Braintree Branch Labour Party and Braintree & Bocking Branch Co-Operative Party

Tuesday 17^th February 1998

Attendance:-

Richard Parsons, John Perks, Phil Osborn, Richard Gormley, Alisdair Thompson, John Davey, Sybil Bulat, Jim Unsworth, Margaret Rees, Mel Rees, Adrian Gibson, Ray Knight, Andy O'Hare, Mike Shervington, Ian Bartlett, Alan Davidson, Roger Crozier

Adrian Gibson / Jenny Parsons in the Chair

Richard Parsons / Jim Unsworth took the minutes as Secretary

Apologies:-

Rosie Parsons, Susan Pegler, Glen Craig, Sue Parsons, Barbara Buchan, Elwyn Bishop, Betty Warren, Claire Gibson

Minutes:-

The minutes of the previous AGM on 20^th May 1997 were accepted and signed by the Chairman as a true record

Reports:-

The Secretary's report was accompanied by a written pr�cis and noted several items

Total of 62 different people attended branch meeting with an average of over seventeen

Branch meeting subjects included 'Labour into Power', 'Factory Village Development', 'East Braintree Regeneration' a discussion with a representative from District Health Authority

September included a historic meeting addressed by our Labour MP for Braintree, Alan Hurst MP

The Branch sent two teams to the annual quiz and nearly won with the first team

Thanks were also given to Mona Tiplady, Phil Osborn and Jim Unsworth

The Treasurer's report stated that the Branch funds were �36.08 and the accounts would be passed onto Barbara Buchan, who would hopefully agree to audit them

The Membership Secretary's written report noted

There were 16 new members this year

A welcome return of Elwyn Bishop and a speedy recovery to Betty Warren

Condolences to Joan Warren and the family of Mr. K. R. Jones

Although our current membership was 120 a branch high of 148 was achieved shortly after the election

A national request to increase our membership by 20% had been received

Sign of disillusionment with National policies is affecting membership and Branch morale

Election of Branch Officers and Delegates:-

Chairman (resigned by Adrian Gibson)

Jenny Parsons was elected as Chairman over Mike Shervington on a vote of 7 to 6

Secretary (resigned by Richard Parsons)

Jim Unsworth was elected unopposed

Treasurer (resigned by Claire Gibson)

Ray Knight was elected as Treasurer over Mike Shervington on a casting vote by Jenny Parsons after votes of 7 to 7

Vice Chair (Jenny Parsons was unavailable due to duties as Chairman)

The position was left vacant because there was no possible nominations due to quota's (50% female)

Membership Secretary (resigned by Andy O'Hare)

Phil Osborn was elected unopposed

Press Officer (unknown response to nomination by Barbara Buchan)

The position was left vacant because there were no nominations other than Barbara Buchan who was to be contacted, by Mike Shervington, on availability to continue in the post

General Committee Delegates (Quota's of 3 men & 3 women)

Jenny Parsons, Margaret Rees & Sybil Bulat were elected unopposed

Richard Parsons, Ray Knight & Elwyn Bishop were elected over Alisdair Thompson on a votes of 10, 9 & 8 to 7

District Party Delegates (2 per Ward)

Black Notley was left vacant because no members from Black Notley were willing to be nominated

West Braintree elected Richard Parsons and Phil Osborn unopposed

Central Braintree elected Richard Gormley and Ray Knight unopposed

East Braintree elected Alisdair Thompson and Jim Unsworth unopposed

Rayne elected Margaret and Mel Rees unopposed

Ward Organisers

Black Notley Ward was left vacant because no members from Black Notley were willing to be nominated

Central Ward elected Andy O'Hare and Ray Knight unopposed

East Ward elected Alisdair Thompson and Richard Gormley

Rayne elected Mel Rees, no other person was prepared to be nominated

West Ward elected Phil Osborn, Richard Parsons and Adrian Gibson unopposed

Constituency Party Nominations

Chairman - Sheila Hughes

Vice Chairman - Ian Marshall

Treasurer - Jim Fife

Women's Officer - Jenny Parsons

Youth Officer - Left vacant as no person was prepared to be nominated

Political Education Officer - Jim Unsworth

Executive Nominations - Jim Unsworth, Elwyn Bishop, Richard Parsons were nominated unopposed

County Party Delegates

Jim Unsworth, Jenny Parsons, Mike Shervington were nominated unopposed

Labour Party Annual Conference Delegate

Mike Shervington was nominated unopposed

Any Other Business:-

Proposal to Change Date, Day and Venue of Meeting

Proposals were received from Braintree District Council Members to change to Day of Meetings to Friday, this would entail changing the venue of the meeting and possibly the date.

It was agreed to consult the membership, via a notice in the next agenda

It was noted that the meetings opinion was that a cost of �20 for other venues could be raised if the membership felt the need to change venues

A vote was taken and it was decided to keep Tues. for the immediate future and await membership replies

The date of the next meeting was changed to the 4^th Tues. in March, Tues. 24^th March (for next month only) due to venue unavailability

Chelmsford Co-Op News was circulated to the Branch for interest

Pensioners Action Group - Thurs. March 26^th Westminster Central Hall starting at 11am - contact Chris Thompson

Labour European Election Policy - Doc's available for consultation and comment should be made to Witham Labour Hall

Retirement of George Catchpole Party - 3^rd April, Heybridge Hotel in Ingatestone, tickets �13.50, see Secretary for ordering form or write to Chris Hemming, 97 Fore Street, Ipswich. 1P4 1JZ

Hospital Action Group faxed to thank the branch with its support with leafleting against Hospital Closures - Robert Watson, 18 Godlings Way collecting letters of protest and hopes members will write to Alan Hurst regarding the matter

'Partners in Power' Regional meeting at Basildon meeting on 21^st February - Details to be organised - Interested parties present were Jim Unsworth, Jenny Parsons, Richard Parsons and Alisdair Thompson

Braintree Credit Union Study Group need people interested in forming a Credit Union or wanted to be kept informed about the Braintree Credit Union situation - contact Jim Unsworth 01376 329544 / 0966 167863

Parliamentary Briefing Papers were available for comment

Co-Op Party organising a visit to the Rochdale Pioneers Museum on 23^rd May, overnight accommodation and evening social incl. coach from Chelmsford - �40

Opportunity in May (Election Victory anniversary) to organise a meeting to discuss the First Year in Government for Labour and possibly invite Alan Hurst to give his opinion at the meeting

A short discussion about children and 'the Law' was raised by Margaret Rees and a possible resolution for the next branch meeting to be submitted by her

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Last modified: March 24, 1998 02:23 GMT