File: [DOCX]
NEU Trafford Branch and District
Ordinary General Meeting 1, 2026/27
Date: Thursday 22 October 2026
Time: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Venue: Microsoft Teams
Chair: James Starnes, Branch and District Secretary
The meeting proceeded once quorum was reached and concluded at 7:00 pm.
1. Welcome, attendance and apologies
James Starnes welcomed members and explained that, because this was a combined Branch and District OGM, business and formal decisions would be identified against the appropriate structure.
Branch business would principally cover bargaining, employers, academy structures, JCNCs, workplace organisation and representation. District business would cover wider democratic activity, equalities, member development, political engagement and finance.
Present
James Starnes, Branch Secretary, Branch Caseworker and Branch Health and Safety Officer; District Secretary, Treasurer, Health and Safety Officer and Caseworker
Natasha Cheawood, District Disabled Members Officer
Molly Acharya, Branch Equalities Officer, District Equalities Officer and District Black Members Officer, and workplace and Health and Safety representative
Layla Taylor, workplace representative at St Ambrose College
Jessica O'Kelly, District LGBT+ Officer
Rosie Harris, workplace representative at Old Trafford and District MPYW Officer
Kristoffer Harries, workplace representative at Manor Academy and Branch and District Committee member
Damien Tumilty, Branch and District Committee member and District Assistant Treasurer
Lauren McTiernan, workplace representative at NCS
Abigail Williams, workplace representative at Orchards Special School
Joe Logan, workplace representative at Victoria Park Infant School
Clare, surname and role not established
Some participants joined after the meeting began. Lauren McTiernan joined at approximately 6:09 pm, Abigail Williams at approximately 6:10 pm, Clare at approximately 6:21 pm and Joe Logan at approximately 6:32 pm.
Apologies
Kay Gallimore, Branch and District Caseworker
Claire Ludlow, Membership Secretary, who was unable to attend because she was accompanying a school trip
Clare, who attended through Microsoft Teams, was a different person from Claire Ludlow.
2. Previous minutes
2.1 Branch and District Committee Meeting 1
No corrections were raised to the previous Branch and District Committee minutes.
Proposed by: Rosie Harris
Seconded by: Kristoffer Harries
RESOLVED: The minutes were approved as an accurate record.
2.2 OGM3, 2 July 2026
No corrections were raised to the minutes of OGM3.
Proposed by: Kristoffer Harries
Seconded by: Jessica O'Kelly
RESOLVED: The minutes of OGM3 were approved as an accurate record.
3. Matters arising and actions carried forward
The meeting reviewed the outstanding actions carried forward from the previous District AGM, OGM3 and Branch and District Committee Meeting 1.
3.1 District AGM nomination process
The action relating to the District AGM nomination process remained pending until the next AGM process began.
ACTION CARRIED FORWARD: Rashenda Chapman, as Returning Officer, to ensure that the District Secretary is notified appropriately when the next District AGM nomination process begins.
3.2 Secure circulation of AGM financial documents
James Starnes confirmed that password protection was available on the NEU Trafford website. This could be used to provide secure advance access to AGM financial documents.
The protected area had not yet been created because it would not be required until the AGM process began.
ACTION CARRIED FORWARD: James Starnes to establish the password-protected area and upload the relevant financial documentation in advance of the District AGM.
3.3 Branch AGM date
The correction of the Branch AGM date remained outstanding at the beginning of the meeting. It was considered and resolved under item 8.
3.4 Website officer structure
Some updates to the website officer structure had been completed, but further changes remained outstanding.
The existing fixed Word document was difficult to maintain and was not particularly user-friendly. James Starnes proposed replacing it with a live web-based version that could be kept current and printed when required.
ACTION CARRIED FORWARD: James Starnes to complete the outstanding website officer updates and develop a live web-based officer and committee structure.
3.5 Recruitment to officer vacancies
General advertising of Branch and District vacancies had taken place but had not proved sufficiently effective.
It was agreed that a more targeted approach was required alongside general advertising. This would include directly approaching representatives and members who might be suited to particular roles.
ACTION CARRIED FORWARD: James Starnes to develop a targeted approach to filling the remaining Branch and District vacancies.
3.6 Religious observances
The check of proposed meeting dates against religious observances remained outstanding.
Molly Acharya confirmed that she would undertake this work during half-term.
ACTION CARRIED FORWARD: Molly Acharya to check the remaining meeting dates against religious festivals and observances and report any conflicts.
3.7 Stop School Cuts materials
Damien Tumilty confirmed that the Stop School Cuts material had been circulated to representatives.
ACTION COMPLETED.
3.8 Ofsted risk-assessment case study
The short case study concerning the successful use of the Ofsted risk assessment had not yet been received from Kay Gallimore.
