the Prime Minster has urged for the release of the Israeli soldiers.
6. The majority of lives lost on both sides of the conflict have been that of innocent civilians.
7. Every life lost in this bitter conflict is a message for us to call for a just peace in the Middle East.
8. As a progressive union it is our duty to promote peace and understanding between peoples.
9. Slogans seen on the STWC demo of the 22/7 such as “We are all Hizbollah” conflate support for the Lebanese people with support for a reactionary political movement engaged in terrorist attacks on innocent Israelis.
10. Diplomatic efforts from the US and UK governments has failed to bring about a sustainable ceasefire.
11. George Galloway is clearly not ignorant of Hezbollah’s history of violence and the killing of innocents knowing his comments may breach the 2000 Terrorism Act
10. By expressing support for Hassan Nasrallah George Galloway is supporting a leader who is openly antisemitic and a holocaust denier.
11. The views expressed by Hassan Nasrallah as the leader of Hezbollah and applauded by George Galloway run contrary to the values of our union: solidarity, peace and respect.
12. Hezbollah carries out acts of terror and as such should be viewed as a terrorist organisation.

NUS Resolves

1. To Support calls for a UN Peacekeeping Force in Southern Lebanon.
2. To call on Israel to halt its disproportionate military action, condemn continuing attacks by terrorists on Israeli citizens and add our voice to calls for a sustainable ceasefire.
3. To Support Lebanese internationalists and the movement for progressive democratic reform in Lebanon.
4. To call for the opening of diplomatic ties between the Lebanese Government and Israeli Government.
5. To support the call for the release of Israeli soldiers
6. To call on the UK Government to pledge significant aid to the region
7. To reaffirm our commitment to a free and independent Palestinian State with the same rights as Israel in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza alongside a secure and independent Israel side by side in peace, with free communication and travel between the two states.
8. To condemn George Galloway for his comments and support for the racist, antisemitic, fascist leader of Hezbollah.
9. For the Co-convenors of the Anti-Racism campaign to write a letter to the Respect party condemning their current stance on the crisis in the Middle-East, and for this letter to be sent out as a press release.

2006-07-28T17:24:00.000Z

Hello all,

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, my name is Cat Smith and I am your NEC Observer from the North West region. Thank you to those of you who elected me at the last regional conference, I will endeavour to fulfil my promises to you, including updating this blog.

A little about me: I am currently the full time Women's Officer at Lancaster University Students' Union. This means that I am easily contactable; please visit here for my contact details, there's also a little bit more about who I am. I hope that you will feel able to ask me any questions, big or small, about the meetings.

The first meeting is 3rd August, next Thursday. I will blog as soon as I can after the meeting but I will be going to the National Postgraduate Committee Conference that weekend so it will have to be early the next week.

Cat

2006-05-19T09:59:00.000Z

Here are the motions submitted by the ordinary deadline for the 3rd National Council of 2005/6, nearly all of which are re-submitted text that didn't get discussed at National Conference. Due to the copying and pasting from the final motions document we're told they've been submitted by CMs (no CM sits directly on Council), that 'Conference [will] resolve' to do things despite it not sitting for many months and that speeches have already been allocated.

Feel free to get in touch with any of us with your views or potential changes we could submit.

Ben

Motion no: 1
Heading: Health
Submitted by: York College of FE, Nottingham University, Huddersfield New College.

Conference believes:
1. Sport England identify ‘utilising education’ as on of the seven key drivers of change, and ‘further and higher education’ as one of the five settings for change in physical activity.
2. Department of Health guidelines which recommend 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week.
3. The ‘5 a day’ campaign, to encourage increased fruit and vegetable consumption.
4. The correlation between good health and well being and better academic results.
5. Alcohol is often a feature of many social activities.
6. Some students choose not to drink or be in the proximity of alcohol for personal, cultural or religious reasons.
7. Excessive alcohol consumption can be dangerous to an individual’s health.
8. The Healthy College programme should be given more government support funding.
9. The Further Education age group is often overlooked by the government.

Conference further believes:
1. Barriers to participation exist, and continued engagement with campaigns such as ‘out in sport’ and ‘kick racism out of football’ is important.
2. A healthy living campaign must take a holistic approach, and should include alcohol and smoking awareness, and mental, sexual and physical health.
3. The choice of some students not to drink should be respected.
4. Students who choose not to drink alcohol are discriminated against if social and democratic activities are held in areas where alcohol is consumed, which is a barrier to inclusion.
5. Students’ Unions should remove all barriers to inclusion and promote responsible drinking.
6. FE students must be supported by the Governments through programmes like the healthy college scheme.

Conference resolves:
1. Promote participation in physical activity and good.
2. Engage with liberation campaigns to continue to fight barriers to participation.
3. Produce a comprehensive fact pack on the effects of alcohol, smoking and drugs, to facilitate the rolling out of campaigns on campus.
4. That NUS should highlight to Students’ Unions how alcohol can be a barrier to participations and suggest/encourage alternatives.
5. That Students’ Unions should develop alcohol-free zones and well publicised alcohol-free social activities, especially during fresher weeks.
6. That all democratic Students Union and NUS activities include alcohol free options so that those who choose not to drink alcohol can participate fully.
7. That Students’ Unions and NUS should ensure that soft drinks are always available where alcoholic drinks are served and are not more expensive.
8. Mandate NUS to include responsible drinking in NUS Welfare campaigns.
9. Campaign to bring the health of students in FE to the Governments attention.

Motion no: 2
Heading: Building international links
Submitted by: Stephen Findley – Scottish Rep

Conference believes:
1. NUS has a proud history of campaigning and working on international issues such as the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
2. Many issues for students in the UK, such as student funding, widening access and union development, are shared by students in other countries.
3. Our movement and national union should always be outward looking – to build links, support and solidarity with students’ unions in other countries around the world.

Conference further believes:
1. By building policy links with student movements in other countries on issues such as the marketisation of higher education, on fair trade and making poverty history, student movements could have more influence on these issues.
2. NUS and NUS Scotland have taken forward work in making international links with countries such as Poland, Ukraine, the new South African Union of Students and the emerging student movement in Iraq and this should be built upon.
3. NUS has recently set up Across Borders: an International Student Union Twinning Programme and this should be expanded so that more unions in the UK and other countries can take part.

