Review of political Policy development, fund effectiveness Bargaining and Devolution

Report to Conference from the National Executive Council 2010

A National Executive Council report

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Contents
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Background The work of the review Extending UNISONs influence in a changing political landscape Campaigning at local, regional and devolved levels Political education Political communication Enabling informed choice Increasing accountability and participation Conclusions and actions 4 5 6 8 10 11 13 14 16

Recommendations to National Delegate Conference 18 Appendix 1 National Delegate Conference 2008 Motion 63 Appendix 2 Submissions received

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1 Background
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Current economic events, political developments, and constitutional changes, all with profound consequences for UNISON members and the services they deliver, make it imperative that the union maximises its political influence over the coming period. UNISON maintains a political fund made up of two sections, the General Political Fund and Labour Link to enable it to influence public opinion, democratic processes and governmental decision-making. It is vital that this resource is used effectively to protect UNISON members and promote UNISONs agenda. UNISONs national delegate conference 2008 agreed Motion 63 which called on the national executive council to carry out a full review of the political fund arrangements involving the Affiliated Political Fund, General Political Fund, service groups, self-organised groups, regions and branches, to scrutinise and reform operations and functional processes to ensure the highest levels of transparency, participation and activity.

The NEC appointed a steering group to govern the review, comprising the presidential team; chairs and nominees of the General Political Fund, Labour Link and Policy Development and Campaign Committees; and four regional convenors. The steering group proposed a remit and timetable for the review which was agreed by the NEC in November 2008. It was agreed that an interim report would be presented to conference in 2009 and a final report in 2010. The steering group completed its work in February when the NEC adopted this report and the recommendations contained in it.

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2 The work of the review

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The review began by gathering information to allow an assessment of the effectiveness of existing arrangements including activity levels, communications, fund operational rules, participation and political lobbying. It also reviewed fund developments, expenditure and fund membership trends since the review of 2003. In addition the steering group gathered information about how other unions and campaigning organisations work, both in the UK and abroad, to see what can be learned from comparisons and examples of good practice. The review monitored the progress of the political parties and elections bill that followed the Hayden Phillips review of party funding. It also considered the implications of a possible change of government at the next general election. In addition to conducting its own deliberations the steering committee convened a two day seminar on improving UNISONs political organisation and campaigning which brought together members of the national committees of the General Political Fund and Labour Link. A questionnaire was issued to branch secretaries aimed at gathering views and experiences of lobbying and campaigning and the role of the political fund at branch level. A similar questionnaire for individual members was set up online and promoted through UNISON communications and at national delegate conference in 2009. A short interim report on the reviews work, themes and issues emerging from its deliberations, and proposed next steps was presented to and agreed by national delegate conference 2009 as an appendix to the UNISON Annual Report 2008/9.

In autumn 2009 an extensive consultation was opened with the publication of a discussion document inviting responses from national, regional and branch bodies, including service groups and self-organised groups, and individual members. Throughout the review process, information on its progress and opportunities to contribute views and experiences were made available on a dedicated section of the UNISON website and promoted with articles and links in Focus. Steering group members made themselves available to give presentations and briefings on the review, which was taken up by a number of national and regional bodies.

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3 Extending UNISONs influence in a changing political landscape

