THE SOCIALIST PARTY
MINUTES OF THE 3RD MEETING OF THE 103RD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 
HELD AT HEAD OFFICE ON 4TH MARCH, 2006, AT 2.15 PM

Present:  Bissett (Gen Sec), Browne (Chair), Lawrence, Simkins, Stair, Thomas, White.
Absent: Carter, Lambert


1) Amendment and Adoption of Previous EC Minutes
1.1) Re. item 10.3.i of February Minutes. The movers and seconders should be reversed. The motion referred to was in fact moved by Simkins and seconded by Thomas.
1.2) Lawrence & Stair: "That the minutes be adopted as amended."

2) Matters Arising from February EC Meeting
2.1) EC nominations. Self-nominations had been received for Cdes Worker and Miller. Browne referred to Rule 12, namely that nominations for the EC must come via branches.
2.1.i) Thomas & Stair: "That the nominations be returned to the nominees, to be referred to other branches in line with Rule 12."  For 6, 1 abstaining.
2.2) Self-nominations for Assistant Treasurer, Video Production Department and the Ads Department were received from Cde Worker. Referring to Cde Worker's self-nomination for the Assistant Treasurer post, Browne cited Rule 19, namely that Party Officers (which included the post of Assistant Treasurer) had to be nominated, like the EC, by branches.
2.2.i) Stair & Simpkins: ""That Cde Jim Worker be an assistant treasurer to Cde Gwynn Thomas on a trial basis." Agreed 7-0.
2.2.ii) An amendment was moved by Lawrence & Browne: "Insert ' three months' between 'a' and 'trial'.
2.2.iii) Vote on the initial resolution: 7-0.
2.2.iv) Vote on the amended resolution: 7-0.
2.3) The EC considered Cde Worker's self-nomination for the Video Department. The department had the requisite number of members as per the terms of reference (membership unchanged since last year) and it was felt that the department already had the required skills and video production experience.
2.3.i) Simkins and Thomas: "That Cde Worker be accepted onto the Video Department." Lost: 2 for, 4 against, 1 abstaining.
2.4) The EC considered Cde Worker's self-nomination for the Advertising Department. Cde Worker, who was in attendance, made a verbal contribution.
2.4.1) Lawrence & Simpkins: "That the matter be deferred pending a report from the Ads Dept. on the need for a third member." For 5, against 1, 1 abstaining.
2.5) Secretary informed meeting that 4 members had self-nominated for the Blog Department via discussions on spintcom, those members being Cdes, Bissett, O'Neil, Taylor & Thomas.
2.5.i) White & Lawrence: "That the four comrades be asked to liaise with one another to set up the department." Agreed 7-0.