Conference resolves:
1. To support the NUS twinning programme in building links between students’ unions in the UK and those in other countries.
2. NUS to work to build policy links with student movements in other countries.
3. NUS to seek funding from ethical external organisations to support work in this area.
4. To support the development of emerging sister democratic, student-led student movements in countries around the world in any way we reasonably can.

259 words

AMENDMENT: 805a
Heading: Minicabs
Submitted by: Nottingham University

Conference believes:
1. Many Students will get into the nearest minicab at the end of a night out.

Conference further believes:
1. Minicabs are uninsured if not booked in advance, which leave many students vulnerable.

Conference resolves:
1. Mandate the VP Welfare to raise awareness of the danger of using non-booked minicabs, by providing appropriate campaign resources to CMs.

Heading: Not for Profit
Submitted by: Lambeth College, City College, Norwich, Dudley College

Conference believes:
1. Canteens used to be publicly owned and run by colleges and universities.
2. That since our canteens have been franchised out to profit led companies like Scolarest/Compass, the quality of food has gone down, prices have rocketed and the diet need aren’t always met.
3. That private companies like Scolarest/Compass are receiving subsidies from colleges and universities.
4. That students are angry over the question of canteens and will fight on the issues when given a lead.
5. That Government is launching a campaign into healthy eating for primary and secondly school children making sure they receive a healthy and balance diet.
6. Often less healthy food is often cheaper than healthy options.
7. Students often lack choice to go elsewhere if their campus isn’t near any independent shops or food outlets.

Conference further believes:
1. College and university managements can and should find the resources to fund canteens without the intervention of profit-hungry franchises.
2. That canteens, like all other facilities, should be publicly owned and democratically run by the colleges and universities to meet the needs of students on a not-for-profit basis. This would allow students the ability to control what we are offered for our money

Conference resolves:
1. That NUS opposes all franchising out of education facilities, including catering provision.
2. That NUS will put resources into and actively campaign for the bringing into public hands of all canteen catering provision to be owned and democratically run.
3. To support and put resources into the “quality food at prices students can afford campaign” to involve as many students as possible in action especially in the FE sector, a national day of action, surveys, boycotts and awards for highest price and poorer quality/
4. Unite with all other Trade Unions and workers to unionise canteen staff to fight for decent services, pay and conditions.

Heading: Canteens & NUSSL
Submitted by: Lambeth College, City College, Norwich, Dudley College

Conference further believes:
1. NUSSL provides a good quality and affordable service to students’ unions in supply of food, drinking products and recently condoms.
2. That NUSSL should develop a social enterprise to counter the threat of the expansions of capitalism on our campus because we believe the student movement can provide these services better and cheaper.

Conference resolves:
1. The National Treasurer to work with NUSSL to develop a social enterprise to bid for catering services and licensed outlets at colleges and universities across the UK. Social enterprise shall return all profits to host student unions/students for their benefit and will source products that are environmentally and ethically sound.

AMENDMENT: 805e
Heading: Mental Health
Submitted by: NEC

Conference believes:
1. Mental ill health amongst students continue to rise, with over 1 million of NUS’ membership suffering.
2. In its current state the draft bill is widely regarded as too draconian, and threatens rather than protects the mentally ill.
3. Black & Ethnic Minority students are disproportionately likely to be diagnosed with mental health problems and sectioned.

Conference further believes:
1. Stigmas and myths still surround perceptions of mental health.
2. It is essential that NUS continue raising awareness about mental health issues.
3. NUS has this year played a key role in delaying the mental health bill as a core member of the mental health alliance.

Conference resolves:
1. Mental health to be a priority for NUS in 06/07.
2. To hold a mental health training day.
3. For NUS to continue playing an active role in the mental health alliance.
4. To work with the SWD and black students campaign on this issue.

Heading: Students rights at Work
Submitted by: NEC, Ruskin College, Goldsmith College, Birmingham University
Conference believes:
1. Students are currently faced with a huge burden of debt – set to increase to over £20,000 from 2006.
2. There is a proven link between student debt and mental ill health.
3. Many students work in badly- paid jobs.
4. Many students take work in the service sector.
5. Such jobs are unlikely to be unionised and workers in such jobs often suffer from poor job security, poor health and safety, long hours, and low wages.
6. It is 30 years since the introduction of the equal pay act. Now in 2005 the full time gender pay gap is 17.2%. A reduction of just 12.2% since the Equal pay act came into force.
7. The 2005 part-time pay gap is 38.5% and has barely changed in 30 years, in 1975 it’s was 41.6%.
8. Equal opportunities commission warns that unless decisive action is taken the gender gap will continue for another generation.
9. 78% of part time workers are women.
10. Women’s retirement income is 57% of men’s, with less that 1 in 4 retired women being entitled to a full basic state pension on the basis of their own National Insurance contributions, compared to over three quarters of men.
11. The national minimum wage (NMW) has improved the wages of 1.5 million people, including 1 million women;
12. The trade union campaign for a NMW, “Give Me 5”;
13. That the NMW for 22 years plus has now surpassed £5/hr, due to be £5.35 from 1st October 2006;
14. That age discrimination persists in the NMW with a development rate for 18-21 years olds and those on their first sixth months of training at £4.50/hr; and the 16-17 rate of just £3/hr;
15. That the British Youth Council and trade unions led the campaign for a NMW for 16-17 year olds;
16. Research from the BYC shows that students, both FE and HE, need to earn a decent NMW to stay on their course and at 16-17 to afford higher education.

Conference further believes:
1. Student hardship must be a priority for NUS in the year top-up fees are brought in.
2. The heavy burden of debt means less choice and freedom for students during sand after university.
3. Being forced to undertake part time work can impact negatively on student’s education, welfare and opportunity to participate in their union.
4. NUS and TUs should encourage ‘best practice’ on British campuses: workers deserve decent pay, conditions and contracts. In particular NUS should encourage CMs to take up ‘Living Wage’ campaigns; one estimate in London is that this amounts to at least £6.70/hour, the European ‘Decency Threshold’ is £7.50/hour.
5. Workers who work in SUs, in college canteens or as security staff, or cleaners should be brought in-house.
6. That there should be equal pay for equal work;
7. That age discrimination in that NMW is unacceptable;
8. That a higher NMW will mean less pressure to work hours that negatively impact on exams, coursework and access qualifications and especially for 16-17 year olds it would mean students could afford to save for their higher education.
9. There is a need for a change in the attitude towards men’s place in society, and particularly the domestic sphere.
10. There is ever increasing pressure upon single parents in education and greater support is required for those working part time.
11. Under current legislation pay disputes are argued by the individual at tribunals, this is a costly process and through which a greater burden is placed upon the worker. This inevitably makes the system unwieldy and not easy to affect change.
12. NUS should fight for the repeal of the anti-trade union laws introduced by the Tories and maintained by Blair, which prevent workers from organising effectively for their rights.

