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MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 31 JANUARY 2001 AT 11:00AM
AT THE GWRSA CLUB, TEMPLE MEADS, BRISTOL
PRESENT:        Fred Simpson, South West Regional Chair
                        Matt Gillett, South West Regional A/Sec
                        Derek Bourn, National Political Officer,
                        Maria Exall, NEC & PFMC member,
                        Martin Bakhoff, South West Eng;
                        Francis Banks, Exeter Eng;
                        Edward Morris, South Devon & Cornwall Eng;
                        Dave Dewar, South West No. 1;
                        Les Frost, Somerset & West Wilts;
                        Ray Pearce, Wessex South Central;
                        Mark Cowan, Bournemouth & Dorset;
                        Margaret Marsh, Bristol Amal;
                        Barry Harvey, Cornwall Amal;
                        Gill Gillett, South West Clerical & Computing.
 
1.                  APOLOGIES
 
Received from Kevin Beazer, South West Regional Sec; due to other Union business.
Matt Gillett, South West Regional A/Sec & Gill Gillett, South West Clerical & Computing offered apologies for only being able to attend part of the meeting also due to other union business.
 
2.                  MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 14 NOVEMBER 2000
 
These were read and agreed as a true and accurate record.
 
3.                  MATTERS ARISING
 
There were no matters arising.
 
4.                  ELECTION OF OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
 
As per the constitution the Executive Committee would consist of:
Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Financial Secretary and 3 Lay Members.
 It was agreed that the Secretary and Assistant Secretary positions should be as of the Regional Committee.
 
Nominations received:-
 
Secretary     -     Kevin Beazer       Proposed      Francis Banks,     Seconded     Dave Dewar
A/Sec          -     Matt Gillett          Proposed      Francis Banks,     Seconded     Dave Dewar
Fin/Sec        -     Martin Bakhoff     Proposed      Martin Bakhoff,     Seconded     Francis Banks
Lay Members      Dave Dewar,  Margaret Maggs, Gill Gillett
 
These nominations were agreed and accepted by the meeting.
 
Matt & Gill Gillett apologised and took their leave.
           
5.                  REGIONAL POLITICAL FUND
 
Letter KAB/RPC/08/2001 was noted.
There followed a debate on the Political Fund.
A number of issues were raised including the possibility of Branch contributions being paid DAS from Head Office or made by Direct Debit or Standing Order.
Derek Bourn commented that payments made DAS was out with National Rules. 
Problems were highlighted with the other suggestions and it was felt payment by Branch cheque would be the preferred method.
Concerns were raised regarding payment of T & S for delegates from smaller Branches. It was felt that some Branches Political Funds could be spent solely on sending delegates to Regional meetings.
It was agreed that a ‘pool fare’ system &/or assistance from the PFMC could be investigated.
Additionally it was agreed that a survey on Funding would be conducted in the Region.
 
6.                  LABOUR PARTY MEMBERSHIP
Derek Bourn spoke on the importance of recruiting CWU members into the party and payment of the political levy, noting that the percentage of members paying the levy and individual Party members within the union was decreasing.
He highlighted the importance of the levy as funding our political voice in the Labour Party.  
Derek concluded by offering that a recruitment drive at this time may prove counter-productive and we should concentrate on the General Election.
 
7.                  GUEST SPEAKER(S)
 
Derek Bourn spoke at length on the need to adopt a practical programme for the General Election.
This included adopting a uniform strategy in Bristol, offering assistance to the Regional Party and CLPs and concentrating help where most needed.
Derek also offered advice on highlighting the achievements and benefits of the Labour Government since ’97.
 
Maria Exall reiterated Derek’s sentiments, but counselled against complacency.
Maria concluded by stating that General Election work offered an opportunity to build a regional structure and a chance to forge links in the region.
 
In order to co-ordinate General Election activities, it was agreed that there would be a central CWU contact point in the region, a regional co-ordinating committee and district sub committees.
 
Central Point of Contact and Chief co-ordinator was nominated and accepted as :-  Fred Simpson
 
Sub committee co-ordinators were nominated and accepted as :-
Francis Banks (Exeter), Paul Trehearne (Gloucester), Margaret Maggs (Bristol)
 
8.                  ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
 
The meeting closed 14:45

 

 
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Last modified: March 06, 2001