June 2002

REPORT OF THE MAY NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING

ACM’s National Council met in Gloucester at the beginning of May. Key items discussed were the specialisation of FE colleges, review of membership categories, repositioning and review of the Association’s corporate identity, pay negotiations, guidance and procedures on employment related issues such as equality, stress, job evaluation and the dignity at work bill as well as basic skills, 14-19 green paper, provider review and the national leadership college. The following outcomes were achieved.

Council agreed in principle to create a new category of membership for aspiring managers, consideration to be given to the package and subscription to be offered. A working group was formed to review the positioning, branding and corporate identity of the Association. Recommendations were approved to improve and support ACM branches. Amendments were made to the Association’s draft response to the 14-19 green paper and the guidelines to members on conduct during industrial disputes.

Council agreed not to accept a pay award less than 3.5%; that the emphasis should be placed on sustaining lobbying and encouraging college chairs and principals to write to MPs; and that members should be consulted as to what action should be taken if a suitable offer was not made by AoC.

Council agreed that the National Leadership College should train aspiring principals, that it should not be called a ‘college’, that a mechanism needs to be put into place to record candidates that have been through the ‘college’ and that it should be a long-term programme not a one-off initiative. ACM’s representatives on the steering group and sub-groups will take forward these issues.

The next Council meeting will be held on 27th and 28th September 2002 in London.

ACM CONFERENCE 2003

Janice Shiner, Director General Lifelong Learning for the DfES has agreed to address managers. Other speakers that have been invited are John Harwood, Chief Executive Learning and Skills Council; Chris Hughes Chief Executive Learning and Skills Development Agency; John Monks, General Secretary Trades Union Congress; David Gibson, Chief Executive Association of Colleges; and David Sherlock, Chief Inspector, Adult Learning Inspectorate.

Further information regarding the conference will be available in the September newsletter.

TUESDAY 18TH AND WEDNESDAY 19TH MARCH 2003
MANCHESTER CONFERENCE CENTRE

Branch E-mail List Operational

The new branch e-mail list promised in the last newsletter is now up and running. It is being used to keep branch reps informed of union business, and seek feedback on important issues. If you are a branch rep and wish to be added to the mailing list, please send your e-mail address and branch details to admin@acm.uk.com.

If you don’t have a branch at your college, but would like to set one up, then please contact our Employment Officer David Green on 0116 275 5076 or davidgreen@acm.uk.com.

TIME OFF FOR PUBLIC DUTIES

A new employment relation’s leaflet has been produced on Time Off for Public Duties. It can be downloaded from the members-only pages of the ACM website, www.acm.uk.com. Alternatively, you can request a copy by sending a message to helpline@acm.uk.com.

Financial Statement to Members

Enclosed with this newsletter is the Association’s financial statement to members. It is a legal requirement of the Certification Office for Trades Unions and Employers’ Associations for this information to be distributed to members. If you have any queries regarding the statement, please contact Sara McCaffrey on 0116 275 5076 or by email at saramccaffrey@acm.uk.com.