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NATIONAL PENSIONERS CONVENTION

SOUTH EAST REGION  (SENPeC)

Chairman……..…...Richard Sharp, 3 Dittons, Shepham Lane, Polegate, East Sussex, BN26 6HR

                              Tel: 01323 486573     E-mail: contact via the SENPeC website

Vice Chairman……Vacancy

Treasurer………….Peggy Sandford, 31 Cunningham Avenue, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 2PE

                                         Tel/fax: 01483 571546

MINUTES OF THE OPEN MEETING HELD IN NPC OFFICES ON MONDAY 23 JULY 2007

Prior to the start of the meeting, Gordon Dowell had declined to take the minutes stating that he was not happy with the perceived lack of appreciation of the minutes of the meeting held on the 23^rd April 2007.  The minutes for this meeting were a joint effort between Gordon and the Chairman due to the indisposition of Steve Fagan.  Unfortunately, the draft prepared by Gordon and e-mailed to the Chairman for his input could not be accessed for alteration so they were re-written using the format previously used by the Chairman/Secretary.  Unfortunately Gordon declined to accept this.   These minutes, therefore, were taken by the Chairman.

1a. Officers in Attendance.

      Richard Sharp          Chairman    

      Steve Fagan            Secretary  

      Gordon Dowell         Minutes  Secretary      

      Peggy Sandford       Treasurer

1b. Delegates from affiliated groups.

      A W (Bill) Cobbett         British Pensioners East Grinstead and District Branch

      James Greed                TSSA London & SE RMB

      Olive Holman               NUT Brighton & Hove RMB

      Terry Reilly                  Mid Sussex OPC

      David Ashton               Crawley Pensioners’ Action Group

      Janice Hills                  UNISON South East RMB

      Derrick Frost                USDAW Mid Sussex

      Dave Laws                  Shepway Pensioners’ Forum

1b. Apologies.

     Jean Austin                 Crawley Pensioners’ Action Group

     Mick Dixon                  Crawley Pensioners’ Action Group

     P Burrows                   NARPO Brighton District

     R Mott                        NARPO East Kent

     Sylvia Green                UNISON South East Region

     Joy Shaw                    Asscn Teachers Widows

2.     Chairman’s opening remarks.

     The Chairman welcomed those present and asked that when a member spoke would they please say who they are in order that the       minutes reflected those who contributed.

He had attended the NPC BDC as the representative of the TSSA and felt it his duty to express his dissatisfaction with the way that Frank Cooper had conducted business, as despite stating that speeches would be limited to a maximum of 5 minutes, delegates were allowed to ramble on, resulting that on the second morning, there was no time to deal with many motions and they were formally nodded through.

Additionally, concerning the TSSA motion, despite me advising him that we opposed the amendment, and before I could do anything about it, he took a vote on it.  Conference supported the amendment, which meant that I no longer owned the motion but he then insisted I responded to the debate.  Totally wrong but a watered down motion was slightly better than no motion!!

Concerning the NPC and its’ apparent lack of thrust, it has been my opinion for some time that we need to re-organise our structure at the top.  We have a small overworked publicity unit which now has to compensate for a low profile president.  I do not decry their commitment to the NPC but I ask you in all honesty, who outside the Pensioners’ movement has heard of Frank Cooper, Dot Gibson or Pat Healy, whereas Jack Jones and Rodney Bickerstaffe were household names.  I accept that it may be hard to obtain a full time high profile president so I believe that the present President/Vice President level be re-designated National Chairman/Vice Chairmen and we seek a high profile ex-officio President to be our figurehead.

I do not expect the meeting to discuss this idea now, but ask that all affiliated organisations consider it and put forward ideas/motions for discussion at the AGM.

 Concerning the AGM, all affiliates are reminded that nominations for Officerships,  the EC and Motions must be forwarded to the Secretary in accordance with our  Constitution.  He thought it vital that EC places were filled as then the policy of EC members being the “champions” of different topics could be resurrected.

There were specific vacancies for Minute Secretary as Gordon had relinquished this post, for Vice Chairman (vacancy) and for Chairman and Secretary as both latter post holders advised the meeting that they were not seeking re-election for personal reasons.

 3a . Minutes of the meeting held 23^rd April 2007

     These were taken as read and agreed.

