Max Evidence 3[36] 11May_MinutesWGP
SpecialConf+Councilmeeting
Draft minutes of the Wales Green Party Special Conference, 11th May
2013
Present: Chris Were, Owen Clarke, Sian Best (minutes), Peter Varley, Tony
White, Martin Siloret, Dorothy Wilson, Max Wallis, Ann Were (General Secretary)
John Matthews, John Evans, Trish Evans, Keith M Ross, Rodney Milton, Pippa
Bartolotti.
Apologies: Alan Armstrong
Following one minute’s attunement, AW pointed out that under the WGP
constitution the meeting was not quorate, as less than 7% of the Wales
membership were present, and therefore no binding decisions could be made on
the motions in Section B and Section D. It was decided that Section A –
Officers’ reports, would be dealt with later in the meeting if time allowed.
Section B - Voting papers
It was proposed to replace the existing Health and Social Services
policy with two new policies, as set out in the circulated agenda. The author
was a GP member, a friend of Chris Simpson, a former psychiatric consultant in
England now living in Aberystwyth.
The discussion on the contents of the suggested policies was interwoven
with members’ comments on the problem of WGP’s conferences being consistently
non-quorate, so that no binding decisions could be made on any major issue.
PV proposed that a working party was set up to look in detail at the
suggested changes: the proposal was seconded by MW. Two members were in favour,
7 against.
AW stated that the proposed Health and Social Services policies were now
on the table for the WGP November conference. She asked for it to be discussed
at local party meetings, and for comments and amendments to be invited. It
would be placed on the Member's website for discussion. AW urged members to get
access to the member's website by contacting Head Office.
Section D – Motions 2 & 3
AW confirmed that the Wales Green Party does have authority to change
its name for electoral purposes. It was proposed that the name be changed to
Welsh Greens /Gwyrddion Cymru: the change was intended to reduce confusion with
Plaid Cymru. AW asked if there were any supporters for the name suggested in
Motion 3, Green Party Cymru. In a straw poll, no one favoured the existing
name, 11 preferred Welsh Greens / Gwyrddion Cymru, with one preferring Green
Party Cymru. The suggested changes will be posted on the website for discussion
and comment by all members. It will be on the agenda for the November
conference. AW emphasised that the name change would be for electoral purposes
only and that the official title of Wales Green Party would remain.
WGP statement on wind energy in Wales.
This came from Ceredigion GP, adapted from their own wind energy
statement, with specific references to Ceredigion removed. The following
suggestions were made –
‘Nationalised’ in paragraph 12 be replaced by ‘publicly owned’.
The final paragraph should end ‘a low carbon economy as soon as
possible’
Paragraph 11 should read ‘…local people, which would be achieved at
least in part through encouragement of small-scale community-owned projects.
They also…’
AW said the statement would be put on the members’ website for
discussion and comment, with the above suggestions. It would be discussed at
the November conference.
Hustings for candidates for the Euro list.
AW told members that the procedure for selecting candidates for the
European elections had been suspended. JE read out the statement accompanying
these minutes, in which he explained the reasons for the suspension. AW said
the national ERO (John Nott) should advise on how to proceed. MW, the editor of
the newsletter was asked how the link to the false blog came to be included: he
replied that that he had made it clear in the newsletter that the site was
unverified.
‘Job descriptions’ had been included as an item for discussion at the
following WGP Council meeting. The WGP constitution requires that the newsletter
appear four times a year. As there have only been two issues so far this year,
two more are needed. It was suggested that the next issue should just be an
explanation and apology to all WGP members. Both the remaining 2013 issues
should be sent to all WGP Council members before going out. PB expressed
concern that the WGP members’ contact list would be liable to misuse: MW was
told not to make any further use of the list. The GPEW and WGP constitutions
were consulted by AW: in view of the damage done by the editor’s actions to the
Wales GP, his future in the role will be on the agenda for the Council meeting
later in the afternoon. She asked MW if he was willing to resign as editor. He
said that he wished to take time to think about it. She gave him until the end
of the meeting (3pm) to respond.
It was agreed that the Euro candidate selection process should start
again, as soon as possible.
At this point, members had to move to another room and the meeting
continued.
Draft Code of conduct and Press protocol. JM proposed that the
Code of Conduct be accepted: CW seconded. As no members opposed the motion, it
was accepted. Members were reminded that the Code can be altered if members
agree.
Local and regional complaints procedure. After some
discussion, AW suggested that paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 be deleted, and that
paragraph 4, now paragraph 1, should begin ‘In all disputes, the parties
involved should consult the national GPDRC, for advice on reaching a
resolution, wherever appropriate,’ The original paragraph 5, now paragraph 2,
should begin ‘If resolution under 1 is not possible, be sure complainants have
access to regional and national complaints procedures.’ Other textural
amendments were also agreed in sections 6, 7 and 9.
