Minutes of the 53rd meeting

Minutes of the 53rd meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 10th April 2016The meeting started at 2.09pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Mandy Bruce, Dave Chesham (Secretary), Rob Cox (Treasurer), Dan Fabian, Jacqueline ShodekeApologies for absence: Marie Chesham, Les Courtney, Hannah Dutton1. Election of ChairMotion 1. Cox & D.Chesham “That Shodeke be Chair”AGREED2. Minutes of the 52nd Meeting held on 13th March 2016 were before the meetingMotion 2. Shodeke & Cox “That the minutes be adopted ”AGREED3. Matters arising from previous minutesi) Video clipsIt was AGREED to defer this item againii) Street StallsThree comrades had to share the area with stalls from the Labour Party (campaigning on EU and the police election) and 2 of the EU out groups in Canterbury on 19 March. The Tory MP was out there, also the UKIP candidate from last year who came over to our stall for a chat after he recognised Rob.Had some very interesting discussions, and made a new contact (politics student from the Uni) who may get us a speaking invite. Several people wanted to know our views on the EU referendum .The stall was kept going for 4 hours, despite rain, wind and cold weather; sold nine Standards and a pamphlet, and handed out lots of leaflets and back issues.The next stall in Canterbury will be on 16 April.  From 12 noon in The Parade.Further stalls in Canterbury were arranged for the rest of the season. 14 May; 16 July; 20 August; 17 September and 8 October.Another stall in Folkestone has been fixed for 30 April outside the Town Hall.Rob will contact Andy to ask him to suggest dates that suit him for further Folkestone stalls.iii) Proposed Folkestone Discussion GroupRob to contact Andy regarding possible dates for a meeting.iv) 'How do we respond to Corbyn?'Contact has been made with North London Branch who recommended that K&S should approach Corbyn. No response had been received from Momentum group of the Labour Party.It was AGREED that the Secretary attempt to make contact with Corbyn via Twitter and Facebook.v) Email from Media CommitteeThis email has been circulated to all branch membersNOTED4. Ballot on Conference motions – report of delegatesMembers discussed the various motions in some detail and reached a consensus on how they would cast their votes.5. EU Referendum leafletingNOTED6. 'Should the Party be more vocal about some issues?'This item arose from our Item for Discussion to ConferenceIt was AGREED to defer this item to the next meeting7. Branch financial mattersThe Treasurer reported that the Unity Trust bank, with whom we have an account, has informed us we will be charged a current account tariff of £6 per month from June.Rob had already made extensive enquiries about alternative banking arrangements and recommended that the branch open an account with Santander.His suggestion was accepted and AGREED in principle.8. Forms 'A' & 'F'The Secretary had received two letters of resignation which were read out to the branch.It was AGREED that Rob would write a letter to one of the members concerned and Dave would write to the other member and that further consideration be deferred until the next branch meeting.9. Branch membership transfersNONE10. EC minutes – March meeting – 5-3-16                                 April meeting – 2-4-16As a result of discussion of the EC minutes and the Conference proceedings, the following two resolutions were proposed and AGREED 5-0-0 (five members present)Motions to the EC1) “Further to the statements made at Conference that there are no proper procedures to prevent incorrect payments being made, this branch is surprised that no action has been initiated by the Executive Committee to rectify the situation"2) “This branch requests clarification of Motion 8 – April 2016 EC meeting. This motion appears to authorise any Officer or any Committee to spend up to £500 of the party's funds (any number of times) without reference to anyone but themselves. If this is the case this decision goes against past practice and can only be regarded as reckless”11. Brighton Discussion Group – 10-5-16NOTED12. Summer School – 22/24-7-16NOTED13. Kent Miners' Festival – 29-8-16It was AGREED that the Secretary book a pitch for this event.14. July 2016 SS proposalIt was AGREED to defer this item until the next meeting.15. Future propaganda activitiesNONE other than those already mentioned.16. Any other businessNONEMeeting adjourned at 6.30pmCollection taken: £10.00