NATIONAL PENSIONERS CONVENTION
SOUTH EAST REGION ( SENPeC )
Chair …… Richard Sharp, 3. Dittons, Shepham Lane, Polgate, East Sussex
BN26 6HR. Tel: 01323 486573, E-mail: Richard (click on this link)
V/Chair ….VACANCY
Treasurer ..Peggy Sandford, 31. Cunningham Avenue, Guildford, Surrey
GU12PE. Tel: 01483 571546
Secretary…Steve Fagan, 17. Bankside, Chatham, Kent ME5 0BY
Tel: 01634 826213, E-mail: Steve (click on this link)
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Minutes of the SENPeC Meeting held on 22nd Jan.2007
@ 19-23 Ironmonger Row London EC1V 3QN
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1/ Members Present :
RJ. Sharp, S. Fagan, G. Dowell, R. Hathaway, J. Greed, AW. Cobbett, R. Walker, DE. Frost, R. Brunsden, R. Bush, A. Barnes, D. Ashton, T. Reilly and P. Sandford.
2/ Apologies :
D. Law, J. Whittaker, O. Holman, J. Shaw, R. Ayling, R. Shand, R. Cooper, G. Stone, SG. Levy, P. Burrows, R. Haines and M. Dixon.
3/ Chairs Opening Remarks :
3-1. The Chair extended a welcome to all present.
3-2. A formal request to meeting members, underpinned the requirement for each speaker, to identify themselves (by name) for the benefit of accurate notes taking by Gordon Dowell a (newly installed) minute taker at this meeting venue.
3-3. The Chair reminded meeting members of previous (agreed) Constitution change, whereby all future meetings would be regarded as “open meetings” to include any and all ongoing items of business inclusive of AGM associated items as applicable.
Richard further affirmed that as consequential; the minutes discussed at this forum venue, would be those of the “Last Meeting” that being the meeting held in July/2006, in order to maintain current and comprehensive exchange/s of information.
In conclusion, Richard reminded all present that as previously agreed; minutes of the October
meeting (ie. the AGM ) would be discussed at a later date.
Recorded as a Non (specified) Agenda Item :
These sequential notes, are recorded as commentary to the proceedings that followed :-
At this the point, the Chairman had moved to business Agenda Item 6 [Correspondence].
Naturally expecting agenda items 4 & 5 would follow, to deal with previous minutes and those matters arising, it was felt necessary to seek clarification from the Chair as to those omissions for the purpose of accurate minute notes.
Bill Cobbett, in attempting to support my enquiry, made reference to his dis-association with item notes pertaining to the Mastrichtt Treaty, contained in the October meeting notes (ie:-) Item/5, para/2.
Other meeting members entered into the debacle that followed, resulting in the Chairman venting his total frustration given the explanation in his “opening remarks” and formally registering his disgust with the delegate’s inconsistency. Following his protest, Richard left his seat and the room to recompose.
Richard returned a few minutes later, but declared that he felt unable to continue and subsequently left the meeting entirely.
NB. Devoid of the luxury of supposition and further to later consultation with the Secretary (in the absence of the Chairman) it is assumed that the meeting scheduled for the April/2007, will deal with matters arising from both the October/2006 and January/2007 forums (respectively) in order to bring business up to date and might be reflected in the April–Agenda manifest, as two separate and distinct items.
May I offer apologies in advance, for any inaccuracies contained in this paragraph.
It is expected that the Chair, or Secretary, will confirm or correct these details in April.
Meeting Continuation :
Ray Bush (Vice Chairman) took over the Chair and proceeded with item/6 (Correspondence) as placed by Richard.
( Aside from my original enquiry, was reluctant to (secondarily) challenge the chair
since no other meeting member had pressed the point further ).
With the omission of Agenda Items 4 & 5, or relevant notation, the meeting continued.
6/ Correspondence :
It was noted that the Chair had written to Nicholas Soames of the Crawley Pensioners Action Group under the “freedom of access act”, regarding the situation to fairness of council tax payments.
One reply, from Mr Nigel Waterson, suggested that the Conservative Government only required an “annual” reprise of council tax’ matters.
7/ Secretary’s Report :
7-1. Steve Fagan related his invitation experience to the luncheon date at the House of Lords. Lord Bassom was to have been his designated host, but was conspicuous by his absence. Steve made clear his disappointment; that although the “fare” was excellent, Lord Bassom’s counterparts monopolised the conversation by pushing the tourist industry for pensioners, (once again indicative of political mastery to avoid any contentious issues requiring answers).
7-2. Steve informed the meeting that the South East Region Retired Members Council (SERRMC) of the CWU, had accepted a proposition regarding requirement for a Pensioners Auditor; which will go forward to its Conference at Wimbledon (SW19) in March and possibly to the CWU Conference at Bournemouth in June.
7-3. Steve advised the meeting that he has been pleased to accept the role of “organiser” to the National Pensioners Parliament (NPP) scheduled for May in the Blackpool Winter Gardens.
