Minutes of the 11th Meeting of the 105th Executive Committee held at 52
Clapham High Street, London SW4 7UN, on the 1st of November 2008

    



(These minutes are not official until ratified by the EC)

Present: A.Buick. J.Carter, P.Deutz, B.Johnson, T.Miller, G.Thomas,
N.White (7).

Meeting commenced at 1.05pm

1. Election of the Chair:
Comrade Miller nominated for the chair. Agreed

2. Apologies: McEwan, Roberts and Wigley.

3. Minutes of the 10th Executive Committee meeting, 4th October 2008
Motion 1 (Buick/Deutz) “The minutes be adopted”. Agreed

4. Matters Arising
i) Consideration of the Royal National Intitute for the Deaf Report,
deferred from the last meeting. Comrade White was not able to hear the
discussion at ADM. and would encourage the EC. to further consider a Loop
System, all NHS. hearing aid users would benefit. He said that the present
system might work, with microphones being handed around and the speakers
in better positions, though one still gets a distorted noise. He thinks
that we should canvas members on their requirements.
There was a directional mike at ADM. but people need to speak directly
into them. Radio microphones are fine but expensive, would people use them
and feedback a problem. We could experiment with different arrangements at
the EC. meetings
Motion 2 (Johnson/Buick) “That consideration of purchasing the loop system
be deferred until further investigation by the Audio Visual Department
regarding the use of additional microphones”. Carried 4-2 1 abstention
Motion 3 (Thomas/Johnson) “That the Audio Visual Department be authorised
to spend up to £250 and that they report back in two months”. Carried 5-2

ii) Fire Alarm System
Comrade Thomas reminded the EC. that if we do not carry out the
requirements, we could compromise our insurance cover, and that we need to
deal with this in a consistent way. The company should be told that eg. A,
B and C have been done, and the reasons why E and F are not yet completed.
Motion 4 (Johnson/Buick) “Given the present adverse circumstances of the
Premises Committee that Comrade Thomas be given authority to oversee the
work involved regarding the Fire Safety Report. Carried 7-0

iii) Premises Department Report from Comrade Comber received 1/11/08
The report had not addressed the immediate issues. Some thought that
Comrade Stair had made a good case at ADM, the real issue now is whether
we take the architect or the shop-fitter road. The meeting was reminded of
the 2005 Conference Resolution which confirmed a previous ADM resolution.
We do not appear to have a functioning Premises Committee so although the
call for nominations for all positions is soon to be made, it was thought
that a call should be made in particular, to provide a bridging body.
Whether we use an architect or a shop-fitter, we will need to show our
plans to the local Council as this is a Conservation area. The EC was
mindful of the feelings expressed at ADM.,”that HO is not the center of
the universe.”
Motion 5 (Johnson/Thomas) “That the Premises Committee be instructed to
contact shop fitters regarding the front of Head Office with a view of
obtaining estimates and plans.” Carried 6-1
Motion 6 (White/Buick) “That a call for nominations be made for the
Premises Committee”.Carried 5-1-1 abstention

iv) Letter from Comrade Stair resigning from the Premises Committee. Dated
31/10/08
Motion 7 (Thomas/Miller) “That the resignation be accepted with thanks for
his past efforts”. Carried 7-0

v) Library Book List
Most books have been returned, though some still very outstanding. Several
books had been returned to the library with their Issue cards still in
them, which meant that they had been borrowed incorrectly. An example of
indiscriminate free-access.

vi) Fire Safety Report, the Exit Doors.
Comrade Chesham reported that Comrade Helps has been having to deal with
some personal trouble but will soon be back at Head Office. He is able to
deal with the inner Fire doors, and also that the outer Fire Exit doors,
which will have to open outwards and have crash bars fitted.

vii) The Photocopier.
Xerox are, because of our delay, now offering us the original model, 7242,
which is slightly slower in producing colour copies. Price and cost of the
copies the same. Reduction of minimum full colour copies to 750 next year.
Price is £6315.62 as opposed to £8.000 + for the Toshiba.
Some EC members are not convinced of the need for a colour copier. Others
are mindful of the work that Comrade Johnson has so far carried out.
Others that in this modern world handing out black and white leaflets
advertising party meetings and events is not impressive.
Motion 8 (Johnson/Buick)”

That the General Secretary be authorised to sign
the contract for the purchase of a WC7242 machine from Xerox.” Lost 3-4
Notice of Motion (Thomas/Carter) “That the EC rescind Motion 9 of its
October meeting”.
Comrade Johnson said that he wants nothing more to do with the Photocopier
negotiations.

