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Funding for learning rep activity

The issue

PCS has a growing number of ULRs and supporting their work is an important issue for the union. This guidance therefore aims to clarify the sources of funding for the activity of PCS union learning representatives.

The finance committee on 27 August 2008 confirmed that ULR activity outside the branch will now be funded only from the union centrally. This decision confirms the advice given in the PCS guidance to branch treasurers:

“Union learning representatives: Only include the costs of meetings within the branch and not any training courses or meetings outside the branch.”

This advice can be found in the treasurers’ toolkit.

This note provides more detailed guidance as to how branches and ULRs can access financial support.

Who funds what?

Branch funding for ULR activity

Branches may pay travel and subsistence for ULR activity which takes place within the branch. This means activity which is conducted on behalf of the branch.

This could include activity that takes place outside of the geographical area of the branch - for example:

  • visiting a further education college to arrange for courses to be delivered within the branch
  • meeting a Unionlearn development worker to arrange support for members in the branch or
  • meeting with ULRs from other branches to run joint activity such as courses or a learning at work day event.

The key criterion is that the activity is done on behalf of the branch.

Obviously ULRs must seek approval from the relevant branch officer before incurring any expenses.

Branches should take such expenditure into account when submitting bids for funding.

Regional funding

Regional learning services officers (RLSOs) hold a limited budget as part of their regional training account to meet costs arising from ULR activity within their region.

Please note that ULRs must seek approval from the RLSO before incurring such expenses

Below are some examples of work which is now funded from PCS regional offices:

  1. Meetings with ULRs from other unions

Activity such as general networking meetings with ULRs from other unions within the locality (such as those called by the regional Unionlearn development workers or Scottish Union Learn) is now funded through the regional learning services officer in the PCS regional office.

  2. Training

Travel and subsistence for training for ULRs (as is always the case with any training) will be met by the regional learning services officer.

  3. Regional PCS ULR Forums/Networking meetings/Conferences

Most PCS regional learning services officers arrange annual networking meetings or forums for ULRs in their regions. Some RLSOs will hold smaller networking meetings for ULRs in particular counties/groupings of counties instead. The RLSO will meet travel and subsistence costs for such meetings.

Group activity

ULRs and branch learning coordinators may be invited to meetings called by the group – for example regional meetings of ULRs or branch learning coordinators within particular groups.

Groups should in principle meet any travel and subsistence costs for such activity. Groups should consider what activity they wish to support and include the costs in their annual funding bid.

However, there is limited ULF money available to support such group activity. This money is limited to the life of the project (which ends in March 2010).

Groups may apply (via their bargaining unit learning officer) to the ULF project if they wish to call on ULF funds towards the cost of such meetings. Groups should be prepared to meet the cost in Scotland as the Scottish union learning fund does not cover this activity.

Further information

If you have any queries, please contact the regional learning officer in your region or the bargaining unit learning officer for your group.

Northern

Jan Gifford, email: jan@pcs.org.uk telephone: 0191 222 0330

North west

Sheila Pevely, email: sheilape@pcs.org.uk telephone: 0151 231 6123

Yorkshire and Humberside

Denise Senior, email: denises@pcs.org.uk  telephone: 0113 200 5300

Eastern

Fiona McLatchie, email: fiona@pcs.org.uk telephone: 01733 896 336

Midlands

Geoff Dexter, email: geoffd@pcs.org.uk telephone: 0121 643 4342

London and south east

Sheila Cooney, email: sheilac@pcs.org.uk telephone: 020 7801 2764

South west

Robert Crew email: robertc@pcs.org.uk telephone: 01392 410105

In addition, the contacts below work on the PCS Learning Project to help support and develop ULRs in specific regions and groups.

National Project Co-ordinator

Anthony Ristic email: anthonyr@pcs.org.uk telephone: 0207 801 2727 xt 2361

ULR Support

Liz Kearns email: elizabeth@pcs.org.uk telephone: 0151 231 6124

London and South East Regional Learning Organiser

Norgard Davies email: norgard@pcs.org.uk telephone: 020 7801 2727 xt. 5082

DWP Learning Organiser

Miranda Harr email: miranda@pcs.org.uk  telephone: 0113 200 5300

HMRC Learning Organiser

To be confirmed