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Submissions to the review identified the following political and policymaking processes as most important in affecting UNISON and its members: n the Westminster government especially senior ministers, civil servants and special advisors n the Westminster parliament especially select committees n the devolved administrations and parliament/assemblies in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and London n regional bodies in England such as Regional Development Agencies, Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships, and Strategic Health Authorities n local councils especially executives, cabinets, and scrutiny committees n the European Union especially the Commission, Parliament and Court of Justice n quangos, regulators and funding agencies such as HEFCE, CQC, and skills councils n advisory bodies and thinktanks such as the I&DeA n political parties especially Labour, where UNISON has a direct input into policymaking, but also other parties at national, regional and local levels n campaigning organisations including charities, pressure groups, user and community groups There was overwhelming agreement that the union and its members faced significant challenges as a result of changing economic, political and institutional circumstances which made it imperative to maximise its influence over political and policymaking processes over the coming period. These changes included: n the pressure for public spending cuts resulting from the economic crisis; n the ongoing drive for public service reform in the shape of increased outsourcing, efficiencies, shared service initiatives, and personalisation; n the threat of a Conservative government at Westminster which would accentuate and accelerate these pressures at the same time as challenging existing arrangements for union consultation, bargaining and representation; n a more complex and plural party environment, especially where proportional representation has been introduced; n antipathy to Labour after more than a decade in government and frustration with Labour government policies that have had a negative impact on UNISON members; n the continued threat from the BNP and far right; n the shift of power away from elected representatives and towards arms length bodies, for example the development of Local Strategic Partnerships. In response it was agreed that UNISON needed to maximise its political influence over the coming period in order to protect and advance the interests of its members. The central priority highlighted by submissions, and agreed by the review, was the need for political engagement, lobbying and campaigning to be seen as a mainstream activity of the whole union, a natural and necessary extension of our work of representing and bargaining for members, and integral to the responsibilities of everyone in the union at all levels rather than the exclusive preserve of a few special sections, committees, or officers.

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A particular problem highlighted by the review is that for many in the union the word political is associated with party politics and, in a UNISON context, the link with Labour. For the purposes of this review, however, the Labour Link should be seen as one aspect and tool within the unions overall lobbying and campaigning to influence political processes and popular opinion in the interests of its members. The review considers that the role of both political fund sections is to support and facilitate such activity by UNISON and its members, and it is essential that both the GPF and Labour Link are accessible and responsive to UNISON members and bodies for this purpose. But the political fund will not be used effectively if there is not broad engagement with lobbying and campaigning work across the whole union. Fundamental to this will be raising levels of political awareness, understanding and engagement among ordinary members and branch activists. On the issue of UNISONs affiliation with the Labour Party, most submissions emphasised the importance of ensuring this was used effectively to take forward UNISONs policies and campaigns, at the same time as developing dialogue and influence with other political parties where appropriate. The experiences and achievements of UNISONs adaption to the more plural party systems that have arisen in the devolved nations are particularly instructive in this regard. Only a minority of submissions called for abolition of the Labour Link and/or direct affiliation to or support for political parties other than Labour.

Other priorities highlighted in submissions which the review considered to be especially valuable were: n the ultimate importance of influencing public opinion and mobilising popular pressure on politicians and decisionmakers in support of the unions objectives at all levels of the union; n the need for the union to build links and alliances with user and community organisations, charities and pressure groups; n the need for the union to strengthen its lobbying of elected and non-elected decision-makers at all levels, with enhanced training and staff support.

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4 Campaigning at local, regional and devolved levels

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The review received a great many excellent examples of imaginative, well-targeted and effective lobbying and campaigning by some branches, making use of both the General Political Fund and Labour Link. However it also highlighted a very low level of awareness, engagement and activity across the majority of branches. For example, responses to the branch questionnaire suggested that: n 7 out of 10 branches had never applied for money from the General Political Fund n 6 out of 10 branches had never contacted their regional Labour Link officer for advice or support n half of branches had no Labour Link officer or anyone responsible for political campaigns and communications n 1 in 3 branches had never engaged in campaign activities such as lobbying elected representatives, contacting local media, or engaging members or the public in a policy issue n 1 in 5 branches had no contact at all with local elected representatives or media, and 2 in 5 had no contact with local user groups, campaigns or community organisations A number of reasons for this were suggested in submissions, including: n a perception of political lobbying and campaigning as distinct and separate from the core industrial work of representing and bargaining for members n a lack of resources, capacity and time at branch level this was also the most common reason given by respondents to the branch questionnaire n low levels of awareness and understanding of the support available from the political fund, and confusion over what can or cant be done within current rules and legal framework n active opposition of some branch secretaries and committees to making use of UNISONs affiliation to Labour which inhibits the development of member awareness and engagement There is wide agreement that the union needs to raise the level of branch engagement in lobbying and campaigning, and the review has identified the following as measures that could help raise this as a priority: n The Branch Assessment framework has been revised to highlight the importance of political influence and engagement and encourage its integration into the development plans and work programmes of every branch. This will be kept under review, with a view to ensuring that use of the opportunities and support offered by both political fund sections is regularly considered as part of this. n The NEC has agreed that the Code of Good Branch Practice will be reviewed and revised to ensure that maximizing political engagement and influence, including full consideration of the possible advantages to be gained from working with both political fund sections, is seen as integral to the functions and responsibilities of every branch. At the same time the review recognises that branches need to be able to access support for political lobbying and campaigning, and that more needs to be done to promote the importance of political engagement and raise the profile of the political fund sections at regional level. The following have been proposed as means to address this: n The findings of the review suggest that an adequate minimum standard of regional staffing arrangements for supporting branch lobbying

