Proposed rule changes and policy propositions 2005
Listed on this page are proposed rule changes and policy propositions submitted by Branches and the union's National Executive Committee (NEC) accepted and rejected by Conference Standing Orders Committee (SOC), along with reasons for rejection.
BECTU Branches can submit amendments to these proposals using the forms enclosed with Conference Document 3 (2004-05) dated 18 February 2005. The closing date for such amendments is 1200 on 13 April 2005.
- Proposed rule changes accepted by the SOC
- Proposed rule changes rejected by the SOC
- Propositions accepted by the SOC
- Propositions rejected by the SOC
Proposed rule changes accepted by the SOC
AR1 Rule 6(d)
Delete clause (d) and re-letter clauses (e) and (f) accordingly
AR2 Rule 7(b)
In third sentence delete "acknowledge receipt of the particulars supplied" and insert: "ensure that those particulars are processed by the union with due care and confidentiality"
AR3 Rule 7(e)
Delete "treasurers" and insert "other authorised officers"
AR4 Rule 7(f) [new]
Add new clause (f) as follows:
(f) Any applicant for membership who is joining simply to receive assistance in negotiating terms for redundancy will be liable for a full year's subscription up front, before their case is taken on by the union.
AR5 Rule 10(v)
Delete "0.8 of"
AR6 Rule 16(a)
Delete "and relevant branch secretaries and shall be deemed" and insert "who shall arrange for the relevant branch secretaries to be notified and for the member"
AR7 Rule 18(c) [new]
Add new clause (c) as follows:
(c) The National Executive Committee shall at its discretion invite pensioner members to join a pension forum and to participate in pensioner issues.
AR8 Rule 21(g) [new]
Add new clause (g) as follows:
(g) Legal representation under rule 21(a) in cases of personal injury is subject to any general conditions agreed with the solicitors instructed (and specific additional conditions may be attached in individual cases) and is on the basis that the member is liable for legal costs (which also includes legal disbursements, the premium for any policy of legal expenses insurance and opponents' costs) but is protected against having to pay those costs by such means provided or approved by the General Secretary on behalf of the union as he/she may determine: such means may be varied or amended by the General Secretary during the course of the case. The free advice service outlined in rule 21(b) is additional to the comprehensive representation of members in work-related injury and disease cases referred to in rule 21(a), which includes initial advice in such matters.
AR9 Rule 22
In second sentence delete "a minimum of £350, claimable on" and insert "£350 claimable within two years of"
AR10 Rule 28(a)(v)
After "for election to the National Executive Committee" insert "or to any office to be elected at conference, or to appoint or elect delegates to conference or to a divisional or subdivisional committee,"
AR11 Rule 29(a)
Add at end: "In the event of a branch, after due notice to convene a meeting has been issued, being unable for any reason to obtain a quorum, it shall be competent for the branch committee to take action required under rule 28(a)(v)."
AR12 Rule 29(e)
Delete "and/or someone authorised by the branch" and insert "or another branch officer specifically authorised by the branch for the purpose"
AR13 Rule 29(f)
Add at end: "That dispensation, however, will not extend to permitting branches which have not convened a quorate branch committee meeting in the preceding two years to make a nomination for election to the National Executive Committee or to any office to be elected at conference, or to appoint or elect delegates to conference or to a divisional or subdivisional committee."
AR14 Rule 31(b)
Add at end: "No such change shall, however, affect any election or appointment to office governed by statute or these rules until the respective term of office expires."
AR15 Rule 31(i)
Delete "the ITC, NTL, the Radio Authority" and insert "the regulatory and transmission bodies"
AR16 Rule 33(e)
Before "Only one job-sharing member" insert "Save for conference where both shall attend," then amend "Only" to "only"
AR17 Rule 33(f), Rule 40(a), and consequential and related rules
SOC note: The following group of proposed rule alterations are designed to provide eventually for biennial conferences closing with the end of the two-year term of office of the National Executive Committee. They are presented to the 2005 rules revision conference as an indivisible package subject to non-wrecking amendment. Words in [square brackets] are commentary from the NEC and do not form part of the proposed rule alterations. The SOC has accepted the following explanatory note by the NEC, which does not form part of the proposed rule alterations.
