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THE SOCIALIST PARTY
MINUTES OF THE 2ND MEETING
OF THE 103RD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
HELD AT HEAD OFFICE ON 4TH
FEBRUARY, 2006, AT 2.15 PM
Present: Bissett (Gen Sec), Browne, Carter, Lawrence, Simkins,
Stair, Thomas, (Chair), White.
Also in attendance: Miller
1) Amendment and Adoption of Previous EC Minutes
1.1) Re email on spintcom from P Bennett regarding missing voting
figures for the Manchester Branch resolution as per item 10.2 of the
January EC Minutes. The resolution ("That the EC be informed that any
discussion on whether or not to have a Party logo should be taken by
Conference resolution, not just by the EC") had been carried 5-0, 6
members present.
1.2) Re. item 3.1.iii. The EC resolution pertaining to the new Standing
Order ("That the Standing Orders be adopted as amended") had been
carried 5-0.
1.3) Re. item 4.3.i). The EC resolution pertaining to the merger of two
pamphlets ("Defer further consideration of the proposal to merge the
two pamphlets until a report is received from the Publications Dept.")
had been carried 5-0. (Apologies for the omission in reporting the
voting figures for these resolutions. Gen Sec)
1.4) Browne & Stair: "That the Minutes for January be adopted as
amended." Agreed.
2) Matters Arising from January EC Meeting
2.1) Responses from the second call for nominations for Departmental,
Party Officer and EC Vacancies.
2.1.i) South London Branch nominated Danny Lambert, Frank Simkins and
Nick White for the EC.
2.1.ii) Fred Allen self-nominated for the post of Assistant Treasurer.
2.1. iii) Neil Windle self-nominated for the SSPC and the VPD.
2.1.iv) Paddy Shannon self-nominated for the VPD.
2.1.v) Ben Malcolm, Andy Pitts and Dave Porter self-nominated for the
Membership Department.
2.1.vi) Swansea Branch nominated Howard Moss as Trustee.
2.1vii) Lawrence & Browne: "That the nominations be accepted and
that Cdes White, Simkins and Lambert be invited to join the EC." Agreed
2.3) A further call is made for the one remaining EC vacancy.
2.4) Re. the awaited report from the Publications Department on the
merging of two pamphlets into one.
2.4.i) Report received from the Publications Dept, dated 27th January.
After much consideration the department had decided against the merger
of the pamphlets Socialism as a Practical Alternative and From
Capitalism to Socialism. The department wished to accept Cde Perrin's
offer to submit a re-worked version of the FCTS pamphlet and asked Cde
Lawrence, who authored the existing SAPA pamphlet, if he could revise
the same, updating necessary statistics and examples. Cde Lawrence,
present at meeting, agreed to the latter request. The department
suggested a printing of the revised pamphlets, with attractive
full-colour covers, when stocks of the current editions were exhausted.
2.4. ii) Carter & Browne: "The EC accepts the Publications
Department's report and asks that they proceed as they suggest." Agreed
8-0.
2.5) Re. item 10.7.ii of January Minutes - request for report from
Election Department in light of rules 27 and 28 and elections in Uganda.
2.5.i) The EC considered a report from the Election Department, dated
23rd January, which was in response to a member in Uganda asking to
stand in the coming elections there, the January EC asking the
department to look at the issue in the light of Rules 27 and 28 (which
govern electoral activity). The election department, pointing out that
the relevant rule did not specifically take into account the contesting
of elections overseas, suggested we could either: a) Creatively
interpret "nationally" in Rule 28 to mean that the SPGB EC instructs,
or, b) Say that we have no power at all to do anything about this, and
it requires a decision by members. The department favoured (b) and
recommend that the matter comes up, somehow, at Conference. The
department did not think the issue of a candidate having passed a
speakers' test posed a problem. Nominations had closed on 13th January,
so there was no longer an issue demanding an urgent decision. The
Secretary reminded the meeting that he would be referring to the matter
in his report to Conference and as pointed out in the January EC
Minutes.
2.5.ii) Browne raised with the EC the matter of an election leaflet the
Ugandan comrades would be handing out in the run up to the elections of
23rd February, (the link for the leaflet's text had been posted on
spintcom, the text produced by the Election Department with the help of
the comrades in Kabale and laid out in a leaflet design by Cde Bissett)
and emailed to Uganda, pointing out that Rule 17 had been breached as
such leaflets, being election statements, had to be approved by the EC.
Bissett pointed to the time constraints involved - the Ugandan comrades
needed the leaflet as soon as possible to mount a credible campaign and
they were keen to get involved, which should be encouraged. It was
generally felt at the meeting that though members had stepped out of
line on this issue, they had done so out of eagerness and not
mendacity. Some members present believed the issue highlighted the
impracticality of members overseas contesting elections. The EC,
nevertheless, wished to congratulate the Kabale Socialist Club on their
keenness for activity, but also reminded them of the EC's position on
such matters.
2.5.iii) Stair & Browne: "This EC would like to congratulate
the Ugandan comrades on the wording of the recent election address. We
would like to point out that in the future Election Statements should
have proper approval via the EC, according to Rule 17." Agreed
8-0.