Conference resolves:
1. To launch a Welfare campaign in 06/07 to defend and promote students rights.
2. For NUS to carry out in-depth research into the impact of student hardship and debt.
3. To encourage students to join a trade union and work with trade unions to educate students around their rights.
4. To launch such a campaign in the next academic year.
5. To campaign for the repeal of the anti-trade union laws.
6. To support the work of trade unions fighting for equal pay.
7. To develop an inclusive campaign to deliver equal pay for all student workers.
8. To Lobby the government and MP’s to ensure that the equal pay act is enforced in the private sector.
9. To ensure that the rights of student workers under the age of 18, IE Further Education students, are being upheld and that they are receiving at the very latest the minimum wage.
10. To run a “Give Me 5 Too” campaign to end inequality in the NMW;
11. To re-affirm our affiliation to the BYC and vital work with trade union partners and their youth wings;
12. Encourage FE/HE partnership working on this issue to achieve for their common membership.

MOTION: 808
Heading: Students and Taxation
Submitted by: Oxford Brookes University

Speech for Oxford Brookes University (2 mins)
Speech against: Free (2mins )

Conference believes:
1. Many students have multiple part time employment whilst at university.
2. The taxation system is highly complicated and confusing.
3. Many employers and students are unsure of which tax form they should complete.
4. Many students are taxed when they should not be without realising it.
5. Many students do not understand how to make a re-bate to collect the tax they have been charged.
6. The current P50 form is unrealistic to student needs.

Conference further believes:
1. Student hardship is worse than ever and set to increase further with the onset of top-up-fees.
2. Collectively, students are losing millions of pounds every year, as they are unaware of the procedures and their rights regarding taxation.
3. Full time students ought to be exempt from paying tax.

Conference resolves:
1. For the Vice President Welfare to work with the In-land Revenue to create easy to understand guidelines for distribution to student unions, regarding students and tax.
2. To lobby the Inland Revenue to alter the P50 form.
3. To lobby the Government to exempt students from paying tax.

Summation Oxford Brookes University (1½ mins)

Heading: Defend our Pensions
Submitted by: Leicester University

Conference believes:
1. Millions of public sector workers have shown their preparedness to take united action forcing the Labour government into its second major retreat over this issue within six months by agreeing to maintain existing workers’ conditions.
2. Strike ballots amongst PCS, UNISON, TGWU, Amicus and UCATT local government members voted heavily on favour of strike action in defence of pensions.
3. However, New Labour hope to make new savings through introducing a worse scheme for new starters – effectively a two-tier scheme with new starters either having to pay more to keep retirements at 60 viable or working on to 65.
4. NUS members are future workers, many of whom will be working in the public sector and affected by the government’s attacks.

Conference further believes:
1. The partial victory for existing workers was won because the government and the bosses were seriously worried by the united front of workers preparing to struggle through militant industrial action.
2. NUS must demonstrate to its membership that is opposes such attacks and will stand up and fight for the interest of students for a decent future pension.

Conference resolves:
1. NUS will promote trade union rights among its members who will be moving into full-time work.
2. NUS will ensure that workers struggling against a two-tier pension scheme will get active support from the student movement.
3. NUS will organise mass regular action – through meetings and activities – as part of a campaign for decent pensions in both the public and private sector workers.

Heading: Students Inclusion
Submitted by: Keele University

Conference believes:
1. With the introduction of variable tuition fees from 2006, Higher Education Institutions will see an increase in the number of students choosing to stay and live at home whilst studying at University.
2. With the ever increasing costs and difficulties incurred by international students, this will not only affect where they choose to live whilst studying in the UK, but also their decision to study here in the first place.

Conference further believes:
1. A large proportion of students feel marginalized from Universities simply because they live off campus or not in close proximity to the campus.
2. Universities often use principles of community spirit as a selling point for recruitment, yet often ignore the fact that many students will end up living far from the campus.
3. Many Public transport systems cannot support the needs of students. It cannot accommodate different timetables, and is not able to cope with student demands.
4. Universities that do not accept students into University accommodation force students to use expensive, unreliable and sometimes unreachable public and private transport.

Conference resolves:
1. To campaign for increased welfare support to residents outside University owned/managed accommodation, both home students and international students.
2. To encourage the development of non-resident societies as a means of connecting with nonresident students.
3. To apply pressure on Universities and local Governments to review and improve the public transport offered to students.

2006-02-06T23:29:00.000Z

NUS National Council

14^th November 2005

Minutes

1. Those present

National Executive Committee

Gemma Tumelty Joe Rukin

Julian Nicholds Veronica King

Melanie Ward Sian Davies

Jo Salmon James J Walsh

Kat Louis Benson Osawe

Stephen Brown Dan Chilcott

Jamal El-Shayyal Jessica Kosmin

Peter Leary Judith Niven

Daniel Randell

Delegates

Richard Budden Area Rep

Andy Higson East Anglia Rep

Darryl Ley East Anglia Rep

Joel Bodner East Anglia Rep

Ben Ward East Midlands Rep

Kate Stevenson East Midlands Rep

Stephen Knights East Midlands Rep

Hayley Mills LGBT Rep

Scott Cuthbertson LGBT Rep

Ibrahim Ishaq Conteh London Rep

Rajesh Joshi London Rep

Morag Maich Mature Students Rep

Andrew Metcalfe North East Rep

Louise Sweeney North East Rep

Michael Armstrong North East Rep

Ben Soffa North West Rep

Stephen Mullens North West Rep

James Alexander Scottish Rep

Claire McAvinchey South East Rep

Katie Hawle South East Rep

Nick Smith South East Rep

Henry Oakley South West Rep

Katie Shaw South West Rep

James Hughes SWD Rep

Ben Gray Welsh Rep

Ama Uzowuru West Midlands Rep

Richard Angell West Midlands Rep

Staff

Tim Mallender Director of

Pauline Brett Events Manager

Diane Maginnis Events Officer

Ian Connell Events Officer

Opening remarks from Gemma Tumelty, National Secretary

Protocols

Staff Protocol

Equal Opportunities

Fire Regulations

Election of Chair – Ben Ward was elected.

