[The following is posted on

[The following is posted on behalf of the Minute taker]Minutes of the 65th meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional Branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 9th April 2017 The meeting started at 2:30pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Mandy Bruce, Dave Chesham, Rob Cox (Treasurer), Dan Fabian and Jacqueline Shodeke.Apologies for absence: Marie Chesham and Hannah Dutton.01. Election of Chair Motion 1. Fabian & Cox “That Bruce be Chair”. AGREED. Cde Cox agreed to take notes for the minutes. The meeting proceeded on the basis of the circulated agenda.02. Minutes of the 64th meeting held on 12th March 2017 were before the meeting Motion 2. Fabian & Bruce “That the minutes be adopted”. AGREED03. Matters arising from the minutesa) Item 2 – Branch Secretary Vacancy.It was AGREED to issue a call for nominations before the next meeting. Cde Cox agreed to continue to stand in until the next meeting, and Cde Bruce agreed to take minutes at the next meeting.b) Item 4(i) – Membership matters – QuestionnaireIt was reported a further response from a Folkestone member was received, indicating willingness to attend Branch meetings if held near Folkestone. There was discussion on a suggestion to convene another ‘discussion group’ meeting in May, which was not resolved but which may continue online.c) Item 4(iv) – T-ShirtsAs promised last month, Cde Bruce reported back on her investigation into alternative sources of the SPGB ‘flyer’ T-shirts, should further supplies be required or if the Branch wished to suggest that they be retailed by the Party centrally. A Medway-based supplier had quoted screen printed shirts at £8.50 each for a run of 20 or £7.50 for 50, with mono designs. As Hannah Dutton has agreed to visit the supplier for a product quality check, it was AGREED to defer further consideration for one month.d) Item 6 – Correspondence from a memberCde Cox reported he informed Cde Pilott of our intention to discuss his paper in May – reply awaited. There was some further discussion.04. Annual Conference 2017a) Appointment of Delegates*It was agreed to appoint Cdes D. Chesham, R. Cox, D. Fabian, J. Shodeke and (subject to acceptance) S. Wicks.b) Consideration of Final Agenda and ReportsAfter discussion the following positions on the agenda items (numbered) were agreed:04. Motion: Kent & Sussex Regional Branch – SUPPORT05. Motion: West London Branch – FREE HAND06. Item for Discussion: North London Branch – FREE HAND07. Item for Discussion: Lancaster Branch – OPPOSE12. Motion: North London Branch – OPPOSE13. Motion: Manchester branch – OPPOSE;1st Amendment to Motion 13 – SUPPORT;2nd Amendment to Motion 13 – ABSTAIN20. Rule 2: North London Branch – OPPOSE21. Rule 2: Kent & Sussex Regional Branch – SUPPORT23. Motion: Lancaster branch – OPPOSE;Amendment – OPPOSE24. Motion: Lancaster branch – FREE HAND25. Item for Discussion: Swansea Branch – Not recorded30. Item for Discussion: Lancaster Branch – SUPPORT31. Item for Discussion: Kent & Sussex Branch – SUPPORT35. Motion: West Midlands Regional Branch – SUPPORTc) Branch meeting following Conference (Rule 21) Pre-scheduled for Sunday 14th May.05. May 2017 County Council Electionsa) Candidates and AgentsOur three agreed candidate’s nominations were submitted and accepted for Folkestone East, Folkestone West and Lewes (where Cde Pruden is agent).b) Manifesto leaflets and other campaign activityThe EC had agreed with some amendment the two texts submitted as agreed between the Branch candidates and agents. A draft layout for the leaflets was circulated at the meeting, and Cde Cox reported on printing and distribution arrangements, which were still being finalised due to the circumstances. A high street stall with an extra election leaflet to hand out is arranged for Folkestone on 22nd April, and another may be held on 1st May. No events yet scheduled in Lewes.06. Street StallsCde Chesham undertook to publicise the stalls scheduled as agreed previously.07. Brighton GroupNo further reports of activity or meetings.08. Forms 'A' & 'F' & Branch membership transfersNone.09. EC minutesCde Cox reported that the EC’s call for volunteers to help deal with responses from the ‘Awareness of the Party’ publicity campaign had been circulated to members. It was reported there had been several volunteers already, including from a member of our Branch.10. Future propaganda activities & Any other businessEnquiries to be made about the next Kent Miners Festival. Cde Bruce to contact Cde Hess about Facebook meetings.Meeting adjourned at 5:40pm due to loss of quorum – remaining items to be deferred.Collection taken: £4.50Literature sales: £3.00*It was later established that the Branch was entitled to have three delegates sitting at Conference 2017.