Spring Conference 9Ð11 March 2018, Southport Conference Daily, Saturday This plain text version of Conference Extra contains the text of the published Conference Extra. Page numbers refer to the Clear print Conference Extra, motion line numbers have been omitted, some elements may appear in a different place in the document and graphics and complex page layouts have been omitted. Updates to the Agenda & Directory, information from the Conference Committee, amendments, emergency motions and questions to reports. Please read in conjunction with the Agenda & Directory. Contents Conference information update 5 Exhibition update 6 Training update 7 Fringe update 8 Saturday 10 March timetable 9 Daily announcements for Saturday 10 March 10 Advance notice for Sunday 11 March 19 Emergency motions ballot 20 Please keep hold of your copy of this Conference Daily throughout conference, and make sure you pick up a copy of SundayÕs Conference Daily when you enter the STCC on Sunday Ð it will be vital to your understanding of the dayÕs business. Conference Daily and other conference publications, in PDF and plain text formats, are available online www.libdems.org.uk/conference_papers or ask at the Information Desk in the STCC. Liberal Democrats 30 years fighting for a fair, free and open society The Federal Board Baroness Sal Brinton, Chair, Party President; Neil Fawcett, Vice Chair; Vince Cable MP, Party Leader; Liz Leffman, Chair of the English Party; Sheila Ritchie, Scottish Party Convenor; Carole O'Toole, Chair of the Welsh NEC; Alistair Carmichael MP, MP Rep; Lord Strasburger, Peer Rep; Catherine Bearder MEP, MEP Rep; Chris White, Principal Local Authority Councillor; Simon McGrath, English Party Rep; David Green, Scottish Party Rep; Cadan ap Tomos, Welsh Party Rep; Andrew Wiseman, FCC Chair; Jeremy Hargreaves, FPC Vice-Chair; Robert Woodthorpe Browne, FIRC Chair; James Gurling, FCEC Chair; Peter Dunphy, FFRC Chair; Miranda Roberts, FPDC Chair; Helena Cole, FASC Chair; Thomas Gravatt, Young Liberals Chair; Elaine Bagshaw; Dinesh Dhamija; Helen Flynn; Nassar Kessell; Caron Lindsay; Gordon Lishman; Victoria Marsom; Joyce Onstad; Mark Pack; Pauline Pearce; Candy Piercy; Alice Thomas; Gerald Vernon-Jackson. Non-Voting: Anood Al-Samerai, LGA Rep; Alistair Carmichael MP, Chief Whip (Commons); Mike German, Federal Treasurer; Nick Harvey, Federal Chief Executive; Al Ghaff, Staff Rep. Federal Board helpdesk Members of the Federal Board will be available at the Federal Committees helpdesk in the Lower Foyer of the STCC at the following times: Saturday 10 March 10.30Ð12.30 and 14.00Ð16.00 Sunday 11 March 10.30Ð11.30 The Federal Conference Committee Andrew Wiseman, Chair; Zoe O'Connell, Vice Chair; Geoff Payne, Vice Chair; Baroness Sal Brinton; Sally Burnell; Victor Chamberlain; Nicholas Da Costa; James Gurling; Alaxander Hegenbarth; Cara Jenkinson; Susan Juned; Jenni Lang; Liz Lynne; Chris Maines; Tahir Maher; Mary Reid; Jennie Rigg; Paul Tilsley; Heidi Worth; Mike Ross, Chief Steward, co-opted. Non-Voting: Nick Harvey, Federal Chief Executive. FCC helpdesk Members of the FCC will be available at the Federal Committees helpdesk in the Lower Foyer of the STCC at the following times: Friday 9 March 17.00Ð18.00 Saturday 10 March 09.00Ð10.30 and 14.00Ð16.00 The Federal Policy Committee Vince Cable MP, Chair; Duncan Brack, Vice Chair; Jeremy Hargreaves, Vice Chair; Sarah Ludford, Vice Chair; Belinda Brooks-Gordon; Catherine Bearder MEP; Baroness Sal Brinton; Sally Burnell; Christine Cheng; Richard Cole; Tony Greaves; Antony Hook; Kamran Hussein; Qurban Hussein ; Elizabeth Jewkes; Susan Juned; Heather Kidd; Norman Lamb MP; Alisdair McGregor; Jonny Oates; Geoff Payne; Peter Price; Catherine Royce; Paul Tilsley; David Weston; Chris White; Jim Williams. Non-Voting: Richard Kemp, LGA Rep; Andrew Wiseman, FCC Chair; Ciaran Morrissey; Marisha Ray, EMLD Observer. Information update Amendments and additions to the conference information in the Agenda & Directory. Beach clean Fancy getting some fresh air at Spring Conference? Join Lib Dem MPs for a beach clean on Saturday in Southport and make a visible impact on ocean pollution. Time: 11.00Ð12.30 Saturday 10 March. Meeting point: Marine Drive Car Park (from STCC, cross Marine Way Bridge, turn left, and car park is on right hand side). Food bank Make sure you help SouthportÕs food bank and #PackaTin for Conference. Left luggage The complimentary left luggage facility in the reception of the Ramada Plaza will operate from 8.00 on Sunday 11 March. Spokespeople Q&A sessions There will be a series of Q&A sessions during conference where you can ask questions of our spokespeople. A fantastic opportunity for members to find out more about what our Parliamentarians are up to. (Note change of venue for Brexit Q&A on Sunday.) Saturday 10 March 10.15Ð11.15 Work and Welfare with Stephen Lloyd MP, Ben Stoneham and Christine Jardine (TBC). STCC, Waterfront