Brussels Labour
International Branch of the British Labour Party
Click on the links below for the minutes of recent meetings of the Exec:
http://www.freewebs.com/kjfbe/BRUSSELS LABOUR EXECUTIVE sept 06.doc
Wednesday 14 September 2005 at 7.30pm
at Emma's
1) Apologies - Sarah, David
2) Minutes of the last meeting
These were agreed. There were no matters arising that would not be dealt with elsewhere in the agenda.
3) Reports
a) Chair
A letter had been received from Oona King thanking us for recent expressions of support and providing details of her current activities. [A copy is available to any member interested?]
The Chair had written recently to Douglas Alexander, thanking him for having attended the Summer Social and inviting him to speak at a future branch meeting. A letter had also been sent extending a speaking invitation to Hilary Benn.
b) Secretary
In Sarah's absence it was reported that, as previously agreed, the sum of 250 euros would be allocated to Maria Neophytou to defray some expenses of attending Conference. In addition there would be at least 4 members of the Executive at Conference this year.
c) Treasurer
The bank account remained healthily in surplus.
It was agreed that the next Executive meeting would revisit the Budget and consider, in light of the unlikelihood of an early referendum, how best to use our resources. Emma would re-circulate the Budget in advance of that meeting and all members should consider possible alternative projects.
4) Communications
The website remains an issue but it does not at present seem worth spending a large part of our capital on getting it overhauled or replaced. Rather we will continue to use it as a basic communication tool until we find a cost-effective way of improving it within our realistic needs. It was agreed that Keir would get the membership details altered to replace Frazer's name as Secretary.
Germinal is on course for the next issue with lots of articles and ideas in the pipeline. Next copy deadline will be mid-October.
5) Branch meetings and other events
We agreed that in place of our scheduled meeting on 21 September we would participate in a joint meeting with the PS in St Gilles. They are organising a debate with a panel including the Mayor of Amsterdam, Charles Picquet and Michael Cashman. We could cancel our booking at Arthur's and make a contribution to assist the PS with the cost of simultaneous interpretation. A note would be issued advising our members.
We would ask Jo Leinen (German MEP, chair of the Constitutional Affairs Committee) to speak at our meeting on 19 October. We would try to secure confirmation from Poul Nyrup Rasmussen for the John Fitzmaurice memorial lecture on 23 November. We would examine alternative venues to the Atelier and also make sure it gets listed in the Happenings section of Germinal.
The Christmas Social would be on 7 December, at the home of Stephen and Alice.
Looking ahead we would consider a meeting on development issues (probably approach Glenys Kinnock) and on the approach and impact of the UK Presidency. Also there was the possibility of a joint meeting with the Co-operative Movement on JHA issues, terrorism and civil liberties or similar.
6) Sister Parties
Joanna reported on the recent PS barbecue which she and a few other members had attended. There seemed to be a lot of enthusiasm from the PS to do more together. Also a French PS professor had floated the idea of a debate or paper on the threatened demise of the European social model. We agreed this was worth looking at. Rachel reported on the lunch last weekend with the SPD. Keir and others reported on the dinner hosted by the SPD. Again there was a lot of interest in working with us.
7) AOB
We agreed at the next meeting to give some time to considering other social events. Emma E should in the meantime give some thought to what we could be doing.
Thursday, 2 June 2005 at 7:30 pm
1) Apologies - Stephen, Emma.
2) Fabian Society
Benoît Keane told the executive of his plans to set up a Brussels branch of the Fabian Society.
It was agreed that Brussels Labour could pass on information about Fabian Society activities, but that it would be difficult to give more practical help.
3) The minutes of 27 April were agreed and there were no matters arising.
4) Reports from officers and correspondence
a. Chair: Nothing to report that was not covered elsewhere on the agenda.
b. Secretary: Sarah circulated correspondence from Peter Skinner MEP regarding the general election, from Expats.com asking for BL's contact details.
Sarah will circulate links on the results of the French referendum on the EU Constitution.
c. Treasurer and membership: The accounts are substantially in credit.
No new members had joined since the last executive meeting.
5) Labour Party Conference 25-29 September
It was agreed to propose at the next branch meeting that Brussels Labour Executive should not hold a fringe event at party conference but funding could be made available to one or two members wishing to attend, give information about the branch and the wider European debate, and write a report for the branch.
6) Sister Parties
The Parti Socialiste national Federation is keen to encourage co-operation between sister parties and there will be a meeting on 10 June. Members should be encouraged to get involved in local branches.
7) Communications: Leaflets, Website and Germinal
The new edition of Germinal will be circulated shortly. The deadline for the next edition is 10 October, for publication at the end of October.
8) Branch Meetings and other events for 2005
9) Labour International Co-ordinating Committee
The executive had met in May. Catherine Feore reported on developments regarding country correspondents, overseas voting rights, and membership development. The parliamentary representative Roger Casale had unfortunately not been re-elected.
There are hopes that the Paris branch may be revived. Catherine will send the executive details of when the next election to the committee will be.
10) Any Other Business
None.
11) Next Committee Meeting
Tuesday, 19 July 2005 (meeting with executive of the German SPD - date to be confirmed).
at Emma's
1) Apologies - Sarah, David
2) Minutes of the last meeting
These were agreed. There were no matters arising that would not be dealt with elsewhere in the agenda.