3. Conference
3.1) Form C's had so far been received from 5 branches: Edinburgh, Lancaster, Manchester, Glasgow and South London. Agreed that branches that had not submitted forms Cs yet be asked to do so in time for Conference and as per Rule 9.
3.2) Conference reports received from the General Secretary, Central Organiser and Treasurer.
3.2.i) Lawrenec & Browne: "That the reports of the Gen Sec, Central organiser and Treasurer be noted." Agreed.
3.3)Treasurer reminded the meeting that the accounts needed auditing as per rule 15 and that he would be liaising with Cde Moss (Party Auditor). The accounts would be for the period January-November 2005, the December accounts being partial.
3.3.i) Treasurer presented meeting with amended accounts for October. A fair bit of time had been spent going back through the accounts by the Treasurer, checking payments and receipts, but there was still a £97.00 shortfall unaccounted for.
3.3.ii) Bissett & Browne: "That the amended October accounts be accepted." Agreed 7-0.
3.4) Conference Report from the Socialist Standard Department. Bissett & Browne: "That the report be accepted." Agreed 7-0.
3.5) Conference Report of the Election Department. It was noted that last year's report had included no breakdown of costs or replies generated by elections. Bissett asked that reference to the contesting of a seat on South Tyneside be removed as his personal circumstances would make activity difficult. Thomas & Lawrence: "That the Election Department's report be adopted and that the department be asked for clarification on expenditure for each constituency as a supplementary report for Conference delegates." Agreed 7-0.
3.6) Report of the Media Dept. Thomas & Browne: "That the Media Dept's report be adopted." Agreed 7-0.
3.7) Report of the Video Production Dept. Thomas & White: "That the VPD report be adopted." Agreed 7-0.
3.8)  Report of the Ballot Committee. Thomas & Stair: "That the Ballot Committee's report be adopted." Agreed 7-0.
3.9) Report of the Standing Orders Dept. Thomas & Stair: "That the report of Standing Orders be adopted." Agreed 7-0.
3.9) Report of the Ads Dept. Thomas & Simkins: "That the Ads Dept report be accepted." Agreed 7-0)
3.10) Report of the Internet Dept. Thomas & Stair: "That the report of the Internet dept be adopted." Agreed 7-0.
3.11) Report of the Head Office Organiser. Bissett & Browne: "That the HOO's report be adopted.  Agreed 7-0.
3.12) Report of the Premises Committee. Thomas & Bissett: "That the report of the Premises Committee be adopted." Agreed 7-0.
3.13) Report of the Audio Dept. Bissett & Browne: "That the Audio Dept report be adopted." Agreed 7-0.
3.14) Report of the Campaigns Dept. Lawrence & Browne: "That the report of the Campaigns Dept be adopted. " Agreed 7-0.
3.15) Reports were not received from the Membership Dept., Publications Dept., Research Dept., WSCC, and the Socialist Banner editorial team. Secretary agreed to contact the members concerned re. a report by the next EC meeting.
3.16) Thomas, Lawrence and Miller (also in attendance) agreed to liaise on a report for the Discussion Journal Committee.
3.17) The meeting considered a letter from Cde Buick dated 23rd February. Cde Buick had provisionally booked a marquee, with heating, at the Manor Arms pub (just around the corner from HO) for a social on the Friday evening of Conference for a returnable deposit of £50.00. Food could be provided at a cost. Members also suggested that a social could be held at HO on the Saturday night, one idea being a light-hearted debate on a contentious issue between members.
3.17.i) Thomas & Browne: "That the EC endorses the suggestion from Cde Buick (23/2/06) regarding the use of  'The Manor Arms' as a venue for a Conference social and that food be ordered." Agreed: 4 for, 2 against, 1 abstaining.
3.18) The EC again reissued its resolution from the October 2005 EC Minutes, item 3.12.i:  that delegates to Conference are entitled to claim travel and accommodation expenses.

4. Forms A
4.1) Agreed that Cde Jamshid Ali be reinstated as a member. Cde Ali had been lapsed at the previous meeting through loss of contact but had since been back in touch.

5. Reports/Correspondence from Party Officers, Departments and Committees
5.1) Report from Central Organiser, dated 24th February, regarding Central London Branch. With the branch experiencing quorum problems it had been suggested at the Branch meeting of 20th February that the problem could be relieved by transferring 5 members living outside the UK to another branch. The members concerned lived in America, Japan, Cyprus and Norway. The obvious one, stated the Central Organiser, would be the Overseas Group, which was provided for under Rule 3. A Conference resolution (from 2000), still in force, said that no new members be admitted to central Branch. The Party already accepted that this did not apply to the Overseas Group, to which new members joining from overseas were admitted. 
5.1.i) Lawrence & White: "That the EC accepts the proposal from Cde Buick that 5 members living in Norway, the USA, Cyprus and Japan be transferred to the Overseas Group in line with Rule 3."
5.2) Report from Election Department, dated 21st February. Further to the department's report to the January EC meeting, the department submitted plans for contesting the London Borough Elections in May. In the Lambeth Borough Council, Clapham Town Ward, the candidates would be: Danny Lambert, John Lee and Bill Martin (all three had passed candidate's test). In the Kingston Borough Council, Canbury Ward, the candidate would be Oliver Bond (candidate's test to be arranged).
5.2.i) Lawrence & Browne: "That the Election Department's proposals be endorsed." Agreed 7-0.
5.2.ii) Lawrence & Simkins: "That Cdes Buick and Martin be requested to conduct a candidate's test with  regards Oliver Bond." Agreed 7-0.

