UNISON Rule Book 2002

Contents

 | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | Schedules | Appendices |

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F  Regions

1.  List of Regions 

2.  Allocation of Branches to Regions 

3.  Functions of Regions

4.  Regional Council

5.  Regional Committee

6.  Proportionality and Fair Representation

1.  List of Regions

There will be 13 Regions as follows:

Eastern
East Midlands
Greater London
Northern
Northern Ireland
North West
Scotland
Southern
South East
South West
Wales
West Midlands
Yorkshire and Humberside

2.  ALLOCATION OF BRANCHES TO REGIONS

2.1  Every branch shall be included in a Region.

2.2  The National Executive Council shall have power to allocate branches to Regions.

2.3  If a branch considers that its allocation to a given Region will cause acute difficulties, the branch may request the National Executive Council to vary the allocation.

2.4  The branch’s request shall be decided by the National Executive Council, after consultation where practicable with the Regional bodies concerned, and the National Executive Council’s decision shall be final.

2.5  The National Executive Council shall have power from time to time to vary the allocation of branches to Regions after consultation with the Regional bodies concerned.

3.  FUNCTIONS OF REGIONS

3.1  Each Region shall have the following functions, namely to:

.1  monitor the deployment of resources allocated to the Region to ensure that the objectives of the Union are being pursued in the most effective manner

.2  assist and advise the Regional service groups on issues relating to or of concern to the wider membership

.3  encourage the development and maintenance of a strong and flexible branch structure, in accordance with principles laid down by the National Executive Council

.4  assist in implementing national policy and developing campaign strategies, particularly relating to recruitment and retention within the Region

.5  ensure that appropriate education and publicity activities take place within the Region

.6  advise the National Executive Council on matters of policy, outside the responsibility of the Service Groups, and assist in its development 

.7  assist in the administration and organisation of the Union’s welfare and retired members’ activities

.8  discuss branch motions as appropriate for the National Delegate Conference agenda on issues outside the responsibility of Service Groups 

.9  assist branches in promoting proportionality and fair representation among conference delegates

.10  ensure representation of the union on outside bodies including TUC Regional Councils.

3.2  Each Region may deal with any matters or issues referred to it by a Regional Service Group in accordance with Rule D.3.8.1.

3.3  Each Region shall have such authority in addition as the National Executive Council may from time to time determine. 

3.4.  The activities of the Region shall be consistent with the rules and general policy of the Union.

4.  REGIONAL COUNCIL

4.1  The Regional Council shall have power to make policy at Regional level and to do such other things as may be reasonably necessary to carry out its functions.

4.2   Each Regional Council shall hold an Annual Meeting and such other meetings as may be determined where motions from branches will be debated and voted on.

4.3

4.3.1  Each branch may submit motions and amendments to the Regional Council.

4.3.2  The Regional Committee may place motions, amendments, proposals and statements on the agenda of the Regional Council.

4.3.3  All meetings will be subject to the Region’s standing orders, which will be determined by the Regional Council and agreed by the National Executive Council.

4.4

4.4.1   All branches within the Region shall be eligible to send a delegate or delegates to the Regional Council.

4.4.2  Delegates will be elected annually, by branches.

4.4.3  The Region's representatives on the National Executive Council shall be entitled to attend the Regional Council and shall be allowed to speak, but not vote.

4.4.4  The Regional Council at its annual general meeting shall elect a Regional Convenor who shall become the Chair of the Regional Council and Committee. 

5.  REGIONAL COMMITTEE

5.1.  The Regional Committee shall meet at least quarterly, shall exercise the functions of the Regional Council between its meetings and shall be composed as follows:

.1   The Region’s representatives on the National Executive Council who shall be allowed to speak but not vote.

.2   Representatives from each Service Group within the Region in accordance with National Executive Council guidelines.

.3  Representatives from each self-organised group at Regional level in accordance with National Executive Council guidelines.

.4  The remainder of the Regional Committee shall be elected by the delegates at the Regional Council at its annual meeting as agreed in the Region’s Standing Orders.

6.  PROPORTIONALITY AND FAIR REPRESENTATION

6.1  The principles of proportionality and fair representation as defined in the Rules shall apply to all the above elections