3) Reports
a) Chair
A letter had been received from Oona King thanking us for recent expressions of support and providing details of her current activities. [A copy is available to any member interested?]
The Chair had written recently to Douglas Alexander, thanking him for having attended the Summer Social and inviting him to speak at a future branch meeting. A letter had also been sent extending a speaking invitation to Hilary Benn.
b) Secretary
In Sarah's absence it was reported that, as previously agreed, the sum of 250 euros would be allocated to Maria Neophytou to defray some expenses of attending Conference. In addition there would be at least 4 members of the Executive at Conference this year.
c) Treasurer
The bank account remained healthily in surplus.
It was agreed that the next Executive meeting would revisit the Budget and consider, in light of the unlikelihood of an early referendum, how best to use our resources. Emma would re-circulate the Budget in advance of that meeting and all members should consider possible alternative projects.
4) Communications
The website remains an issue but it does not at present seem worth spending a large part of our capital on getting it overhauled or replaced. Rather we will continue to use it as a basic communication tool until we find a cost-effective way of improving it within our realistic needs. It was agreed that Keir would get the membership details altered to replace Frazer's name as Secretary.
Germinal is on course for the next issue with lots of articles and ideas in the pipeline. Next copy deadline will be mid-October.
5) Branch meetings and other events
We agreed that in place of our scheduled meeting on 21 September we would participate in a joint meeting with the PS in St Gilles. They are organising a debate with a panel including the Mayor of Amsterdam, Charles Picquet and Michael Cashman. We could cancel our booking at Arthur's and make a contribution to assist the PS with the cost of simultaneous interpretation. A note would be issued advising our members.
We would ask Jo Leinen (German MEP, chair of the Constitutional Affairs Committee) to speak at our meeting on 19 October. We would try to secure confirmation from Poul Nyrup Rasmussen for the John Fitzmaurice memorial lecture on 23 November. We would examine alternative venues to the Atelier and also make sure it gets listed in the Happenings section of Germinal.
The Christmas Social would be on 7 December, at the home of Stephen and Alice.
Looking ahead we would consider a meeting on development issues (probably approach Glenys Kinnock) and on the approach and impact of the UK Presidency. Also there was the possibility of a joint meeting with the Co-operative Movement on JHA issues, terrorism and civil liberties or similar.
6) Sister Parties
Joanna reported on the recent PS barbecue which she and a few other members had attended. There seemed to be a lot of enthusiasm from the PS to do more together. Also a French PS professor had floated the idea of a debate or paper on the threatened demise of the European social model. We agreed this was worth looking at. Rachel reported on the lunch last weekend with the SPD. Keir and others reported on the dinner hosted by the SPD. Again there was a lot of interest in working with us.
7) AOB
We agreed at the next meeting to give some time to considering other social events. Emma E should in the meantime give some thought to what we could be doing.
June 2005
Thursday, 2 June 2005 at 7:30 pm
1) Apologies - Stephen, Emma.
2) Fabian Society
Benoît Keane told the executive of his plans to set up a Brussels branch of the Fabian Society.
It was agreed that Brussels Labour could pass on information about Fabian Society activities, but that it would be difficult to give more practical help.
3) The minutes of 27 April were agreed and there were no matters arising.
4) Reports from officers and correspondence
a. Chair: Nothing to report that was not covered elsewhere on the agenda.
b. Secretary: Sarah circulated correspondence from Peter Skinner MEP regarding the general election, from Expats.com asking for BL's contact details.
Sarah will circulate links on the results of the French referendum on the EU Constitution.
c. Treasurer and membership: The accounts are substantially in credit.
No new members had joined since the last executive meeting.
5) Labour Party Conference 25-29 September
It was agreed to propose at the next branch meeting that Brussels Labour Executive should not hold a fringe event at party conference but funding could be made available to one or two members wishing to attend, give information about the branch and the wider European debate, and write a report for the branch.
6) Sister Parties
The Parti Socialiste national Federation is keen to encourage co-operation between sister parties and there will be a meeting on 10 June. Members should be encouraged to get involved in local branches.
7) Communications: Leaflets, Website and Germinal
The new edition of Germinal will be circulated shortly. The deadline for the next edition is 10 October, for publication at the end of October.
8) Branch Meetings and other events for 2005
- 15 June - Philip Cordery (Sec Gen PES) - French and Dutch referenda. Emma to write report for Germinal.
- 13 July Summer Social - Peter Wragg and Maggie Coulthard have offered to host.
- 21 September - Possible topic: the UK Presidency and development issues.
- 25-29 September Party Conference - see point 4.
- 19 October John Fitzmaurice Memorial Lecture - Poul Nyrup Rasmussen will be invited.
9) Labour International Co-ordinating Committee
The executive had met in May. Catherine Feore reported on developments regarding country correspondents, overseas voting rights, and membership development. The parliamentary representative Roger Casale had unfortunately not been re-elected.
There are hopes that the Paris branch may be revived. Catherine will send the executive details of when the next election to the committee will be.
10) Any Other Business
None.
11) Next Committee Meeting
Tuesday, 19 July 2005 (meeting with executive of the German SPD - date to be confirmed).
