No
|
Agenda item
|
Notes
|
Action
|
| 1 |
Apologies |
William Dartmouth, Stuart Adair and Helen Himms. |
|
| 2 |
Minutes last meeting |
Read and accepted, but TM received a complaint for using the word ‘toxic’, for which he apologised. |
|
| 3 |
Matters arising |
Tom Hobbs has resigned and Cornwall doesn’t presently have a representative to attend SWCC.
TM introduced PH, first voluntary County Controller who will deal with Devon; DM to deal with Cornwall. |
|
| 4 |
Treasurer’s Report |
Report distributed. TM thanked SA, who couldn’t be here, for the professionalism in presenting his report. |
|
| a |
Account update |
£30,000+ in the account. A unanimous vote received against sending Christmas cards to members – making a saving of approx. £4,000. |
|
| 5 |
Conferences |
A discussion takes place on conferences in general. It was suggested that Offices should be used to purchase tickets from, instead of using Ticketsource. |
|
| 6 |
Chairman’s Report |
TM congratulated SC for organising an excellent conference in Doncaster. |
|
| a |
Spring Conferences
and Nigel’s Bath tour |
Spring Conference 2016 is scheduled for 5th March and, as the venue W-s-M is unavailable Bournemouth was being looked at but costs are too high. Time is running short, TM suggested cutting losses by not holding the conference next March and planning instead for the future. SC sees the sense in this, but will have a word with Nigel. (Since the meeting Thornbury Leisure Centre has been booked for the conference, same date as above. Diane Belk is organising. Nigel has confirmed he will be attending)
Nigel’s Bath tour at The Pavilion on 18th March, TM asked if it could be extended for the day. DE said it could. SC said he very much doubt that Nigel will come to the South West (SW) on both the 5th and 15/03 and mentioned that 22nd Feb. is the Spring Conference in Llandudno.
TM to book 2017 Spring Conference at Weymouth Pavilion for Saturday 4rd March 2017 with dinner on Friday evening. |
SC to speak to Nigel regarding this.
SC to clarify with Nigel.
TM to pay £300 deposit
This has been done. |
| b |
Progress on
County Organisers |
PH is the first voluntary County Organiser. Her role is to look after Devon branches and to reduce the workload of county chairmen. Expenses only will be covered. SC explained how it worked and PH explained the work she’s done to date. TM introduced DM, who’s to be County Controller for Cornwall. Other names are being considered for the other counties. These individuals will be invited to future SWCC meetings but not allowed to vote. Expenses to be submitted to either SA or TM for payment from SW a/c
A discussion takes place regarding telephone expenses. |
|
| 7 |
Campaigns |
|
|
| a |
Referendum |
Caroline Stephens is running the South West “NO” campaign for the Group headed up by Aaron Banks. |
|
| b |
Elections |
Six names have been put forward for the Police & Crime Commissioners’ elections. £5,000 deposit from each candidate and 5% of the vote is needed for the deposit to be returned.
A discussion takes place. |
|
| 8 |
MEPs’ Reports |
|
|
| a |
William Dartmouth, MEP |
Report distributed. |
|
| b |
Dr Julia Reid, MEP |
Report distributed and read. |
|
| 9 |
R.O’s Report |
Reports given. GP distributed his. SC explained why membership is down in the SW area. |
|
| a |
Membership Nos. |
SW 6,138 (was 6,290) / UK 41,505 (was 42,063) |
|
| 10 |
EFDD funding |
SC explained that EFDD are funding the referendum campaign from a UKIP point of view. With this in mind we have to be very careful with what we expect the group to pay for. All campaign events must be clearly tables as EFDD events. No literature that is produced by the EFDD can be sold at these events and UKIP must not feature in any way shape or form. Anything purchased using EFDD fund must be returned after the referendum has taken place, as it will all be recorded on an Assets’ register. We cannot even hold a collection or sell UKIP membership at these events. Please bear in mind that these rules only apply to events funded by the EFDD . |
|
| 11 |
Membership |
A discussion takes place regarding leaflets and TM said that William Dartmouth’s Trade leaflet was excellent.
A discussion takes place regarding Mail Chimp.
Dr JR said she used to send text messages to people, as everyone has a mobile, but not email. TM said he would like this adopted in the branches. PH said it’s important we get the branches being more pro-active with their members. DE made the suggestion getting someone part time in the SW area. TM had been considering this possibility awhile. SC wants to build a pyramid traffic system where all members are reached. This was explained in the last minutes. The branches are responsible for their own membership.
A discussion takes place. |
|
| 12 |
Y.I. Report |
DE gave his report and TM thanked him. TM said that
6th forms in schools believe we’re better off in.
A discussion takes place. |
|
| 13 |
Report from County Chairs |
TM said positive changes had occurred in Devon with new chairmen in place at some branches. BE is doing very well. Councillors had been elected. Torbay have got a local election and a candidate is in place.
GD said that in Somerset, David Nevitt and Caroline Stephens had given talks but it was still heavily linked to UKIP. A group has been set up with 6 branches so far and they are contacting their activists, with a provision they must at least donate £5 a month, to show they are serious, and they have a website going up on the 9th October with links to Twitter and Facebook pages. Obviously it is UKIP but to the general public, it will be seen as an independent organisation. It’s financed by those concerned and nothing comes from UKIP at all. SC suggested building it up until they become 120 members and then tell Caroline, who may send them some money.
SC said they are sticking at the moment with “Say NO” as their brand and talking about ‘OUT’.
PH discussed some problems in the Plymouth area and mentioned the opening of a new branch in South Hants. TM said they have 51 constituencies in the SW for 51 seats. When a branch that represents more than one constituency becomes large enough, then consideration should be given for it to split so that each constituency is covered.This must be done in accordance with Party Rules. (A discussion takes place.)
NH talked about the Wiltshire constituencies/branches
JB of Dorset said that David Darling and David Nevitt had joined forces to get the referendum underway. They have EFDD events planned. The Butlers were congratulated on their Gold Award for over 22 years’ service of outstanding commitment, and David Darling was thanked for collecting their award at the Doncaster National Conference. TM said that Roger Wright-Norris is in talks with David Nevitt and would like to do something similar in Cornwall.
JM for Bristol said hustings for the UKIP Mayoral candidate would be held 25th November. Mike Frost was voted as Acting Chairman until the AGM, after Dan Fear resigned. The issue with John Langley has been resolved.
CH for Gloucester explained the problems they had with ticket sales for Nigel’s tour, with the aim being to produce an empty room, and care should be taken with other talks that the same does not happen.. |
|
| 14 |
Websites |
The website is being left for now. SC explained the importance of specification, which is a skilled job. Discussion takes place |
TM to discuss with Paul Mills and DE |
| 15 |
A.O.B. |
BE said we should start now with at least 5 years’ planning for the next General Election if we want a chance of winning it. |
|
| 16 |
Date of next meeting |
14 November 2015 |
|
Greg Lance - Watkins (Greg_L-W)
. Re-TWEET my Twitterings
Ukip-vs-EUkip 
We welcome comments but reserve the right to moderate & refuse libelous or offensive comments and those we choose to delete when written by unidentifiable individuals hidden in anonymity in a cowardly manner to defame or abuse. No comment has EVER been barred or deleted which is genuine & clearly authored by a named & identifiable individual. You will note many comments made have been commented on and even corrected by the blog owner. We welcome genuine comments.