Disappointment with County Labour Councilors

Please see our updated post, to show our solidarity with the city Labour councilors, who we have for many years worked in partnership with.

This Morning , Bob Price Leader and Deputy Leader Ed Turner of Oxford City Council invited us along to a Labour Group Meeting at County Hall as they see us as being part of the same political family and thought it would help in the meeting, but the Oxfordshire County Councilors took a very different view and asked us to leave.

We were asked by Cllr Price and Cllr Turner to put forward the concerns of our Members/employees and residents from the the City Council. BUT upon arrival we had the door initially shut in our faces!! David and myself, are not only Senior Trade union officials of the branch, but also Labour party members and supporters, we were disgusted that the Oxfordshire County Labour Party could behave in such away, they seem to forget that the Local elections are nearly upon them and this does not help if they are seeking re-election!! we were told in no uncertain terms that they were not prepared to listen to our concerns at this time, regarding their proposals for One Oxfordshire.

If this is the way that they treat their Trade Union Supporters and members and not forgetting their total disregard of the view of the residents in Oxford!!! then how on earth are they going to represent the views of the whole of Oxfordshires residents should their bid be successful! they certainly don't want our respect that's for sure!!!

No one Oxfordshire

MPs warn Oxfordshire super council 'fails' government tests

OUR Oxfordshire MPs have together warned a plan to create a super council fails a key government test.

They said proposals backed by Oxfordshire County Council, Vale of White Horse District Council and South Oxfordshire District Council did not have the support of other authorities or 'the majority of MPs'.

The three authorities want to scrap all six of the county's biggest councils and replace them with one organisation, which could save £20m. 

But in a joint statement, Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, Witney MP Robert Courts, Banbury MP Victoria Prentis and Henley MP John Howell said: "We have seen that South Oxfordshire and the Vale of the White Horse are now backing a bid for a county-based unitary authority.

"We have also seen that this is opposed by Cherwell District Council, Oxford City Council, and West Oxfordshire District Council. 

"So this is not a unified bid across the whole county, does not have the support of the majority of the County’s MPs, and fails the criteria for consensus which the Department of Communities and Local Government are working to."

To read the full story from the Oxford Mail Click here.

'Super council' plans spark civil war between Tory leaders in Oxfordshire

Great article in the Oxford Times from Cherwell District Council leader Barry Wood and West Oxfordshire District Council leader James Mills.

James Mills, leader of Conservative-run West Oxfordshire District Council, said there was ‘no way’ he would back the plans because it would mean a council tax hike for residents. His authority charges the lowest annual rate of council tax in the county – just £86.63 – but under a super council rates across different areas would be ‘harmonised’ to become the same.

Full story can be found Here .Tories spark civil war  

Great words from Andrew Smith MP

Please take note before it's to late.

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith said today in the Oxford Mail (07/02/2017) that the city should have more powers, not fewer.

He said: “In the interests of local democratic accountability and having councils which are in touch with the issues in their area, I have long supported unitary status for Oxford city, ideally on wider boundaries than present so that housing, transport and environmental protection can be planned properly.

“Swindon, Reading and Milton Keynes all have unitary status rather than being swallowed up in a wider county authority, and Oxford residents should have the same right.”

Mr Smith said he had voiced concerns to top government ministers, including Communities Secretary Sajid Javid.

The Labour politicians were speaking after Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire district councils announced they were teaming up with Oxfordshire County Council, to submit plans for a super council next month.

This would see council tax made the same for all households in Oxfordshire, with the new authority given sweeping powers to approve major housing developments across the county.

Full story can be found at This is Oxfordshire



The One Oxfordshire debate

Do you understand the real threat from one oxfordshire?

A real Threat to your social housing

The City Council is the only council in Oxfordshire to retain control of social housing

o 900 new homes in Barton
o £20m to refurbish tower blocks
o £21m to improve council homes in Blackbird Leys and Barton
o £4.2m on our Great Estates programme

Invested £5m to house families in temporary accommodation and secured £790k from Government to help prevent homelessness

Did you know that Oxfordshire unitary would remove control of housing from elected City Councillors?