Apologies

Pav Akhtar, not well but coming later

Jessica Kosmin, Has exam will be arriving later

Kat Fletcher & Ellie Russell, meeting with foster, arriving later.

Peter Leary, Coming Late

Wes Street, sick.

Derfel Owen

Vote to accept apologies – Carried

National Council by-laws;

Gemma Tumelty, produced a set of council by-laws and asked council to adopt them.

After suggestions from Council floor it was agreed that the by laws would be adopted for the current meeting and brought back to the next council.

Statements

Minutes to previous meeting:

Ø Stephen Brown names wrong

Ø Derfel Owen, Mis-spelt

Vote to accept minutes –Carried

New Affiliations

Forth Valley College, Students Association

Clackmannon (see Joe Rukin)

SEANUS to be recognised.

Commissions

Liberation

Jo Salmon outlined the work of the Women’s Campaign. Two priority Campaigns this year.

Pro Choice and Proud of it – Spoke at the House of Lords and working with Pro abortion.

Just the Job – Campaign about Women’s rights at work, gender pay, raising awareness amongst women, the pay gap and the sex discrimination act.

Sian Davies outlined the work of the Students with Disabilities Campaign.

Mental Health -Joint mental health campaign with the Welfare Campaign. Held a successful mental heath awareness day.

Planning a lobby of Parliament.

Don’t dis my Disability- Disability Pride.

Activate Campaign- Sports day held last week. Involving Students in your Union day coming up.

Sexual Revolution – getting machines put into Disabled toilets. Information and posters online.

Scott Cuthbertson asked about the DDA awarding bodie?

The DDA Act 5 went through in April 2005. All CM’s now have a duty by September 2006.

At present all students with disabilities have to deal with access issues them selves. For example they have to seek legal advice from lawyers.

The new law now ensures that the university is responsible for any adaptions are done.

Briefing going online this week and planning an events next term.

CHER. What is liberation campaigns doing?

Taking this to conference. All liberation campaign has been consulted. Working together to work out a strategy as all officers have a different opinion.

There are fears that we could be suggested that NUS create an Equal Opportunity Liberation Unit. If the commission have merged they may be pressure to merge the liberation campaign and we must ensure hat this does not happen

Welfare Commission

The welfare commission was started with each NEC reporting on what they have done up until now.

Melanie Ward outline what they have done with various projects covering strange and active unions.

Melanie Ward and Dan Chilcott have worked on joint project in student union developments.

Daniel Randall had nothing to add as Melanie ward and Dan Chilcott has said it all but will answer related questions.

Stephen Brown said he had some work down with LGBT students in trade unions and some work on disaffiliations.

Dan Chilcott, Flick Cox and Jamal El Shayyal outline how they done a lot of work with international union relationship development. The feed back from student media was very positive.

Joe Rukin said NUS extra feedback would be in Manchester – 23000 cards were sold.

For the small union the cards had done very well even the HE’s had done very well.

Finance committee Friday 11/11/05 stop a budget form over spending.

Gemma Tumelty spoke about the Russell Commissions Stephen Brown applied to be on the board to represent NUS.

She also spoke about work on brief the student media officer online message board none restrictions, Annual Conference mailing and NUS Scotland union re-affiliating.

Ben Soffa had two questions policy for Kat Louis policy point 20

Gemma Tumelty spoke about collective accountability, Scot Cuthbertson said its in the report and plan.

(29) Andy Higson

James Alexander NUS extra discount, the estimate was rejected by last National Council … Judith Niven NPC

Blogg Monitoring Gemma Tumelty and Joe Rukin will try and keep up with them.

Joe Rukin explained submitting blogg does not mean that they get on to the web due to the web team workload.

Dan Chilcott said what should be in the blogg will help in monitoring the blogg.

Andy Higson raised the question of NEC accountability

Gemma Tumelty spoke about understanding how we vote and why we vote.

Joe Rukin spoke about some pizza house not accepting the card, it seems there is not enough discount on the card, there was also some card teething question of what went right and what went wrong.

Estimates was work out base on last year budget figures new estimates need to be redrawn for next year. Saving on events department is not actual so saving would be transferred; Joe Rukin doesn’t believe they would be new budget prepaid.

More on budget, business development software is not available to give actual estimates of what’s spending. One budget that over spent was the international students budget.

Rajesh Joshi asked if nothing can be prepaid due to the accounts two months behind, can amalgamated budgets be prepaid so that unions can see what state is NUS finance.

Gemma Tumelty spoke of FE participation very important. NUS card FE essential to help developing FE.

Joe Rukin FE’s budget won’t be coming out still working on it due to lack of staff.

(7)

Joel Bodner question institution selling cards Gemma Tumelty said she understanding the FE Colleges who sell cards as the college are not funding the union.

Need to make FE priority campaign.

Break

Society & Citizenship

Daniel Randall spoke about the paper office

Ben Grey working on it.

Gemma Tumelty talked about internationalism campaign submitting motions e.g. on climate change

Jo Salmon spoke about women’s right worldwide and poverty access to welfare and raise awareness around the world. This should be done at Women’s International Day.

Jamal El-Shayyal and Dan Chilcott spoke about internationalism the way that Europe fund student’s French notes the civil liberty campaign continue working until the bill is pan (term law).

Daniel Randall brought up fair trade and coca-cola, Anti-Sweatshop week 11 – 18 November 2005 women’s right can feed into this re-integrate student trade unionism.

Pay is very little hours are very long unions to fight for your rights on campus.

Kat Louis spoke of the work with LGBT and international workers right and the gay rights festivals.

Peter Leary spoke of producing briefing around civil liberties related issues including BNP and vote registration, international laws around Palestine.

James Walsh spoke about youth involvement.

Raise the issue of smoking bill?

Joe Rukin respond by outlining that students may exempt from this but private members may have to ballot their members.

To keep union many want to keep the option.

Joe Rukin suggest daytime smoking band and smoking start after 6.pm

Ben Soffa asked the block of 12 is there anyway of changing things so that other things can pass.