[The purpose of the following package of rule changes is to introduce biennial conferences - conferences every two years - synchronised to the two-yearly electoral terms of the NEC. To achieve this, the package first seeks to extend the current NEC's term of office, exceptionally, from two to three years, so that the next term of office begins with the biennial conference in 2007. (There would be no conference in 2006.) The next five alterations, proposed to clauses of rule 40 (the main rule governing conference), implement the biennial conference and link it to the NEC election cycle. Consequential rule changes in a range of clauses from rule 3 to Appendix D then follow. Next, provision is made for the continued publication of annual reports and accounts as required by law. Finally, provision is made for every second biennial conference to include a rules revision conference, in other words, a rules revision conference every four years as opposed to every three years as at present. The NEC regards each element of the package as essential, and will not accept amendment except in minor details. The NEC is grateful to the SOC for allowing it to preface the package with this explanatory note. It accepts that the package of rules changes is complicated to grasp, but hopes this explanation will convince branches that it is a key measure towards the future stability of the union.]
Rule 33(f)
Add at end: "Notwithstanding this, the period of office of the National Executive Committee elected in 2004 shall be extended exceptionally to three years ending under rule 40(d) with the close of the biennial conference in 2007 (when this provision shall lapse)." [This sentence to be deleted automatically in the next rules printing after the 2007 conference.]
Rule 40 [title]
Delete "Annual" and insert "Biennial"
Rule 40(a)
Delete "1993" and insert "2005", and delete "annual" and insert "biennial"
Rule 40(c)
In first sentence delete "annual" and insert "biennial", and in third sentence delete "annual"
Rule 40(d)
In first sentence delete "annual"
Delete second sentence and insert: "Commencing with 2005, conference shall be convened biennially in May or June and each two-year period of office of the National Executive Committee under rule 33(f) shall end with its close. The result of the elections to the incoming National Executive Committee held prior to the biennial conference shall be embargoed until their declaration by the General Secretary at the close of that conference. The members elected to the incoming National Executive Committee shall assume office immediately following the close of that conference."
Rule 40(h)
Delete "annual"
Consequentially, in Rule 3(a), (c) and (d), Rule 9(a)(i) and (e), Rule 19, Rule 20, Rule 26(a), Rule 27(f), Rule 31(b), (e) and (m) [divisional conferences also held biennially, but additional special conferences remaining possible under clause (n)], Rule 32(a), Rule 33(a), (l), (o) and (v), Rule 38(h), 41(a), (b) and (d), Rule 42(a), (b), (d) and (e), Rule 42(f)(i), (i)(ii) and (j)(i), Rule 45(b), and Appendix D by-laws 8(a) and 9
delete "annual" or "annually" and insert "biennial" or "biennially", as the case may be, in each instance relating to conference
Further, in
Rule 33(m)
delete "to annual conference" and add at end "which shall be published annually to branches and, in respect of both of the preceding years, in the National Executive Committee's report to the biennial conference." [annual reports, financial reports and balance sheets still to be prepared]
Likewise, in
Rule 34(c)
delete "to branches not less than fourteen days prior to annual conference meetings" and insert "annually to branches and, in respect of both of the preceding years, in the National Executive Committee's report to the biennial conference" [annual reports, financial reports and balance sheets still to be prepared]
and in
Rule 42(f)(i)
add at end "for each of the years since the previous conference." [annual reports, financial reports and balance sheets still to be prepared]
Furthermore, in
Rule 45(a)
delete "at intervals of three years commencing with 1993" and insert "every four years commencing with 2005" [rules revision conference every second biennial conference]
AR18 Rule 33(q)(i)
Delete "Equal Opportunities Commission and Commission for Racial Equality" and insert "and statutory equality commission or commissions"
AR19 Rule 33(v)
In first sentence delete "and area"
AR20 Rule 33(v)
In second sentence delete "Commission for Racial Equality" and insert "statutory equality commission"
AR21 Rule 33(w)
Insert new clause (w) as follows, and re-letter existing clauses (w) and (x) as clauses (y) and (z):
(w) Subject to the approval of the National Executive Committee and to the following sub-clauses there may be constituted a BECTU History Project (and such other specialist Projects as the National Executive Committee may from time to time determine).
(i) The History Project's object shall be the recording by interview of the working lives and experiences of practitioners across the audio visual and entertainment industries to form an accessible archive, fully compliant with such data protection and intellectual property rights as may apply, for the benefit of cultural, academic, educational or trade union and labour movement users and such other users as may from time to time be determined by the Project subject to the approval of the National Executive Committee. Users shall be required to acknowledge BECTU as the source in any published use of material.
