Minutes of the 51st meeting

Minutes of the 51st meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 14th February 2016 The meeting started at 2.10pm 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 Dutton1. Election of ChairMotion 1. Shodeke & Cox “That Mann be Chair” AGREED2. Minutes of the 50th Meeting held on 10th January 2016 were before the meeting Motion 2. Cox & Shodeke “That the minutes be adopted ”AGREED3. Matters arising from previous minutesi) Brighton public meeting – 13-1-16 A very encouraging meeting in Brighton on 13 January with an excellent talk as usual given by guest speaker Brian Morris. 14 present (5 members and 9 visitors) including 4 newcomers. The women once again outnumbered the men by 8 to 6.The next meeting of the group will be on Tuesday, 8 March, again in the Pelham Room on the first floor of the Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton BN1 1YD, starting at the slightly later time of 7.45pm. There will be a group discussion, by popular demand, on 'Thoughts on Religion and Socialism' ii) Video clipsIt was AGREED to defer this item againiii) Further Items for Discussion for Conference 2016 AgendaAs a result of the branch's online deliberations the final texts of the two further Items for Discussion along with their supporting statements were finalised and AGREED.iv) Street Stalls Stalls were arranged in Canterbury for 19 March and 16 April.From 12 noon in The Parade on each day.v) Proposed Folkestone Discussion Group Rob had sent emails to local members to ascertain what support there might be for the formation of a discussion group in Folkestone. As a direct result of his action it seems likely that, in addition to Rob, three other members would favour setting up the group.It was AGREED that a notice be placed in the March Socialist Standard and on the website forum advising other people of our plans to form a group.Notices would be sent in due course by email or post to other contacts in the vicinity.vi) 'How do we respond to Corbyn?' After some discussion it was AGREED that the Secretary contact North London Branch and the Campaigns Committee to enquire whether they think there is any likelihood of securing a debate with Jeremy Corbyn. The Secretary would also contact the Momentum Facebook group with a similar objective in mind.4. Annual Branch Financial AccountsThe Treasurer presented a comprehensive set of accounts which had been audited and approved by two branch members. The accounts for 2015 showed a balance of income over expenses of £84.13 with an accumulated fund at year end of £375.52. The branch had 21 members at the close of 2015.  The Treasurer was thanked for all his hard work.5. Annual Conference 2016 – Preliminary AgendaNOTED 6. Forms 'A' & 'F'NONE 7. Branch membership transfersNONE 8. EC minutes – January meeting – 9-1-16NOTED Relevant snippets from the February meeting of the EC were provided by the EC member present.A call had been made for nominations for outstanding 2016 EC and Party Officer vacancies.Motion 3. D.Chesham & Shodeke “That Comrade Rob Cox be nominated for the remaining position of Party Auditor” AGREED 5-0-1 (six members present)9. Future propaganda activitiesNONE other than those already mentioned.10. Any other businessNONE Meeting adjourned at 5.35pm Collection taken: £9.50