5 Forms A and F
None

6 Accounts.
i) Treasurer presented accounts for July 2008
They do not show any sales for the Socialist Standard because the cheque
was late being paid in, these will be shown in the August accounts.

ii) Consideration of the Party’s bank accounts.
Motion 9 (Thomas/White) “In view of the fact that ADM took no action on
the Report of the Finance and Investments Sub Committee and that National
Savings and Investments will not accept deposits from political
organisations, that the Treasurer open an account with the Nationwide
Building Society and transfer the bulk of the Party deposit funds leaving
$50.000 with the Alliance and Leicester. The new account to be operated by
the Treasurer in association with Comrades Chesham and Allan.”
Amendment to Motion 9 (Deutz/Buick) “Replace ‘the bulk of the Party
deposit funds leaving £50.000 with Alliance and Leicester’,’ with ‘£50.000
from the Party deposit funds from the Alliance and Leicester account’.
Carried 6-0-1
As an amended motion Carried 6-0-1 abstention
Motion 10 (Deutz/Buick) “That £50.000 be transferred from Alliance and
Leicester into a Deposit Account with HSBC”. Carried 6-0 1 absent.

7 Reports of Party Officer, Committees and Departments
i)Campaigns Department, November Update. (As seen on Spintcom)
On Item 1, The Kealey debate will be at Birkbeck College at a cost of
£195.00.
On Item 2. Comrade Thomas, who will be representing the Party at the City
and Islington College, prefers to give SOYM, Standards and DVD’s away to
an audience of 6th Form Students. Others felt that we should not pass up
the opportunity of asking for donations. It was suggested the Socialist
Principles explained is a good introduction to the Party. Jacqueline
Shoedeke said that she is against giving anything away, it seems to
devalue the items.
On Item 4 the Battle of Ideas Conference at the Royal College of Art,
several members are due to attend. (Buick/Miller)
Motion 11 (Deutz/Johnson) “That the action of the Campaigns Department in
purchasing a £50.00 ticket for the Conference of the Battle of Ideas be
endorsed.” Agreed 7-0
Motion 12 “That the EC authorise the purchase of up to 3 additional
tickets for Comrades to attend the Battle of Ideas Conference”. Agreed 7-0
One meeting and three debates are scheduled for the New Year including
UKIP, The National Union of Sex Workers and with Professor John Merrico
who has written that Marx is Wrong.
On Item 7, the Department ask the EC. to consider advertising on the
London Buses at a cost of £11.000, 4 buses for one month.
The EC feels it necessary to know if the Transport Company will accept
political adverts or even adverts for political journals, and which buses
on which routes.

8. Correspondence.
i)Nomination of Comrade Jim Lawrie for the position on the Campaigns
Department.
Motion 13 (Deutz/Miller) “That the nomination of Comrade Lawrie be accepted.”
Carried 6-0-1 abstention
ii) Minutes of the WSP of US, their 4th meeting on the 10/8/08. Noted
ii) Southern Gas 13/10/08 Will be carrying out essential work in Clapham
High Street sometime during the next 20 weeks, and may need access to HO.
We await a message from them, before making any arrangements.
9 Any Other Business
i)Comrade Thomas spoke regarding the Pooley Estate. There is possibly
£8000 still to be claimed. Agreed the Treasurer follows this up.
10 Agreed the nomination of Comrade Johnson for Chair of the next meeting.
11 6/12/08 is the date for the next EC meeting

12 Meeting adjourned at 3.30ish

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A call is made for nominations for Party Officers and the Executive Committee
The posts to be filled are for the General Secretary, Assistant General
Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, the Central Organiser, two
Auditors and two Trustees.
There are 10 EC positions. Returning Date 5th December
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