Minutes of the 14th Meeting
Minutes of the 14th Meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 9th December 2012The meeting started at 2.25pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Dave Chesham (Secretary & Chair), Marie Chesham, Rob Cox (Treasurer), Ed Mann Visitor: Mario Molinari (2.45 to 3.35pm) Apologies: Hannah Dutton 1. Minutes of the 13th Meeting dated 11th November 2012 were before the meeting.Motion 1. M. Chesham & Cox"That the minutes be adopted"AGREED 4-0 (four members present)2. Matters arising from the previous minutesi) Possibility of a debate with the Money Reform PartyThe Secretary had sent a further email and had also attempted to find a postal address for this organisation, both without success. It was AGREED not to pursue the matter further.ii) Robert Tressell event – 2013No event had been planned so far but the Secretary agreed to check again in the new year.NOTEDiii) Report of investigation into portable display standsRob Cox presented a report of his enquiries to those present.At this point Mario Molinari arrived and it was agreed to suspend standing orders so as to allow him to present his ideas about “the need for an education about food and energy” . He spoke to those present for some minutes and then members engaged in discussion with him. After about 45 minutes he left the meeting.Resuming to the agenda item it was resolved to request a grant from the EC for a portable display stand and that Rob would write a supporting statement.Motion 2. Cox & D.Chesham "That the branch request a grant of up to £300 to purchase a portable display stand in line with the appended supporting statement"AGREED 4-0 (four members present)iv) Report of ADMAlthough the report was to hand it was AGREED to defer consideration to the next meeting.v) Notice of business: Rob Cox “Discussion on the role of the Campaigns and Media Committees”It was AGREED to defer this item to the January meeting pending publication of the Terms of Reference on Spintcom and that those members absent be advised of the decision.vi) Submission of motions or changes to rule for Conference 2013 AgendaA proposal was put forward that it would be beneficial and in the interests of democracy for branches to record and publish their minutes for all to see.Motion 3. Cox & D.Chesham Motion to Conference “Conference instructs the EC to correct the omission from the Branch Standing Orders to oblige branches to record and ratify a record of their deliberations (branch minutes) and to make such records freely available."AGREED 4-0 (four members present)It was pointed out that whilst the EC was required to record their minutes and send them to branches there was no statutory obligation at present for them to be published.Motion 4. Cox & Mann Amendment to Rule 14 “In the first sentence between “Branches” and “,”insert “(and make freely available)”; then replace initial “,” with “;” ".[The rule, if amended, would then read: “The Executive Committee shall send a report of each meeting to the Branches (and make freely available); such reports to contain the names of the EC members and how they vote on matters of policy and principle. They shall report to the Delegate Meetings and Annual Conference, including the activities of all their Officersand sub-Committees.]AGREED 4-0 (four members present)vii) Submission of further designs for proposed new Head Office signageNo further designs had been submitted.NOTED3. EC minutesi) 12th meeting, 1st December 2012Motion 5. Cox & D.Chesham (Re item 2.b ii of the December EC minutes) "The branch is concerned that the EC's motion (2) failed to make provision for the report of the Internet Department to be shared with all mentioned parties and that the reference to Stephen Davison gives the impression that this person is a member of the party which we understand is not the case"AGREED 4-0 (four members present)4. Nominations for 2013 Executive Committee vacancy (1), Auditor (1), and Assistant Secretary (1)Motion 6. M.Chesham & D.Chesham “That Rob Cox be nominated for the Party Auditor vacancy"AGREED 4-0 (four members present)5. Nominations for 2013 EC sub-committeesMotion 7. M.Chesham & D.Chesham “That Julian Vein be nominated for the Media Department”AGREED 4-0 (four members present)6. Items for discussion for Conference 2013 AgendaIt was AGREED to submit the following item for discussion.“Are contesting council elections of any value?”7. Future propaganda activitiesNone at the moment.8. Any other businessNone.Meeting adjourned at 6.40pm*****************************************************************************************************************************The next meeting of the branch will be on Sunday, 13th January at 2.00pm. Same venue.Items for that meeting's agenda will include:1) Notice of business: Rob Cox “Discussion on the role of the Campaigns and Media Committees".2) Further items for discussion for 2013 Conference3) Consideration of ADM proceedings (minutes)4) Election of two auditors, auditing of branch accounts and adoption of Form 'C'.5) Nominations to EC subcommittees