District Council

associated society of locomotive engineers and firemen

District Council No.5

District Councils

District Councils are formed on a geographical basis throughout the country, of which there are a total of eight which generally take in the following areas:

District No.1 – London & and the South of England

District No.2 – Scotland

District No.3 – North West England & North Wales

District No.4 – North East England, Yorkshire & Humberside

District No.5 – London & East Anglia

District No.6 – London, Birmingham & West Midlands

District No.7 – London, South Wales & West Country

District No.8 – London Underground & Croydon Tramlink

In the past questions had been asked as to the continued viability of District Councils because of their cost and what some people considered a lack of contribution to the Trade Union.

The Role of District Councils has changed in recent years and with the onset of the privatisation it became an important way of maintaining links with other Branches and the difficulties being encountered by members in other areas.

In 2000 the ASLEF Annual Assembly of Delegates adopted a major change to the Rule covering District Councils. This saw the cessation of the Sector Report to District Councils, which had provided the Council with a report from a Profit / Company Council Representative. At the same time a New Rule was adopted to create Consultative Committees based on Women, Race Equality & Sexual Equality in addition to the District Council Chair & Secretaries. Each Consultative Committee Member is required to report to their respective District Council on the Business being carried out by their committee. Consultative Committees also meet three times per annum with the General Secretary and President.

The Make up of District Councils

District Councils are formed as follows:

§ One delegate from each Branch within its geographical area.

§ District Secretary (now known as District Organiser - Webmaster)

§ Executive Committee Member

§ Women’s Consultative Committee Member

§ Race Equality Consultative Committee Member

§ Sexual Equality Consultative Committee Member

The District Council ‘Annual General Meeting’ (AGM) elects from its number, a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Assistant Secretary and five Committee members.

Although District Councils are not policy-making bodies, they provide an important avenue for disseminating information from national level to Branch level and vice versa. This is done by reports being given by the EC Member, District Officer, District Council Chair or secretary and the respective Consultative Committee Representatives. These are followed by Branch reports. After each report delegates are given the opportunity to raise issues of concern and question the content of a report.

Objectives

The objectives as laid out in ‘Rule 11 District Councils’ are as follows:

(i) The holding of District Meetings, with a view of mutual assistance to Branches.

(ii) To consolidate the members in each District.

(iii) Arrange mass meetings and other meetings for propaganda purposes;

(iv) Co-operate with the executive Committee in any national or other movement, as required;

(v) Organise the non – unionists in the District;

(vi) Assist in promoting, as far as possible, any movement having for its object the betterment of our fraternity generally;

(vii) Co-operate with the Executive Committee with the provision of Educational opportunities for the membership.

Any member is welcome to attend District Council as a visitor and can contact the District Council Secretary for details of date and venue.

District Council No.5 - Affiliations

District Council No.5 is currently affiliated to a number of organisations to assist in these objectives. These include:

§ The Labour Party, Labour East

§ The Greater London Labour Party

§ Cuba Solidarity Campaign

§ Reclaim Our Rights

§ Anti Nazi League

§ Capital Transport

§ National Pensioners Convention

Weekend Schools

The District Organiser also makes arrangements for a ‘Weekend School’ to take place within the District, in recent years at Great Yarmouth. These normally take place in April and November of each year. ‘Weekend Schools’ usually begin on the Saturday afternoon and conclude at midday on the Sunday. These Schools provide an excellent opportunity to hear a wide range of speakers such as Company Directors, MPs, Society Solicitors etc. It also gives members an opportunity to meet their District and National officials in an informal manner.

Bro.N.P.Gibson,

Former District Council Secretary - District No.5. Currently the EC Member for District No.5.

District Contacts

The dates for meetings of the District Council in 2008 are:

As of December 2007, the following two dates are confirmed for our District Council meetings in 2008.

Monday March 10th 2008 A G M Bloomsbury Room

Tuesday September 30th 2008 Cartwright Room

Any member is welcome to attend District Council as a visitor
and can contact the District Council Secretary for up to date
details of time and venue.

See this page for more info on the District Council.

Dates for 2008 were supplied by Mark Steele - District Council Secretary.