The sixth and final section of the document deals with increasing accountability and participation. 2008 NDC called on the review to include the set up of the two national political committees and regional structures. To some extent the same issues were considered in the 2003 review but low levels of labour link activity at branch and regional level as well as under utilisation of GPF devolved funds pose continuing questions about the efficacy of current arrangements.
15. Are existing structures for the governance of the General political fund adequate to ensure transparency, accountability and engagement?
Yes although decisions could be more widely reported EG on UNISON website. The GPF devolved authority to regions for branch/regional bids, to increase to £10,000?
16. How can we encourage a higher level of participation in labour link structures at branch regional and national level?
End restrictions on levy payer participation at branch and regional levels - make operating rules criteria 'eligibility to be a Labour Party member' which is the same requirement for exercising democratic rights as a levy payer in internal Labour Party elections. It was the arrangement for participation at branch and regional levels in the labour link section during the first five years of UNISON and the current restrictions are self imposed. The status quo where a very small proportion of levy payers run labour link at all levels is neither democratic nor sustainable and will lead to further marginalisation from the union mainstream. At national level improve levels of individual Labour Party membership amongst labour link levy payers.
17. Are their ways we can improve the accountability and responsiveness of both labour link and the GPF to wider union structures at local, regional, devolved and national levels?
Establish clear accountability and reporting requirements.
The views of UNISONActive readers on the political fund review are invited for publication. Please click here to submit views.
For an introduction to the review read:
http://unisonactive.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-can-unisons-political-fund-be-more.html
For section one – the changing political landscape read:
http://unisonactive.blogspot.com/2009/10/unison-political-fund-review-changing.html
For section two – campaigning at local, regional and devolved levels
http://unisonactive.blogspot.com/2009/10/unison-political-fund-review.html
For section three – political education
http://unisonactive.blogspot.com/2009/10/unison-political-fund-review-political.html
For section four – political communication
http://unisonactive.blogspot.com/2009/10/unison-political-fund-review-political_16.html
For section five – enabling informed choice
http://unisonactive.blogspot.com/2009/10/unison-political-fund-review-enabling.html
Click here for more political fund views