Transport Salaried Staffs' Association

Amendments to motions

Copies of the Preliminary Agenda for Annual Conference, which is to be held in the Open247 Youth Trust, 20 Bank Plain, Norwich from Sunday 15th May to Wednesday 18th May 2011 inclusive, have been sent direct to Branches by the printers.

I would remind you that in accordance with Rule 42(m), Branches may submit not more than two amendments to motions and must be signed by both the Correspondence Secretary and the Branch Chair. In the absence of the Branch Chair or Correspondence Secretary the forms must be signed by two different Branch Officers. Amendment forms are now contained within the yellow booklet which was issued with Circular No. 350 dated 2nd November 2010. All amendments must reach Head Office in the special envelope provided not later than 7th March 2011.

Due to the short time-scale for submission of amendments, it may be appropriate for Branches to arrange special Branch meetings. It would be advisable and helpful if Branch Secretaries would submit amendments immediately after decisions have been reached at the Branch meeting. Branch Secretaries should make use of the first class post facilities where necessary.

It would also be of assistance if Branches could provide the exact text of the amendments printed on the forms by e-mail sent as an attachment to halils@tssa.org.uk.

The Standing Orders Committee have ruled that they will not accept any amendments on other than the forms provided - photocopies, e-mails and faxed copies will not be accepted as stated in the main conference circular issued in November 2010.

Compositing of Motions

Branches are advised that it is the intention of the Standing Orders Committee to be pro-active in achieving more composite motions to facilitate the reduced debating time. The Branch Secretary will be informed as soon as possible if the Branch is likely to be involved in compositing. Branches may also communicate with one another to facilitate the compositing of motions.

Emergency Motions

In past years, concern has been expressed about the number of emergency motions being placed before the SOC during the course of Conference week. In this respect, motions in the Final Agenda for Conference are submitted following consideration and approval by the Branch concerned. The SOC see no reason why, where feasible, emergency motions should not likewise have been the subject of the same consideration and approval by the Branch.

An emergency motion is, therefore, unlikely to be accepted by the SOC unless it has been discussed and agreed beforehand at a Branch meeting and submitted with the signatures of the Branch Chair and Correspondence Secretary.

The SOC have asked me to emphasise that matters arising whilst Conference is in session which prompt the tabling of an Emergency Motion will be considered within established procedures and practices. Otherwise the SOC will consider the eligibility of emergencies on the basis of whether Branches and/or Branch Committees could have authorised the Branch delegate to submit the terms of the emergency prior to the Conference assembling (as per Item 8 of Conference Regulations & Procedures). The SOC have also asked me to request Branches to give notice of any emergencies, in writing, prior to the commencement of Annual Conference where this is possible and also to remind Branches that a motion will not be accepted as an emergency if the terms could have been covered in a legitimate motion or an amendment to a motion published in the Preliminary Agenda.

I am asked by the Standing Orders Committee to point out that the instructions in this article must be fully complied with in every detail. In the event of non-compliance, it is likely that amendments will be ruled out of order by the Standing Orders Committee.

Nominations

Will you kindly note that nominations by Branches to TSSA delegations which are not included in the Preliminary Agenda are due to the nominations being ruled out of order by the Scrutineers.

Executive Committee Motions

I have been asked by the Standing Orders Committee to remind Branches that the Circular containing the EC motions on the Economy and Learning will be sent out from Head Office on 25th March 2011. The closing date for return of amendments to the EC motions will be Friday 22nd April 2011. Branches should ensure that they have a meeting planned during that period to ensure that they have the opportunity to decide on amendments.

Acknowledgement

An acknowledgement receipt has been circulated to Branches and it would be appreciated if you would complete and return this to me indicating receipt of Circular No.35 and the enclosures, including the Preliminary Agenda, which shall be issued under separate cover by 7th February 2011. If your parcel is delayed after that date, please retain any wrapping with postmark so that I may take the matter up with the Royal Mail.