Education

Julian Nicholds introduced the commission and invited question from the floor?

Top of fees. What are we doing about that?

Regular updates online. Actively campaigning. Working party for course closures.

Setting up a coalition, currently writing statements to oppose £3000 cap. Meeting with Teacher Unions. Statements to get student union to sign up for the coalition.

Week of action at the end of February. Letter going out in next mailing with suggestions of what campuses can do.

CB8 – What form has the National Welsh Education Campaign taken so far?

Responsibility with Derfel Owen to ensure this happens by the end from January onwards.

RC8 Freedom of information act?

Work with the Association of Colleges. Governors are often not elected. NUS Development surveys highlighted issues. Now have a development team. Spoke at Leadership Foundation, though based around HE want to focus on FE unions next year.

Will a survey take place?

Sian will take it to the FE task force.

Melanie Ward, NUS Scotland looking to change from 1 to 2 student reps on board of management.

Can NUS force FE’s to elect governors?

Depends on constitutions. Some presidents automatically get elected automatically after there elections. People coming forward and saying ‘I’ll do it’ is not acceptable.

We will ensure that information is clarified online.

CR15 – How are we trying to attract students into higher education?

Working with office of fair access. NUS does not have enough power to force institutions to change.

Meeting with OFFA. Will put outcome of meeting on Blog.

Can SU’S do anything prior to the NUS meeting?

Currently trying to establish how we are going to work. If SU want to write letters prior to the meeting that would be great.

Julian – What are you doing in FE?

Ensuring that the priority campaigns are not HE campaigns but campaigns for all.

Public & Media in FE Colleges. Perceptions – HE not FE Colleges always hit the deadlines?

Lots of work on FE/HE Partnerships. Needs to meet with Ellie to discuss how we do this. Improvements since the VP FE took over this year. She is working with the Foster review report today. We are trying to clarification of what is an FE as the FE section has changed dramatically in the last 2-3 year. New FE Zone on Officer online.

What has been done to oppose unfair fee increase for International Students?

None done anything specific. Fees should not be value for money and should not go up by more that inflation. Now moved into new direction- Visa extensions.

NSS – Harassment’s of People. Hearing of students contacted 12 times on their mobiles?

Staff post, to do review. Working closely with the IPSOS. Needs to tidy up a few thing, wants to see a reduction in the amount of time contacted.

How do they get the information?

They get contact details from the institution and this is not covered by the data protection.

How is the ITT Charter going?

Wes Streeting has responsibility. Will keep you updated. NUS NUT Charter coming out. Will get Wes to send

How to be an FE Advocate?

It is important that FE have a point of view. Will give details after about how to become a FE Advocate.

Lunch

Campaigns update.

NUS Welfare campaign update

Questions

Veronica King UUK and FE College

Hayley Mills asked about unanimous markings

Julian Nicholds outline this info is on the web with strong arguments there.

Richard Angell wanted to know have we got our question in early about education cap. We do need to get our message across.

James Alexander about the NUS Scotland Class Rep the responds to the Berger report

Julian Nicholds predecessor input NUS is in agreement to move this forward students to be graded on merit and personal development.

Rajesh Joshi wanted answers on medical students loans in the first year knowing they will have to pay.

Updates on NUS year of change.

Gemma Tumelty report on the Mori Report

A new research body which will help with the option of where to direct our resources. This will need membership input.

Some FE representation on the group a meeting in December/January

Suggest talk to the regions on how to do this.

Peter Leary asked how about three reps from each region.

Gemma Tumelty suggest a National Council subcommittee

James Alexander suggests select reps now and then decide how it will work later.

Northwest rep

West midland

Southeast

East Anglia

NUS Scotland

Women’s Campaign.

Ratification’s

Mature Students – Passed

Black Students – Passed

LGBT – Emergency motions are missing – Passed

International Students – Passed

Motions Session

Motion 1 – Access to National Council

For: Sian Davies, SWD Officer

Against: None

Summation: Sian Davies, SWD Officer

Vote: Carried

Motion 2 – Stagecoach

For: Scott Cuthbertson, NUS Scotland LGBT Rep

Against: Joe Rukin, NEC

For: James J Walsh, NUS LGBT Officer

Against: Andrew Higson, EA Rep

Points of clarification

Summation: Scott Cuthbertson, NUS Scotland LGBT Rep

Vote: Carried

Motion 3 –

For: Hayley Mills, LGBT Rep

Against: None

Points of clarification

Parts CR 2 – Council agreed to remove - Richard Angell, WM Reps

Summation: James Alexander, Scottish Rep

Vote: Carried

Motion 4 –

For: Joshi, London Rep

Speech: None

Parts: CR4 “The 90 Day”

Against: Benson Osawe, NUS International Students Officer

For: Jamal El Shayyal, NEC

Against: Peter Leary, NEC

For: None

Vote: Carried

CR1

Against: Benson Osawe, NUS International Students Officer

For: Jamal El Shayyal, NEC

Withdrawn

Points of clarification

Suspension of Standing Orders.

Kate – East Midland to amend the word university and replace with institution.

Vote: Carried

Summation: Joshi, London Rep

Vote: Carried

Motion 5 –

For: Rishi Madlani, London Rep

Against: None

Vote Carried

Motion 6 –

For: Richard Angell, WM Rep

Against: None

Points of clarification

Summation: Formally

Vote: Carried

Motion 7

For: Richard Angell, WM Rep

Against: None

Points of clarification

Parts CR1 ‘successes tab’

Summation: Formally

Vote: Carried

Motion 8 –

For: Andy Higson

Against: None

Points of clarification.

Part CR1 ‘to…. Secretary:

Against: Kat Louis, LGBG Officer

For: Joe Rukin, National Treasurer

Standing orders suspend to vote to add the word ‘ treasurer’ carried.

Vote to add Conference believes: ‘ liberation campaigns are not accountable to national council. Carried

Summation: Andy Higson, EA Rep

Vote: Carried

Report Motion Session:

Motion to condemn Gemma Tumelty, National Secretary for holding Regional Conferences during the period of Ramadam.

For: Stephen Mullens,

Against: Statement read out on behalf of Gemma.

Opposed motion by Jamal El Shayyal, NEC

Motion withdrawn.

