Branch Meeting 30 January 2011

VIP Guests: Khama Matambanadzo (The Interim District Chairperson)

                     Ian Gilbert (Leader Of The Labour Group Of Councillors Southend On Sea)

                     Judy McMahon (Labour Councillor Candidate)

The meeting was well attended. Mr Biti suggested that he and his leadership team would stay on in their current positions to avoid a power vacuum between now and the elections. This was met with approval all round. The Treasurer, Vincent Mashakada, gave Branch financial report and the account statements circulated. 

Ian Gilbert

Councillors Mr Ian Gilbert and Ms Judy McMahon of the Labour Group Councillors graciously attended the meeting. Mr Gilbert opened by highlighting the strong relationship that Labour and the MDC share. The MDC was born out of a labour movement.  Mr Gilbert told those present that the Coalition Government intended to cut at least £15million from Southend council’s budget. This figure represented a tenth of the already overstretched budget. He also reported that among others the hardest hit services would be the Youth services, Sure- Start centres, 178 council jobs, Safer-Stronger Communities which caters for deprived youth and the homeless.  Mr Biti asked the councillors for their support on a number of issues:


WORKING VISA
Mr Biti asked that the councillors recommend to the government that those people that are going through the process of regularising their stay in the United Kingdom be given a working visa as is the norm in countries like Australia. This would reduce the financial burden on the taxpayer. Both Mr Gilbert an Ms McMahon pledged their support.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP

Mr Biti asked that those people that have leave to remain in the UK be automatically given dual citizenship. Both Mr Gilbert an Ms McMahon pledged their support.

ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Mr Biti reported to the councillors that at present those in the process of regularising their stay in the UK had access to primary and secondary education. When it came to higher education they are left behind.  The University of Essex does not take the ARC card which Newham College does. This means that those living in Southend on Sea are at a disadvantage to their counterparts in London. Mr Gilbert promised to table this during council sessions.

LOCATION FOR CLINICS
Washington Ali noted that there wasn’t a place for the Southend – Zimbabwe Network to meet during the week and get information. Ms Judy McMahon suggested the facility at Chase Road could be used for clinics and community meetings. She said she would be glad to speed up the process. This was well received.

Matambanadzo

The Interim District Chairperson, Mr Matambanadzo arrived after a fraught journey on the public transport system.   He arrived in good spirits and congratulated the outgoing branch leaders for a job well done.  He implored branch members to not grow weary in well doing. Mr Matambanadzo so admired the branch that he stated he wanted to become a member of Southend Branch. There were cheers all round. The minutes of the previous meeting were adopted. It was announced that in the next 2 weeks we’d be having branch elections. The posts on offer are:

• Branch Chairperson
• Vice Chairperson
• Organising Secretary
• Secretary
• Youth Chairperson
• Women’s Chairperson
• 3 Committee Members

In closing the Outgoing Treasurer Mr Mashakada said that the qualities that were needed in those to be elected are respect accountability and transparency.

Audrey Charowa
MDC Southend Hausunde