(ii) Participants in the Project need not be limited to current or past members of BECTU, but non-member participants shall not be entitled individually to the financial benefits of the union. '
(iii) The Project shall be empowered to negotiate contractual arrangements with appropriate partners (which may include partners supplying funding and resources) for the furtherance of its objects, such contracts being made in the name of the union and subject to the prior approval of the National Executive Committee.
(iv) The Project may elect its own officers for the administration of the Project in accordance with standing orders approved by the National Executive Committee, and shall provide such reports (including financial reports) to the National Executive Committee and to annual conference as the National Executive Committee shall require.
AR22 Rule 40(e)(i)
After "to be appointed" insert "in accordance with rule 28(a)(v)"
AR23 Rule 40(n) [new]
Insert new clause (n) as follows, and re-letter existing clause (n) accordingly:
(n) The chair shall clearly explain to conference the consequences of procedural motions (especially the distinction between 'move to next business' and 'the question be put') at the time when one is made.
AR24 Rule 42(k)
Add at end: "with the exception of those results of National Executive Committee elections declared under rule 40(d) by the General Secretary."
AR25 Rule 45(a)
Delete "1993" and insert "2005, which can be increased to a maximum of five years with the prior agreement of annual conference"
AR26 Appendix D by-law 8(a)
Add at end: "Those arrangements shall provide that no representative shall have the right to vote who has not been elected or re-elected by the respective branch within the preceding two years. Branches shall elect their representatives at a meeting duly convened under rule 28(a)(v), but in the event of a branch, after notice of such a meeting has been issued, being unable for any reason to obtain a quorum, it shall be competent for the branch committee to make the election."
Enabling motion [not susceptible to amendment]
As part of its report to conference SOC will propose, at the conclusion of the business of the rules revision conference, the following enabling motion: "Conference adopts and approves the rules of BECTU as altered at this rules revision conference, subject to the incorporation of such numbering, cross-referencing, grammatical and other consequential changes of text as are required to implement the alterations to rules."
Proposed rule changes rejected by the SOC
RR1 Rule 9
The BBC WW Branch proposes the following resolution to the BECTU Annual Conference (Rules Revision) 2005:-
Addition to Rule 9
Where a new applicant is seeking immediate advice for an on-going problem he/she may be required to pay his/her first 6 months subscriptions in advance.
SOC's reason for rejection: Obscure. No clause indicated, inadequately presented by last-minute e-mail. See also the following rejection. The branch is recommended to support or amend accepted rule alteration AR4.
RR2 Rule 9(h) [new]
Add new clause (h) as follows:
(h) When an employee seeks assistance which involves a National Official, and the person is not currently a member, the official can require the person to pay some 'back subscription' on joining. The maximum amount will be determined in advance by the NEC.
SOC's reason for rejection: Obscure. The rules cannot seek to be binding on a person prior to his or her acceptance into membership. The branch is recommended to support or amend accepted rule alteration AR4.
RR3 Rule 33(h)(i)
After "Candidates to represent a divisional shall be voted for only by paid-up members within that division" add: In the case of the BBC division, a minimum of two of the elected candidates for the National Executive Committee should be members of branches represented in the Nations & Regions sub-divisional committee. All members of the BBC division will be eligible to vote for all candidates. The two candidates representing branches in Nations & Regions with the highest number of votes shall be deemed elected. Should insufficient numbers of candidates be nominated from branches in Nations & Regions, then such seats would be available to any other nominated member from within the division.
SOC's reason for rejection: Obscure. Inconsistent with rule 31(d), 31(h), 33(b) and Appendix D by-law 2, which restrict the powers of sub-divisional committees to matters affecting only members of the sub-division.
RR4 Rule 42(c)
Line 6, after "branches" insert ", and divisions who shall have the authority to submit propositions and amendments to conference," and continue
SOC's reason for rejection: Obscure. Proposed to the wrong rule. SOC believes rule 42(e) may have been intended - if so, the proposed alteration would in any case be inconsistent with rule 42(f)(ii) and 42(g); moreover, divisions (as distinct from divisional committees) do not meet except at divisional conferences and so are not in a position to submit propositions and amendments to conference
RR5 Rule 42(i)(i)
Line 4, after "branches", delete full stop and add "and divisions."