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and campaigning, and leading regional political organisation and campaigning, should be identified and standardised. n Regional Councils, Committees, sub-committees, service groups and self-organised groups should ensure that political influence and engagement is addressed as a standard item on all meeting agendas, and developed as an integral component of regional plans and strategies, including full consideration of the possible advantages to be gained from working with both political fund sections. Regions considering budget bids from their committees should ensure that full consideration is given to the possible advantages to be gained from working with both political fund sections when annual budgets are set and in an ongoing way throughout the financial year. n The review recognises the special circumstances in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where a higher level of staffing support may be needed to engage effectively with devolved systems of government and more plural party systems. The review also notes that, notwithstanding the particularity of these circumstances, there may be much that the wider union can learn from the examples of successful lobbying and campaigning we have seen in these new plural political environments. It is widely agreed that such measures will only be effective if they are advanced in the context of much improved levels of awareness and understanding of UNISONs political and policy objectives; methods of influencing political and policymaking processes; and the role of the political fund sections in supporting this. The following two chapters on UNISONs political education and communications are aimed at addressing this.

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5 Political education
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Political education was widely seen as fundamental to the broad cultureshift that the review has identified as a precondition of improving UNISONs political effectiveness, and its focus of attention on this area in the discussion document was greeted with enthusiasm by most respondents. Responding to issues raised by the review, the UNISON Education Forum has offered a helpful working definition of political education as aiming to raise awareness of the issues facing UNISON and the role of the union as a political organisation and to give members the tools and skills to challenge processes and make informed decisions. There is wide agreement that this requirement applies to everyone in UNISON including national and regional staff, branch officers and stewards, and the membership at large. At the same time the review recognises that political education is more easily called for than implemented effectively, and submissions highlighted a number of issues that need to be given careful consideration, including: n the need to start from where people are and connect to their immediate experiences and concerns, not assume prior knowledge or interest the very word political will be off-putting to many n the need for clear guidance and advice on handling issues of controversy and ensuring political education is not misinterpreted as indoctrination n the need to ensure educational courses are accessible to all, offering material support where appropriate, and making full use of online and distance learning options n while the idea of more advanced options on political issues, history and processes was greeted enthusiastically by some, it will be important to avoid catering exclusively to those already interested in politics and thereby reinforcing the perception of lobbying and campaigning as a minority interest or specialism.

Work is now underway within Learning And Organising Services and the Development and Organisation Committee aimed at building skills and confidence and promoting understanding of UNISONs political agenda. All UNISON education materials and training modules will be revised with a view to improving awareness and understanding of political issues and processes and UNISON policy objectives at all levels; developing skills and confidence needed for lobbying and campaigning; promoting political influence and engagement as a core activity and shared responsibility of the whole union; and maximising the transparency, accountability and profile of both political fund sections.

