On Monday 19th July Jane Heath and I represented our membership in participating in the protest against the academies bill and removal of BSF funding. Following the Rally and a march to Westminster we met with Stafford’s MP Jeremy Lefroy, and addressed a number of our concerns regarding the academies bill and the implications it could have for our members and staff working within his constituency. 

The main issues raised included:

• The lack of the requirement for proper consultation with all stakeholders, including parents, communities, trade unions and staff including the requirements of TUPE in light of the first academies proposed under this legislation.  The legislation is being pushed through Parliament at a fast pace, using timescales only usually reserved for National Security issues and Anti-terrorism legislation. The timescale being looked at is the introduction of legislation for September 2010 (when Schools resume for the start of the Academic year. (The first proposed academy in Staffordshire under this bill is John Taylor High School – Barton-under-Needwood, in November 2010). 
   
• The impact of funding Academies with the loss of funding to other schools in an area was well illustrated by the speaker at the Rally regarding the impact to Tamworth and could well be mirrored in other areas of the Authority.  Resulting in further losses to the community if the new Academies move away from those good quality services currently provided by the SCC.  The concern was this may well result in further job losses, in addition to the efficiency savings already identified.  Job losses within the administrative centre and the resulting impact this would have on the local economy.  Where would the replacement jobs come from within the area? 
   
• The other concern was the Transfer of land.  Transfer to academy status will involve the transfer of land from the current owner.  That is transfer of assets paid for by the tax payer to the academy and it’s backers which is land provided for community use, which under academy regulations, would no longer be designated as such. 

Last week, an Iranian woman, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, was saved by global protests from being stoned to death. 

But she may still be hanged -- and, meanwhile, execution by stoning continues. Right now fifteen more people are on death row awaiting stoning in which victims are buried up to their necks in the ground and then large rocks are thrown at their heads. 

Plans to boost local councillors’ allowances by 2.3% were condemned as “a disgrace” today (14 July) by West Midlands UNISON, the largest public service union in the region. 

The Local Government Association (LGA), who is recommending the increase, is also calling for councillors to get paid a daily rate of £152.77 to attend LGA meetings.

Roger McKenzie, UNISON’s regional secretary, said:

“This expenses hike is a disgrace.  What a slap in the face for hard working council staff across our region, who have not been offered a single penny pay increase this year.

Rising inflation, coupled with a pay freeze, is effectively a pay cut for workers already struggling to pay their bills and keep a roof over their heads.  In contrast to civil servants and other public sector workers, local government employers are refusing to give staff paid under £21,000, including nursery workers, home carers, housing workers, leisure and parks staff, school meals and cleaners, the £250 pay rise promised in the emergency budget. Where is the justice in that?
  
Councillors should be holding the town halls in our region to account and making sure taxpayers get good value for money. Those taxpayers would be right to ask why councillors are enjoying hikes in expenses, while workers and our increasingly hard pressed communities are left out in the cold?  Across the West Midlands council workers face massive job losses and communities are losing vital services they rely on.

For the LGA to publish two sets of guidelines on the same day - one suggesting that councillors get a rise and another condemning workers to a pay freeze - is shocking.”

This circular brings branches up to date with the Con Dem position on public sector pay, the LGA response and what we know local authorities have really put aside for cost of living increases (following a Freedom of Information request). Branches are asked to keep up the pressure on councilors and MPs for negotiations to deliver a pay rise. 

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