July 2017 EC minutes

[Anonymous]

MINUTES OF THE 7th MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF GREAT BRITAIN HEAD OFFICE Saturday 1 July 2017 at 1.02pm

[Note: These are draft minutes only and are not official until adopted by the EC]

Present: M Browne, D Chesham, R Cox, M Foster, D McLellan, M Tenner Apologies: S Wicks; G Thomas communicated that he may be late

Minutes: M Tenner

1. Election of Chair: Cde Chesham (agreed at previous meeting)

2. Minutes of the previous meeting and matters arising

a) MOTION 1 (McLellan and Tenner): ‘That the minutes be adopted’ Agreed.

b) Matters arising:

i) Steven Colborn’s election in the name of the Seaham Community Party (Motion 3) No response had been received to the EC’s request of the member for an explanation.

MOTION 2 (Cox and Browne): ‘That Cde Colborn be sent a copy of our e-mail by post (recorded delivery) to ensure the EC is confident that the message has been received before taking any action.’ Agreed (4-1-1).

ii) Swansea forum guidelines (6.b.i)

MOTION 3 (Foster and McLellan): ‘That the EC requests more information from the Internet Committee about their reasons for rejecting the forum guidelines suggested by Swansea Branch.’ Agreed (3-0-2, one member being absent from the table).

iii) Resignation of Darren Williams (6.b.iii) Cde Tenner, as West London Branch Secretary, had written to Cde Williams unanimously rejecting his resignation ‘on the grounds that there were no grounds for approving it’. The member had subsequently withdrawn his resignation.

MOTION 4 (Foster and McLellan): ‘The EC notes with thanks Cde Williams’ withdrawal of his resignation, and would like to know whether he is still able to manage the Party e-mail account.’ Agreed (5-0-1).

Cde Thomas joined the meeting at 1.35pm.

iv) Sample Party information packs (7.i) Cde Lee of the Enquiries Committee supplied three sample packs.

MOTION 5 (Foster and Browne): ‘The EC approves an introduction pack that includes the ‘Questions and Answers about Socialism’ leaflet; the latest copy of the Socialist Standard; a covering letter (to be re-typed by Cde Cox); and a pamphlet, preferably ‘From Capitalism to Socialism . . . How we live and how we could live’ or, alternatively, ‘Socialism as a Practical Alternative’. Agreed (7-0-0).

MOTION 6 (Cox and McLellan): ‘The Publications Committee be asked, as a matter of urgency, to report to the EC on how long it will take to have a recent pamphlet (for example, “From Capitalism to Socialism”) reprinted at short notice and without revisions.’ Agreed (4-0-3).

v) Magazine inserts (7.i) Cde Tenner reported that a new Freepost license was now operative and suggested that it runs in tandem with the old license until Royal Mail begins to surcharge us for use of the latter; alternatively, we could switch to the more expensive Freepost NAME license and seek a refund of existing service costs. Insert dates for An End to Rationing are: New Statesman (19,000 copies to subscribers plus free e-newsletter advert to 35,000): 7 July; New Scientist (37,500 copies to subscribers): 22 July (plus 500 to Head Office). Production costs were as follows: 123RF: Reproduction rights for image use: £18.00; Oasis Printing: Brochure artwork: £216 (including VAT); Spot Print (Bradford): Printing, including additional perforation charge of £90.00: £1,740.00. Total expenditure to date: £1,974.00. Insert charges to come: New Statesman: 19,000 @ £28.00 per K: £532.00 net; New Scientist: 37,500 @ £27.00 per K: £1,012.50 (including VAT). The total cost of the campaign will therefore be: £3,518.50 (including VAT). It was Agreed that payment be authorised. Cde Tenner agreed to submit proposals for a second round of inserts to the next EC meeting, as well as supply Freepost details and costs.

c) Notices of Motion: None

d) Notices of Business (Cox and Wicks): Moderation of the SPGB Facebook group. It was Agreed to defer.

e) Matters outstanding from previous minutes.