Oxfordshire County Council has cut its budget for homeless services in the city leading to hostel closures across the city.

Threat to investment in communities

Oxford City Council invests in communities to enhance health and well-being and the quality of residents’ lives, Heavy invested in community facilities, e.g. Rose Hill and East Oxford Community Centres.

Loss of local control would threaten:

o Planned improvements across all 19 community facilities
o Investment in facilities and programmes for young people, e.g. Youth Ambition
o £1.4m of grants to community and voluntary sector groups and to the cultural sector.

Is this what you really want for your oxford?

The Devolution Debate

Great paper from County Councillor David Williams on Oxfordshire County Councils devolution plans. well worth reading.

Click to read the One Oxfordshire report from Cllr David Williams

The end of Local Goverment with One Oxforshire

I'm sorry, but I'm going to keep banging on about this!!! this is really scary stuff for the People Of Oxford City! Potentially, if the County Council get their way with their proposal for One Super Council, Council Houses could be sold off, less social housing at affordable rents, for people that so desperately need it.
Our Cleansing services Sold off to Biffa, which will mean less Jobs for the people in the City at a decent rate of pay and lining the pockets of the owners of such companies.
Lets face it the County are very good at making Hundreds and hundreds of people redundant and selling off Vital Services, dare I mention Care services for our elderly and vulnerable residents here in the City!!!!
Please get involved find out for your self what their up to, before it's too late and tell the County Council to keep their hands off our Council!!! speak to your local Councillors and tell them what you think, I was born in this city, as were all my family, I care what happens!! |Oxford will be a city just for the elite! but who will work in the shops, because know one will be able to afford to live here if they get their way!!
Please read below!!
Shared services and functions and fewer councillors are just some of the proposals raised by Oxfordshire county councillors at a meeting which revealed the move could save £400,000 a week.
‘One Oxfordshire’ discussed merging services and functions between the six councils and working together across party lines towards a saving target of £100m over five years.
The changing structure will mean a reduction in the number of councillors, with a reduction to 100-125 from 282, leading to £4.7m in savings.
Each councillor would be a single point of contact, and Area Executive boards would have formal decision-making powers to address local priorities, with each area represented on the unitary council’s cabinet.
The re-structure also means community points such as libraries, leisure centres, fire stations and health facilities would have more joined up services.
Councillor Ian Hudspeth, County Council conservative leader, said at the meeting on Wednesday last week: “This is a once in a generation chance to improve local government in Oxfordshire and deliver better services to residents, a real fresh start for the county that works for everyone.”
Councillor Richard Webber, of the Liberal Democrat party, said: “This is an all party initiative. There are a number of areas we don’t agree on but with this particular initiative, we are all passionately behind it.
“There are an overwhelming number of positive reasons why a single Oxfordshire council that makes the best possible savings will deliver a simpler council structure, providing better services to residents at much lower cost, and in the end, more local services too.”
Labour councillor Liz Brighouse expressed concern over recent cuts to social care services: “Since I’ve joined local government I have seen the money available for [children and families] services being eroded, particularly in the last few years – and each year virtually sweating blood because you know the difference to families when those services are reduced.
“So I see this as a way to get better services for our communities, a way of joining up our social care benefits so people can get the services they need.”
She added: “We’ve seen the crisis in our National Health Service and very often we hear ‘well actually there’s a real problem in adult social care.’ I think there is nothing worse whenever I go around canvassing – I hear a lot of people and their problems and it’s a lot of ‘well actually you have to go to the county council to sort that,’ or ‘well actually that’s a city council function,’ we need to bring all those city functions together.”
Grant Thornton, an independent accounting and consultancy firm, found that the single authority would be the most cost-effective, and has estimated a further £20m annual saving.
From left, councillors Richard Webber, Ian Hudspeth and Liz Brighouse
The ‘One Oxfordshire’ plan, which would be set in place within 18 months, showcases the concerted efforts between parties in working together towards a unitary authority, but many are against the proposals.
Councillor Bob Price, Leader of Oxford City Council, said: “This is the wrong proposal at the wrong time.
“The creation of a single unitary council for the whole of Oxfordshire would be highly disruptive for local services and will take years to create.
“The savings of £20m a year that are claimed is very small against a total budget of over £821m for the new authority, and fails to take account of the high costs of the transition in redundancies and reorganisations.”
He added: “A unitary county council would mean a threat to local communities through a remote planning process that could impose new homes against the wishes of locally elected councillors and communities.”
He said it could also mean “a requirement to equalise council tax across the county, with big increases for many residents” and could also lead to “a reduction in local democracy by placing all significant decision making powers in the hands of a single body and removing the easy access to local councillors”.
Cllr Barry Wood, leader of Cherwell District Council said the proposals “are based upon sweeping and inaccurate information”.

