Minutes of the 18th Meeting
Minutes of the 18th Meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 14th April 2013The meeting started at 2.00pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Mandy Bruce, Dave Chesham (Secretary & Chair), Marie Chesham, Rob Cox (Treasurer), Ed Mann, Jacqueline ShodekeVisitor: Hannah DuttonApologies for absence: Glenn Morris1. Minutes of the 17th Meeting dated 17th March 2013 were before the meetingMotion 1. Mann & Shodeke “That the minutes be adopted”AGREED 6-0 (six members present)2. Matters arising from the previous minutesi) Contact with Wealden Progressive MovementAs we had not received any further communication from the WPM as had been expected or responses from other groups that Ed had contacted it was AGREED to defer consideration of the formation of a joint discussion forum until the May meeting and that the Secretary contact the WPM again.ii) Portable display standTwo members visited the Croydon showroom where these stands could be viewed on March 27th but unfortunately the items on display there were not suitable for outdoor use. A number of different portable display stands were contained in a 'Spaceright' catalogue Mandy had brought along to the March meeting and after much deliberation it was agreed to purchase one of these.Motion 2. Shodeke & Bruce “That the branch purchase the Xib-it Medium Pole & Panel Exhibition Kit C display stand in red plus carrying case”Amendment 1. M.Chesham & Bruce “Remove “red” and insert “red and grey””CARRIED 4-1-1 (six members present)Amendment 2. Cox & M.Chesham “After “red and grey” insert “each panel to be preferably red one side and grey the other””CARRIED 5-0-1 (six members present)Substantive motionAGREED 6-0 (six members present)Motion 3. (to the EC) Mann & Cox “In view of the total cost (including VAT & carrying case) of the portable display stand and as a result of further research the branch has undertaken the EC be requested for a further £150 grant (in addition to the £300 already granted). The branch's earlier grant application was based on items that were not of sufficient quality or robustness.”AGREED 6-0 (six members present)3. Consideration of 2013 Conference deliberationsAlthough the minutes of Conference were not yet to hand Rob pointed out that we were required by rule 21 to hold at least one specially summoned meeting within five weeks of Conference prior to voting on the final agenda items. In view of the fact that two weeks had already elapsed since Conference and that most branch members had other commitments which would prevent them attending a further physical meeting within the required time-frame it was AGREED to hold online consultations. Dates to be arranged.4. EC minutes2nd meeting – 2/2/133rd meeting – 2/3/13NOTED5. Treasurer's quarterly reportThe Treasurer presented his quarterly report to the branch which showed a balance of assets over liabilities of £325.05.Motion 4. Mann & M.Chesham “That the Treasurer's report be adopted”CARRIED 5-0-1 (six members present)Two members requested that their dues be waived.Motion 5. Mann & Cox “That the requests be acceded to”CARRIED 4-0-2 (six members present)6. Nominations for a Committee of three members to agree a new Head Office fascia designMotion 6. Mann & Cox “That Jacqueline Shodeke be nominated”Motion 7. Shodeke & M.Chesham “That Ed Mann be nominated”Motion 8. Shodeke & Mann “That Darrell Whitehead and Fraser Anderson be nominated”ALL THREE MOTIONS AGREED 6-0 (six members present)7. Summer SchoolMost of those present indicated their intention to attend Summer School this year.8. Kent Miners' FestivalThe Secretary reported that a formal application for the branch to have a stall at this year's Kent Miners' Festival had been submitted and a reply received from the organising committee that the application was being considered. This festival would be held this year in the village of Tilmanstone.9. Future propaganda activitiesIt was AGREED that the branch's outdoor literature stall activity in Canterbury would re-commence this season on Saturday 18th May at 12 noon. Same location as previously.10. Any other businessi) Autumn Delegate MeetingThe Secretary pointed out that the EC had fixed the date of the 2013 ADM for the 2nd weekend in October which conflicted with the scheduled meetings of two regional branches.Motion 9. (to the EC) Mann & Shodeke “That the EC be requested to move the 2013 ADM from the 2nd to the 3rd weekend in October in view of the two scheduled regional branch meetings.”AGREED 6-0 (six members present)ii) Party Website ForumConcern was expressed at the continuing wanton and capricious disruption being caused by a small number of website forum users.Motion 10. (to the EC) Cox & Mann "This branch welcomes the decision of the EC to review the rules and guidelines relating to the party internet portals. We look forward to an outcome which gives confidence to the Internet Committee to be able, where necessary, to intervene to prevent disruptive behaviour quicker and for longer. In cases of sustained and repeated abuse of the party's goodwill, the application of suspensions of one week duration appear to be wholly inadequate."CARRIED 5-0-1 (six members present)DIVISION CALLED: For – D.Chesham, M.Chesham, Cox, Mann, Shodeke. Against – none. Abstained – Bruceiii) Branch meeting datesAt least one member informed the branch that he would be unable to attend the next branch meeting due to a pressing prior engagement.Motion 11. Mann & Shodeke “That the May meeting of the branch be held on the third Sunday; namely May 19th”AGREED 6-0 (six members present)Meeting adjourned at 6.45pm****************************************************************************************The next meeting of the branch will be on Sunday, 19th May at 2.00pm. Same venue.