Suite 1 11.30Ð12.30 Foreign Affairs with Jo Swinson MP and Shas Sheehan. STCC, Waterfront Suite 1 Sunday 11 March 10.00Ð11.00 Brexit with Tom Brake MP, Catherine Bearder and William Wallace. STCC, Floral Hall Terrace (next to the exhibition) Exhibition update Amendments and additions to the exhibiton plan and listings in the Agenda & Directory. Exhibitors listed by stand number 1 Social Liberal Forum 2 Green Liberal Democrats 3 Liberator Magazine 4 Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform 5 Prater Raines 6 Humanist & Secularist Liberal Democrats 7 ALDE Party 8 Election Workshop 9 Prospect Magazine 10 Rights-Liberties-Justice (LDLA) 11 ALDC Ð Liberal Democrat Campaigners & Councillors 12 LGA Liberal Democrats 13 Parliamentary Candidates Association 14 ALTER 15 Liberal Democrats for Seekers of Sanctuary 16 Liberal Democrat History Group 17 Visit Southport 18 Liberal Democrat Christian Forum 19 Liberal Democrat Women 20 Liberal Reform 21 LGBT+ Liberal Democrats 22 Your Liberal Britain 23 Young Liberals 24 Association of Liberal Democrat Engineers and Scientists 26 Lib Dem Disability Association 27 Liberal Democrat Education Association 28 VisitBrighton 29 Midshire Business Systems / RISO UK Ltd 30 Ask an Expert 31 Liberal Democrat Image 32 Catherine Bearder MEP / ALDE 33 Southport Foodbank 34 Debatable TV 35 National Education Union Lower Foyer Federal Committees helpdesk Information Desk Directory of exhibitors The following exhibitors are additional to those listed in the Agenda & Directory. Catherine Bearder MEP / ALDE Meet with Catherine Bearder MEP to find out more about her work in the European Parliament. www.bearder.eu Stand 32 Debatable TV Book Debatable TV to film your fringe, training session or campaign video. Stop at the stand to find out more about packages available - booking is now open for Autumn Conference! Stand 34 National Education Union The National Education Union is campaigning to stop school cuts. Visit the NEUÕs exhibition stand to find out about the impact of cuts in your area. www.neu.org.uk Stand 35 Southport Foodbank Drop a donation and support the fantastic work done by Southport Foodbank. www.southport.foodbank.org.uk Stand 33 Fringe update Amendments and additions to the listings in the fringe guide in the Agenda & Directory. Fringe Saturday lunchtime 13.00Ð14.00 David Howarth and Bernard Greaves Launch of the new book ÒTowards a Liberal FutureÓ Bernard Greaves and David Howarth introduce their restatement for contemporary society of core Liberal values and key policy themes of Liberalism in their new publication ÒTowards a Liberal SocietyÓ. Guest speaker Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable. Note: this event was incorrectly listed under Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust. STCC, Waterfront Suite 1 Liberal Democrat Education Association ParentsÕ Experience of TodayÕs Education System Parents play a vital role in their childrenÕs education, yet their voice is seldom heard. Alison Worsley from charity ÒAmbitious about AutismÓ and parentsÕ representatives will discuss admissions, attendance and the challenges facing parents of children with special educational needs. Note: change of subject and speakers Ð swapped with Saturday early evening meeting. Ramada Plaza, Hesketh 3 Federal Board Disciplinary Processes Review: Q&A with Lord Macdonald Come and ask former Director of Public Prosecutions, Ken Macdonald, questions regarding the Disciplinary Processes Review and his recommendation of a standalone structure ahead of the Conference motion on Saturday afternoon. Note: This event starts at 13.20. Note: this event is additional to the listings in the Agenda & Directory. Ramada Plaza, Marine Suite Fringe Saturday afternoon 16.00Ð17.30 Business Rates Review Group Andrew Dixon has been asked by Sir Vince Cable MP to develop a policy proposal on Land Value Tax and reform of Business Rates. The Review Group would be delighted to discuss potential policy changes with any who are interested in how business property and other land can be more efficiently taxed. Note: this event is additional to the listings in the Agenda & Directory. Ramada Plaza, Hesketh 2 Fringe Saturday early evening 18.15Ð19.15 Jo Swinson Book Signing Ð ÒEqual Power: A Handbook for Men and WomenÓ Come along to the book signing by Jo Swinson, our deputy leader. Note: this event is additional to the listings in the Agenda & Directory. STCC, Waterfront Suite 4 Liberal Democrat Education Association Key Issues in Education for 2018 and LDEA Annual General Meeting Join Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran MP to debate todayÕs key issues in education. From early years policy to the funding of further education, the Liberal Democrats will have a distinctive voice this year. Meeting includes short AGM. Note: change of subject and speakers Ð swapped with Saturday lunchtime meeting. Ramada Plaza, Hesketh 2 