Minutes of the 9th Meeting of
Minutes of the 9th Meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 1st July 2012The meeting started at 3.00pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Dave Chesham (Secretary), Marie Chesham, Rob Cox (Treasurer), Ed Mann (Chair)Apologies: DH, Hannah Dutton1. Minutes of the 8th Meeting dated 3rd June 2012 were before the meeting.Motion 1. Cox & Mann “That the minutes be adopted”AGREED2. Matters arising from the previous minutesi) Canterbury Stall reportTwo branch members and a supporter had a good productive few hours in Canterbury on June 23rd with the literature stall. Several affable conversations took place with local workers (including a further encounter with another SPEW member) as well as those from Israel, Argentina, France and Egypt. Literature worth £8.50 was sold and other items given away. It was agreed to repeat the venture on Saturday, 11th August from 12noon which was the first available date when at least two members could be present. If support from other members was forthcoming then an additional date (in July) might be a possibility.NOTEDii) Motion to the EC (2nd June meeting)It was noted that the branch’s suggestion that the “one-day workshop be held at Head Office as soon as is practical for the purpose of exploring strategies to exploit the current dissatisfaction with capitalism” (Conference motion agreed by the Party membership) take place over the 2012 ADM weekend, has been accepted by the EC and is to be held on Saturday, 20th October.iii) New Branch Standing OrdersNOTEDiv) Departmental Terms of Reference (draft report)It was agreed to defer consideration of this item pending receipt of further information.v) University of Kent room hireNo further action at present.3. EC minutes of the 6th meeting, 2nd June 2012NOTED4. Treasurer’s quarterly reportThe Treasurer presented the following items for consideration by the branch. i) Financial Statement and Balance Sheet May 2012 ii) Socialist Standard Account to June 2012The branch had funds totalling £147 as at 3rd June 2012. Motion 2. D.Chesham & Mann “That the Treasurer be thanked” AGREED 5. Motion of which notice has been given”Consideration of possible items for discussion for submission to the 2012 ADM”Motion 3. Cox & Mann “Should the Party depend on legacies for its financial future or should contingency plans be made?”Motion 4. Mann & M.Chesham “There are occasions when some members persist in using hetronormative and patriarchal language. Surely the Party needs to recognise that this kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable.”Motion 5. Mann & D.Chesham “The Party has a tradition of organizing debates with opponents of all political stances, no matter how challenging. We propose therefore that the Party approach the far right of which the English Defence League would provide us with the most political capital.”Motion 6. Cox & Mann “Prior to rule amendments being submitted to Conference should:a) such amendments be first tabled for discussion at ADM (allowing for provisions fordemonstrating urgency) andb) there be a ‘risk assessment’ of the proposed amendment.” Motion 7. Mann & D.Chesham “Should we sing ‘The Internationale’ or equally appropriate song at Party meetings?”All the above motions agreed nemine contradicente.An absent member emailed some suggestions for discussion but it was unclear if these items were intended for the EC or ADM. It was agreed the Secretary clarify this with the member concerned.6. Any other businessi) Vacancies on Blog Department Motion 8. Mann & M.Chesham “That DH be nominated for one of the vacancies on the Blog Department”.AGREEDii) Notice of Motion for August meetingMann & Cox “That in view of problems relating to the Socialist Standard, EC minutes and bank statements it is proposed that branch meetings should revert to the 2nd Sunday of the month.”iii) It was proposed that ‘future propaganda activities’ be a standing agenda item in future.AGREEDMeeting adjourned at 6.55pm