September 2016 EC Minutes

Dear Comrades,

Here are the minutes for the September 2016 EC meeting. The file (PDF) version can be found here –  

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/SPINTCOM/files/EC_Minutes/2016/

MINUTES OF THE 9th MEETING OF THE 113th EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF GREAT BRITAIN HELD ON 3rd SEPTEMBER 2016.

(Note: These minutes are not official until adopted by the E.C.)

Meeting commenced at 13.05

PRESENT: K. Scholey, E. Craggs, D. McLellan, G. Thomas (minutes), R. Cox, M. Browne, C. Skelly (from 14.15)

APOLOGIES for absence: M. Foster (family commitments). E Craggs gave advance notice of absence from the October EC.

Resolution 1. (Browne & McLellan): “That cde Scholey be chair.” Agreed.

A.] MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

(1) Addendum: It was noted that cde Mclellan had left the previous meeting prior to the discussion of item 'K' (SS layout) and the business following.

(2) Speakers Test (item B. 2): There had been a verbal report and further updates had been posted on SPINTCOM.

Resolution 2. (McLellan and Craggs): “That the Minutes as amended be adopted.” Agreed.

B.] MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS.

(1.) Party Video and Rule 17,

Resolution from South London Branch (27 August, carried 5–0–0):

“South London Branch considers that with regard to Rule 17 the word “literature” be interpreted to encompass written, audio-visual and other means of publicising the Party case. In the view of the branch the emphasis of Rule 17 lies in “publish and control” and not just in “literature”.”

Noted.

2. Private sharing of YouTube videos.

   E-mail from Cde Poynton of the Internet Committee (17 Aug) re August EC Resolution 8 [“That the EC consult the Internet and Audio-Visual Committees on practical methods of making draft audio-visual material requiring EC approval available, which would avoid requiring members to open accounts with YouTube/Google, such as (1) establishing a protocol whereby items could clearly labeled [sic] a ‘draft’; (2) providing a file-sharing facility on Party-controlled websites or third party file sharing services.”].

Cde Poynton informed the EC that “Videos can already be privately shared on YouTube. Just upload them as “unlisted” then only people who the URL is passed on to can view the video. Titling the video “DRAFT” would make things doubly clear. That seems the most practical solution.”

Resolution 3. (Browne and Thomas):

“That cde Poynton be thanked and the contents of his e-mail be noted.” Agreed.

(3.) Order of business for remainder of this meeting taking account of pressure of business and the number of late submissions to the EC.

Resolution 4. (Thomas and Browne):

“That the chair be directed to take late submissions under correspondence from branches.” Agreed.

(4.) Notice of business. (Browne and Craggs) “That at the next meeting they will raise the matter of late items of business for EC meetings.”

(5.) Matters outstanding.

(a) Parliamentary Candidates Speakers Test. No progress.

(b) Party Speakers List. Now completed.

(c) HO computer (“Zorilla”). No further developments.

(d) O'Gorman Bequest. Treasurers verbal report. We have all the keys to the property. He has experienced some difficulty in obtaining empty property insurance. Mr Briggs (solicitor) had not been contacted as a member of South London Branch knows of an estate agent in the property area who might be willing to handle the matter of planning permission etc. thus saving on solicitors expenses.

(e) Party Wall. No further developments.

(f) Work to rear of HO. The further £200 refund promised by the contractor has not materialised. Cde Chesham has submitted a further demand (2nd September).

(g) Group in Turkey. No further information.

(h) Proposed Introductory Party Video and Rule 17. Possible copyright infringement of music, images, and Trade Marks were discussed. It was brought to the ECs attention that members were continuing to distribute the video despite requests not to do so. [August EC Resolution 7 (see below)]

Resolution 5 (Thomas and Browne): “That cde Scholey be asked to contact Gorachand Paramanik pointing out that the video he is circulating has not been endorsed by the EC.” Agreed.

(i) Fire Alarm. Due to a misunderstanding the minor fault had not been followed up. Cdes Scholey and Thomas to follow up. [Note: this a minor non-threatening fault which would not affect our insurance cover.]

C.] FORMS 'A'

Two applications for membership received from James SOUTHERTON and Nial MURRAY via the Applications Committee with their acceptance recommendations.