Fringe Saturday mid evening 19.45Ð21.00 Lib Dem Women The MacDonald Review and The Parasram Report Ð the way forward from here Confirmed speakers are: Isabelle Parasram, barrister and Co Vice Chair LDW and Dr Christine Cheng, lecturer in War Studies at King College, London. The panel will be chaired by Elizabeth Jewkes. Note: this event is additional to the listings in the Agenda & Directory. Ramada Plaza, Hesketh 3 Q&A sessions Saturday 10 March 10.15Ð11.15 Work and Welfare with Stephen Lloyd, Ben Stoneham and Christine Jardine (TBC). STCC, Waterfront Suite 1 11.30Ð12.30 Foreign Affairs with Jo Swinson and Shas Sheehan. STCC, Waterfront Suite 1 Timetable for Saturday 10 March 09.00Ð09.10 F1 Opening of conference 09.10Ð09.30 F2 Report: Federal Conference Committee 10 F3 Report: Federal Policy Committee 10 09.30Ð10.15 F4 Policy motion: Local Government and Housing 10 10.15Ð11.00 F5 Policy motion: Exit from Brexit 12 11.00Ð11.20 F6 Speech: Ed Davey MP 11.20Ð12.50 F7 Policy motion: Every Child Empowered: Education for a Changing World (Education Policy Paper) 12 12.50Ð14.10 Lunch 14.10Ð15.35 F8 Policy motion: A Rural Future: Time to Act (Rural Communities Policy Paper) 14 15.35Ð16.20 F9 Q&A session: Vince Cable MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats 14 16.20Ð17.05 F10 Report: Federal Board 14 F11 Report: Campaign for Gender Balance 16 F12 Constitutional Amendment: General Data Protection Regulations Implementation and Risk Management 17.05Ð18.00 F13 Business motion: Reforming our PartyÕs Disciplinary Processes 16 F14 Constitutional amendment: Macdonald Review Implementation 17 If no page number is indicated next to a session or item of business, there are no changes or additional information to that in the Conference Agenda & Directory. Please note that timings are approximate only. Some items of business may occur earlier than indicated. Members wishing to speak are requested to submit a speakerÕs card as soon as possible. Saturday 10 March Daily announcements and updates to the Agenda for Saturday 10 March. F2 Report: Federal Conference Committee Q1 Submitted by: Malcolm Mitchell Why, when Early Bird Registration for this Conference became available in November, was it not made clear that Consultative Sessions would start on Friday Afternoon? Q2 Submitted by: Theo Butt Philip The report of the Campaign for Gender Balance states: ÒÉwe only ran seven training modules at Federal Conference because of a lack of training slots - a massive drop since 2007 when we ran 32 workshops. Half of the 2007 workshops were open to all comers and were a vital part of our mission to improve the culture of the Party in order to make it more open and welcoming to women. Sadly we no longer have access to as many training rooms at Conference.Ó Why has the Campaign for Gender Balance seen such a reduction in the number of training rooms it has access to? Q3 Submitted by: Sarah Brown What measures will FCC be taking to ensure that member submitted motions receive a fair hearing against the ÒAshdown PrizeÓ motion submission? Q4 Submitted by: Jennie Rigg How does entering the Ashdown Prize competition differ from using the Party provided drafting advice service? F3 Report: Federal Policy Committee Q1 Submitted by: David Grace What steps has the committee taken to increase the transparency of the appointment of working groups and the opportunity for members across the whole country to participate whatever their financial circumstances? In particular how can members find out about such opportunities and are there any plans to reduce or share the financial burden, for example by the use of travel pools? Q2 Submitted by: Jennie Rigg What is FPCÕs view on the Your Liberal Britain group? F4 Policy motion: Local Government and Housing The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendment to the motion: In 6. (line 74), after Ôcouncil housingÕ insert: Ôand Section 106 agreementsÕ. Amendment One Haringey and Southwark Mover: Nicholas da Costa. Summation: to be announced. After D. (line 15) insert: E. That Conservative and Labour Councils are undertaking vast development projects, such as the Haringey Development Vehicle, the Sunderland Development Vehicle and the Heygate Estate in Southwark, which mean social housing is under threat and creates ÔghettoisationÕ of council estates and developments. F. That Liberal Democrat-controlled Sutton Council has developed a fully council-owned development company which is delivering more social and affordable homes. In F. (line 19) after ÔpropertyÕ insert Ôas local authorities are failing to deliver the number of social homes requiredÕ. After F. (line 19) insert: G. That modest income earners in the private and charity sectors have little opportunity to enter into shared ownership schemes. H. That many young people are unable to afford to buy their own homes and end up being part of ÔGeneration RentÕ. After viii) (line 51) insert: Conference condemns: I. Housing developments that put residents under threat, without consultation, where private developers are being given large swathes of land and property. II. The practice of Ôpoor doorsÕ on housing developments, where social tenants are segregated within developments, which encourages ÔghettoisationÕ. After 6. (line 76) add: 7. Legislation against Ôpoor doorsÕ and similar segregation of social and affordable housing residents in new developments. 