     Proposed:- J Greed – Seconded:- Terry Reilly

3b. Matters Arising

 Dave Laws asked for clarification of National and Regional affiliations.  Chairman

 stated that this would be dealt with under the Treasurers report.

4a. Chairman’s correspondence

• A campaign had Burroughsbeen launched by Help the Aged to re-write equality laws to end discrimination on the grounds of age. Details from Help the Aged, 207-221 Pentonville Road, London N1 9UZ, tel: 0207 239 1955 or e-mail: campaigns@helptheaged.org.uk
• The Royal Pavillion at Brighton had advertised guided tours for groups of up to 35 at a fee of £60 plus the individual entrance fee of £5.90
• The Department for Transport had issued an information pack for older drivers entitled “Arrive Alive”.  More details and information packs can be obtained from DFT on 0115 901 5893 or by e-mail from classic@arrivealive.info
• An e-mail had been received from a Sam Swiery about the setting up of the “Sovereign Harbour Pensioners’ Luncheon Club” in Eastbourne.  Shadow Pensions Secretary Nigel Waterson, the local press, other civic dignitaries and councillors were invited as were myself and the Secretary.  Subsequently, from further contact with the Steve, it seems this has fallen through as the organiser thought that SENPeC would provide funding.  Dave Laws commented that he thought this organisation could apply for funding to the County Council or Help the Aged.
• A letter had been received from a former UNISON branch officer asking how he could get involved locally.  Initially I put him in contact with the SHPLC but it now transpires that Steve has been able to direct him to Sylvia Green’s branch.
• Eastbourne T&G RMB had sent a letter concerning the lack of invitation to a Pensioners Forum held at the T&G Centre in Eastbourne.  I advised them that although Joe Harris and Dot Gibson had been asked to run the forum, this was an initiative of a certain Linus Gunning.  There had been a small note in the local paper 2 weeks prior to the event which was the only way I knew about it.  Subsequently I spoke to Bob Walker and the matter has been resolved.
• I have written to our former Vice-Chairman, Ray Bush, thanking him for all the work and help he gave to SENPeC and myself from its inception.

4b. Secretary’s correspondence and report (combined)

• Joy Shaw had again contacted him over problems and Sect.13 of the Amsterdam Treaty.  However it really is an issue about which we have little knowledge and Joy has been asked to specify that which she wishes to do.
• A Mr Henderson had written to express his thanks for helping him to obtain advice on support for sufferers of Altzheimers.
• Brighton and Hove District Pensioners Asscn had been seemingly critical of our efforts to obtain affiliation fees from their organisation.  The Secretary had sent out Bankers Order forms to all affiliates in an attempt to make it easier for them to re-affiliate.  We could not afford to send out individual letters, especially as the AGM minutes carry an item about re-affiliating and the Constitution states that only paid up members may attend our meetings.
• Affiliation misunderstandings with BPEG & District had been resolved with Rosie McGill.
• NPC had sent a bill for £88.12 to cover cost of delegate to BDC.  Whilst the food and staff could not be faulted, the accommodation was not worth anything like this.
• Olive Holman had contacted him over the unfair imposition by BT of a £4.50 penalty charge for customers who did not pay by direct debit.

Secretary was concerned by the way he saw SENPeC and others were being treated by Head Office.  One case in point was the case for a Pensioners Auditor.  Bill Cobbett had been invited onto the Pensions Working Party but has yet to be given any details about meetings.

Another point was Dave Ashton and Terry Reilly’s Council Tax campaign.  There seems to be no leadership or desire to be involved in this issue.  Another issue was Albert Venison who had asked Regions for support to legally contest Gordon Brown over the interest gained from investments the Government had made using the surplus in the National Insurance fund.  SENPeC even had the free offer from a QC to explore the legitimacy of such a challenge.  However, Joe Harris had declined to get the NPC involved, despite the acknowledged accuracy of Albert’s case on the grounds that there had been no misappropriation of funds.  A serious case of “don’t rock the boat”?.

By not ensuring that any interest goes back into the pot to pay better pensions (they cannot risk jeopardising their hackneyed “we can’t afford to give our elderly a decent pension” stance) coupled with the Council Tax postcode lottery Government policy discriminates against pensioners.   He would see that Dave Laws request for Albert Venison’s letter be circulated with the minutes was actioned.

The forthcoming lobby seemed to be another “as you were” effort.