Statements

Close of Council

2006-02-05T23:23:00.000Z

The Year of Change
Ben Soffa

At the first National Council each region was asked to select one of its reps to sit on the Year of Change steering group (called that even though it's the second year running there's been such a group) which is looking into possible changes to NUS structures as well as receiving the MORI research and guiding the creation of a strategic plan for the National Union.

First Meeting

We held our first meeting at NUS HQ on 19th December with regional and liberation reps meeting with the NEC Strategy Team, Andy Grant the NUS National Director and Jim Dickinson, Director of Regions. Discussions began on the MORI report, which in 47 pages manages to say nothing that earth shattering - at least not to the extent of justifying the £50,000 spent on it.

There's plenty of sensible stuff in the report but it mostly says the things anyone would know if they hung around in any Union bar for a couple of hours: students like the idea of there being an NUS, think it does some good stuff but can be useless at other times. If budgets are so tight, maybe would shouldn't be hiring in consultants to collect statements of the obvious?

For example, we should clearly be using modern communication techniques to run our campaigns, but the report seems to suggest we should just be sending text messages as a replacement for demos as it "feel's more modern". Other comments include support for the idea that liberation events are too "niche and exclusive" as they don't encourage all groups of student to attend and that General Managers like commercial services (now there's a surprise!).

Andy Grant, National Director, introduced some items proposed to go into the Strategic Plan, the main point of interest being the presumption (and apparently something told to Union General Managers at the AMSU conference) that Unions that sell more Extra cards will receive a reduction to their affiliation fees. Several of us at the meeting felt that this double incentivisation of Unions to sell cards (i.e. their cut of the card price, plus a fee reduction) would result in them promoting them to students whether they were useful to them or not as well as harming those Unions who receive block grants in part based on their fixed costs like NUS affiliation. Certain people seem to be wanting to move the whole basis of the National Union to selling between half a million (NUS figure) and a million (NUSSL target) Extra cards a year.

We then moved on to the Review of Regions which was much more positive and actually feels like reform that will improve things, rather than just for reforms sake. Basically the idea is to cluster more staff roles together in 'super-regions' within England (North, Middle, South, London) so you don't just have a single RO and RA acting as generalists but can have a training officer, and events officer, an FE development officer etc. as well as multiple ROs. These plans are to be discussed with the staff union.

After splitting up into several groups we spent only about 20 minutes looking at democratic structures and how to respond to the MORI recommendation - no time to get into any real discussion. These brief outlines, mostly of things that people have been knocking around for years (and that Conference has consistently rejected) were then presented to the full group with the suggestion that individuals write them up and circulate them over the New Year break. I raised the concern that if we were to recommend any significant changes there'd be only a week or two between seeing them and the submission deadline for Conference, which gave no chance of consultation or debate in the wider movement (even if that was about tweaking a proposal) and that we should be aiming for a more considered process rather than rushing to make changes that could last for years, though the National Secretary seemed to think that none of this was necessary.

Second Meeting

At the second meeting of the Year of Change group in the second week of January we received updates on the progress of the Strategic and Regional Plans, the latter of which included proposals for an ‘autonomous political structure’ for London. It was revealed that the Strategic Plan, meant to guide the Union for 5 years will not be up for discussion at our supposed sovereign body – annual conference, but pass through the NEC for rubber stamping at National Council.

As the Manchester relocation has now fallen-through the purchase of a multi-million pound London location for ‘political’ staff (as opposed to back office functions) is being considered to avoid Capital Gains liabilities. The original intention to move many areas of the organisation out of London and co-locate them with NUSSL remains but may not occur until 2009/10.

The discussions on democratic change were varied, with the major proposals below. The document sent to CMs summarising the ideas is online at Gemma's blog with the paper I presented to the group here

1) Creation of a 9th English Region
2) Timing of 2nd Regional Conf to be before the Conference Amendments deadline (i.e. change deadline)
3) Zoning of the NEC and its work
4) Creating a formal Management Team from the NEC
5) Altering delegate entitlement after the expected surge upon using HEFCE Union membership figures
6) Role of the Regional Reps on National Council
7) Merging Sec/Tres, putting in staff support to allow this
8) Creating a VP HE, re-balancing the work between VP FE and other officers
9) Altering Regional structures
10) Reforming the NEC, Council, roles and relationships

2006-02-05T23:15:00.000Z

First Meeting of National Council

Ben Soffa

As I expect that not everyone will be interested in all the details of this report, I’ll start off with a short summary of the meeting:

Ben Ward was re-elected Chair of National Council
Creating a set of bye-laws was discussed, with them passing for full implementation at the next meeting
Commissions (Q&A’s) were held for Welfare, Strong and Active Unions, Education and Society and Citizenship
Updates were received from the Welfare, Education and FE campaigns
The ‘Year of Change’ reform project was discussed
All Liberation Conference policies were ratified.
Motions on the following were passed:
Links between Stagecoach, their boss, homophobic campaigns and if they should be on NUS extra
To support the Terrence Higgins Trust in a campaign to reduce VAT on condoms
Two motions on the London bombings, congratulating NUS on its response
On lobbying OFFA (Office for Fair Access) to ensure bursaries are distributed as HEIs claim they plan to
On publicising the successes of NUS on nusonline
Naming NEC members who fail to blog
A motion of censure against Gemma Tummelty (National Secretary) was proposed due to her timetabling of Regional Conferences over religious holidays, but after a short debate was withdrawn, the proposer accepting what had been said.

And now the fuller version:

The first meeting of National Council for the academic year was held in an absolutely freezing Coventry University Students’ Union on 14th November, a couple of weeks after Regional Conference where myself, Stephen Mullen and Steph Winter were elected to represent the North West on National Council. Unfortunately Steph couldn’t make it due to a crisis coming up at the last minute.

The aim of Council is to hold the NEC to account, to direct the NEC within the policy framework set at Annual Conference, pass policy ourselves, ratify policy passed at Liberation Conferences and review the accounts and estimates before Annual Conference.

Regional Priority Campaign Implementation

As well as our general scrutinising role, individual regional reps have “responsibility for implementing the NUS Priority Campaigns in their regions”. Whilst I believe campaigning must be at the heart of everything we do in NUS, I make no secret of the fact that with no funds for photocopying, mailings, travel expenses, phone calls etc. and not even any direct access to regional mailing lists there seems little that we can reasonably do on our own other than to remind you of the fact that Priority Campaigns exist, and large elements of them can be run by individual Unions.

