Feb EC Minutes

MINUTES OF THE 2nd MEETING OF THE 117TH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF GREAT BRITAIN
HEAD OFFICE, SATURDAY 1st FEBRUARY 2020
Present: S.Kennedy, M.Foster, J.Cohen , T.Hart, J.Shodeke
Apologies: M.Browne, P.Shannon
Chair: T.Hart
Meeting opened at 12:56pm
1. Election of Chair: T.Hart
Shodeke/Foster – Agreed
2. Amendment and adoption of the previous meeting minutes (p. 7)
(a) Re §§6(r)i (e-mail from the Treasurer re Head Office heating), 6(r)iii (oral report from the Treasurer re
key security arrangements), 6(u)ii (e-mail from the Standing Orders Committee, 4 January), and 6(v)ii
(Report of the Treasurer re 2018 Corporation Tax return), note from the Assistant Secretary (26 January):
No action or discussion is minuted for §§6(r)i, 6(r)iii, 6(u)ii, and 6(v)ii of the January EC meeting agenda. I
assume that these items were overlooked and so have repeated them on this month’s agenda. If the EC
indeed took some action, even if it was only to note the reports, I suggest that the minutes be amended
accordingly.
6(r)i – Noted
6(r)iii – Keys assigned
6(u)ii – Noted
6(v)ii – Noted/None
RESOLUTION: Foster/Cohen- “That the minutes be adopted as amended.”
(Agreed)
3. Matters arising from previous minutes
(a) Matters arising from the March 2019 meeting minutes
i. Re §2(c)vi (“That the EC clearly redefines the terms of reference for each committee and appoints an EC
member to encourage and assist each in progressing their mission.”), e-mail from Cde Foster (25 January):
RESOLUTION: Foster/Hart – “That the terms of reference be adopted as amended.”
(Agreed)
(b) Matters arising from the October 2019 meeting minutes
i. Re §4(s) (“That Cde. Shannon approach the Membership Applications Committee on its views
concerning the merits of producing a FAQ leaflet. (in hard copy and soft copy format)”), no report
received – To be taken off the agenda, report to be submitted when appropriate.
(c) Matters arising from the December 2019 meeting minutes
i. Re §4(i)i (“The EC asks the CO to ask North East branch if they wish to disband and which branches they
wish to join.”), no report received
Ongoing, branch in the process of reorganising to become active once more.
(d) Matters arising from the January 2020 meeting minutes
i. Re §6(e)i (call for nominations for EC vacancies), nomination of Cde L Stevens by Lancaster (8 January,
carried 5–0–0) and nominee’s acceptance of same (11 January)
Noted
ii. Notice of Business (Browne): “That Party Officers be reimbursed for necessary work when needing to
stay overnight while at HO.”
RESOLUTION: Foster/Kennedy – “That the EC is in favour of party Officers being able to be funded for hotel
accommodation costs when working at head office on party business. This would be in situations where
staying at head office would be unsuitable on health grounds. Each claim is to be considered in advance by
the EC on its own merits.”
(Carried 5-0-0)
4. Reports of and new matters relating to Party Officers, Party Appointees, and Subcommittees
(a) Advertising and Enquiries
(b) Assistant Secretary
i. Note from the Assistant Secretary (27 January):
Comrade Kennedy shall endeavour to publish the minutes at an earlier interval.
(c) Audio Visual
(d) Auditors
(e) Ballot
(f) Blog
(g) Campaigns and Media
i. Report of the Campaigns and Media Committee to Conference 2020 (p. 27)
Noted
(h) Central Branch Secretary
(i) Central Organiser
(j) Education
(k) Election
i. Electoral Commission returns
None
(l) General Secretary
(m) Head Office Organiser
(n) Internet
(o) Investment
(p) Library and Archives
i. E-mail from Cde Browne (25 January) re Report of the Library and Archives Committee:
The General Secretary is asked to send a letter to the member in question requesting said books be
returned, and to offer assistance.
(q) Membership Applications
i. Report of the Membership Applications Committee to Conference 2020 (p. 28)
Noted
(r) Premises
i. E-mail from the Treasurer re Head Office heating (6 December; p. 29)
Noted
ii. E-mail from the Treasurer re Head Office heating (24 January):
RESOLUTION: Foster/Hart – “That the Treasurer get two quotes from gas safety registered companies, to
replace the water tank and lead piping, as stated in option 2 of the report.”
(Carried 5-0-0)
Meeting adjourned for break: 2:30pm
Meeting resumed at: 2:45pm
RESOLUTION: Foster/Kennedy – “That the contract with British Gas for annual checks of the boiler be
cancelled, and that the gas safety registered engineer be chosen to address the tank and pipes issue be
asked for an annual check. EC standing orders to be amended to include a reminder that “Each January a
gas safety check is carried out.”
(Carried 5-0-0)
iii. Oral report from the Treasurer re key security arrangements
Noted/Dealt with previously
(s) Publications
(t) Socialist Standard
(u) Standing Orders
i. E-mail from the Standing Orders Committee (4 January
Noted
(v) Treasurer/Assistant Treasurer
i. Report of the Treasurer re 2018 Corporation Tax return (CT600) (28 December)
No money owed
(w) Trustees
5. Correspondence
(a) Matters of urgency
i. Head Office insurance A. E-mail from the Treasurer re urgent insurance issues (7 January, p. 32) B. E-mail
from the Treasurer re urgent insurance issues (11 January, p. 35) C. E-mail from the Treasurer re party wall
issues and insurance renewal (24 January, p. 39) D. E-mail from the Treasurer re further insurance issues
(25 January, p. 40)
Issues noted and deferred until Employers renewal next month.
RESOLUTION: Foster/Kennedy – “That the letter to the insurance company be adopted as amended.”
(Agreed)
(b) Correspondence from or concerning Branches, the Party in general, and members
i. Email from Comrade Tim Kilgallon: Action Detrimental.
RESOLUTION: Kennedy/Cohen – “In light of the continued dissatisfaction of the manner in which the EC has
dealt with the matter, that the EC charge Comrade C.Alvarenga with Action Detrimental under rule 31, and
initiate the necessary procedure, with regards to the following charges: Financial impropriety, Theft of Party
literature, Threats to destroy Party equipment, Wilful damage to HO central heating and fire alarm systems
(x3) Drunk and disorderly disruption of Party meeting, aggressive behaviour towards fellow-comrade.”
(Carried 4-0-1 With a request for division by Comrade Kennedy
For: Kennedy/Cohen/Hart/Foster
Against: None
Abstentions: Shodeke)
(c) Correspondence from Companion Parties and Groups
i. Socialist Party of Canada Secretary’s Report, 1 January 2020 (p. 46) -Noted
ii. World Socialist Party (India) Executive Committee minutes, December 2019 (p. 50) – Noted
iii. World Socialist Party (India) Executive Committee minutes, January 2020 (p. 53) – Noted
iv. World Socialist Party of the United States Newsletter, January 2020 (p. 55) – Noted
(d) All other correspondence
6. Notices of Motion
7. Notices of Business
Comrade Foster- Employers renewal and Insurance necessary for premises committee actioned.
8. Any other business
9. Nomination of Chair for the next meeting
Meeting adjourned at 4:50pm