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6 Political communication
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T h e u n i o n s p r i n t e d a n d online communications with its members, activists and staff are clearly essential to ensuring that the operations of the GPF and Labour Link are transparent and understood, and encouraging broader engagement and participation in the unions lobbying and campaigning. Key channels include: n the welcome book for new members n the about us and political fund sections of the UNISON website n the Annual Report n U magazine, sent quarterly to all members, currently accompanied by Labour Link Magazine n InFocus, sent monthly to all activists, currently accompanied by Labour Link News and GPF Newsletter n eFocus, emailed weekly to all activists online n numerous printed and electronic newsletters and bulletins operated by service groups, self-organised groups, and others at national, regional and branch level A large amount of information on the operation of both political fund sections, including how to make use of them, how decisions are made, and uses to which their resources are put, is currently available to members. But submissions to the review made clear that some people have difficulties finding it and that it is not always presented in a way to facilitate broad understanding of the role of each section. Submissions also highlighted concern that the GPF still had a low profile across the union, and that the publication of separate Labour Link newsletters risked reinforcing a misperception of Labour Link as a separate section of the union with its own aims and objectives. There is broad agreement that political issues and processes, and the role of both political fund sections in supporting this need to be highlighted and explained prominently in core UNISON publications and materials. There is broad agreement that the value to all members of engaging with political issues and processes, and the role of both fund sections in supporting this, needs to be highlighted and explained prominently.

As with the discussion of political education it was widely emphasised that widespread knowledge of or interest in political issues and campaigning and lobbying activities cannot be assumed. Clarity, accessibility, and relevance are key. A particular issue that many submissions drew attention to was the urgent need to illustrate and demonstrate what can be achieved through campaigning and lobbying in concrete terms, by reporting on or providing a platform for examples of effective initiatives that have brought about tangible improvements for the union and its members and show people what can be done. Submissions stressed the importance both of making use of traditional methods of communication, especially face-to-face engagement (which can be encouraged and facilitated with simple and effective briefings and materials), as well as making full use of the new opportunities offered by online and social media. All national communication materials and channels are now being revised with a view to mainstreaming the work of both political fund sections and promoting lobbying and campaigning as a core activity and shared responsibility of the whole union. Printed and online communications should maximize

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the transparency, accountability, and profile of both political fund sections; improve awareness and understanding of political issues and processes; promote and develop UNISONs policy objectives; and disseminate good practice and examples of successful interventions.

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7 Enabling informed choice

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New procedures for enabling members to make speedy and informed choices on their political fund options, and allocate levy payments of those who express no preference, were implemented following the 2003 Review. These allow for the allocation of members who have not responded to repeated requests to each fund on a 50:50 basis (while avoiding allocation of members to a fund where less than 25% of their fellow branch members are in that fund).The current review has ensured that these procedures were fully and rigorously implemented. n Agreed procedures for enabling members to make speedy and informed choices on their political fund options have been reviewed and tightened. A majority of submissions to the review endorsed these arrangements. It was noted that membership of UNISONs political fund was high compared to other unions, and that the transparency and choice offered was often held up as a standard for other unions to follow. However it is clear that they are still not widely understood at branch level, which raises questions as to how well they will be explained to new members. n Short and simple guidance on political fund choices, subscriptions, opt-out rights and default allocation procedures, as well as brief explanations of what the political fund sections do and how to get involved, will be issued to all branches, stewards, and new members.

After discussion and consultation it was agreed with the GPF National Committee and Northern Ireland regional council that members in Northern Ireland should be allowed and encouraged to pay into the General Political Fund. n The obstacle to Northern Ireland members paying into the General Political Fund has been lifted and a campaign to encourage sign-up has been launched.

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8 Increasing accountability and participation

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It is essential that both sections of the political fund are seen as accessible and responsive to members throughout the union. The review has highlighted the importance of ensuring that both sections of the political fund are effective in protecting members interests and promoting UNISON policy. The Policy Development and Campaigns Committee is working with the GPF, Labour Link, Development and Organising Committee and Services to Members Committee to ensure that UNISON campaigns are strategically prioritised and member engagement and involvement maximised. Submissions to the review suggested that awareness of how GPF decisions are accountable to UNISON members was not consistently high, and that participation in Labour Link structures was uneven, in part reflecting a low level of participation in the Labour Party and political activity generally. Measures already outlined aimed at raising understanding of and engagement with the unions campaigning and lobbying activity should help to address this. In addition the review highlights the importance of taking all measures possible that could enable more members to access the resources and opportunities afforded by both political fund sections, and participate directly in their operation and governance. Submissions to the review suggested that the GPF consider facilitating broader participation in campaign activities by making funds more readily available to branches through fast-track draw-down options; preparing easily adaptable model bids and campaign activity toolkits; and increasing the size of grant for which approval is devolved to regions from 5,000 to 10,000. Submissions also highlighted the need for clear lay member involvement and accountability in arrangements for regional consideration of branch bids.