Resolution 6. (Cox and Craggs): “That the recommendations be accepted.” Agreed

14.15 At this point cde Skelly arrived following rail travel delays.

D.] TREASURER AND ASSISTANT TREASURER

Cde Browne reported that he was working on the his report to ADM. Cde Thomas would complete the Notes and Coins Account in the next week.

NOTE: Branches are reminded that all Party accounts (including Branch Accounts) will be subject to external audit next year. It would be much appreciated if returns could be made timeously.

E.] COMMITTEE REPORTS TO ADM.

The following reports from committees were read:

Media Committee (with two updates)

Internet Committee (with a suggestion that Forum Rule 8 be amended by the addition of the following words at the end: “Do not use your acount to post messages on behalf of any suspended user, without prior permission from the moderators.”

Resolution 7. (Browne and Scholey):

“That the Internet Committee be permitted to carry out their suggested amandment to Forum Rules re improper use of registered user accounts.”

Carried 5 – 2

Head Office Organiser

Resolution 8. (Thomas and Scholey): “Delete the words 'as well as the unsavoury conditions in Head Office, which have contributed to the ill-health of the Treasurer' ” Carried 4 – 3

Resolution 9. (Cox and Craggs): “That the Premises Committee be asked to investigate the alleged unsavoury conditions at Head Office which were alleged to have contributed to the ill health of the Treasurer.” Lost 3 – 3 – 1 abstention

Media Committee

Premises Committee

Socialist Standard Production Committee

Universities and Colleges Committee

Advertising Committee

Standing Orders Report.

Enquiries Committee Report

(Two typos corrected – “Vis” to read “VIZ” and “Fortia” to read “Fortean”)

Publications Committee

(Cde Mandy Bruce added as a signatory to the report.)

Archives Committee

(Addendum from Cde John Davies re shelving which should be made of metal as the current shelving is a fire risk and gives off emissions that are possibly injurious to paper records.)

Resolution 8. (McLellan and Browne): “That the addendum be adopted.” Carried 7 – 0

Resolution 9. (Browne and Scholey): “That the Archivist seek further details of problems in the archive and report.” Carried 6 – 1

Library Report.

Campaigns Committee

Baallot Committee

Resolution 10. Cox and Scholey): “That the reports as amended be adopted.” Carried 7 – 0

F.] CORRESPONDENCE FROM BRANCHES etc

(4) Socialist Party of Canada Secretary's Report dated 1 August 2016. Noted

(5) World Socialist Party of India Executive Committee Minutes of July 2016 meeting.Noted.

16. 30. At this point cde McLellan left the meeting in order to catch his train.

G.] ANY OTHER BUSINESS AND LATE SUBMITTED ITEMS.

(1) Call for Branch nominations for Party Officers, EC Members etc.

(2) Revision of Form 'B' (Nominations)

The EC agreed that cde Cox revise Form 'B' so that returned forms go to the appropriate persons depending on whether the position is elected or appointed.

(3) Resolution from NERB (Email 30 August recording votes at a meeting of 15 August)

“Could the EC please clarify why Rule 17 has been taken literally in the case of the video produced by cde Maratty, when there have been many other instances of similar publishing of video and other materials by members of the party which have been tacitly accepted without being approved.” [Carried 4 – 0 four members present]

Resolution 13. (Thomas and Skelly):

“The EC cannot consider this motion because there is no supporting evidence for the allegations of the publishing of video and other materials by members of the party without approval by the EC where this is required” Carried 6 – 0

(4) Resolution from NERB [as (3) above] asking the EC to reconsider its decision regarding cde Maratty's video and allow the Audio Visual Committee to make such decisions:

“That this branch asks the EC to reconsider their decision with regards to the video produced by Cde V. Maratty and instead refer decisions about audio visual matters to the AV Committee,in a similar process to the one in which the SSPC are trusted to manage the production of the Socialist Standard.”

Due to time constraints the EC agreed that this matter be deferred to the next meeting so that further investigations may be made.

H.] MEETING ADJOURNED AT 17.10

Chair for next meeting – cde Thomas

Minute taker – cde Cox.

Please note: The EC calls for volunteers for the following:

Minute takers for the upcoming ADM are required. Volunteers please inform HO.

A call for nominations to fill the Audio Visual Committee vacancies are made. Branches please use Form 'B'