SOC's reason for rejection: Obscure. Inconsistent with rule 42(f)(ii) and 42(g); moreover, divisions (as distinct from divisional committees) do not meet except at divisional conferences and so are not in a position to submit propositions and amendments to conference
Propositions accepted by the SOC
AP1 Union merger
That this annual conference notes the pressures that the falling membership and, in the longer term, the consequential impact on income will have on the service provided to the union's members. These problems combined with the failure to complete the sale of the Wardour Street premises means that the situation is likely to deteriorate further.
Therefore this conference instructs the NEC to investigate the possibilities for a merger with a like-minded union and to bring their recommendations to the 2006 conference.
AP2 BECTU's structure
That this annual conference instructs the NEC to establish an independent committee to examine and consider the constitution and rules of the union so that they are consonant with the needs of the industry in the 21st century, when freelancing and small production units have seriously undermined the efficacy of the traditional branch and divisional structure, and to report that committee's findings together with appropriate recommendations at the next rules revision conference.
AP3 Frequency of conference
That this annual conference instructs the NEC to reduce the frequency of rules revision conferences rather than reduce the frequency of annual conferences, through an appropriate rule change.
AP4 Venue of conference
That this annual conference instructs the NEC to continue to cost conference venues outside England and, if they prove comparable, should make them the first choice for the next venue ahead of any in England.
AP5 Amendments to propositions
That this annual conference instructs the NEC, in the absence of anything in the BECTU rulebook, to consider proposing amendments to branch propositions which the NEC would otherwise recommend rejecting or remitting. As with any amendment, conference would decide whether or not to accept the NEC's amendment.
AP6 Local offices
That this annual conference instructs the NEC to set up localised small offices in major film and television studios, London Weekend, Elstree, Pinewood, Shepperton and Leavesden, and also to rent an office in Wardour Street in order to have a presence right in the workplace, where members can access union reps and officials. Also to set up a mobile office (or a number of mobile offices) that can service members on location.
AP7 Out-of-hours cover
That this annual conference instruct the NEC to investigate the feasibility of providing out-of-hours cover by telephone, so that freelance members who have a problem can speak to an official who can give accurate advice and support when needed during a split call or night shoot and at weekends.
AP8 Education branch
That this annual conference instructs the NEC to explore methods whereby the many members teaching in colleges and similar institutions have some form of representation analogous to the former ACTT branch.
AP9 Vacant officials' posts
That this annual conference request that the NEC reverse its decision not to fill two vacant officials posts because of the adverse effect on the workload of the remaining BBC officials and branches. The two posts should be filled because the sale of Wardour Street is proceeding so there is no financial restriction but more importantly in view of proposed BBC spending cuts and Charter Renewal BECTU must have the maximum number BBC officials to manage events over the next few years.
AP10 BECTU staffing
That this annual conference deplores the recent re-allocation of duties amongst BECTU staff, which affects the effective working of the union, and which has been achieved without any consultation with divisions, branches or members. The annual conference demands an urgent review as soon as possible.
AP11 Feedback to members
That this annual conference is alarmed at the widespread apathy of members participation in union business and believes that this is at least partly due to lack of feedback to individual members about what the union is doing.
Conference therefore instructs the NEC to arrange for all members to receive individually, either in or with Stage Screen & Radio, at least a pr�cis of the proceedings of the NEC meetings. Similar arrangements are to be made for reports back to all relevant* members in the divisions of their respective divisional conferences and divisional committee meetings.
* relevant - means that divisional conference and divisional committee matters need only be reported individually to members in that particular division
SOC note: The asterisk and footnote do not form part of the proposition but are explanatory commentary from the branch. SOC has rejected the following text at the end of the first paragraph as excessive argument:
With many branches having difficulties in convening quorate meetings, in some cases for several years, the reporting back of NEC and divisional business to committee members and branches only is inadequate for informing the membership of discussions and decisions taken by these bodies.
SOC has rejected the following parenthetical text following "NEC meetings" in the second paragraph as excessive argument:
(reports back from conferences are normally reported adequately in the journal).
SOC has accepted a third paragraph submitted in this proposition as a separate proposition, AP12 following.
AP12 Consultation on amendments
All propositions and changes to rule for both union-wide and divisional conferences are to be circulated to all relevant* members allowing enough time for them to submit any amendments [through their branch] before the cut-off deadline.
* relevant - means that divisional conference and divisional committee matters need only be reported individually to members in that particular division
SOC note: The asterisk and footnote do not form part of the proposition but are explanatory commentary from the branch. SOC has added the words in square brackets.