The General Political Fund has begun a programme of work to ensure that application, decision-making and allocation processes allow resources to be accessed as speedily as possible, and that Branches and Regions are fully aware of the rules and role of the Fund. Campaign toolkits and model bids are being developed to make it easier for branches to access GPF resources to develop local campaign activities. Submissions to the review suggested that Labour Link should seek to involve more members in its work; facilitate greater involvement of UNISON members in Labour Party policymaking and electoral campaigning; and make it easier for UNISON members to contact, meet and lobby Labour politicians. Some submissions suggested that Constituency Development Plans be wholly or partially replaced by proactive, issue-led local and regional campaigning with Labour with clear relevance to UNISON members. Labour Link is exploring ways of encouraging and supporting a higher proportion of UNISON members who are APF levy-payers to become Labour Party members, participate in Labour Party campaigning and policymaking, and stand as Labour Party candidates in order that the concerns of UNISON members are better represented throughout the party. Labour Link has suspended Constituency Development Payments, and regions are now using these funds for local and regional campaigning around issues of concern to UNISON members.

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The review has considered and consulted on the set up of the GPF and Labour Link national committees and concluded that current arrangements should be retained. The GPF national committee responds directly to regional and branch bids and the priority should be raising the level of campaign activity at regional and branch level. The National Labour Link Committee already includes an elected representative from each region in addition to the elected NEC members, and proposals to expand this met with very little support in discussions and in the consultation. The GPF and Labour Link continue to review liaison and representation arrangements for Self-Organised Groups at national, regional and branch level with a view to ensuring that the unions lobbying and campaigning activities properly reflect their experiences and concerns.

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9 Conclusions and actions

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Both sections of the political fund are there to work for the union as a whole, and so improving their effectiveness must be seen as the work of the whole union. This is not an end in itself but will be essential to strengthening the union and its ability to deliver for its members in the challenging environment we now face. In the period ahead, our political fund must be a fighting fund, protecting and promoting UNISON, its members, and the services they provide. This review has identified a number of actions that it believes can advance this aim by improving the transparency, accessibility and responsiveness of both sections of the fund to members, as well as encouraging and enabling members to make use of the resources and opportunities the political fund offers for lobbying and campaigning. In summary, these are: a) The Branch Assessment framework has been revised to highlight the importance of political influence and engagement and encourage its integration into the development plans and work programmes of every branch. This will be kept under review, with a view to ensuring that use of the opportunities and support offered by both political fund sections is regularly considered as part of this (Chapter 4). b) The NEC has agreed that the Code of Good Branch Practice will be reviewed and revised to ensure that maximizing political engagement and influence, including full consideration of the possible advantages to be gained from working with both political fund sections, is seen as integral to the functions and responsibilities of every branch (Chapter 4) c) The findings of the review suggest that an adequate minimum standard of regional staffing arrangements for supporting branch lobbying and campaigning, and leading regional political organisation and campaigning, should be identified and standardised (Chapter 4) d) Regional Councils, Committees, subcommittees, service groups and selforganised groups should ensure that political influence and engagement is addressed as a standard item on all meeting agendas, and developed as an integral component of regional plans and strategies, including full consideration of the possible advantages to be gained from working with both political fund sections. Regions considering budget bids from their committees should ensure that full consideration is given to the possible advantages to be gained from working with both political fund sections when annual budgets are set and in an ongoing way throughout the financial year (Chapter 4). e) The review recognises the special circumstances in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where a higher level of staffing support may be needed to engage effectively with devolved systems of government and more plural party systems. The review also notes that, notwithstanding the particularity of these circumstances, there may be much that the wider union can learn from the examples of successful lobbying and campaigning we have seen in these new plural political environments. f) Work is now underway within Learning And Organising Services and the Development and Organisation Committee aimed at building skills and confidence and promoting understanding of UNISONs political agenda. All UNISON education materials and training modules will be revised with a view to improving awareness and understanding of political issues and processes and UNISON policy objectives at all levels; developing skills and