It was recognised that current casework pressures were likely to have affected capacity to complete this.
ACTION CARRIED FORWARD: James Starnes to follow up with Kay Gallimore regarding the outstanding Ofsted risk-assessment case study.
3.9 Branch and District officer charts
The Branch and District officer charts had been updated and continued to be updated as required. Updated versions were being provided to new representatives.
The longer-term intention was to replace the fixed Word versions with live web-based information.
ACTION PARTIALLY COMPLETED: Current charts had been updated and circulated as required. Further work on the live web-based version was carried forward under item 3.4.
3.10 Stand Up to Racism donation
The £100 donation authorised by the District Committee remained unpaid because bank details had not been received from the organisers despite previous requests.
James Starnes confirmed that he would follow this up directly.
ACTION CARRIED FORWARD: James Starnes to obtain the required bank details and complete the previously authorised £100 donation.
Branch Business
4. Branch Development Plan
The Branch Secretary provided an update focused on material developments rather than reviewing the Development Plan line by line.
The principal areas covered were:
Academy conversions
JCNC and recognition structures
Regional Office support
Casework and organisational capacity
4.1 Academy conversions
Regional Office was now providing more regular information about proposed academy conversions.
Well Green Primary had been identified as proposing to convert to academy status from 1 January 2027, although the proposed destination trust had not yet been confirmed.
Once the destination trust was known, the Branch would need to establish:
Which recognition agreement applied
Which JCNC would cover the school
What would happen to local facilities-time contributions
Whether the required consultation and TUPE arrangements were being properly followed
In response to Damien Tumilty, the Branch Secretary confirmed that the NEU continued to oppose academisation.
Direct engagement with members had initially been constrained because information concerning the proposed conversion had been embargoed. Communication with members was now being prepared, and the Branch would seek involvement in the consultation and TUPE arrangements.
ACTION: James Starnes to establish the proposed destination trust for Well Green Primary and identify the applicable recognition agreement, JCNC, facilities-time and consultation arrangements.
5. JCNCs and academy trust recognition arrangements
The Branch Secretary reported that the Branch now had a more useful Regional Office baseline showing recognition and negotiating arrangements across academy employers in Trafford.
The position remained mixed. Some trusts had established recognition agreements, facilities arrangements and functioning JCNCs, while others retained gaps or required further development.
Existing arrangements included:
John Morgan continuing to cover Corpus Christi and Emmaus
Roz Morton continuing to cover Dean Trust
Laetare arrangements being dealt with substantially at Regional Office level while the position developed
5.1 Achieve and Learn
The most significant current development concerned Achieve and Learn.
The existing trade union recognition agreement was being renegotiated. Areas proposed for strengthening included:
The scope of consultation and negotiation
Information rights
JCNC arrangements
Paid ad hoc release for trade union officers and representatives
Travel expenses
Union facilities
An explicit commitment to contribute appropriately to local facilities time
ACTION: James Starnes to participate in the Achieve and Learn negotiations on 12 November 2026 and report the outcome to a future Branch meeting.
6. Regional Office and organisational capacity
Michelle Tierney remained the Regional Officer supporting Trafford.
The Branch Secretary noted that changes elsewhere within the Regional Office structure could have short-term implications, particularly for organising capacity.
Casework capacity remained a significant concern. James Starnes reported approximately 20 active cases, while Kay Gallimore had approximately five particularly complex cases.
The absence of workplace representatives in some settings continued to result in Branch caseworkers undertaking Type 1 casework.
Damien Tumilty asked whether additional release time could be funded for the Branch caseworkers or whether representatives could be released to undertake casework in other settings.
James Starnes advised that additional release for himself was unlikely to be workable because of his secondary-school timetable.
Additional release for Kay Gallimore, or ad hoc release for other representatives, might warrant further exploration. More broadly, the Branch would seek improvements to facilities time when the arrangements were reviewed in April. This could include seeking sufficient additional capacity to recruit another caseworker.
7. Branch Committee membership
The meeting considered better alignment between the Branch and District Committee memberships.
The proposal was:
That eligible current District officers and Committee members who are not presently members of the Branch Committee be invited to be co-opted onto the Branch Committee, subject to their consent and the provisions of the NEU Rules.
The members identified at the meeting were Jessica O'Kelly and Natasha Cheawood.
Proposed by: Molly Acharya
Seconded by: Rosie Harris
RESOLVED: The proposal was approved. Jessica O'Kelly and Natasha Cheawood were duly co-opted onto the Branch Committee.
PREVIOUS ACTION COMPLETED.
8. Branch AGM date
James Starnes explained that Kay Gallimore had identified that the scheduled Branch AGM on 15 February 2027 fell during Trafford's February half-term.
