Minutes of the 49th meeting
Minutes of the 49th meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 13th December, 2015The meeting started at 2.15pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Mandy Bruce, Dave Chesham (Secretary), Marie Chesham, Rob Cox (Treasurer), Jacqueline ShodekeApologies for absence: Les Courtney, Hannah Dutton, Dan Fabian, Ed Mann, Glenn MorrisVisitor: Robert (until 6.00pm)[Members were surprised to see Marie at the meeting who had been discharged from hospital less than two days earlier having spent almost four weeks recovering from a serious chest infection (meningococcal pneumonia). The Secretary reported that Howard had been diagnosed with a heart condition (aortic stenosis) requiring urgent surgery. Consequently he would be out of circulation for some time (no pun intended!)]1. Election of ChairMotion 1. Shodeke & Bruce “That D.Chesham be Chair”AGREED2. Minutes of the 48th Meeting held on 8th November 2015 were before the meetingMotion 2. Cox & Shodeke “That the minutes be adopted”AGREED[Standing orders were temporarily suspended to permit a lengthy and interesting discussion with our visitor who lived near Maidstone and had first come into contact with the party when he received an election communication during the European Elections in 2014. The discussion with Robert was continued later on in the meeting]3. Matters arising from previous minutesi) Brighton public meeting – 11-11-15Eleven present at the meeting with only one coming from outside the Brighton area. Interestingly and quite unusually, the women outnumbered the men by 6 to 5. Three members and eight visitors.Anton reported that a very on-board discussion with a real feeling of commitment to on-going activity in Brighton took place.Another meeting has been fixed for Wednesday, 13 January. ii) Video clipsIt was AGREED to defer this item another monthiii) Voluntary contributionsNo further action at present was proposed on this item but the letter asking for consideration to be given to making a financial donation to the party would be sent to any new members.iv) Investment Committee – Proposed terms of reference – EC motionIt was reported that the Terms of Reference for this committee had been changed but we await the precise details when the December EC minutes become available.4. Annual Conference 2016 – Motions and Amendments to RuleTwo motions were proposed; one on the issue of 'voluntary contributions', the other on the party logo. In view of the shortage of time it was AGREED to delegate Rob and Dave to formulate the text for these two motions and write supporting statements which would then be submitted online to other branch members for their consideration. It was also AGREED that a discussion item relating to 'voluntary contributions' would be required.5. Brighton public meeting – 13-1-16Next meeting in Brighton will be on Wednesday, 13 January, again at The Brighthelm Centre, but this time in the Pelham room on the first floor – 7.30pm to 9.30pm.There'll be a talk on 'The Ecology and Socialism' by guest speaker Brian Morris.6. Branch Discussion itemsi) 'How do we produce leaflets at short notice? (proposed motion to the EC)ii) 'How do we respond to Corbyn?'It was AGREED to defer these items to the next meeting.7. Forms 'A' & 'F'NONE8. Branch membership transferThe Secretary reported that branch member Sam Wicks had transferred to Manchester branch.NOTED9. EC minutes10. Future propaganda activities11. Any other business In view of the time the remainder of the business was deferred.Meeting adjourned at 6.30pmCollection taken: £8.50