Minutes of the 12th Meeting
Minutes of the 12th Meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 14th October 2012The meeting started at 2.05pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Dave Chesham (Secretary & Chair), Marie Chesham, Rob Cox (Treasurer), Ed Mann Visitor: Hannah Dutton Apologies: Glenn Morris 1. Minutes of the 11th Meeting dated 2nd September 2012 were before the meeting.Motion 1. Mann & M. Chesham "That the minutes be adopted."AGREED (four members present)2. Matters arising from the previous minutesi) Canterbury StallA report on the literature stall in Canterbury on 22nd September was before the branch. Disappointingly slow response with folk seemingly preoccupied with other matters. Pity since the weather was kind and turnout from members and supporters was good (six in total). However. two current Socialist Standards were sold and a number of introductory leaflets handed out. The six members and supporters later retired to a local pub to be joined by two others (a member's relative and a supporter's friend).ii) TUC leafletIt was agreed not to take any further action on this item.iii) Ratification of retrospective change to Motion 8 (11th meeting)Motion 2. Cox & Mann “That the change to motion 8 (i.e. change of meeting start time from 4.00pm to 2.00pm) be ratified.”AGREED (four members present) 3. EC minutesi) 9th meeting, 1st September 2012Motion 3. (to the EC) regarding item 2 (c) Cox & M.Chesham "The EC be requested to ensure that the revised terms of reference governing subcommittees be made available on the Spintcom files section. The branch thanks the EC for giving consideration to our suggestions."AGREED (four members present)ii) 10th meeting, 6th October 2012 Motion 4. (to the EC) regarding item 2 (b) Cox & Mann "We thank the EC for agreeing to the branch's suggestion to publish the designs for the proposed new Head Office signage on Spintcom. However, in view of the fact that they have been published less than a month prior to the next EC meeting and that several members have reported technical difficulties accessing the images, we suggest the EC delay any final decision on the sign design for at least one month further than already agreed in order to provide adequate opportunity for all members/branches to provide feedback on the designs and possibly contribute further suggestions."AGREED (four members present)4. Motions to the Executive CommitteeA email was to hand from the General Secretary advising the branch of the EC's action on various motions from the branch.NOTEDIn relation to the list of films that may be shown at Head Office Ed made two further suggestions – 'Visioneers' and 'Office Space'.It was agreed to pass on these titles to the Campaigns Department and to post them on Spintcom. 5. ADM AgendaConsiderable discussion took place on the items of discussion placed on the ADM agenda. 6. Resignation of branch member A copy of a letter sent to Head Office by a branch member together with email exchanges with the same member and the branch Treasurer were placed before those present. The member (DH) wished to resign from the party mainly for personal reasons. Efforts to dissuade the member from taking this course of action proved unsuccessful. Motion 5. Cox & Mann “That DH's resignation be accepted with regret.”AGREED (four members present)7. Nomination of 2013 Party Officers and Executive Committee membersNo nominations were forthcoming for Party Officers but after some consideration a list of possible nominees for the 2013 EC were drawn up.The list comprised the following members – Dave Balmer, Rob Cox, Eddie Craggs, Dick Field, Mike Foster, Mark Lansbury, Ed Mann, Johnny Mercer, Jacqueline Shodeke, Rob Whitfield and Darrell Whitehead.Motion 6. M.Chesham & D.Chesham “That each of the 11 comrades in question be asked if they would be prepared to be nominated for the 2013 Executive Committee.”AGREED (four members present)8. Future propaganda activities i) Stall at Aylesham Miners' Festival 2013 ii) Possibility of a debate with the Money Reform PartyIt was agreed the Secretary make further enquiriesiii) Tonbridge and Weald Socialist GroupEd Mann reported encountering some individuals handing out leaflets in Tonbridge recently in connection with the TUC March. They appeared to be an unaffiliated group calling themselves the Tonbridge and Weald Socialist Group.It was agreed that Ed make further enquiries about this group. 9. Notice of business Rob Cox “Discussion on the role of the Campaigns and Media Committees,”10. Any other businessThe Treasurer announced he would be presenting a financial statement to the next branch meeting. In addition, we would have to decide on the arrangements for auditing the branch's Form 'C'.NOTEDMeeting adjourned at 5.55pm**********************************************************************************************************In line with a decision taken at a previous meeting there then followed a regular period of discussion on various matters. This continued until 6.45pm. The next meeting of the branch will be on Sunday, 11th November at 2.00pm. Same venue.