Minutes of the 39th Meeting

Minutes of the 39th Meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 8th February 2015The meeting started at 2.22 pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Mandy Bruce, Dave Chesham (Secretary), Marie Chesham, Rob Cox (Treasurer), Dan Fabian, Jacqueline Shodeke, Sam WicksVisitor: ChrisApologies for absence: Les Courtney, Hannah Dutton, Glenn Morris, Anton Pruden, Andy Thomas, Julian Wilson1. Election of ChairMotion 1. Shodeke & Cox “That Wicks be Chair”AGREED2. Minutes of the 38th Meeting dated 11th January 2015 were before the meetingMotion 2. Cox & Wicks “That the minutes be adopted”AGREED3. Matters arising from previous minutesi) The Party's Imagea) New table banner(s)It was AGREED to defer this item until the next meeting.ii) 2015 General ElectionConcern was expressed that there didn't yet appear to be any coverage of the party's election campaign on the website.Motion 3. (to the Internet Committee, with copies to the Outreach Department and the Executive Committee) Cox & Shodeke “This branch notes that there is as yet no coverage of the party's election campaign and the newly registered election emblem on the website's home page.The Internet Committee be asked to rectify this omission as a matter of urgency particularly as other parties are already in full campaign mode”AGREED 7-0-0 (seven members present)Other discussion on the election related to hustings invitations and the possibility of organising some public meetings.iii) Money Free PartyA member had asked for clarification about this organisation and if there were any similarities between its aims and the party's. A brief discussion ensued in which it was explained that the party's position was based on class analysis and materialism and not on idealism. Money would only become redundant with the ending of exchange relationships once the minority ownership of the means of production had been converted into the common property of the whole of society.iv) JW's Trade Union ConferenceJulian had informed the Secretary that his trade union conference is due to take place during the third week of May and that he would endeavour to organise a fringe meeting as had been suggested.v) Motions to the January ECa) Emblemb) Form 'F'' for PHc) Head Office repairsThe General Secretary had apprised the branch of the outcome of these motions and the actions taken.NOTED4. Preliminary Conference AgendaThe preliminary agenda was before the meeting but no amendments to any of the items were proposed.5. Items for Discussion for 2015 ConferenceTwo items for discussion were considered together with their respective supporting statements.i) “The Party's attitude and members' responsibilities regarding referenda.”ii) “What should be the key messages of The Socialist Party in its campaigning?”It was AGREED that the two items for discussion and the supporting statements, be approved and submitted to the Standing Orders Committee.6. Branch Form 'C'The Treasurer presented the annual Form 'C' financial statement and membership report for 2014. It showed a balance carried forward to 2015 of £321.99 and a branch membership of 17. The accounts had been audited by Sam Wicks and Dave Chesham as had been previously agreed.Motion 4. Shodeke & M.Chesham “That the Form 'C' be accepted and the Treasurer thanked”AGREED 7-0-0 (seven members present)7. Forms 'A' & 'F'A new member, DE, accepted into membership by the EC at its February meeting had been allocated to the branch. It was AGREED that the Secretary send a welcoming email to the new member.8. Branch Membership TransfersNONE9. EC minutes – January meeting – 10-1-15NOTED10. Future propaganda activitiesNONE11. Any other businessa) Nomination of Party Officers and sub-committeesA number of comrades were nominated for the following Party Officers and sub-committees where there were still vacancies.General Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Audio-Visual Committee, Ballot Committee, Education Committee, Internet Committee, Socialist Standard Production Committee.Meeting adjourned at 5.58pmCollection taken: £15.11