AP13 Value for money
That this annual conference is seriously concerned at the perception by many members that the union is failing to offer value for money.
The NEC is therefore instructed to pay urgent attention to the dissemination of information to members to highlight the services and activities that the union offers and how members can benefit from these services and benefits.
AP14 BECTU website
That this annual conference believes that there should be an option of an online version of Stage Screen & Radio, furthermore that the website should be updated and redesigned and made for user-friendly and conform with recent DDA legislation.
AP15 BECTU website and improved communication
That this annual conference consider way to improve the BECTU website to expand the services and information available on the website. Improved communication on the web may be an answer to falling attendances at branch meetings and may attract more interest in union activities.
SOC note: The branch is recommended to seek a composite with AP14 or to withdraw this proposition in support of AP14
AP16 Electronic communication
That this annual conference instructs the NEC to actively increase the use of electronic systems to regularly communicate with and between branches and divisions, such as monthly bulletins and mass electronic mail-outs and make lists of branch committee members available to other branch committees.
AP17 Protection of conditions and pensions
That this annual conference asks the NEC to lobby for legislation to ensure that all cases, regardless of whether they are company sales, outsources, joint ventures or TUPEs, provide full recognition and transfer of all terms and conditions of service and provision of fully matching pension schemes, and furthermore an absolute restriction of compulsory redundancies for a period of not less than five years from the date of sale or transfer. The legislation should also permit trade unions to ballot and implement industrial action to register protest against all such sales and transfers.
AP18 Training
That this annual conference reaffirms the importance of the learning agenda to the future of the union, and instructs every branch of the union to nominate a branch representative for learning by December 2005.
AP19 Skillset and Northern Ireland
That this annual conference instructs the NEC to call upon Skillset to provide the same full careers and advice service in Northern Ireland as in the other UK nations.
AP20 New digital revolution
That this annual conference instructs the NEC to promote an industry-wide strategy (provision) for retraining of industry workers to accommodate the new digital revolution, specifically including postproduction, distribution and projection and securing a commitment and funding from employers and training bodies.
SOC note: SOC has deleted the parenthetical word "(provision)" after "strategy"
AP21 Cuts in public broadcasting
That this annual conference deplores the cuts and privatisations announced for the BBC by Director General Mark Thompson which seriously threaten public broadcasting in the UK. All divisions represented at this conference support the efforts of BECTU as well as the other BBC unions' officials in the fight against the cuts which, if allowed to go ahead unchallenged, would have a serious impact on the whole broadcasting industry.
AP22 Film distribution
That this annual conference instructs the Film Policy Committee to approach the government (DCMS and DTI), UK Film Council, independent cinema and commercial multiplex operators and associations to investigate and promote the case for a clearing-house to help smaller budget hits in independent cinemas cross over to audiences in bigger chains.
AP23 Low budget production agreement
That this annual conference instruct the NEC to investigate a strategy to cover low budget productions, so as to seek to introduce a union agreement tailored to this type of production which could be realistically used by the production companies. This agreement would ensure the provision of at least some safeguards and standards to freelance workers, many of whom will just be starting out in the industry and seeking a foothold on the ladder by means of gaining experience, and so are vulnerable to exploitation.
AP24 DTI employment agency standards
That this annual conference deplores the practice of employment agencies being allowed to charge up-front fees to work-seekers and to charge excessive commission rates, despite attempts to regulate their conduct.
Conference therefore calls on the NEC, with the assistance if possible of the TUC, to lobby the Department of Trade and Industry to: (a) abolish all up-front fees; (b) reintroduce the licencing of agencies; (c) set a statutory cap on agency commission rates.
AP25 Rights of asylum seekers
That this annual conference asks the NEC to monitor any future government's proposals on immigration and asylum to ensure that any legislation does not adversely affect the cases of asylum seekers specifically those involving media workers and trade union activists.
AP26 Tsunami aid
That this annual conference notes that the G8 summit is being held at Gleneagles, Scotland, from 8 July.
This conference demands the UK government:
- Step up aid and divert war spending to save lives in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and other tsunami-affected countries;
- Cancel all debts owed by the 11 affected countries now and urge the IMF and the banks to do the same;
- Ensure aid is given 'without strings' such as 'economic restructuring' which would allow the multinationals to profit from the destruction.
