October 2017 EC minutes (amended and adopted)
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MINUTES OF THE 10th MEETING OF THE 114th EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF GREAT BRITAIN HELD AT HEAD OFFICE on Saturday, 7th October 2017 at 13.00
Present: M. Tenner, D. Chesham, A. Buick, M. Foster, G. Thomas. (minutes)
Apologies: M. Browne, D.McLellan (ill)
Visitor: B. Martin (Registered Treasurer) (from 13.30)
Chair D. Chesham. Agreed.
[A.] MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Correction 1.: Forms 'A' – Initials only recorded. Full names provided as follows:
Nigel Clarke, Neil Kirk, Malcolm Mackay, Adam Nichols.
Correction 2.: Fatou Ceesay – “S. Africa” should read “Gambia”
Minutes as amended agreed and adopted.
[B.] Electoral Commission Enquiry
into late return of declaration of donations to the Party.
Email from the Electoral Commission stating that the required declaration of receipt of property (“Charwyl”) and money from the O'Gorman bequest had not been declared in the correct quarter. Explanation by the Party was not accepted. We had queried as to which period the value of the property should have been declared i.e. on transfer to us or at time of sale? The Commission claim not to have received our correspondence.
MOTION 1. (Thomas and Foster):
“That an appeal be made by the Registered Treasurer of the Party to the Electoral Commission against their proposal of 22nd September to fine us £7,500 for the late donations return.”
Carried 5 – 0.
MOTION 2. (Tenner and Buick):
“That the EC write to the Electoral Commission explaining that our audited accounts are late a.) because the member responsible for gathering the necessary information was taken seriously ill, leaving the work to a colleague; and b.) that our external auditor failed to meet the schedule we proposed and are making what we consider to be wholly unrealistic demands in terms of data required, including membership lists. The General Secretary and the Executive Committee member are meeting the auditor next Thursday and Friday, 12 and 13 October, to resolve the issues.”
Carried 5 – 0
Cde Tenner agreed to draft the appeal and the EC letter.
It was suggested that in future the Party Treasurer also be the Registered Treasurer.
It was also agreed to defer consideration of the letter of resignation from cde B. Martin the current Registered Treasurer.
[C.] Lapsing of cde S. Colborn (who stood for election in the name of another political party)
Email (20th September) from the Assistant Secretary as to whether the EC can accept or ratify Forms ”F” that have not been processed by a branch. Noted that the North East Branch Secretary had passed the matter to the EC to deal with it the Branch itself being largely inactive due to difficulties in holding meetings. Cde Colborn had consequently been lapsed through loss of contact.
MOTION 3. (Tenner and Chesham):
“That the email from the Assistant Secretary be noted and that he be thanked for his views which have been taken into account.”
Carried 3 – 0 with 2 abstentions
Division called for:
For – Chesham, Tenner, Thomas.
Against – None.
Abstain – Buick, Foster.
[D.] Russian Revolution Centenary book
A further amended draft was considered. It incorporated only some of the corrections suggested by the EC. A draft containing a professional proof readers corrections was also before the EC. It was unclear whether these had all been incorporated and there was insufficient time to check them at the meeting.
MOTION 4. (Foster and Buick):
“That the EC thanks Sally for proofreading the Russian Revolution publication and authorises the Publications Committee to arrange printing.”
Lost 2 – 3.
MOTION 5 (Thomas and Tenner):
“That the Publications Committee be thanked for submitting a final draft of the Russian Revolution [Centenary] pamphlet to the EC and that three members of the EC be permitted to give final approval for printing.”
Carried 4 – 0 with 1 abstention.
MOTION 6. (Buick and Tenner):
“That the three EC members be comrades Chesham, Tenner and Thomas and that the quote from Biddles to print 300 at £653 be accepted and the cover price be £5.00.”
Carried 4 – 0 with 1 abstention.
[E.] Printing of Party T-Shirts
Matter deferred.
[F.] Committee On The Organisational Structure Of The Party.
Draft Terms of Reference presented by the Central Organiser.
MOTION 7 (Foster and Thomas):
“The EC thanks cde Buick for preparing terms of reference for the committee on the organisational structure of the party and adopts these terms of reference. A call for nominations to this committee is made with a deadline of Friday 3rd November.”
