Minutes of the 25th Meeting

Minutes of the 25th Meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 10th November 2013The meeting started at 2.08pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Mandy Bruce, Dave Chesham (Secretary), Marie Chesham, Rob Cox (Treasurer), Ed Mann, Jacqueline ShodekeApologies for absence: Les Courtney, Hannah Dutton, Glenn Morris, Kevin ParkinThe Treasurer had received a letter from Les Courtney.It was AGREED that Rob reply to Les and ask him if he would like someone to visit him.1. Election of ChairMotion 1. Shodeke & D.Chesham “That Ed Mann be Chair”AGREED2. Minutes of the 24th Meeting dated 13th October 2013 were before the meetingMotion 2. Cox & M.Chesham “That the minutes be adopted”AGREED3. Forms 'A'An application for Party membership had been received from Kevin Parkin who was a long-standing sympathiser of the Party. Discussion with Kevin had taken place both at this year's Summer School and ADM and those who had spoken with him are of the view that he shares a full understanding of the Party's case.Motion 3. Shodeke & Cox “That the Form 'A' be accepted”AGREED 5-0-1 (six members present)4. Matters arising from the previous minutesI) Contact with the Weadlen Progressive MovementIt was AGREED that Ed make further contact with them to arrange another meetingii) Kent contactsThe Secretary reported that no responses had been received from the two Left Unity email addresses which Rob had provided.NOTEDiii) Paypal accountIt was suggested that the branch may be able to use the HO paypal account. It was AGREED that Rob would make enquiries.iv) European elections 2014Further to the discussion which took place at the October meeting, two branch members are now prepared to stand as candidates in the South East England region. In addition, Rob had been in touch with Max Hess, who is not a member of the branch, but who may be prepared to be another candidate in the region.Motion 4. (to the EC) Cox & Shodeke “That the branch request permission from the EC to field two candidates, as part of a larger list, in the South East England Region on the occasion of the 2014 European Elections. The two candidates would be Dave Chesham and Rob Cox”AGREED 5-0-1 (six members present)v) Motions to the ECIn the absence of the November EC minutes, Rob, a serving member of the current EC, provided information about the EC's discussion on the branch's motions5. EC minutes — 10th meeting – 5/10/13NOTEDThe branch had received information that the November EC had agreed that the question of whether or not the EC can reject an applicant, who accepts the Object and Declaration of Principles, on other grounds, be discussed at its December EC meeting on 7th December and that branches be invited to give their opinions. Further information was provided by Rob, a serving EC member.Motion 5. (to the EC) Mann & D.Chesham “Yes, a person's past behaviour within the Party should be taken into account because this provides an indication of whether their behaviour contributes towards our goals; if that contribution has been negative due to their past behaviour then their application should be rejected.If, in the view of the EC, it is not in the interests of the Party for the applicant to rejoin then the EC is well within its rights, under Rule 1, to decline the application”AGREED 6-0-0 (six members present)6. Specially summoned meeting to consider Party PollIt was AGREED that this should take the form of an online meeting which would commence on Friday, 15th November at 5.00pm and terminate on Sunday, 24th November at 10.00pm using the branch's email address – spgb.ksrb@worldsocialism.org7. Nominations for vacant positions on 2014 Executive Committee and Party OfficersMotion 6. D.Chesham & Shodeke “That John Wheeler be nominated for the vacancy on the 2014 Executive Committee” (Comrade Wheeler lives in Yorkshire and is striving, with others, to establish a branch there)AGREED 5-0-1 (six members present)8. Nominations for 2014 EC sub-committeesIt was AGREED, either 'nemine contradicente' or by a majority, to nominate the following members:-Advertising            Mandy BruceAudio-Visual         Rob WhitfieldBlog                        Alan Fenn, Janet SurmanCampaigns            Marie Chesham, Steve Clayton, Jacqueline Shodeke, Darrell WhiteheadElection                  Jacqueline ShodekeLibrary                    Roy BeatMedia                     Alan Johnstone, Bob Thomas, John Wheeler, Darrell WhiteheadPremises                John Helps, Jacqueline Shodeke9. Notice of Business (Rob Cox) 'The Media Committee terms of reference'It was AGREED to defer the item to the December meeting and that Rob prepare a draft10. Future propaganda activitiesNONE11. Any other businessNotice of Business (Ed Mann) “The branch's meeting venue”Notice of Business (Rob Cox)  "Review of branch position on remitting dues to Head Office"Meeting adjourned at 6.51pmCollection taken: £6.77