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confidence needed for lobbying and campaigning; promoting political influence and engagement as a core activity and shared responsibility of the whole union; and maximising the transparency, accountability and profile of both political fund sections (Chapter 5). g) All national communication materials and channels are now being revised with a view to mainstreaming the work of both political fund sections and promoting lobbying and campaigning as a core activity and shared responsibility of the whole union. Printed and online communications should maximize the transparency, accountability, and profile of both political fund sections; improve awareness and understanding of political issues and processes; promote and develop UNISONs policy objectives; and disseminate good practice and examples of successful interventions (Chapter 6). h) Agreed procedures for enabling members to make speedy and informed choices on their political fund options have been reviewed and tightened (Chapter 7). i) Short and simple guidance on political fund choices, subscriptions, opt-out rights and default allocation procedures, as well as brief explanations of what the political fund sections do and how to get involved, will be issued to all branches, stewards, and new members (Chapter 7). j) The obstacle to Northern Ireland members paying into the General Political Fund has been lifted and a campaign to encourage sign-up has been launched (Chapter 7). k) The Policy Development and Campaigns Committee is working with the GPF, Labour Link, Development and Organising Committee and Services to Members Committee to ensure that UNISON campaigns are strategically prioritised and member engagement and involvement maximised (Chapter 8).

l) The General Political Fund has begun a programme of work to ensure that application, decision-making and allocation processes allow resources to be accessed as speedily as possible, and that Branches and Regions are fully aware of the rules and role of the Fund. Campaign toolkits and model bids are being developed to make it easier for branches to access GPF resources to develop local campaign activities (Chapter 8). m) Labour Link has suspended Constituency Development Payments, and regions are now using these funds for local and regional campaigning around issues of concern to UNISON members (Chapter 8). n) Labour Link is exploring ways of encouraging and supporting a higher proportion of UNISON members who are APF levy-payers to become Labour Party members, participate in Labour Party campaigning and policymaking, and stand as Labour Party candidates in order that the concerns of UNISON members are better represented throughout the party (Chapter 8). o) The review has considered and consulted on the set up of the GPF and Labour Link national committees and concluded that current arrangements should be retained. The GPF national committee responds directly to regional and branch bids and the priority should be raising the level of campaign activity at regional and branch level. The National Labour Link Committee already includes an elected representative from each region in addition to the elected NEC members, and proposals to expand this met with very little support in discussions and in the consultation (Chapter 8). p) The GPF and Labour Link continue to review liaison and, in Labour Links case, representation arrangements, for Self-Organised Groups at national, regional and branch level with a view to ensuring that the unions lobbying and campaigning activities properly reflect their experiences and concerns (Chapter 8).

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Recommendations to National Delegate Conference

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The report of the Review of Political Fund Effectiveness, which was established to carry out a full review of the political fund arrangements to scrutinise and reform operations and functional processes to ensure the highest levels of transparency, participation and activity, should be noted. The finding of the Review that levels of transparency, participation and activity are high compared to other unions, and that both sections of the political fund have facilitated successful lobbying and campaigning that has brought tangible benefits to UNISON members, should be noted. The finding of the Review that levels of transparency, participation, activity and effectiveness could be further improved, should also be noted. The NEC has a role to play in improving understanding of both the roles and the working of both political fund sections, and encouraging UNISON members, branches, Service Groups, Self-organised Groups, Sectors and Regions to liaise with the political fund sections where this might assist them in advancing UNISON policy objectives. The rules and internal working of the General Political Fund and Labour Link are a matter for their National Committees. The work undertaken by the NEC, General Political Fund and Labour Link to improve levels of transparency, participation, activity and effectiveness, as identified in the Report of the Review of Political Fund Effectiveness, should be endorsed. All levels of the union should be called on to step up engagement with decisionmaking and policymaking processes that impact on our members, and to promote member participation in the unions lobbying and campaigning.