6. Correspondence from Branches, Companion Parties and Members
6.1) WSPNZ Minutes for 9th February. Noted.
6.2) WPUS Minutes for 24th January. Noted.
6.3) Letter from Arineitwe Misach (Uganda), dated 6th February. Cde  Misach wrote about his activity in Kamwenge, namely in visiting local schools and talking to students and teachers about socialism. He requested photocopies of the Form A (membership form) to hand out and for the Party to facilitate the use of radio broadcasts in his town. A request was made for several items (video, TV screen, digital camera, computer). The meeting was concerned that Cde Misach, in his three page letter, made political references not expected of a WSM member.
6.3.i) Thomas & Bissett: "That the letter from Cde Arineitwe Misach be acknowledged and that his attention be drawn to the EC's concern with some of his ideas and that his letter be communicated to the comrades in Kabale." Agreed 7-0.
6.4) Letter from P Bennett (Manchester Branch), dated 14th February. A large donation had been received, via Manchester branch, from the widow of the late Cde Cyril Oldfield. Manchester Branch had already acknowledged receipt of the donation but it would be courteous if someone officially acknowledged the donation on behalf of the Party also.
6.4.i) Thomas & Browne: "That the Gen Sec write to Mrs Oldfield, acknowledging the bequest and expressing our condolences." Agreed 7-0.
6.5) Email from Kabale Group, Uganda, containing a report dated 28th February and a budget proposal, Agreed to defer consideration until next EC meeting.
6.6) SPC newsletter for March. Noted.
6.7) Resolution received from South London Branch attached to a letter sent to the Branch, dated 27th February: "South London Branch refers the enclosed letter to the EC and supports the offer from Cde Alan Brady Smith to do voluntary work and to stay at Head Office." Carried 4-2, 6 members present. Cde Smith had recently been living in London and sought accommodation at Head Office while he worked on several Party-related projects.
6.7.i) Simkins & Browne: "That Cde Smith's offer to help out at HO be accepted for one month duration." Agreed. 5 for, 2 against. Division called for. For: Bissett, Browne, Simkins, Stair and Thomas. Against: Lawrence and White.
6.8) Report from Tristan Miller, dated 3/4/06. The first item of the report was considered with an email from Lambeth Council, dated 28th February regarding re-listing HO for residential use and whether this would mean we pay Council Tax and/or less business rates. The matter generated a lot of discussion and it was felt the EC could be better prepared to consider the matter if more information was at hand.
6.8.i) Lawrence & Bissett: "That the matter be deferred one month." Agreed 7-0.
6.8.ii) HO computers. The computers at HO were heavily infected with malware. Cde Miller recommended installing a more secure operating system (GNU/Linux) and applications. The PCs at HO did have virus software installed but newer viruses had prevented it working. 
6.8.iii) Thomas and Lawrence: "That the operating system on the PCs be changed as per item 3b." Agreed 6-0 (one member being away from table).  [Item 3b being the paragraph of the report referring to the PC problem].
6.8iv) Cde Miller asked for expenses of £114.11 for computer parts and office supplies.
6.8.v) Simkins & Browne: "That the expenses be paid."
6.9) Letter from Cde Miller, dated, 4th March. Cde Miller self-nominated for the Premises, Publications and Internet departments.
6.9.i) Thomas & Simkins: "That the nominations be accepted." Agreed 7-0.

7. Forms F
7.1) Two Forms F were received, the first being for Cde Chris Fackney (W London Branch) who was moving to New Zealand and would be joining the WSPNZ and the second for Cde Abdul Waheed (Pakistan), lapsed through loss of contact.
7.1.i) Lawrence & Thomas: "That the Forms F be accepted." Agreed 7-0.


With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8.00 pm

Next meeting: Saturday, 1st April, 2.00pm at Head Office

Chair for next meeting:  Simkins

Please Note

1. A further call is made for the one remaining EC vacancy
2. Outstanding Reports to Conference from Membership Dept., Publications Dept., Research Dept., WSCC, and the Socialist Banner editorial team should be sent to Head Office and in time for the next EC meeting.