Having checked the timetable against the relevant NEU rules, James Starnes proposed moving the meeting by one week to:
Monday 22 February 2027 at 6:00 pm
Proposed by: Molly Acharya
Seconded by: Damien Tumilty
RESOLVED: The Branch AGM was rescheduled from 15 February 2027 to Monday 22 February 2027 at 6:00 pm.
ACTION: James Starnes to amend the published meeting calendar and issue the revised notification and AGM election information.
No further Branch-specific business was raised. The Branch section of the meeting was closed.
District Business
9. District Development Plan
9.1 Equality profile
The District had received its equality information from Regional Office.
The District Secretary reported that the existing officer cohort was regarded as broadly representative of the Trafford membership.
The principal weakness identified was participation by younger members. There also remained opportunities to improve representation by filling vacancies, including places on Regional Council.
ACTION: James Starnes to update the District Development Plan with the equality profile while retaining younger-member participation as a priority.
9.2 Bright Futures ITT engagement
The District Secretary reported on representation at a Bright Futures induction event.
Approximately 35 people had attended. A significant proportion were already NEU members.
More than ten paper membership forms had been completed. A similar level of engagement had taken place through QR-code and direct online joining routes.
The event was considered a successful example of engagement with trainees and potential younger members.
Rosie Harris asked about engagement with trainees at Manchester Metropolitan University. James Starnes advised that this would normally be led by Regional Office, potentially involving Manchester because of the university's location.
9.3 Political engagement
James Starnes reported that he and Regional Officer Michelle Tierney had engaged Connor Rand MP about trade union consultation and representation concerns at Altrincham College.
Connor Rand had subsequently raised the matter directly with the Trust CEO and Chair of Governors and had reiterated his support for trade union involvement and representation.
James Starnes was undertaking further follow-up.
This was identified as a positive example of political engagement resulting in direct intervention with an employer.
9.4 Councillor engagement
James Starnes had attended the North West Councillor Networking event on 17 October 2026.
Although attendance was very limited, discussions concerning education, local-authority pressures and approaches to SEND funding elsewhere in the region were considered useful.
The information obtained could inform future discussions with Trafford councillors.
10. Treasurer's update
James Starnes reported that District finances remained healthy and broadly within the position previously reported to the District Committee.
No significant unanticipated recent expenditure was identified.
10.1 Annual Conference 2028 accommodation
The District had provisionally secured accommodation for Annual Conference 2028 comprising:
Six standard single-occupancy rooms
Two junior-suite or family rooms
James Starnes had negotiated a substantially improved cancellation arrangement.
Rather than the hotel's originally proposed cancellation charges, the booking could be adjusted or cancelled with substantially greater flexibility up to approximately 48 hours before the event.
Projected accommodation expenditure was approximately £4,500, potentially rising towards £5,000 depending on family-room requirements.
The Treasurer's update was received and noted.
11. Annual Conference 2027
Expressions of interest had been invited from members wishing to join the Trafford delegation to Annual Conference 2027 in Harrogate.
At the time of the meeting, only one expression of interest had been received.
The usual allocation and selection arrangements would apply, with the possibility that first-time attendees could receive greater priority.
Rosie Harris and Molly Acharya indicated that they had not seen the earlier email.
ACTION: James Starnes to resend the Annual Conference 2027 expression-of-interest communication and send it directly to officers and representatives so that it could be circulated more widely to members.
12. Conference participation
12.1 Women's Conference
A report had been planned from Louise Whittle following Women's Conference.
As Louise Whittle had left the meeting before the item was reached, members were instead directed to the conference review published on the NEU Trafford website.
James Starnes confirmed that the review would also be circulated to members.
12.2 Black Educators Conference
The meeting was advised that four applications for funded attendance had been received.
Existing arrangements provided automatic funding for up to three attendees. Priority was given according to previous attendance:
Two members who had never previously attended were approved
One member who had attended once was approved
One member who had previously attended twice was not initially allocated a funded place but would be retained as a reserve should one of the other three be unable to attend
13. Member-raised employment matters
13.1 Part-time staff holding TLR responsibilities
Molly Acharya raised concern about part-time members undertaking the full responsibilities of TLR posts while receiving only a pro-rata proportion of the TLR payment.
The example discussed concerned a member working 0.8 FTE who was receiving 0.8 of the TLR despite undertaking the full responsibility of the post.
James Starnes reported that the STPCD wording provided less certainty than had been hoped.
The practical argument was that, where the full responsibility continued to be performed, either:
The duties should genuinely be reduced proportionately; or
The full TLR payment should be made
Natasha Cheawood reported having recently negotiated full payment for a part-time curriculum leader on the basis that the individual continued to undertake the same responsibilities as a full-time postholder.