I’d really love this to change and hope to discuss regional co-ordination at Regional Conference, ranging from free and simple ideas like an open access mailing list for both student officers and other activists and pooling some of our resources to support a particular campaign, through to much more advanced projects like considering re-forming one or more NUS Areas within the North West.

A sensible reform!

Whilst I’ve been sceptical of many of the changes made in the past two years on the grounds of cost cutting, one which I fully support was switching from holding National Council in a hotel conference suite to going to a Union building, as well as scrapping the ‘training sessions’ given the evening before (i.e. a bit of training for people who are mostly already used to working in a Council-style environment, followed by a lot of drinking, networking and profiling, all costing NUS thousands it doesn’t have).

The running of National Council

At the start of the meeting Ben Ward, who had been Chair of NC last year was re-elected to the position being the only candidate nominated. We then moved on discussing a set of bylaws drawn up by Ben Ward and Gemma Tummelty. Despite having been in existence since 1991, Council has until now had nothing defining how meetings should run.

This discussion linked closely with a motion proposed by SWD Officer Sian Davies on the accessibility of motions. Hand written motions can’t be provided to members with disabilities in an accessible format and are more difficult to read for all other councillors so it’s quite right that they’ll no longer be accepted.

Until now, motions had been accepted on the day – great for flexibility, perhaps less so for well thought out accurate policy. Now motions must be submitted 10 days in advance (emergency ones 4 days, though with no test as to what is an ‘emergency’) and amendments 2 days before. This, especially with the restriction on amendments is a major change so now points only found to be problematic during discussions at the meeting will either need to be passed or deleted.

The only other points of contention with the bylaws was allowing emergency meetings only in the small window of time that falls 8 weeks after the previous NC meeting. The bylaws were eventually passed only for the duration of the current meeting, with the expectation that issues such as these will be resolved in a new version to be voted upon at the next meeting.

Commissions

I attended the Strong and Active Unions commission where discussions included NUS Extra, the accounting estimates and blogs, and the Society and Citizenship commission where a wide range of topics from fair trade and potential smoking bans in Union bars to the BNP and questions of International Law in the Middle East were raised.

Presentations

After lunch presentations were given by Veronica King on Welfare work, including elements on the co-op housing project, by Gemma Tumelty on the MORI Research and Year of Change process and from Julian Nicholds on the Education campaign.

Motions and Ratifications

All liberation and specialist conference policy resolutions were passed (Black Students, Mature Students, LGBT and International Students) which brought us on to motions, the first of which was on the accessability of National Council, discussed above, which passed. The next motion was on the inclusion of Stagecoach on the Extra card, noting that Brian Souter had funded the ‘Keep the Clause’ campaign for the retention of Section 28 in Scotland out of Stagecoach earnings and resolving not to enter into any further negations with the company, as Conference had voted that Extra should only work with ethical companies. This motion passed, as did one on supporting the Terrence Higgins Trust campaign for a reduction or removal of VAT on condoms.

Two motions on NUS’ response to the 7th July bombings were then discussed, including one proposed by myself and London Rep Rishi Madlani entitled “Students stand united: no to terrorism, no to racism”. Both congratulated the response of NUS and their support for student communities who faced a massive upsurge in racism following the attacks.

Further motions included adding work campaigning for the bursaries agreed by institutions with OFFA to actually be delivered and other access-related work, a motion on publicising the successes of the NUS and one on ‘naming and shaming’ those NEC members who fail to blog.

A ‘report motion’ (used to censure, commend or remove responsibility from an Officer) to censure National Secretary Gemma Tumelty was brought over the timing of the 1st Term Regional Conferences on the Muslim festival of Eid and the Hindu/Jane/Sikh festival of Divali. After a statement from Gemma was read out (she having already left) and a speech by Jamal El-Shayyal asking for the motion to be withdrawn, the proposer, fellow NW Rep Stephen Mullen did so, feeling the matter to have been sufficiently aired, bringing Council business to a close.

2006-02-03T15:55:00.000Z

National Council Report – Nov 14^th, 2005

By Stephen Mullen, North West FE Rep

The morning started of with commissions. These are semi-informal question and answer sessions between the National Councillors and the National Executive. Questions are usually based around the NEC Report and Plan. I attended the Education Commission.

I asked some questions regarding Student Governors. Sian who was taking the questions on FE (Ellie Russell was at the announcement of the Foster Report) responded that Student Governors should be elected and not appointed by the Board of Governors (which unfortunately seems to be the case in my college and many others).

There was some discussion regarding the perception of FE and its public image, especially since FE issues don’t always hit the headlines. HE/FE partnerships were discussed and it was mentioned these had improved since the current VP FE took office.

The Foster Review which was reporting that day in London was discussed in brief.

I asked about FE Advocates and how to become one. The response was to ask Ellie Russell to become one.

I made a suggestion that since some of the extra income from new SU affiliations (particularly from the FE sector) and the NUS Extra card are not budgeted for; NUS should ring-fence the new money and put it into Union Development. Helping Students’ Unions increase their funding would also help NUS increase its own funding and help plug the deficit.

I made a point that some colleges did not have Students’ Unions, yet college still handed out NUS cards. There was some discussion on this. I suggested to Gemma that the www.nusonline.co.uk (advertised on the NUS Card) could be used as a tool to help encourage students to set up a union in their college. A section of the website should be devoted to “How to set up a Students’ Union,” with an easy to find link on the website.

After Lunch some of the NEC gave updates on their campaigns. Of particular interest to me was the report of the FE campaign. The Foster Review of Further Education was discussed. Ellie Russell and Kat Fletcher were not at National Council as they were representing students at the launch of the report. It was reported that there were over 17,000 hits on the NUS regarding the Foster Report. NUS has had a direct feed into the review. NUS has been pushing for the learner voice to be heard in the report. NUS has been campaign for 0.05% of college funding to be spent of Students’ Unions.

NUS has been campaigning for students who are engaged in student activities to be entitled to continue receiving their Educational Maintenance Allowances (EMA). The FE Advocate scheme was discussed. NUS has a new FE section on the officeronline.co.uk website called “FE Focus”. FE Elections resources were mentioned. These would be available on the website. NUS has been campaign for the Tomlinson recommendations to be implemented. NUS would be supporting the NATFHE strike at the AOC Conference on Wed 16^th.