- Send a copy of this motion to the government and to campaign to ensure that all aid that has been pledged is honoured;
- Place this issue high on the list of possible motions to take to the next TUC conference;
- Join the protests at the G8 summit this July.
SOC note: SOC has rejected the following text in the first paragraph as excessive argument:
- That the tsunami disaster has killed at least 150,000 people in South East Asia and made 5 million more homeless;
- The enormous generosity of ordinary people in Britain who have donated over £90 million;
- That by 18 January the aid offered so far by the British government equated to only five and a half days spending on the occupation of Iraq;
- That the tsunami-hit countries owe the West billions, Indonesia's debt alone is $10 billion;
AP27 Labour Party leadership
That this annual conference mandates the NEC to give its backing to any campaign mounted by Gordon Brown to become leader of the Labour Party.
Propositions rejected by the SOC
RP1 [no title proposed]
That this annual conference shall add to rule 33(h)(i) after "Candidates to represent a divisional shall be voted for only by paid-up members within that division":
In the case of the BBC division, a minimum of two of the elected candidates for the National Executive Committee should be members of branches represented in the Nations & Regions sub-divisional committee.
All members of the BBC division will be eligible to vote for all candidates.
The two candidates representing branches in Nations & Regions with the highest number of votes shall be deemed elected.
Should insufficient numbers of candidates be nominated from branches in Nations & Regions, then such seats would be available to any other nominated member from within the division.
SOC's reason for rejection: Purported rule change incorrectly addressed to annual conference
RP2 Communications strategy
That this annual conference instructs the NEC to improve the union's visibility, credibility and efficiency in all areas of communication and image externally and internally.
SOC's reason for rejection: Existing policy (cf. Objects rule 5 passim and rule 33(w))
RP3 UK labour law
That this annual conference instructs the NEC to support and promote, with other unions, through the TUC and other parties, moves to pressure the UK government to make UK labour law comply with international human rights treaties, principles and standards, which the United Kingdom has voluntarily ratified. Furthermore, that this campaign should be along the lines outlined in the Institute of Employment Rights Charter of Workers Rights in response to such a call at the 2001 Trades Union Congress. Foremost should be the call for the UK government to meet its obligation to promote collective bargaining.
SOC's reason for rejection: Existing policy. The branch may raise the issue under the NEC's report to conference.
RP4 Working Time Regulations
That this annual conference note that production companies are still drafting working schedules on the basis of shooting hours (i.e. 12 hours shooting on camera). These schedules do not take into consideration grades such as hair & makeup, costume, production staff (ADs and runners), support staff (facilities and drivers), who are required to work extra hours either side of the shooting schedule, breaking not only the eleven hour break, but also well in excess of the Working Time Regulations of a maximum 48-hour week. Conference instructs the NEC to continue to lobby MPs and MEPs in order to bring an end to this iniquitous practice.
SOC's reason for rejection: Existing policy (cf. 2004 Proposition RP7, reinstated and carried). The branch may raise the issue under the NEC's report to conference.
RP5 Holiday pay
That this annual conference note the practice still used by employers of incorporating holiday pay into weekly rates, and holding this element back for payment at the end of the contract. This effectively avoids real holiday pay obligations being met by employers. We call upon this conference to instruct the NEC to continue to pressure government to amend the Working Time Regulations to make this practice unlawful.
SOC's reason for rejection: Existing policy. The branch may raise the issue under the NEC's report to conference.
RP6 Training qualifications
That this annual conference instruct the NEC to adopt a proactive policy concerning the promotion of a recognised qualification gained in the workplace across all grades, and to endorse setting up a BECTU-awarded qualification, as Skillset no longer offer a qualification.
SOC's reason for rejection: Obscure. The branch may raise the issue under the NEC's report to conference.
RP7 Public service broadcasting
That this annual conference instructs the NEC to approach the DCMS to establish a dialogue on public service broadcasting with specific emphasis on all broadcasters' responsibilities to meet their public service commitments and to ensure sufficient quantity, quality, originality and investment to maintain and encourage diversity of output.
SOC's reason for rejection: Existing policy. The branch may raise the issue under the NEC's report to conference.
RP8 Misuse of production funds
That this annual conference instructs the NEC to support the London Production division's decision to investigate independent production companies who are failing to meet their obligations by holding back monies intended for direct production costs, and thereby shortchanging our members whilst making vast profits for themselves.
SOC's reason for rejection: More advantageously dealt with by remission to the London Production division.