Secretary concluded by saying that he did not belittle the pressure put on by the NPC that has seen restoration of the link as Government and Opposition policy, nor the securing of free off peak bus travel but this was not nearly enough.

Chairman added that so far as pensions were concerned, we were going to get sweet FA from this so called Labour Government.  The NPC should be actively campaigning for a fairer way to raise local taxes, based on ability to pay and an end to the siphoning off of Business Rates to subsidise Labour heartlands. A local tax based on ability to pay would not only benefit pensioners, it would have a massive impact on lower wage earners who may well be persuaded to come on board and support wider social issues.  After all, it was Ironmonger Row who said we needed to find allies in our campaigns.

Dave Laws asked if the NPC survey on Social Care was sent to SENPeC.  The answer was no, only to Affiliates, not to the Regional Secretary.

Bill Cobbett again raised the question of certain correspondence that had been sent but had not been recorded under correspondence.  Chairman undertook to see if a personal envelope passed to him prior to the April meeting contained this missives.

5.  Treasurers report.

In her report, Treasurer made it clear that all affiliates should understand that any affiliation fees paid to the NPC nationally did NOT cover affiliation to the Regions.  Affiliation to SENPeC is a separate issue.

The misunderstanding with Shepway concerning membership numbers had been resolved in as much as they had some 100 members and would send an additional £5 to the Treasurer.

Currently we had 33 paid up affiliates at £15 per annum, 1 at £10 and 1 individual at £5.  Treasurer and Secretary would liaise over the outstanding 2007 affiliations.

   After paying outstanding expenses, we had a reasonable balance.

Chairman asked that actual financial details be omitted from the web-site. The web page to show we were in the black (or not as the case may be).

6. Other reports.

    Chairman reported on his attendance at the Regional Secretaries meeting held on

    22 May 2007.  The main points were:-

• Next years Parliament – we must carry forward he increased professionalism due to good stewarding. Are we vibrant enough to get publicity – should bills be adopted as policy – how would this fit in with biennial Conference – Should we embrace a wider social remit to cover issues that impact on pensioners and less advantaged members of society.
• I remarked that whilst I understood the problems faced by Neil Duncan-Jordan’s small team, I was concerned that whenever pensioner issues were reported in the press, it was always Help the Aged, Age Concern or even the Daily Mail’s Dignity for the Elderly campaign, never the NPC.  N D-J responded that pensioner poverty is not new and therefore not newsworthy.  He was trying to set up a Media Advisory Group using his contacts with retired NUJ staff, but we should not forget that it was NPC pressure that got free bus travel, not Help the Aged.
• Joe Harris raised the subject of Regional Parliaments as a possible way to get more local interest. I said that due to size the SE should be free standing but if combining Regions was too difficult, perhaps we should use the Governments own imposed Regional structure as a basis.  Also, as 2008 marks the Centenary of the Pensions Act this could be a focus for celebratory events to publicise the NPC.    N D-J said he would see if his GPO contacts could be persuaded to issue a set of commemorative stamps.

Bill Cobbett reported his disappointment that the campaign for a Pensioners’ Auditor had seemed to have hit the buffers.  BPEG had written to Joe Harris to enquire about the status of the campaign, especially as Kate Hoey had spoken in favour at the Tunbridge Wells event.  He thought that this should be a “Parliamentary Bill”.  A reply was awaited.  After a short discussion, it was agreed that Bill, Steve and Chairman would liaise over the wording of a letter to be sent on this issue to all Regional Secretaries with a copy of the BPEG letter.

Steve Fagan reported that he agreed with the comments made by the Chairman over the conduct of the BDC.  He remarked that despite several delegates being in favour of holding the BDC at Blackpool, either before or after Parliament, as a way of reducing costs to NPC and delegates, this was kicked into touch.   A motion which called for places to be specifically reserved for females was resoundingly defeated on the grounds that it was patronising. People should be elected on ability, not gender was the main thrust of opposition, and mainly from female delegates.

Terry Reilly and David Ashton reported on the progress of the Council Tax Campaign.  They had held a meeting at which an initially sceptical Nicholas Soames MP had been won over by their case to the extent that they had been asked to submit a policy document. Also, local Conservative Councillors had a broad grasp of the situation concerning the subsidising of Labour Councils with SE Business Rates monies.