Carried 5 – 0
[FF] A call for nominations for 2018 Party Officers and EC members was made with a closing date of 17 November (see notice at end of these Minutes)
[G.] Socialist Standard – letter inviting subscription on termination of “Three Free” trial
Cde Foster reported that this proposal was already in operation.
Item withdrawn.
[H.] Internet Committee.
1.) Resignation of cdes Poynton and Lansbury
2.) Nomination of cde Neil Kirk by Kent and Sussex branch [meeting of 10 Sept (4 – 0 – 1)] plus nominees written acceptance.]
MOTION 8 (Buick and Tenner):
“That cde Kirk be appointed to the Internet Committee.”
Agreed.
[I.] Website upgrade
Report from Internet Cttee (cdes Culbert and Miller)(11th September) re arrangements following the resignations to complete upgrade (approx 33–40 hours work); updating of server; and administration of our email accounts.
Noted
[J.] New members welcome letter (re-draft)
(Email from cde Cox (26th August).
MOTION 9 (Thomas and Tenner):
“That cde Cox be thanked for his draft New Members Welcome letter and that it be adopted for use.
Agreed
[K.] Replacement computer printer
Email from cde Cox (1st October) who is making further investigations. Meanwhile repairs have been carried us and the printer currently in use (HP 2612) can be used if handled carefully.
Noted.
[L.] Party wall.
No further developments (No 50 is currently unoccupied)
[LL] Head Office staffing
HO would be open on Thursdays 12, 19 and 26 October in addition to Wednesdays.
[M.] TREASURERS' REPORTS
The Treasurer reported verbally on the following developments:
(1.) External Audit: The Assistant Treasurer has finally managed to pin down the auditors who will be at HO on 12th and 13th October.
(2.) O'Gorman Bequest
We have yet to receive a final account. The solicitor acting on our behalf (John Briggs) is pursuing the matter by complaining (unsuccessfully) to the Solicitors Regulatory Authority regarding the delay in finalising the account and the payment to us of the proceed of the sale of Premium Bonds with a face value of £30,000.
[GT Note: Subsequent to the EC meeting we have received a letter from the bequest administrators promising a final settlement by 20th October.]
(3.) “Charwyl”: The empty property insurance cover has been renewed. Steps are being taken to put the property up for sale by auction in December.
[N.] FORMS 'F'
N. Mersch (South London Branch) (health grounds) Agreed.
Charles Nzimah (Zambia) and Andrew Mwamba (Zambia) (lost contact). Agreed.
[O.] Party Officers: Absences
Report of the Assistant Secretary (4th September) that he will be on holiday 19th October to 2nd November and that arrangements have been made for his duties to be covered by Cde Deutz. Noted.
[P.] Report (12th September) of the Advertising Committee to ADM .
Noted.
[Q.] MATTERS OF URGENCY. (Investment Committee)
Request that as a matter of urgency the external auditor be asked to ratify the correct procedure to be followed in the appointment of the Investment Committee.
[R,] SSPC Layout member.
West London Branch nominated cde Andrew Westley.
Agreed that he be appointed.
[S.] “World military vs the environment”
Email from cde Surman to cde Miller (25th July) re possible publication of her talk with the above title given at Summer School 2017.
MOTION 9: (Thomas and Foster):
“That the matter be referred to the Publications Committee.”
Carried 4 – 0 with one abstention.
[T.] “Environment” pamphlet
Email from cde Foster (13th August) suggesting the publication of contributions to this years Summer School as a pamphlet.
MOTION 10 (Foster and Buick):
“The EC agrees that the “Environment” Summer School publication be sold through the Party website as a non-party publication at a price of £3.50 each.”
Carried 5 – 0.
At this point cde Foster left the meeting and the EC became inquorate.
[U.] “A Political Call to Arms”
Draft of a proposed letter to all members discussed and amended.
MOTION 11: (Tenner and Chesham):
“That the letter as amended (i.e. removal of third paragraph) be sent to the Ballot Committee for dispatch with the annual ballot papers."
Carried 4 – 0.