i) Replacement of computer printer. No further updates

ii) Party wall. Cde Chesham reported that the £5,000 security sum from our neighbour’s owner had not been received and that attendees at Head Office should alert the EC should building works at no.50 commence. Plans to extend foundations and demolish part of the back wall were examined.

iii) Head Office staffing. In July and August members would be at HO at least three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday). Awareness of their knowledge of necessary duties and routines was discussed and it was suggested that Cde Poynton might induct members into their mysteries.

iv) O’Gorman bequest. The estate agent marketing the property has withdrawn, frustrated by inability to resolve the public access issue with the local authority. It was Agreed that we approach John Briggs (who handled previous bequests for us) to look into the matter, perhaps with Land Registry, and consider compensation for the dilatory release of outstanding monies.

3. Forms A and F

Two Forms A from the Membership Applications Committee. It was Agreed to defer.

Forms F from Swansea Branch for Steve Trott (lapsed) and John James (deceased); and from Kent & Sussex Regional Branch for Howard Pilott (disagreement). It was Agreed to accept.

Form F from North London Branch for Simon Wigley (expulsion).

MOTION 7 (McLennan and Tenner): ‘That the Form F for Simon Wigley be accepted’. Agreed (4-0-3). Division. For: Chesham, McLellan, Tenner, Thomas; Abstain: Browne, Cox, Foster.

4. Treasurer. Nothing to report.

5. Reports of Party Officers, Party Appointees, Subcommittees . . .

a) The Central Organiser had authorised the Linen Hall Library in Belfast to digitalise issues of the Socialist Standard (1990-98) and make them available to web-based archives. Noted. b) The Assistant Secretary advised of his absence from 29 July to 14 August. Cde Bond has agreed to carry out duties in his stead. Noted.

6. Correspondence

a) Standing Orders Committee: Call for ADM Reports & Items for Discussion for ADM. This is a call for the 2017 half-yearly reports on activities carried out (and, where appropriate, plans for next year) by EC Appointees, Committees and Party Officers for inclusion in the EC and PO Report to ADM. All such reports are requested to be sent to the EC no later than Friday 25 August so as to be available for the EC meeting on 2 September. Any branch Items for Discussion should be sent to Head Office no later than Friday 1 September. The date for ADM to be Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October.

b) Ballot Committee report on 2017 Conference Motions and Amendments to Rule: 107 papers returned of 343 sent out; Cde Oliver Bond co-opted Cdes Julian Vein and Cibele Alvarenga to assist with the count [See Appendix posted elsewhere]. It was Agreed that actions be deferred.

c) Complaint from Cde Schulenburg of Central Branch concerning posts on the Party’s twitter account.

MOTION 8 (Thomas and McLellan): ‘That the complaint be referred to Cde Max Hess for his comments.’ Agreed (7-0-0).

d) Resolution from Kent & Sussex Regional Branch (carried 4-0-0): ‘That Kent & Sussex Regional Branch seeks EC authority to contest the constituencies of Brighton, Canterbury and Folkestone in the next General Election.’

MOTION 9 (Browne and Chesham): ‘That the matter be referred to the Election Committee.’ Agreed (5-0-2).

e) Cde Chesham’s e-mail concerning comments by Cde Andy Davies of Central Branch on Facebook in support of the Labour Party and the latter’s message of resignation.

MOTION 10 (Tenner and Foster): ‘That the resignation of Cde Davies be approved on grounds of disagreement and that Cde Thomas’s offer to complete a Form F with relevant documents attached be accepted.’ Agreed (7-0-0).

At 4.25pm, Cdes Browne, Foster and McLellan left the meeting, which was then inquorate.

f) The Audio-Visual Committee asked for our views on their Introductory Whiteboard Animation, entitled ‘World Socialism: a Post-Capitalist Society’.

MOTION 11 (Tenner and Chesham): ‘That the EC approves, with thanks, the first draft of the animation.’ Agreed (4-0-0), subject to ratification.

Cde Thomas advised that he would not be present at the August EC meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 4.40pm.

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