Stroud Liberal Democrats

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Thanks to those of you who joined our first LibDems branch meeting last month. We had a very productive discussion about the branch, its future activities and its finances. Minutes of the meeting follow below.

Meanwhile:

The next meeting of the "South" branch will take place at

1130 - 1230 on Saturday 1^st September

in Dursley Public Library (upstairs meeting room)

We expect our Prospective Parliamentary Candidates George Butcher (Stroud) and Claire Young (S. Gloucestershire) will be there.

Come and meet the candidates!

All members living in the Stroud South area are very welcome to come and join our discussions.

Proposed Agenda:

1. Brief introduction to Dursley Lib Dems
2. Meet the candidates (George and Claire)
3. Brainstorming: What (except Brexit) are the most important issues that affect voters in the Dursley area? (i.e. leading eventually to what issues should we campaign on in the Dursley area?)

We hope you will be able to make it and look forward to seeing you there.

Best regards,

Nick

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Minutes of Stroud "South" Liberal Democrats Committee meeting at Dursley Public Library on Friday 27^th July 2018

Present: Nick Easby, Richard Blackwell-Whitehead, Dennis Andrewartha

Stroud "South"

The "Stroud South" branch presently comprises Dursley, Cam West, Cam East, Berkeley, Vale and Severn wards.

Wotton -under-Edge and Kingswood wards are presently within Stroud District, but they are not in the Stroud South branch because they are in Cotswold constituency.

Post meeting note: It is suggested that as part of the proposed change to a district based organisation, Dursley Branch should be re-defined as the wards that are within Stroud District AND within the new South Gloucestershire constituency. I.e. Dursley, Cam East, Cam West, Vale, Wotton-under-Edge and Kingswood wards. (Berkeley and Severn would then join Stroud Central branch). Also that the name of the branch should be officially changed to include the new wards, e.g. to become "Dursley and Wotton" branch, or similar.

The function of the branch is to raise money, to hold discussions, to campaign on local issues and to organise social functions.

Financial

Money from the sale of the Liberal Democrat rooms was left to "Dursley Branch". A healthy balance is presently held in trust to be used to further the cause of Liberal Democracy in the Dursley area.

There does not appear to be an official definition of "Dursley Branch", but see above.

It is proposed that a proportion of the money should be passed to the constituency organisation (S. Gloucestershire, assuming the proposed boundary changes take place), plus money to the District. The bulk of the fund should be kept in trust.

Constituency and District execs to be asked what would they propose to do with a sum of money if it were to be offered by the trustees of the fund?

The fund is urgently in need of new trustees, Dennis being the only one remaining. Dennis has agreed to remain as a trustee, but NOT as treasurer. It was suggested that at least one of the trustees should be qualified in a relevant profession, e.g. lawyer / banker / accountant.

An action was placed with Dennis to propose (preferably 5) new trustees.

Future Activities

It was agreed that the Liberal Democrats need to be seen as people who are practical rather than just sympathetic. We should work to identify problems affecting local people and then campaign to achieve effective solutions.

In the immediate future, the branch should concentrate on increasing the involvement of the local membership. This will be achieved by a programme of meetings and social events, with the aim to increase the resources available for campaigning and fundraising by the branch.

Meetings

It is proposed to hold regular meetings to discuss local and national issues: A topic would be selected for discussion, to be followed by agreement of actions that can be taken to improve the situation. These meetings may involve people who are not necessarily members of the party - E.g experts from the social services or education departments. The important point is to find out what is really needed by those most affected.

Campaigning

Campaigning by the branch will be complementary to the work done by the district and the constituency, with the emphasis placed on matters that most affect people in our area.

• Local, targeted leaflets, including issues specific to our area and delivered where they will achieve most benefit.

• Monthly street stalls in Dursley and Wotton.

Social

• It is proposed that a meeting of the district 'LibDems Pint' could be held at the Old Spot in Dursley. In order to consolidate the success being made with the event in Stroud, the Dursley meeting would not be held until perhaps October.

AOB

• The venue at Dursley public library seems to be successful. There is seating for up to 30 people, car parking nearby and access for the disabled. The cost is moderate (£5-00 per hour) - and the Old Spot is just around the corner!

• Nick to write up notes of the discussions (Herewith done!)

• Nick and Richard to report on the meeting at the next Exec.

Next meeting: To be agreed.