It often feels like the student run part of the union is doing nothing much. As soon as a new idea comes along a sabbatical officer or staff member will come along and stick a pin in it. Either it will cost too much, or it will require too much staff time, or it's simply not in the plan and changing the plan would be too much work. The best result is often an ok to proceed, so long as you know they're far too busy to help. As our local MP said the union has an "attitude which has more to do with 'can't do' than 'can do'". A student led union does NOT mean sabbaticals are at the top of the food chain. It means students with ideas and the willingness to change the world (in a big way or a small one) are encouraged, empowered and supported in doing so. Let the students lead, the rest of the union is here to support them.

Part of being student led is being transparent, i.e. providing students with the information they need in order to make informed choices or question and comment on the choices the union makes on their behalf. Far too much information is not easily available to students. One change I made in this regard was the creation of financial reports on Additional Grant Funding (AGF) for societies. After each round of AGF I've produced a report on where the money went and presented this to SUEC and Societies Union. With the help of the Union Finance office I've also looked up the historical information so we can all see the bigger picture. Transparency empowers students and enables improvement.

Along with transparency we also need accountability. Officers (particularly Sabbaticals) need to report to the union and to students what they've done and particularly any key decisions they take. Students need to be able to question their officers. The opportunity exists (for example, any student can come to union council and ask any union officer a question) but few people know how the union works or how to make use of our democratic processes. We spend a lot of time and money advertising the sugar house, and next to nothing advertising how regular students can use, question and make recomendations for improvement to the union and its officers. Holding officers to account is not a burden, it's a way for students to have their say, particularly when the union might have got it wrong.