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Appendix 1
National Delegate Conference 2008 Motion 63
New Labour: What do we get for our money
Conference recognises that UNISON members are increasingly angry at the continued onslaught on public services, workers jobs, wages and conditions by the New Labour government and its policies. It is clear the government has no intention of letting up, and is pursuing further privatisation of services, and is intent on imposing a pay freeze on millions. Conference also notes that in 2005 Conference agreed to call on UNISON Labour Link to publish the voting record of the UNISON group of MPs. Conference notes the publication of the Hayden Phillips report on the Funding of Political Parties, recognising: a) it represents a serious challenge to the unions lobbying and campaigning on behalf of our members; b) it poses a challenge to our current political arrangements; c) it has the potential to enable political parties to skew the political process in their favour. Conference recognises that the union has adopted a devolution protocol, and that this should be recognised in political fund arrangements. Conference welcomes the turnout in the last APF (Labour Link) National committee elections which was relatively high in comparison with recent National Executive and Service Group Elections, conference recognises the importance the use of all APF payer ballots on a regional basis for electing the APF committee. Acknowledging these developments, Conference therefore instructs the National Executive to: 1) carry out a full review of the political fund arrangements involving the affiliated political fund, general political fund, services groups, self organised groups, regions and branches, to scrutinise and reform operations and functional processes to ensure the highest levels of transparency, participation and activity and to report to Conference on this; 2) include in the review, regional APF (Labour Link) structures and operation; 3) also include in the review the set up of the two national political committees and consider expanding the directly elected seats and reducing the indirectly elected seats to the National APF (Labour Link) committee; 4) continue to campaign to ensure that the voices and opinions of trade unionists are allowed to continue to make a valid and necessary contribution to political debate. Carried as Amended by 63.1, 63.2, 63.3

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Appendix 2
Submissions received
Submissions in response to the consultation paper from the following bodies have been taken into account in the steering groups deliberations: Policy Development and Campaigns Committee National Labour Link National Committee General Political Fund Committee National Womens Committee National Black Members Committee National LGBT National Disabled Members Committee Community Service Group Ambulance Committee, Health Service Group Professional and Technical B Sector Committee, Health Service Group East Midlands Region East Midlands Black Members Committee East Midlands Retired Members Committee Eastern Region Eastern Region Labour Link Committee Greater London Region Greater London Region Labour Link Greater London Region LGBT Committee Northern Region Northern Womens Network UNISON Scotland UNISON Scotland Labour Link Committee South East Region UNISON Wales/Cymru UNISON Committee Wales/Cyrmru Labour Link Bury St Edmunds & District Health Branch Cambridge City Council Branch Cambridgeshire Branch County Local Government Cambridgeshire Police Branch Cheshire Police Branch City of Edinburgh Local Government Branch Darlington Local Government Branch Derbyshire County Local Government Branch Ealing Local Government Branch East Somerset + Taunton & Somerset Health Branches (joint submission) Environment Agency Head Office Branch Environment Agency North West Branch Essex Police Branch Exeter City Local Government Branch Glasgow City Branch Glasgow City Branch Labour Link Islington Local Government Branch Kensington and Chelsea Local Government Branch Knowsley Local Government Branch Lambeth Local Government Branch London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority Branch London Housing Associations Branch Manchester Community and Mental Health Branch Manchester Local Government Branch Newcastle City Branch NHSSC Alfreton Branch Norfolk County Branch Northampton S.O.G. Borough Council Womens

West Midlands Region West Midlands Labour Link Committee Yorkshire & Humberside Region Yorkshire & Humberside Regional Labour Link Committee Barnsley Local Government Branch Bassetlaw Local Government Branch

Rochdale Local Government Branch Runnymede Local Government Branch Southampton District Local Government Branch Southend-on-Sea Borough Government Branch Council Local

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Southwark Local Government Branch South Tyneside Local Government Branch Sussex Community and Mental Health Branch University Hospital Birmingham Branch University of Bristol Branch Walsall Teaching PCT Branch Wakefield Local Government Branch In addition the steering committee considered submissions from 18 individual members. 86 branches completed a questionnaire on political lobbying and campaigning which also informed the steering committees deliberations.

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