Minutes of the 36th Meeting
Minutes of the 36th Meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party fo Great Britain held on 12th October 2014The meeting started at 2.12 pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Dave Chesham (Secretary), Marie Chesham, Rob Cox (Treasurer), Jacqueline ShodekeApologies for absence: Mandy Bruce, Les Courtney, Hannah Dutton, Glenn MorrisVisitor: Dan Fabian1. Election of ChairMotion 1. M.Chesham & Shodeke “That Cox be Chair”AGREED2. Minutes of the 35th Meeting dated 21st September 2014 were before the meetingAGREED3. Matters arising from the previous minutesi) Burgess Hill meeting – 9/11/14Rob reported that he had booked the Griffin Room at Martlets Hall, Civic Way, Burgess Hill RH15 9NN between 1.30 and 4.00pm. There were issues involving public liability insurance and risk assessment that needed to be resolved with the venue. The title of the talk will be “Lessons of the First World War” and be given by comrade Steve Clayton.Rob had also made extensive enquiries about newspaper advertising and gave the branch detailed options. He gave quotes for the Brighton Argos (daily) and their weekly free paper (The Leader) which has 3 editions. There were other newspapers such as the Mid Sussex Times and the Friday-Ad which might also be worth considering.It was generally AGREED to give a Rob a free hand, within reason, with the emphasis on a paid advertisement in the Brighton Argos on the Tuesday and one in The Leader on the Thursday before the meeting. Depending on the cost it was thought we may be able to seek some re-imbursement from central funds.ii) The Party's ImageFollowing the motion passed by the Branch at its last meeting, the EC, at its October meeting, agreed to defer consideration of this item until the November EC meeting pending the Election Committee looking into the conditions and practicality of including a logo on the ballot paper.It transpired that our designs for a general Party logo are too big for use as a ballot paper emblem which, although initially required to be 5cm square and in monochrome will, in some cases, have to be reduced to 2cm square for use on ballot papers. In view of this, additonal work would be needed on the images in order to retain legibility at the smaller size. Once this had been done the following motion would be sent to the EC.Motion 2. (to the EC) D.Chesham & Shodeke “Further to the Executive Committee's decision to defer the matter of adopting a logo design, Kent & Sussex Branch hereby re-submits the three designs as 5cm versions in colour, grey-scale and (for use on ballot papers in accordance with requirements laid down by the Electoral Commission) monochrome. A 2cm version (the size used on the SE Region ballot paper this year) and a mock-up of how the emblem might appear on a ballot paper is also attached”AGREED 4-0-0 (four members present)SEE FOOT OF THESE MINUTESiii) Autumn Delegate Meeting Agenda & ReportsIt was AGREED to give delegates a free hand on Items for Discussion and or any decisions which had to be taken.iv) 2015 Party OfficersIt was AGREED that the following members be nominated for the 2015 Executive Committee:Mandy Bruce, Rob Cox, Eddie Craggs, Jacqueline Shodekev) 2015 General ElectionFollowing correspondence from the General Secretary it was AGREED that the Branch request permission from the EC to contest the constituencies listed below together with the suggested candidates, subject to their taking and passing (where appropriate) the New Speakers Test:Brighton Kemp Town – Howard PilottBrighton Pavilion – Jacqueline ShodekeCanterbury – Robert CoxChatham & Aylesford – Daniel LambertFolkestone & Hythe – Kevin Parkinvi) Day or Weekend School in 2015It was AGREED to defer this item until the next meeting.vii) Notice of BusinessIt was AGREED to defer this item until the next meeting.viii) Money Free PartyIt was AGREED to defer this item until the next meeting.4. Quarterly Financial ReportThe Treasurer presented the Branch's quarterly report which showed a current surplus of £263.98 with an accumulated fund of £538.98.5. Forms 'A'NONE6. EC minutes – 10th meeting – 4/10/14NOTED7. Future propaganda activitiesa) Rochester and Strood By-ElectionIt was felt we could not undertake any worthwhile activity during this by-election campaign due to members' other commitments.8. Any other businessNONEMeeting adjourned at 6.00pmCollection taken: £12.00**************************************************************************Please note that the next Branch meeting will take the form of a public meeting in Burgess Hill. West Sussex on Sunday, 9th November at 2pm. There will NOT be a meeting in Maidstone during November.http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/event/lessons-first-world-war-burgess-hill-west-sussexPostscript to the above minutes: Members and supporters have arranged to have a literature stall in either Strood or Rochester on the Saturday preceding the by-election due to take place in the constituency on 20th November.