Ray Bush offered that East Kent [with affiliation to T&G], were to form a council, dealing with matters connected to “Transport Links”; that area being, Dover, Deal and Thanet districts in general.
7-4. Communication Workers Union (CWU) Branches, have been contacted by Steve, seeking representation to the NPP @ Blackpool; he anticipates at least four more possible delegates.
7-5. SENPeC members were reminded of the “mini –conference” date (Sunday) 11th March at the Camden Centre in Tonbridge Kent. Steve advised that “free” parking will be available and went on to list a number of professional speakers covering varied subjects to include, Housing, Health (Social and Mental) also NHS by Neil Duncan Jordan, also “time slots” for each.
Steve further advised, that a future “mail shot” will contain all necessary information to include, Venue Location, Travel Itinerary, Conference Program and Timetables.
Meeting members were asked to accept “ownership” of the Tonbridge Conference and to submit any helpful strategic matters wished to be placed for deliberation.
This request in turn, generated lively debate and the following contributions were made :-
Roy Hathaway related his concerns with regard to housing and local council connection and suggested that Labour Council were to take control; he added that he intended to contact Steve Fagan (Secretary) with a view to providing a speaker at Tonbridge.
Alexandra Barnes, in support, felt that municipal housing issues were of major importance for future discussion.
Terry Reilly (read aloud – verbatim) a letter/response from the leader of the (Labour) Derby Council, which he regarded as insulting, given its stinging comments in answer to council tax enquiries.
Discussion around the table, regarded complexities of privatisation to the NHS and related effects that strategic cuts might have; loaned use of crutches valued at £50 as just one example.
Two other meeting members asked Steve to reconsider the proposed 30 minutes duration allotted for the Chair’s opening remarks at the Tonbridge Mini Conference.
7-6. Steve made reference to the Biennial Conference in Nottingham scheduled for 26-27th June.
He reminded the meeting that attendance nominations close in March/2007 to include any SENPeC items going forward.
7-7. In reference to NPC (Executive Council) Elections, Steve reminded the meeting of the previously discussed/agreed election properties and the availability to listings of “hand votes” indicated.
8/ Treasurers Report :
In moving her report, Peggy Sandford referred to 37 x Affiliations, raising forecasted revenues to an estimated £500.
Peggy, speculated that the 2007/8 forecasted budget was estimated @ £700 set against projected outgoing expenses of approximately £400.
David Ashton, enquired if there were recent affiliate member records, given ever shifting numbers; also if there were substantive listings of who were and who were not, “paid up”.
Alexandra Barnes, asked for communication of Steve Fagan’s letter to LTS in respect of London-Transport super annuities.
A further enquiry from the floor, regarded USDAW and affiliated association.
It is noted that, Gordon Dowell [scribe], asked Peggy for a copy of the Treasurer Report details for minutes distribution; Peggy obliged, passing over her (scripted) accounts sheets, of which, copies are/will be, available on request.
9/ Any Other Reports :
9-1.Bill Cobbett, in referring to Pensions Auditor, offered that his contribution had led to acceptance of a “working party” to include himself. Bill added that he had sent a letter to James Purnell and Brendan Barber but had no reply from either party.
Steve Fagan, commented, he could believe that !
9-2. Alexandra Barnes, advised that the TUC were looking for future “champions” on pensioner/s issues.
9-3. Terry Reilly, advised that he had received a letter from Derek Frost regarding increased council taxes of 141% and projected further increases of an estimated 10% to “banded” areas respectively.
9-4. Derek Frost (USDAW), required figures from Northern provinces as a template in general.
[A heated discussion amongst meeting members ensued, expanding on the anomalies of north and south, banded area parities].
Steve Fagan offered that the NPC are taking a national stand on these issues.
9-5. David Ashton, spoke on “infra-structures” within the “north-south-NHS-divide”; in particular area boundary income funding.
10/ Any Other Business (AOB)
[ Noted ]: In the absence of the Chairman’s Notes; the Vice Chair was not cognisant of any competent business being commuted in advance.
There being no “points of order” raised in objection, this section was closed.
Footnote: Ray Bush (Vice Chair), made reference to the alteration in his domestic circumstances and informed the meeting that he intended to formally place (in writing) to the Secretary, his intention to stand down from the position of vice chairmanship.
Meanwhile, Ray notified the meeting of his new home address; that being :-
21. Bamford Way, Deal,Kent CT14 7XP.
11/ Next Meeting Date : (as previously agreed) is set for :- 23rd April 2007.
12/ Meeting Close :
There being no further business; Meeting Closed @ 13-28 hrs.
IN THE INTEREST OF THE TIME RESTRAINTS AND THE BUSINESS TO BE CARRIED OUT, WOULD DELEGATES PLEASE ENSURE THEY HAVE A COPY OF THE MINUTES FROM BOTH THE A.G.M. IN OCT 2006. & THE MEETING OF 22nd JAN.2007.
Thank You
Steve Fagan
Secretary SENPeC