Minutes of the 23rd Meeting

Minutes of the 23rd Meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 8th September 2013The meeting started at 2.13pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Dave Chesham (Secretary), Marie Chesham, Rob Cox (Treasurer), Ed Mann, Jacqueline ShodekeApologies for absence: Les Courtney, Hannah Dutton, Glenn Morris1. Election of ChairMotion 1. Mann & Shodeke “That E.Mann be Chair”AGREED2. Minutes of the 22nd Meeting dated 11th August 2013 were before the meetingMotion 2. Shodeke & Cox “That the minutes be adopted”AGREED 5-0-0 (five members present)3. Matters arising from the previous minutesi) Contact with Wealden Progressive MovementEd reported he'd been in contact with Julian Wilson, one of the representatives of the WPM who we had met in Tonbridge earlier in the year. It was agreed that Ed should contact Julian again with the view to arranging a further meeting with the WPM.ii) Literature stall in Canterbury – September 21stThe date was confirmed for the branch's next stall in Canterbury. The Secretary suggested that it would be useful to have a theme of some description displayed on the new roller stand rather than a haphazard collection of slogans. It was AGREED that he prepare something specifically for this occasion.iii) Report by comrade Perrin on Party InvestmentsIt was AGREED to discuss this matter further under the Upcoming Party Poll item.iv) Kent contactsThe Secretary had sent a message to the RevSoc facebook group based in Canterbury but had received no reply. It was reported that there was a Left Unity group in Chatham. It was AGREED the Secretary make contact with them.4. EC minutes – 9th meeting – September 7thThe minutes of this EC meeting were not yet available but Rob (a member of the current EC) was able to report extensively on the proceedings.5. Kent Miners' Festival – August 26thThe branch had two stalls at this event which proved highly successful. About two hundred leaflets were distributed, including two of the branch's own: "The Abolition of the Wages System" and "No Governments, No Leaders, No Led", together with the sale of seven copies of the branch's newly revamped party publication, "The Strike Weapon". A number of pamphlets were also sold and several back numbers of the Socialist Standard given away. Five comrades and a supporter were present.A discussion took place concerning “The Strike Weapon” pamphlet and how much should be charged per copy. It was AGREED that the cover price should be tentatively set at £1 (Rob to provide self-adhesive price labels) with postage and packing an additional 80 pence. To facilitate sales of this item as well as other literature the Secretary AGREED to arrange to open a PAYPAL account in the branch's name.6. Upcoming Party PollIt was AGREED to defer this item to the next meeting7. Future propaganda activitiesi) 2014 European ElectionsThe branch AGREED in principle to field candidates in South East England in the 2014 European Elections subject to EC approval.  There was also some discussion relating to 2014 local council elections.8. Any Other Businessi) Vacancy on the Executive CommitteeMOTION 3. D.Chesham & M.Chesham “That Ed Mann be nominated for the vacant position on the EC and that he provide a suitable supporting statement for his candidacy”AGREED 4-0-1 (five members present)Meeting adjourned 6.55pm