Minutes of the 42nd Meeting

Minutes of the 42nd Meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 10th May 2015The meeting started at 2.20 pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Mandy Bruce, Dave Chesham (Secretary), Marie Chesham, Rob Cox (Treasurer), Dan FabianApologies for absence: Les Courtney, Hannah Dutton, Glenn Morris, Andy Thomas1. Election of ChairMotion 1. M.Chesham & D.Chesham “That D.Chesham be Chair”AGREED2. Minutes of the 41st Meeting dated 12th April 2015 were before the meetingMotion 2. Cox & M.Chesham “That the minutes be adopted”AGREED3. Matters arising from previous minutesi) General Election 2015 The discussion centred on the campaign in the various areas where the branch had responsibility for.Members were generally satisfied with the various activities undertaken but were of the view that the emphasis should now be to sustain and consolidate our efforts.With this in mind it was AGREED that the Secretary put out feelers to see what support there might be for the formation of a discussion group in Brighton.As far as Canterbury was concerned it was felt that it would be extremely useful to continue the street stalls which had been one of the main activities both before and during the General Election campaign. It was AGREED to hold further stalls on a monthly basis up to and including September. They would be held more frequently if sufficient support was forthcoming.There was some discussion about the different images that could be used on the display stand which accompanies the street stalls. It was AGREED to exchange ideas about this online. Enquiries would also be made about the cost of producing A1 posters.General publicity was also discussed and as a result the following motion to the EC was moved and seconded.Motion 3. (to the EC) Cox & D.Chesham "Following the alleged success of Russell Brand's 'Trews' channel, the EC is requested to investigate commissioning a series of short video clips on topical issues (featuring, for instance, comrade Shodeke) and animated features (possibly based on the 'Free Lunch' cartoons)"AGREED 5-0-0 (five members present)ii) Aylesham May Day Rally 4-5-15The stall at this event was staffed by three members and one supporter and was moderately successful.4. JW's Trade Union Conference fringe meeting (May)The Secretary heard that there had been difficulty finding a venue for the proposed fringe meeting to coincide with the PCS Conference. A supporter living in Brighton suggested the Brighthelm Community Centre as a possible location and this information had been passed on to JW.5. Forms 'A' & 'F'NONE6. Branch Membership TransfersNONE7. EC minutes – April meeting – 11-4-15NOTED8. Summer School – 24/26-7-15Several members expressed an interest in attending the Summer School this year.9. Kent Miners' Festival – Betteshanger Community Park – 31-8-15The Secretary has booked a stall at this year's festival and sent the refundable deposit of £5.00.10. Future propaganda activitiesNONE other than those already mentioned.11. Any other businessRob reported on some of the items of business discussed by the May EC which took place the day before the branch meeting. One of these was the newly formed University and College Committee.It was AGREED that this item should be placed on the branch's June agenda.We were also informed that the Autumn Delegate Meeting this year would be held on 24th & 25th October.Meeting adjourned at 6.45pmCollection taken: £15.00