Minutes of the 11th Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Socialist Party of Great Britain, held at Head Office, 6th November 2004. Meeting Commenced: 14:00hrs. Present: Arya,, Bissett, Browne, Lambert, Parker, Stair, Thomas, Wigley. Apologies: Easton [Work], Mclellan [Unable to attend - Resignation].               "That Cde. McLellan's resignation due to being unable to make meetings be accepted"                 Thomas & Wigley.                 Agreed. 1) Election of Chair: Chair as agreed at previous meeting - Bissett. 2) Amendment and adoption of previous minutes and matters arising: i)                 Amendment: Item 5a of previous minutes: "Delete Ashbourne Courtesans & Insert Socialist Studies Group." Browne & Thomas Carried 8 - 0. ii)              Adoption. "That the minutes be adopted" Bissett & Parker. Agreed. iii)           Matter arising: Item 5a of Previous Minutes. "That in future the group publishing Socialist Studies be referred to in the EC's minutes as the Socialist Studies Group." Wigley & Parker. Carried: 7 - 0. iv)            The matter of the lost cheque book was raised, and it was reported that no money had been lost by the party, and that chequebook procedures at HO had been altered to reduce the risk of recurrence of the same problem. v)               Item 5a of previous Minutes: The letter has been sent. vi)            Item 8b of previous minutes: No Action has been taken so far. vii)         Matter lying on Table: Members living at HO. "That Comrade D. O'Neil be asked to attend the Dec. 2004 EC meeting to discuss his continued use of the General Secretary's office as a bedroom" Browne & Thomas. Lost 3 - 4. There followed a general discussion, the whole item lasted 25 minutes. "Next business" Lambert & Parker. Agreed. 3) Accounts: i)                 September Accounts Submitted & Accepted [Secretary Briefly left table around this point, so acceptance is presumed] ii)              It was noted that Corporation Tax is an annual Lump Sum. iii)           "That this EC requests teh treasurer to investigate the consequences of the Party employing people and to report ASAP." Parker & Lambert Carried 8 - 0. 4)  Forms A. 7        D. Hobson (Central) 7        T. Bourn (Central) Acceptance - Browne & Thomas. 5) Reports from Party Officers, Departments and Committees. i)                 Assistant Secretary: Floor Resolutions from ADM. a.      Floor Resolution: This ADM recommends that an investigation be conducted by the EC on the order and purchase of literature on the internet. Moved: Lawrence & Johnstone. 9 - 1 : Carried. "That the matter be referred to the Internet Dept." Wigley & Browne. Agreed. b.      Floor Resolution: That it be recommended to standing orders that at future conference & ADMs all departments and committees either have a report on the agenda or a statement: "No report received". Parker & Browne. 9 - 2 "That the Standing Orders committee be so advised." Wigley & Browne. Agreed. c.       Floor Resolution: This ADM supports the suggestion that the front of Head Office be refurbished, and that an ad-hoc committee be established to investigate the matter. Moved: Lawrence & Simpkins. 7 - 4 1.     "That a three member ad-hoc committee for refurbishing the front of HO be established. 2.    That a call for nominations be issued, the closing date for which should be the Jan 05 EC meeting." Wigley & Browne. Amendment: "Delete Three & insert five" Stair & Thomas. Carried 7 - 0 (Abstention Parker) Substantive Motion as amended: Carried 7 - 0 (Abstention Parker). ii)              Secretary: Report of Proceedings of ADM. "That the Enquiries Dept. be asked to supply the breakdown of Enquiries for the period January to June 2004 to the EC for its December meeting". Browne & Parker. Carried: 8 - 0. iii)           Research Dept. Re: Sale of Books at HO. "That the display and sale of literature at HO be the responsibility of the HOO subject to scrutiny by the EC." Wigley & Stair. Carried: 8 - 0. "That in the sale or distribution of literature at HO a clear distinction always be made between literature sanction by The Party and other items" Wigley & Stair. Carried: 8 - 0. Tea-break was taken at 1600hrs. Meeting resumed 1620hrs. (Parker had left at this point). 6)   Correspondence from Companion Parties, and external bodies. i)                 B. Gardner - Self Nomination for PFU Committee Acceptance. Wigley & Thomas. Agreed. ii)              Letter from S. Easton re: PFU terms of reference. "Defer one month" Browne & Lambert 6 - 0 (One member away from table). iii) Minutes fro Socialist Party of Canadia. Noted. Wigley & Browne. Agreed. iv)            Minutes from WSPNZ, August & September Noted. Wigley & browne. Agreed. 7)                       Forms F. 7        None. 8)               Any Other Business. i)                 Stair reported that the premises committee are to investigate having a hazardous boiler removed, as per instructions of our insurers. ii)              The shared drainpipe with our neighbours (cause of flooding). "That we give notice of one month to next door that we are to put a mesh on the pipe on our side concerning the shared drainage pipe." Stair & Wigley. Carried 7 - 0. 9)               Date and Chair for next meeting. - Stair - Lambert & Thomas. Agreed. Next meeting Saturday 4th December. Meeting Adjourned 1715hrs. Appendix A: TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE PRODUCTION FOR USE COMMITTEE The Committee shall consist of no more than three members. As its, the committee shall consider further work on the question of the positive proposals that the Party can put forward on the organisation of socialism, with a view to producing reports, papers, etc, for wider party discussion. In furtherance of this task, and with the approval of the EC, the committee shall be empowered to commission work on specified subjects from particular individuals and groups within the party, as appropriate. On an ongoing basis, the committee shall keep branches and members informed of the progress of its work, shall invite and encourage their participation, and shall stand ready to accept and consider suitable contributions that may be volunteered by branches and members. The committee shall seek opportunities to involve the wider WSM in its work, in liaison with the EC and with the administrative bodies of other companion parties. In exceptional cases, and with party approval, the committee shall be empowered to specifically request the production of relevant material from sources outside the movement. The committee shall report to the EC half-yearly, and more frequently as necessary.