Published by Caroline Glendinning

 

Watch and take note, one Oxfordshire could be the end of local government

You need to watch and take note.

It's called Local Government for a reason, one council will destroy this.

Let your voice be heard, and take part in the survey.

Click this link to go to the video on what could happen if we move to one council https://www.facebook.com/oxfordcitybranchofUNISON/posts/1736744596351570

Click this link one Oxfordshire site and to find the survey you need to fill in so your voice is heard

New Facebook page

 

Follow all the latest news on our new facebook page  click to view, no need to have an account

 

 

 

There when you need us

stewards required

Stewards Required!

Without stewards there would be no one there to act as the link between members and the union and to organise and support people in the workplace.

What rights do you get as a steward?

In workplaces where UNISON is recognised by the employer stewards have rights to time off for training and to carry out their work. This includes:

·         Meetings with members and management

·         Preparation and research

·         Keeping members informed

You will be entitled to training and mentoring.

All new stewards are encouraged to take advantage of the courses unison offers. There are a wide range of courses many of which are provided on a local level.

Support and advice are readily available.

Colleagues, workplace contacts and more experienced stewards, health and safety reps and branch officers will all help you. Most branches will make sure that reps have details of local union officers who can give prompt advice and guidance. Your regional organiser, regional education officer, women's officer and branch support teams are based in the regional office and can be approached for assistance through your branch secretary.

Contact office@oxfordcityunison.com or speak to your local steward for more information

Stewards are the backbone

of UNISON.

2017 AGM

Oxford City Branch

Annual General Meeting

17th February 2017

3:00 pm in the Assembly Room

Guest speakers include Dave Prentis and Maggie Ferncombe from UNISON

               Followed by Refreshments

At the AGM, branch members do the following:

• Ratify the election of Branch Officers

• Ratify the election of stewards

• Elect delegates to UNISON’s National and Local Government conferences

• Vote on motions

Please let your line manager know as soon as possible if you wish to attend the AGM.  You are entitled to paid time off to attend the AGM (up to one hour) and reasonable time off for travel to and from the meeting.

If you would like to stand as a steward for your area, or would like more information, please e-mail office@oxfordcityunison.com

Your voice will make a difference

BRANCH NOMINATIONS 2017

The nomination process for becoming a UNISON Branch Committee Member is now open!!

If you are willing to put yourself forward for a post, please return the nomination form to the UNISON office by 20^th January 2017.

If you are unsure if a post is for you, please contact office@oxfordcityunison.com or 01865 252672 and we will chat through what each post entails, alternatively, there are brief details on what each post involves in the attached job description document. For all posts full training and support is provided.

Time to have your say

Have your say on new pay

Dear Comrades.

You may have noticed in the latest council matters 255, that we at UNISION have, in partnership with Oxford City Council developed a questionnaire to help us understand what you would like to get from these Pay negotiations, the questionnaire is now online at www.oxford.gov.uk/paydeal2018. And we would like to encourage all our members to complete it, so we can work at getting the best possible deal for you.

For colleagues at Direct Services without access to a computer, printed copies are available from your steward. We would be grateful if you could complete and return to your steward or to HR, 1^st Floor St Aldates Chambers by 13 January 2017.

In Solidarity

 

Follow us on faceBook @ Oxford City Branch Of UNISON

New living wage set

UNISON has welcomed the new living wage rates, announced simultaneously in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Manchester this morning.

