Page 3 - In Force Sring 2018

Branch scoops recruitment award entertainment. Branch AGM

“Our membership has increased by 20
Paul Gurney, Gary Jacques and Delia per cent but the recruitment of new UNISON
Farren from Leicestershire Police UNISON members is still essential. The increase shows Members are invited to attend the
attended the event along with that police staff understand the importance Leicestershire Police UNISON AGM
representatives from 34 branches around the of having union representation as well as later this month.
region. access to everything that we have to offer. The meeting will be held in the
Paul, also the branch administration “Member offers are invaluable and offer Olympic Room at 12.30pm at Force
assistant, explained: “It was great for the personal as well as professional benefits.” Headquarters on Tuesday 27 February.
branch to be recognised in this way and the Other key winners this year were
event was a well organised evening in a UNISON Power which received the Branch of
lovely hotel with nice food and good live the Year Award. Looking for

Happy anniversary to us! a new

Leicestershire Police UNISON celebrates its 30-year anniversary during 2018. mortgage?
The branch office may have moved several times in those three decades and the
staff and union workplace representatives have changed many times over. However,
the branch has remained true to its core values. UNISON Living has teamed up with a new
It represents members, negotiates and bargains on their behalf and campaigns for partner to offer members a
better working conditions and pay and for public services. complimentary, no-obligation mortgage
We will be featuring articles about the anniversary in all four editions of your advice consultation.
members’ magazines this year. Advisers from Lighthouse Mortgage &
In the first feature, current branch chair Pat Earnshaw and treasurer Lesley Panton Protection Solutions will help members
talk about their UNISON background. work out how much they can afford to
‘Learn about what we stand for’ borrow, recommend the most appropriate
mortgage for their circumstances, and
search the market to find a suitable deal.
Lesley Panton says her tough.” They can help members moving home,
Leicestershire Police Lesley also said she believes technology first-time buyers, those remortgaging and
UNISON membership has has changed policing and that community
provided her with demands and expectations have also looking at a help to buy scheme and also
protection in the job she changed. with all other types of mortgages.
enjoys and training and “Computers and technology have If they decide to go ahead, they will
education to carry out her made some really major changes to charge just £249 per mortgage – that’s
role with confidence. policing. But the community has also £246 off the usual fee of £495.
“I joined UNISON because I liked the job I changed what it wants from the service – To find out more, call 08000 85 85 90 or
was doing so I thought, as I’m here to stay, I it’s very different from what it wanted email enquiries@lighthousemps.co.uk.
need some protection,” she explained. years ago. Lighthouse Mortgage & Protection Solutions
“My membership has also provided me “I believe working together with may be paid commission by the lender, usually
with training and education which has made colleagues from the county, city, Rutland 0.2 - 0.4 per cent of the mortgage. For a
me more confident both personally and council and borough, town or parish £100,000 mortgage they would receive £200 –
professionally.” councils has made improvements but our £400. Commercial and business buy-to-let
Lesley joined the Force in 1986 as a traffic main challenge is providing a service to mortgages are not regulated by the Financial
warden and currently works as a traffic members and meeting the aims on the Conduct Authority. Your home may be
management officer. national, regional and police and justice repossessed if you do not keep up repayments
“I began my UNISON branch career as an service group.” on a mortgage or other loans secured on it.
auditor, then moved into health and safety She added: “Becoming a branch in our Lighthouse Mortgage and Protection Solutions
before working as a rep and now I’m branch own right was difficult, as our business is is a trading style of Lighthouse Advisory
treasurer,” she said. so different from others, but we are still Services Limited. Registered in England No.
“I take my inspiration from Chris part of a large union. Working towards 04086645. Registered Office: 26 Throgmorton
Hanrahan (secretary) and Pat Earnshaw getting good conditions of service, wage Street, London, EC2N 2AN. Lighthouse Advisory
Services Limited is authorised and regulated by
(chair) who have both helped me personally rises and the protection of employee rights the Financial Conduct Authority. Lighthouse
and within the union. So, I help people, share has been, and still is, one of our most Advisory Services Limited is a wholly owned
my skills and work for better working difficult issues.” subsidiary of Lighthouse Group plc.
conditions. My greatest achievement is Lesley believes the continuing
always working for our members. Sometimes protection of the service and getting the
you’re successful, sometimes you’re not, but message out to others about the benefits
it’s always worth doing.” of being in a union as the key issues now: BECOME A MEMBER -
Lesley added: “The highlight of my time “Any staff member who has not joined visit joinunison.org.uk PAGE 3
with UNISON is when members ask UNISON should talk to us, learn about what
specifically for me to represent them. The low we stand for and find out about the
point for me was the pension strike; that was benefits and how we can help you,” she said.