NUS Year of change: Gemma gave a report on the Mori Report. She asked for representatives from each of the regions to meet at a later date to discuss the findings of the report. Each regional delegation went off to decide who would be the representative. We decided that it would be Ben Soffa who would represent the North West.

Motions and ratifications:

Ratifications of the liberation campaign were passed with little discussion. Next followed motions submitted by delegates. I was unaware that policy motions could be submitted to National Council until only a few days earlier. Motions that were submitted were.

Motion 1 – Access to National Council
Motion 2 – Stagecoach, Homophobia and NUS Xtra
Motion 3 – The Terrance Higgins Trust
Motion 4 – 7/7 Terrorist Attacks on London
Motion 5 – Students stand united: no to terrorism, no to racism
Motion 6 – OFFA, Protecting Bursaries and the Education Priority Campaign
Motion 7 – NUS’ Successes
Motion 8 – Blogs

Standing orders were suspended in order to change the odd word in some of the motions or add clarity. All motions were passed.

Report Motions. I submitted a motion against Gemma Tumelty for holding the Regional Conferences during the end of Ramadan. This meant some NEC members had to leave early from their conferences to observe their religious practices. There were also potential delegates (particularly FE students) were also unable to attend because of this. Gemma is the NEC member responsible for setting dates for regional conferences. I have never subscribed to the view that NUS is institutionally racist. NUS has always been at the forefront of the anti-racism campaign and leading public debate on this issue. Given the events earlier in the year in which NUS was accused of anti-Semitism I felt it important that NUS should be careful not be seen as racist. Gemma had left early so a statement was read out on her behalf. Jamal from the NEC spoke against a censure of Gemma and agreed that NUS should be careful in future. He asked me to withdraw the motion, which I did. The stated that he would be writing to Gemma regarding the matter. The aim of the motion was get the point across, which I felt I had done.

In this report I’ve tried to focus on parts of the Council meeting that I was most involved in or that weren’t covered in the minutes. I hope I have given you a good overview what was discussed. For more information visit http://nwnationalcouncil.blogspot.com for reports from the other North West representatives.

AOC Conference and the Foster Review – Nov 15^th, 2005

I was asked by Ellie Russell to represent FE students at the Association of Colleges Annual Conference in Birmingham the day after National Council, along with Joel Bodner from East Anglia, Ellie Russell, Kat Fletcher, and Jon Offord (FE Research & Policy Analyst). I believe this was the first time that students had attended the AOC Conference.

The report which had been launched the day before had recognised a key element that NUS had pushing for many years – the recognition of “The Learner Voice.” Credit goes Jon Offord for coining the term. The report emphasised the need for colleges to properly fund and support student representation.

The morning was spent walking round the various stalls at the conference, picking up free pens and newspapers, and winning a bottle of wine at the TES stall. Copies of the Foster report were made available at one of the stalls.

That afternoon Sir Andrew Foster gave his speech followed by a round of questions from the audience. I was due to ask a question regarding “The Learner Voice” and funding of student representation, unfortunately they ran out time and didn’t get to me.

After the speech everyone went for tea and biscuits and I spotted my Principal and Vice Principal. I got chatting to my Vice Principal about my union intruducing him to the VP FE and National President. He was very supportive of our efforts in setting up a Students’ Union at our college, mentioning that the Students’ Union at his old college in Oldham had been instrumental in bringing the community together after the race riots.

Later we got together with a representative from the AOC who had been working closely with NUS. We discussed the Foster Report, problems in our colleges, student representation, student governors, issues regarding under-16’s in our colleges.

2005-11-06T12:44:00.000Z

Dear all,
We'd like to introduce ourselves to you as your new regional reps on NUS National Council. National Council is the body that meets at least three times a year to call the National Executive Committee (NEC) to account, direct the work of the NEC within policy set by National Conference and guide the running and campaigns of NUS. We also have the task of rolling out the NUS Priority Campaigns in the region.

Without being in touch with members and unions across the North West there's no way we can effectively represent your views, so making contact with as many student officers and students as possible is our first priority. There are three ways we plan to do this and we need your help with all of them:

• Blog. We've set up a web site blog at http://nwnationalcouncil.blogspot.com where we'll post information on Council and campaigning related matters, proposed motions, issues, decisions and after each meeting of Council, our reports. We also really want to encourage everyone to use the 'comment' feature of the blog to share their views on anything we raise, or anything you want to raise.

• E-mail list. To supplement the blog and let people know when there's significant new information online we'd like to establish an email list of interested people through the region. We'd hope that all sabbatical officers will join (Council covers everything from education issues and NUS extra to sports and welfare campaigns) and will pass on this message to their non-sabb exec and Union Council members to give them a chance to know what's going on as well by joining the list. Email b.soffa@lancs.ac.uk with the subject 'subscribe council' to be added to the very low-volume list which will only be used by your three reps.

• Direct contact. All three of us are happy to discuss anything you would like raised at National Council directly with you. We're happy to help but please be aware that two of us are non-sabbatical officers and none of us have any funding associated with this role. Our details are below.

We want to communicate with members throughout the region, from the biggest HEs to the smallest and newest FE unions. National Council is about representing your views and we can only do that if you let us know what they are - please do get in touch.

Yours,

Ben Soffa, Lancaster University, b.soffa@lancs.ac.uk 07941 203 894
Steph Winter, University of Salford, president-ussu@salford.ac.uk 0161 736 7811
Stephen Mullen, Blackpool & the Fylde College, stephen@connectwireless.co.uk 07905 781 580

2005-11-04T10:21:00.000Z

Thanks for taking the time to visit the website of the North West NUS National Council representatives. Ben Soffa (Lancaster University), Steph Winter (University of Salford) and Stephen Mullen (Blackpool & the Fylde College) were all elected at the NW Regional Conference held in Liverpool Guild on Thursday 3rd November 2005 to represent the region on NUS National Council for a year.

We want to use this site as one of the ways we communicate with members throughout the region, from the biggest HEs to the smallest and newest FE unions. National Council is about representing your views and we can only do that if you let us know what they are - feel free to use the comments feature on this site to express your feelings on anything you think relevant to our roles or that you'd like brought up at National Council.

Many thanks,

Ben