[The following is posted on

[The following is posted on behalf of the Minute taker]Minutes of 74th meeting of Kent & Sussex Regional Branch held on Sunday, 14th January, 2018.The meeting commenced at 2:20pm at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, Kent (First floor)Present: Mandy Bruce, Dave Chesham, Rob Cox (Treasurer), Shannon Kennedy, Neil Kirk.AGENDA – Part One: Business1. Election of ChairMotion 1. Chesham/Bruce "that Kirk be chair" AGREED.2. Apologies for absenceMarie Chesham, Hannah Dutton, Dan Fabian, Niall Murray, Andy Thomas.3. Confirmation of agenda itemsConfirmed.4. Adoption of minutes of previous meeting.Motion 2. Chesham/Cox "that the minutes be adopted" AGREED.5. Matters arising from the minutes of previous meetinga) Folkestone Socials/SS Sales (Lime Bar Cafe)Cox reports that no members attended any events in December due to illness. Standard sales of 4 copies. Kirk shares his interest in the anti capiltalist, collective hip hop scene in South Africa with a view to encouraging support and possible future DJ sets at Lime Bar and similar venues. It is also felt that there may be a possibilty to link in with the podcast idea (item 5g). Cox and Kirk to liaise on approach to Lime Bar and Kirk agrees to make contact with the artists in South Africa.b) Online Meeting AttendancesKirk wishes to try another hangout session. Kirk agrees to organise a further test hangout session for a weekday evening. Cox passes out print outs of the final responses received to the email consultation. Members read and discuss. There is definite support for remote participation in branch meetings.c) T-Shirt & Bags: Further Orders (for Head Office).Cox still waiting for response from EC. Chesham suggests re submitting the proposal.d) London Film & Comic Convention July 2018 – Correspondence with West London Branch.Cox points out (via circulated email) that the organisers have a clause in the T&C that reserves the right to withdraw a stall at the last moment if it is deemed to political.Motion 3. Chesham/Kirk "that we do not go ahead with the booking at this event" AGREED 5-0-0.e) Motions to EC.i. Advertising the SPGB in areas where we have active members and branchesConfirmation received of EC decision to refer the proposal to the Advertising Committee; matter deferred for further information/consideration. Kirk suggests finding local venues to host film evenings. Chesham suggested to add JW of the Wealden Progressive Movement to branch meeting mail outs. Cox reports that A.Thomas has been invited to, and has given a talk about socialism at Beech Grove Academy.ii. The “EC’s consultation … Conference 2017 (Motion 1) to consult members on their views”EC has noted receipt of motion. Branch awaits receipt of official notice.f) Correspondence with Cdes Hayward-Hopkins and Ward.Cox has further contacted Hayward-Hopkins and has received confirmation of his intention to leave SPGB. In light of this Cox has prepared a form F.Motion 4. Chesham/Kennedy "that we accept Hayward-Hopkins' form F" AGREED 5-0-0.Cox has written and emailed H. Ward and had no reply, in light of this:Motion 5. Chesham/Kirk "that we lapse H. Ward due to loss of contact and accept the form F" AGREED 5-0-0.g) Podcasts: Party Propaganda Proposal (as circulated).Members have viewed examples of podcasts and Kirk agrees to draft a supporting statement for a discussion item for conference.h) Nominations: Party Officers, EC and CommitteesCox reports that all the nominations have been accepted.i) 2017 audit arrangementsCde. Kennedy volunteers to audit the financial report prepared and distributed previously by the treasurer.Motion 6. Chesham/Kennedy "that we adopt the form C financial report" AGREED 5-0-0.6. EC Call for Nominations: Party Officers and EC for 2018.a) Party Officers and EC – Vacancies for 2018 (deadline 19th January)Motion 7. Chesham/Cox "that we nominate cdes. Kennedy, Kirk, Murray and Pruden to EC" AGREED 5-0-0.Chesham agrees to draft an email explaining the commitments entailed with EC membership, for the benefit of prospective EC nominees and to send it to all branch nominees.Kirk leaves meeting 17.30. Chesham takes over as chair.b) Nominations for Sub-Committees and Appointees (deadline 2nd February)Motion 8. Chesham/Kennedy "that KSRB nominates cdes. M Culbert, A Johnstone and R Stafford to Blog committee, M. Foster to Campaigns committee, A. Thomas and M. Hess to Media committee, Robin Cox, J. Surman, A Fenn and D. Whitehead to Publications committee and Kennedy to University and College committee" AGREED 4-0-0.7. Annual Conference 21st-22nd April 2018Motions and Amendments to Rule (deadline 26th January)Cox to contact Murray regarding proposed rule change, with a view to putting forward a discussion item to conference.Motion 9. Cox/Kennedy Motion to Conference: "The EC should make determined efforts to ensure that as much as is practical, Central Branch members are organised and able to participate within the Party" AGREED 4-0-0.Cox to supply and circulate supporting statement by email in order to meet deadline.8. Notice of Business (Bruce):That Buick's article “What Would a Real Socialist Revolution Look Like?” from October's Standard be published as a brochure for free distribution at literature stall and events etc. Bruce agrees to mock up a layout for possible leaflet. If possible before February meeting.9. Forms 'A' & 'F' and Branch membership transfers(Refer to item 5.f).10. EC minutes: JanuaryNoted.11. Future propaganda activitiesChesham reports that Murray has been trying revive the discussion group at a venue in Brighton and will inform branch of further developments.12. Any other businessNone.Collection £20.50Standards x 2=£3.00AGENDA – Part Two: DiscussionNo items for discussion.Adjournment 7.30pm