Minutes of the Management Committee
Thurs 30th July
Present
Paul Clark (Chair), Lloyd Harris, Ian Horner, Chris Walker, Julie Smith, Roy
Benford, Chris White
Apologies for lateness, Chris White
Not present, David Callaby, Catherine Smart, Theresa Higgins
Treasurer’s report and Cash Flow
Standing order income has fallen by about £100 per month on both the general
donations and Euro donations accounts.
Without amendment and with all budgeted items included, there would be a
overdrawn non-Euro bank balance of about £2,600 at the year end. To balance
the books the following actions are to be taken:
Increase income for regional conference through sponsorship and timing and
presentation of the appeal to maximise donations.
Add a fundraising auction to the regional reception at federal conference in
Bournemouth.
Do an appeal to the donor data base.
Chase local parties who have not paid for their Euro election materials or paid the
Euro levy in full.
Amendments to budgeted expenditure:
Remove the £2000 Local Party development budget item;
Retain the remaining unspent £781 training budget
Retain the £50 policy development budget item
Reduce PPC development & approval budget item from £500 to £200
Office & Officers Exps budget reduced from £500 to £100
Remove the £500 Membership awards budget item
Reduce the £1000 communications budget item to £200
Remove the £300 Minorities open politics budget item
Julie to relay discussions on income generation to conference committee esp.
with regard to timing and persons doing the appeal, ideally MPs Norman Lamb &
Bob Russell, plus the need to raise sponsorship income
MP David Howarth to author letter to appeals database in September (Ian/Tim to
organise)
MPs, MEP and key seat PPCs to be asked to donate something to auction at the
regional reception
Unpaid Bills to local parties to be chased by:
Paul to chase South West Beds, Hitchin & Harpenden, Basildon & Billericay
Chris Walker to chase others inc. Bury St Edmunds, Harlow, West Suffolk
PPERA
Ipswich – does not have a full compliment of officers in place, possibly only a
chair and no treasurer. Technically the local party is non constitutional and could
be wound up. They are also missing 2007 financial accounts, 4 donation forms
from 2007, 3 donation forms from 2008 and 4 from 2009. Paul to contact local
party and Lib Dem leader on the local council where we are in control in a
coalition.
South West Beds – no donation reports sent in for 2009. Paul is aware of the
local situation and will contact the local party.
North East Cambs – no donation reports sent in for 2009. Chris Walker to contact
the local party and chase.
Federal Conference
Paid £725 for the room. Food & drink cost should be covered by EERA
contribution. Andrew Duff also contribution £1000. Paul to talk to Kathy re EERA
money and then both to advise treasurers of the billing arrangements
Training
Roy tasked to cost and justify a training program up to £781 for approval. One
idea is to train newly elected local party officers in November.
Committee Chairs updates
Campaigns (Chris White)
Chris has asked the campaigns department for a review of key seats targeting
strategy.
He also reported that there was local difficulties in two local parties, WelwynHatfield and Colchester.
Finally he was concerned about the makeup of the campaigns committee in so far
as it is not representative.
Ian Horner gave a overview of the North Norfolk by-election. The aim to prevent
the greens getting a foot hold was successful, they finished 5th. There was a lack
of support, most noticeable from the Norfolk area.
Ian will be on holiday for all of August.
Candidates (Catherine Smart)
Catherine had circulated an email report with the following highlights:
Of the 58 constituencies:- Selected 28; Hustings pending 2; Advertised recently
6; Advertised earlier but no takers 8; In touch with RO & moving 5; Vacancies
Broadland & Norwich North 2; Vacancies for including in a block advert 6; Other
(Ipswich) 1
Conference (Theresa Higgins)
In Theresa’s absence, Julie advised that Nick Clegg was no longer available to
attend as our key speaker and a new speaker will need to be sought.
Development (Roy Benford)
Roy reported back on the last meeting of the committee
It was agreed to advertise for a PPC for Maldon with the view to creating a viable
local party flyers advertising the vacancy to be handed out at federal conference.
(Lloyd to artwork)
Policy (Julie Smith)
Nothing additional to report
Regional Elections
Alan Window was appointed as returning officer.
Lloyd circulated a nomination form and prospectus of jobs and asked for
responses to be sent to him by 5th August. Alan Window to agree final
documents. Before they are circulated with the regional conference agenda email
and added to the website.
Constitution
Chris White was tasked to amend constitution to include mechanism for filling
vacancies following death or resignation. Plus make policy cttee a 2 year term
and any other necessary amendments.
Date of next meeting
Sunday 20th September at Federal Conference
ACTION POINTS
Paul Clark
 Contact Ipswich re PPERA compliance and viability of local party
 Contact South West Beds re PPERA compliance
 Contact South West Beds, Hitchin & Harpenden and Basildon & Billericay re
unpaid bills
 Contact Kathy re EERA contribution to conference
Chris Walker
 Contact N E Cambs re PPERA compliance
 Contact Bury St Edmunds, Harlow, West Suffolk re unpaid bills
 Check federal conference costs with Lorna
Julie Smith
 Relay discussions re regional conference to the conference committee
Roy Benford
 Submit a costed training program for the remainder of the year
Lloyd Harris
 Submit regional election documents to Alan Window for approval
 Design a flyer to advertise Maldon PPC at federal conference
Chris White
 Re-draft regional constitution
Ian Horner / Tim Huggan
 Design and circulate appeal letter
Not assigned
 Ask MPs / MEP and key seat PPCs to donate items to an auction