3) Conference
3.1) Browne, for Standing orders, said the Preliminary Agenda would be
sent out to branches on Monday and that they would also be posted on
spintcom/spopen.
4) Accounts
4.1) The Treasurer submitted 6 pages of accounts (for September,
October and November) to the meeting along with a report. He informed
meeting that there had been a problem compiling the October accounts -
namely a £679 surplus - but was confident this could be rectified
soon. A Treasurer's Report may not be ready in time for Conference,
this being due to the fact that we no longer - despite our continued
insistence - received monthly statements; the bank adamant that like
everyone else we should get ours quarterly. The Treasurer could provide
Conference with a breakdown of accounts for the 12 months to December
2005. The Treasure pointed out his personal difficulties getting to
head office as of late and regretted the lack of assistance available
in preparing the accounts. It would be helpful if an additional
Assistant Treasurer could attend HO on a regular basis to help with the
accounts.
4. 1.i) Browne & Lawrence: "That the Treasurer's Report be
adopted and that it be sent out with the EC Minutes. Could members note
the urgent need for an Assistant Secretary to help out."
5) Forms A
5.1) One Form A received for Herbert Rwodzi, Zimbabwe.
5.1. i) Bissett & Stair: "That the Form A be accepted." Agreed.
6) Reports from Party Officers, Departments and Sub-Committees
6.1) Report from Advertising Department, dated 4th February, inclusive
of Cde Browne's self-nomination for the Ads Dept. The Ads Dept. agreed
to the following ads: 1) Big Issue Ad - the department requested
permission to continue with the ad for six weeks. 2) Private Eye -
Stair had negotiated a reduction of the price from £158 to
£100. The ad had been put on hold as the department last year had
been unable to agree on a text. 3) The department sought authority to
advertise in Nexus and Prospect magazines, the cost being around
£60.00 per ad.
6.1.i) Secretary queried advertising in the Big Issue, suggesting last
year's EC had voted against advertising in the Big Issue. Members were
unsure if the EC had in fact voted this way and it was agreed to defer
further consideration of item 1 of the report until tea break, when the
Secretary could find the relevant resolution from last year.
6.1.ii) Agreed to accept Cde. Browne's self-nomination for the Ads Dept.
6.1.iii) Stair & White: "That we accept item 2." Agreed 8-0.
6.1.iv) Stair & Thomas: That we accept item 3." Agreed 8-0
6.2) Report from Cde Tristan Miler, working at HO, on work completed,
work planned or in progress and expenses claimed.
6.2.i) Amongst other things, Cde Miller had, since moving into HO,
installed a new ADSL modem/router capable of connecting 4 PCs to the
internet, installed an Ethernet card. He would be producing online
versions of all Party forms, converting Party audio CDs into audio
files capable of being downloaded from the www and continuing work on
digitalising the Party archives. Cde Miller informed meeting that the
work of scanning in the Party archives could be speeded up with
the purchase of a larger scanning machine or by contracting the work
out.
6.2.ii) Browne & Simkins: "That Cde Millers' personal expenses
claim be paid."
6.3) The tea break having just taken place, the Secretary presented to
the meeting the relevant section of the EC Minutes for 26th June 2006
and pertaining to 6.1.i above:
"2.3) Re item 2.2.ii of June 4th Minutes. Request for a revised
plan and budget from Adverts Dept. The Ads Dept had sent
the EC specimen advert designs and a plan for future advertising. The
ads would have a six week run in Big Issue London only, followed by a
six-week run in Big Issue North only, and followed by a six-week run in
Big Issue Scotland only. In September, the department planned to
produce a magazine insert that would advertise our literature/CDs/DVD.
2.3.i) Wigley & Bissett: "This EC continues to be concerned at the
reliance on the Big Issue, and wishes that the long-standing advert in
the Big Issue be terminated. However, this EC approves the plan
for a six-week advertising campaign with new full-colour adverts for
less than £600 and asks that a report on responses to these
adverts be submitted to the September EC prior to any further
expenditure on the Big Issue." Agreeed 5-0."
6.3.i) Browne, for the Ads Dept, informed meeting that the matter had
since been debated at ADM, when a report on responses to
the Big Issue ads had been made. It was felt that there were
conflicting views as to whether the ads in Big Issue should continue.
6.3.ii) Lawrence & Stair: "That the EC resolution of
26/6/05 be rescinded and that 3 adverts in the Big Issue be resumed in
accordance with the report of the Advertising Department of 4th
February 2006." Agreed 8-0.
6.4) Browne, Standing Orders, informed meeting that a call had to be
made for Reports to Conference from departments, committees and Party
officers and in time for the next EC meeting.
7. Correspondence from Branches, Companion Parties and Members
7.1) Resolution from Edinburgh Branch, dated 2nd February: "Further to
our item for discussion at the last ADM, Edinburgh Branch suggests that
the EC endorse a Special May Day themed issue of the May
Socialist Standard, and that there should be an increased print run to
offer Branches free copies to distribute at May Day meetings and
rallies." Carried 3-0, 3 members present.