Molly Acharya confirmed that she intended to arrange a further meeting with the headteacher to pursue this and other outstanding employment matters.
ACTION: Molly Acharya to arrange a follow-up meeting with the headteacher and pursue the outstanding TLR payment issue.
13.2 Support-staff pay progression
A further issue was raised concerning progression for site staff being made dependent on appraisal.
James Starnes advised that the relevant school pay policy should be checked. Linking progression to appraisal could effectively reintroduce performance-related pay where the school's arrangements were not intended to operate on that basis.
ACTION: James Starnes to review the relevant pay-policy arrangements and establish whether the progression arrangements amount to performance-related pay.
14. Ofsted and Health and Safety
The meeting discussed the use of the NEU Ofsted risk-assessment resource.
Representatives were reminded that excessive workload, stress and unreasonable last-minute demands should not be accepted as unavoidable consequences of inspection.
James Starnes encouraged representatives to use the risk assessment collectively with members and to escalate risks that were not being controlled appropriately.
The potential use of a secure Microsoft Form or equivalent system was discussed as a way to gather evidence from members efficiently.
Responses could then feed into a structured risk assessment without requiring individual members to calculate risk scores themselves.
Representatives were asked to report Ofsted inspection dates through the representatives' WhatsApp group. This would help the Branch monitor the pattern of inspections and support workplaces in preparing appropriately.
ACTION: Workplace representatives to notify the Branch through the representatives' WhatsApp group when their school receives an Ofsted inspection.
15. Any Other Business
No further urgent business was raised.
Natasha Cheawood left shortly before the end of the meeting because of a tutoring commitment.
James Starnes thanked members for attending and closed the meeting at 7:00 pm.
Resolutions and formal decisions
The Branch and District Committee Meeting 1 minutes were approved as an accurate record.
The OGM3 minutes were approved as an accurate record.
Jessica O'Kelly and Natasha Cheawood were co-opted onto the Branch Committee.
The Branch AGM was moved from 15 February 2027 to Monday 22 February 2027 at 6:00 pm.
Three funded places for Black Educators Conference were allocated using previous attendance as the priority criterion, with the fourth applicant retained as reserve.
Actions arising and actions carried forward
District AGM nomination process
Owner: Rashenda Chapman
Status: Carried forward
Notify the District Secretary appropriately when the next District AGM nomination process begins.Secure AGM financial documents
Owner: James Starnes
Status: Carried forward
Establish the password-protected AGM financial-document area before the District AGM.Officer and committee information
Owner: James Starnes
Status: Carried forward
Complete outstanding website officer updates and replace the fixed documents with a live web-based Branch and District officer and committee structure.Officer vacancies
Owner: James Starnes
Status: Carried forward
Develop a more targeted approach to filling the remaining Branch and District officer vacancies alongside general advertising.Religious observances and meeting dates
Owner: Molly Acharya
Status: Carried forward
Check remaining meeting dates against religious festivals and observances and identify any conflicts.Ofsted risk-assessment case study
Owners: James Starnes / Kay Gallimore
Status: Carried forward
Follow up and produce the outstanding case study on the successful use of the Ofsted risk assessment.Stand Up to Racism donation
Owner: James Starnes
Status: Carried forward
Obtain the required bank details and complete the previously authorised £100 donation.Well Green Primary academisation
Owner: James Starnes
Status: New action
Establish the proposed destination trust and identify the resulting recognition agreement, JCNC, facilities-time and consultation arrangements.Achieve and Learn recognition agreement
Owner: James Starnes
Status: New action
Participate in the Achieve and Learn negotiations on 12 November 2026 and report the outcome to a future Branch meeting.Branch AGM arrangements
Owner: James Starnes
Status: New action
Amend the published meeting calendar and issue revised AGM and election information following the change of the Branch AGM to 22 February 2027.District Development Plan
Owner: James Starnes
Status: New action
Update the District Development Plan with the equality profile and retain younger-member participation as a priority.Annual Conference 2027
Owner: James Starnes
Status: New action
Resend the Annual Conference 2027 expression-of-interest communication to members, officers and workplace representatives.Part-time TLR payment
Owner: Molly Acharya
Status: New action
Arrange a further meeting with the headteacher and pursue the outstanding issue concerning part-time staff undertaking full TLR responsibilities while receiving a pro-rata payment.Support-staff pay progression
Owner: James Starnes
Status: New action
Review the relevant school pay policy and establish whether linking site-staff progression to appraisal amounts to performance-related pay.Ofsted inspection monitoring
Owner: Workplace representatives
Status: Ongoing
Notify the Branch through the representatives' WhatsApp group when their workplace receives notice of an Ofsted inspection.