The response by Phil Woolas MP to the Brown Envelope Day campaign was patronising and totally inadequate.  In fact, a cursory response by Mr Woolas to the many thousands of letters addresses to the then Chancellor can only be described as contempt for all who wrote in with a copy of their 2007 Council Tax.

A factual response highlighting the inaccuracies and waffle contained in Mr Woolas’ letter has been sent with specific reference to the biased distribution of Business Rates in order to blame non labour councils for levying high council taxes.

It was suggested to Terry and David that perhaps they should contact the BBC Sunday politics show to see if they could get their campaign featured on the SE regional section.

Steve Fagan thought it would be useful if any letters from organisations had as part of their heading “affiliated to the South East Region of the National Pensioners’ Convention”.

Dave Laws reported on his involvement with the NPC Health Sub-Committee. There had been a Social Services Inspectorate presentation which outlined the change-over to LINKS. This would see patients having the right to input to Care Homes/home help etc.  In September 2008, new rules come into force regarding continuing HNS care – Personal Care vis-à-vis Health Care, but it seems you will still have to sell up in order to pay.  Steve Fagan added a note of caution over the amount of input to LINKS from patients.

7. Any other business.

• Peggy Sandford was elected as the Regions delegate to the NPC National EC.
• Derrick Frost spoke about his motion at this year’s USDAW Annual Conference. The Motion called for “The (USDAW) Executive Committee to lobby Government to undertake a fundamental review into or the replacing of the council tax with a more fair and equitable local tax, which takes into consideration the ability of an individual to pay from their disposable income as opposed to the value of property.”  Despite being opposed by their EC, delegates passed this item by 141,488 to 73,644.  USDAW also made a £1000 donation to the NPC and whilst not a bribe, it is disappointing and frustrating that a fairer way of raising local taxes is not a keystone of NPC policy.  It is accepted that there are vested interests in some parts of the country who might have to pay a fair share towards their local services and as such oppose any such reform but the NPC should be representing all pensioners.  The NPC should be supporting the Council Tax Campaign being prosecuted by MSOPC and CPAG.
• Dave Laws thought it only fair that at our next meeting, we invited a Head Office speaker.   It was our usual policy to have a guest speaker.

Chairman said that we could try to arrange, but as we now had 4 open meetings a year, instead of 2 EC and 2 open meetings, time was at a premium especially at the AGM.

8.Time and date of next meeting

WOULD ALL AFFILIATES PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATE!!!!!

The next meeting, our AGM, to be held on Monday 8^th October 2007 in the NPC conference room at 11.00 for a prompt 11.30 start.

Chairman closed meeting at 14.10hrs, thanking those present for their contributions and bade them safe journey home.

Agenda for the October 8th Meeting follows

___________________________________

NATIONAL PENSIONERS CONVENTION

SOUTH EAST REGION  ( SENPeC )

Chair .……Richard Sharp, 3 Dittons, Shepham Lane, Polegate East Sussex BN26 6HR

                  Tel:  01323 486573  E-mail: Contact via SENPeC Web-Site address

V/Chair…  VACANT

Treasurer .Peggy Sandford 31 Cunningham Avenue, Guildford, Surrey GU1 2PE

                       Tel:  01483 571546 

Secretary .Steve Fagan, 17 Bankside, Chatham Kent. ME5  0BY

                       Tel:  01634  826213  E-mail:   "sb.2.retired@btinternet.com"

______________________________________________________________________    

AGENDA

For the A.G.M. to be held on Monday ^8th October

In the basement conference room NPC offices

19 - 23 Ironmonger Row London EC1V 3QN

@ 11-00 am for 11-30 Start

THIS IS AN OPEN MEETING WITH A GUEST SPEAKER.

1a.    Members present

1b.    Apologies

2.      Chairman’s opening remarks

3.      Minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd July 2007

4.      Matters Arising

5.      Correspondence

6.      Guest  Speaker  ( Mr Joe Harris, Secretary N.P.C. )

7.      Secretary’s Report

8.      Treasurer’s Report

9.      Other Reports

11.    Amendments to SENPeC  documents  ( Amendments to the Constitution )

12     Motions submitted to the Secretary

12.    Election of Officers

13.    A.O.B.  ( As per constitution clause 3f )

14.    Times and Dates for 2007 Meetings

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