7.1.i) Browne & Lawrence: "That the resolution from Edinburgh
Branch be passed to the Editorial Committee of the Standard for their
report." Agreed 8-0.
7.2) Minutes of a meeting of the Kabale Socialist Club (Uganda) held on
22nd January 2006 with an accompanying costed budget proposal for
$180.00.
7.2.i) Agreed that the Minutes from the comrades in Kabale, along with
the budget proposal, be sent out with the EC Minutes. The Minutes had
been posted on spintcom on 27th January, though minus the budget
proposal.
7.2.ii) Browne & Stair: "That the comrades of the Kabale Socialist
Club be thanked for their Report, copies of which are to be distributed
with the EC Minutes. This EC agrees to their request and grants them
£180.00 for their budget for 2006." Agreed: 5 for, 2 against, 1
abstaining. A division was called for. For - Browne, Simkins,
Stair, Carter, Thomas; Against - White, Lawrence; Abstaining - Bissett.
7.3.) Letter from Alan Brady Smith, dated 24th January 2006. Cde
Brady was offering his services to the Party (helping the HOO and
writing articles, developing the idea of a play and writing a script
for a video). He requested to be allowed to stay at HO for a short
while and work on various committees.
7.3.i) Carter & Lawrence: "This EC hopes that Cde Smith will
understand that we are not in a position to agree that he lives
at Head Office." Agreed: 4 for, 2 against, 2 abstaining. Division
called for. For - Carter, Lawrence, Thomas, White. Against - Browne and
Simkins. Abstaining - Stair and Bissett.
7.4) WSPUS Minutes for 19th December 2005. Noted.
7.5). SPC Newsletter.
7.5.i) As an adjunct to the newsletter, Cde Miller said he would be
shortly laying out the next issue of the SPC journal Imagine, prior to
publication. The WSPUS journal World Socialist Review was now available
from head office.
8) Outside Correspondence
8.1) Letter from Lambeth Planning, dated 24th January, regarding the
development of a nearby property that could affect our property. A
shop, several doors away, was being refurbished. The work would have no
affect on party business.
9. Forms F
9.1) 3 Forms F were presented to the meeting: Adil Jamil and Jamshad
Ali (Pakistan) - loss of contact. Mark Tranter (Manchester Branch) -
resigned. Agreed to accept.
10) Any Other Business
10.1) Stair reported to the EC on his communications with the
Independent News Collective. The INC published leaflets advertising
radical journals and which were distributed via sundry magazines, the
circulation amounting to 250,000. The colour leaflet featured a
photo of each journal as well as text referring to the content.
Membership of the INC was £90.00 and an ad in the 3 way folded
leaflets was £250.00 (this put an advert for the Standard on the
front as well as on the inside of the leaflet). By advertising in the
leaflet we in no way endorsed the material of the other journals
advertised in it.
10.1.i) Lawrence & White: "That the suggestion be passed to
the Ads Dept." Lost. For 4,against 4.
10.1.ii) Browne & Bissett: "That Cde Stair's suggestion that we
advertise with the INC be agreed." For 5, against 1, abstaining 2.
Division called for. For - Bissett, Browne, Simkins, Stair, Thomas.
Against - Carter. Abstaining - Lawrence and White.
10.2) Stair reported on work that needed to be carried out at head
office. An ex-member was prepared to carry out the work (having done
plumbing work at HO in the past) and the prices quoted covered fitting
and parts. New radiator in the main hall - £275. Thermostat -
£235. New hot water cylinder in utility room, with a
thermostat - £485. The old gas heater would have to be removed,
this having been condemned earlier. Radiators needed balancing and the
ceiling fan in the main hall needed attention.
10.2.i) Simkins & Browne: "That the work outlined be carried out
for the sum agreed." Agreed 7-1.
10.3) Lawrence presented to the meeting an outline for an 11 chapter
pamphlet on World Hunger. In line with the work on production for use
and the pamphlet on world socialism, Lawrence proposed a positive
statement outlining the ways in which a world socialist community could
solve the problems of poverty and hunger - this would be a joint
effort, members sharing the work of research. Cde Lawrence was willing
to put together the draft pamphlet. The pamphlet would be roughly
12,000 words in length. Simkins suggested that the members in Kenya
could be contacted regarding their views on the famine there, offering
to contact the Comrades in Kenya himself.
10.3.i) Thomas & Simkins: "That Cde Lawrence be asked to liaise
with the Publications and Research departments with a view
to producing a pamphlet on world hunger." Agreed: 7 for, 1
abstaining.
10.3.ii) Lawrence & Thomas: "That Cde Simkins be requested to
represent the Party in contacting the comrades in Kenya regarding the
desperate state of famine that is developing in that country." Agreed
8-0
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6.20 pm
Next meeting - March 5th, 2,00pm at Head
Office
Chair for next meeting Browne
Please Note:
1. A further call is made for the one remaining EC vacancy
2. Reports to Conference from Departments, Committees and Party
Officers should be sent to Head Office and in time for the next EC
meeting.
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