Cde Chesham agreed to send the re-draft to the Ballot Committee.
[V.] Blog Verses.
Email form cde Foster (25th August) suggesting the publication of a selection of verses previously appearing in the Party Blog [SOYMB].
MOTION 12: (Tenner and Thomas):
“That the EC is not in favour of re-publishing these verses as a separate pamphlet.”
Carried 4 – 0.
[W.] SPGB Calender 2018
Email from cde Whitehead (13th September) proposing the production of a calender for next year.
MOTION 13 (Buick and Tenner)
“That cde Whitehead be asked to go ahead with the 2018 calender on a print-on-demand basis.”
Carried 4 – 0
[X.] Martov pamphlet.
The EC agreed [no formal vote] that the cover price be £2.00 (£3.50 with p&p)
[Y.] Party awareness inserts.
Cde Tenner reported that 101,000 leaflet inserts would be placed in the Observer of 15th October.
[Z.] Request to abandon a branch account.
Email from South London Branch Secretary (30th September) requesting agreement to abandon an account with a credit of £84.63 formerly used by them but currently incapable of operation due to the incapacity of the branch treasurer.
Agreement not given – the branch to make further attempts to gain access to the account in order to keep it in being as such accounts are difficult to establish.
[AA.] French Group (“Civilisation without money”)
The Party has been contacted by this group seeking collaboration.
Agreed that cde Buick responds inviting further contacts.
[BB.] AOB
Pamphlet stock check
“Marxism Revisited” – out of stock
“A Socialist Life.” 4 remaining.
No decisions made.
No chair nominated for the next meeting.
Adjournment at 17.18
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ADDENDUM
Organisational structure of the PartyThe following motion was agreed by the Executive Committee at its October meeting:
"The EC thanks cde Buick for preparing Terms of Reference for the committee on the organisational structure of the Party and adopts these Terms of Reference. A call for nominations to this committee is made, with a deadline of Friday, 3 November, 2017."
A. To consult the membership on the current and future organisational structure of the Party, in particular on how Party members and sympathisers can participate, including electronically, in setting priorities.B. To look at the implications, in terms of amendments to the rulebook, decision-making procedures and workload at Head Office, should the Party become a national membership organisation.
C. To submit a report to the EC in time for it to be presented to 2018 Annual Conference.
Nominations to be made by branches and accepted by the nominee to spgb@worldsocialism.org
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Call for nominations for 2018 Party Officers and Executive Committee members
The Executive Committee, at its October meeting, made a call for nominations for Party Officers and Executive Committee members for 2018.
Nominations are required for General Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Central Organiser, two Auditors, two Trustees, and ten Executive Committee posts.
Nominations should be made by Branches on an official Form B (available online in the Spintcom files section, or by post from Head Office) along with the written acceptance of the nominee.
A short factual supporting statement will be required for those who have not stood for the post before, but it is optional for those who have. All accepted nominations should be sent to the Ballot Committee at Head Office by Friday, 17 November 2017.
The latest date for returning ballot papers is Friday, 5 January, 2018.
Quote:French Group (“Civilisation without money”)The Party has been contacted by this group seeking collaboration.Agreed that cde Buick responds inviting further contacts.Is there any further background to this group available?
I understand the EC has a lot of work on but does anyone know what is happening to this item from September minutes ix. Audio Visual Committee report (16 August) on advertising on Facebook and YouTubeIt was AGREED to defer the item.
Vin wrote:I understand the EC has a lot of work on but does anyone know what is happening to this item from September minutesix. Audio Visual Committee report (16 August) on advertising on Facebook and YouTubeIt was AGREED to defer the item.I regret that along with a number of other items it was inadvertently left off the October EC agenda. I will ensure it's considered by the November EC.
alanjjohnstone wrote:Quote:French Group (“Civilisation without money”)The Party has been contacted by this group seeking collaboration.Agreed that cde Buick responds inviting further contacts.Is there any further background to this group available?
Here is their website (in French):https://www.civilisation-sans-argent.org/They seem to be an offshoot of the general Zeitgeist/Venus project movement. They stood a candidate in the elections in France in June this year. He got 40 votes:http://www.voter-a-m.fr/2017/
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