They new rates are:

• £8.45 an hour for the UK outside London;
• £9.75 an hour within London, to take account of the higher cost of living there.

These rates are based on the minimum income standard for the UK – how much someone needs to earn for a basic but decent life.

They differ from the government’s so-called ‘national living wage’, which is a rebranded minimum wage for over 25s.

The announcements came at the start of Living Wage Week, “a time each year to talk about making work pay, while remembering that millions of people in our country still work for poverty wages,” as general secretary Dave Prentis noted.

He welcomed today’s announcement of new rates as “an independent and verifiable level of pay which meets the most basic needs – quite literally, a wage upon which someone can be reasonably expected to live – and then campaigning for employers to pay it.

“UNISON has been proud to support and campaign for the living wage from the outset,” he said.

“And the living wage has become an integral part of our own campaigning, whether in the social care sector or the water industry.”

Join today

Essential cover if you work in public services

With cuts, redundancies, restructuring and outsourcing, now is the time to join UNISON.
Call free on 0800 171 2194

We're the UK's largest public service union, with over 1.3 million members. Join today and you'll receive our support – with membership costing less than you might think. Before you get to work, get essential cover.

The 2016 School uniform grants now available

School uniform grants

Families on low incomes can struggle to make ends meet, especially just before the start of the new school year. UNISON’s scheme helps members on low incomes deal with the cost of school uniforms.

The 2016 school uniform grant is now available. You can find an application form in the Resources section below – please ensure that UNISON has received this by July 15.

Workplace conflict, do you know the signs?

Trade union bill defeated by lords

David Cameron's trade union crackdown in disarray after resounding Lords' defeat. A great result in the Lords on the Trade Union bill. Government defeated on facility time, e-balloting, and political funds. Ministers may have to rethink. Well done to all our members who have been working on this. Let's keep the pressure up!

Get involved

Want to do something more?

Help your colleagues and other members becoming a UNISON rep or workplace contact. Being a UNISON workplace rep gives you the opportunity to:

• make a positive difference to people’s work lives
• learn new skills and meet new people
• help create a fairer society

Get involved in UNISON

Support when you need it

https://www.unison.org.uk/get-help/services-support/there-for-you/debtline-support/ 

How to join unison

How to join /unisontheunion/videos/

Trade Union Bill could breach people’s human rights

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has advised Parliament that a number of measures in the Trade Union Bill may breach the right to strike.

Article 11 of the Human Rights Act gives everyone the right to form and join a union, and to protest peacefully. Some provisions in the Bill could contravene the UK’s obligations, including restrictions on how much time public sector employees can spend on union work and also increasing the notice of industrial action from seven days to two weeks.

The EHRC has also produced a parliamentary briefing on the Bill.

Visit EHRC website

EHRC trade union bill Briefing

Draft Corporate Plan and Budget 2016-20

Draft Corporate Plan and Budget 2016-20

The consultation for the City Council’s draft Corporate Plan and Budget 2016-20 is now live on our consultation pages. These strategic statements present our commitments to our customers as well as shaping our work priorities.

The consultation will be open until 24 January 2016 and can be accessed on oxford.gov.uk/corporateplanandbudget2016-20

If you have any questions please contact Hamera Plume, Consultation Officer on 01865 252057 or hplume@oxford.gov.uk.

2016 AGM

Annual General Meeting

 1^st March 2016

3:00 pm till 4:00 pm

Long Room

Oxford Town Hall

Followed by Refreshments

At the AGM, branch members do the following:

• Ratify the election of Branch Officers
• Ratify the election of stewards
• Elect delegates to UNISON’s National and Local Government conferences
• Vote on motions
• Ask questions about the Annual Report and branch accounts.

Please let your line manager know as soon as possible if you wish to attend the AGM.  You are entitled to paid time off to attend the AGM (up to one hour) and reasonable time off for travel to and from the meeting.

If you would like to stand as a steward for your area, or would like more information, please e-mail chair@oxfordcityunison.com

Your voice will make a difference