Members agreed to accept the complaints procedure with the amendments as
discussed.
At 3.40pm, the conference ended, and WGP Council meeting began.
Draft minutes of WGP
Council meeting, 11th May 2013.
Present: Chris Were, Deputy Leader; Owen Clarke. Local Party Rep/Local Party
Development Officer; Sian Best (minutes), Member; Peter Varley, member;Tony
White, member; Martin Siloret, French GP member/observer; Dorothy Wilson,
Membership Secretary; Ann Were (General Secretary); John Matthews, Local Party
Rep (Cardiff)/Fundraising Officer;John Evans, ERO; Trish Evans, Local Party Rep
(Bridgend) Keith M Ross, Member; Rodney Milton, member.
Apologies: Chris Simpson, Pippa Bartolotti, Jane Cook
After a minute’s attunement, it was noted that MW was not present, and
had not responded to AW’s request that he offer his resignation. Under the
constitution, his suspension from the post needed a two thirds majority of
those present. As seven Council members were present, the meeting was quorate.
JM proposed that the editor be suspended from office, because his actions had
brought the WG Party into disrepute. CW seconded and the motion was carried
unanimously. AW said she would take on the editorship until the November AGM,
notifying members of the suspension and why it had occurred. It was agreed that
she would send a letter to MW, by recorded post, formally notifying him of his
suspension, on behalf of the Council. The letter would also require him to
destroy all WGP members’ contact details in his possession.
Minutes of the last meeting Accepted as a true record.
Matters arising The PayPal account was now up and
running. Gwent’s campaign against opencast mining: OC reported that the grounds
for opposition had changed from the original archaeological ones, to those of
land reclamation. Mythbusters: CW now has a Welsh translation, it is now ready
to be laid out and published for distribution at events, displays, etc.
Fundraising: JM regretted that he had not had time to progress this, because of
family illness. Elections: JM reported that a new member is willing to stand as
a WGP candidate in the elections for Pontypridd Town Council. Mailbox at The
Gate: there is mail there for collection – JM will contact Chris Simpson and
arrange to be the named collector.
Officers’ reports CW said that 1,276 different people had
accessed the WGP website. Facebook pages and Twitter had even more visits. RM
said there was now a Facebook page for North-East Wales GP members and
supporters. DW said she had emailed reminders to all lapsed members on the WGP
contact list.
Local parties Cardiff – JM reported that a social evening had
attracted 16 members and supporters. Rhondda Cynon Taff – there had only been 2
members at recent meetings so the group was, temporarily, moribund. Bridgend –
usually there were 9 or 10 at monthly meetings, with a good age and gender
balance. A member is designing a branch website. One older member is planning a
4-day sponsored walk along Offa’s Dyke, to raise funds for the group. They are
planning a clean-up and barbecue party. They are heavily involved in the
Frack-Free Wales campaign and are pressing for a 20’s Plenty trial in one of
their key wards, Bettws. Gwent – had put forward a policy on the Severn Estuary
and renewable energy to the national GP policy group. A GP social in Abergavenny
attracted 14 people.
To review job descriptions. It was agreed to postpone this
item until the next meeting due to the shortness of time.
Green World and Population Matters AW summarised this
controversy on behalf of Chris Simpson. GW had reportedly refused an insert
from the PM charity. Apparently some members of the editorial board felt that
PM’s policies emphasised population control in the developing world, at the
expense of campaigning against over-consumption in the developed world, and
this emphasis was at odds with GP policy on population. Members present
disagreed with this stance and agreed that WGP council should write to the GW
editorial board, asking that this censorship be abandoned. The Leader and
Deputy Leader will be asked to write to the relevant conference committee,
requesting a plenary debate at national conference on population policy. AW
will draft the letters and send to Council members.
Any Other Business AW reminded everyone to try and get
more members to attend the November meeting so that it would be quorate, then
we could either change the percentage of members needed for a quorate meeting,
or become a delegate conference.
Date and place of next meeting. For the next
Council meeting, AW hoped that Sam Coates, formerly WGP Elections Officer, now
elected as a GP councillor in Oxfordshire, would come and talk about his
election strategy for WGP. Bridgend was suggested as a venue, and 6th July
as a possible date: this will be confirmed ASAP.
Post Script.
At the end of the meeting AW noticed that she had received a text from
MW which read:
Apologies 4 missing WGPC. JM disrespect with 'mole'etc, unchecked by
chair. I decline to resign Editor, follow complaints procedure. Max
Post, post script.
Chris Simpson subsequently pointed out that he had submitted a Local
Party report for Ceredigion but it had not been included in the documents
circulated for the meeting or discussed at the meeting. The report is
reproduced below.
The General Secretary extends her apologies to CS and Ceredigion GP.
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