8. Redevelopments not to result in the reduction of social housing. 9. A right to return for all residents on the same terms as their pre-regeneration tenancy. 10. A provision for shared ownership units to be built into development projects. Background Briefing This motion develops policy on the powers and responsibilities of local government over housing. In particular it strengthens their borrowing powers, their powers over the use of publicly owned land, and the use of receipts from the sale of council houses. Existing policy is set out in the 2017 General Election Manifesto Change BritainÕs Future, policy motions An End to Homelessness (2016) and Building the Affordable Homes We Need (2015) and policy paper 104, Decent Homes for All (2012). F5 Policy motion: Exit from Brexit The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendment to the motion: After a) (line 16) insert: b) The European Commission has now released draft legal text of the Withdrawal Agreement, based on outline agreement from December. Background Briefing This motion updates party policy on Brexit in light of the agreements reached between the UK and the EU27 last December and the release by the European Commission of the draft text of the Withdrawal Agreement. Existing policy is set out in policy motion Opposing Brexit (September 2017). F7 Policy motion: Every Child Empowered: Education for a Changing World (Education Policy Paper) The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion: In line 24, delete Ôthe approach ofÕ. After 5. c) (line 57) insert: d) Introducing a new Ôduty of candourÕ on all schools, including academies, free schools and Multi Academy Trusts, similar to that which applies to suppliers of services in the NHS. In 6. a) (line 60) delete Ôa broad and balanced curriculumÕ and insert Ôa revised national curriculumÕ. Delete 7. c) (lines 78Ð80) and insert: c) Scrapping mandatory SATs tests at KS2 and replacing them with a combination of a moderated teacher assessment at the end of each phase and a lighter touch standardised test to ensure consistency. Amendment One 14 members Mover: Gideon Amos. Summation: Bill Revans. After 9. (line 103) add: Conference does not support proposals in the paper requiring all home educators to undergo biannual visits by local authority representatives to ensure an appropriate education unless concerns exist and in such cases a meeting in a neutral location or a written report, with an opportunity to respond, must be offered as alternatives. Conference reaffirms the policy, set out in the 2017 General Election Manifesto Change BritainÕs Future, that a slimmed down national curriculum would only be required to be taught in state-funded schools and not in the home, where parents must provide an education suitable to the age, ability, aptitude and to any special educational needs of the child. Amendment Two ALDC Mover: Cllr Clare Campion-Smith. Summation: to be announced. Delete a) (lines 51Ð53) and insert: a) Giving local authorities with responsibility for education the remit and resources to act as Strategic Education Authorities for their area, including responsibility for places planning, exclusions, admissions including in-year admissions, and SEND functions. In b) (line 54) after ÔCommissionersÕ insert Ôand give local authorities with responsibility for education task of promoting high standards across the state sectorÕ. Delete 5. c) (lines 55Ð57) and insert: c) Creating a level playing field by requiring MATs to undergo external inspection and allowing local authorities to open new Community Schools where needed. Amendment Three LGBT+ Liberal Democrats Mover: Jess Insall. Summation: Zo‘ OÕConnell. After E. (line 15) insert: F. Restrictive school uniform policies followed by many schools reinforce negative gender stereotypes, with girls often forced to wear restrictive and objectifying uniforms. This is detrimental for pupils of all genders and severely detrimental and exclusionary for non-binary and transgender pupils. After 9. (line 103) add: Conference also calls for schools to be required to provide inclusive, non-prescriptive, gender-neutral school uniform policies and for adequate training for school staff on how to review and improve their school uniform policies. Amendment Four 17 members Mover: Janet Grauberg. Summation: Helen Flynn. Delete 1. a) (lines 29Ð30) and insert: a) Working towards parity of per-pupil funding between post-16 and 5-16 funding, and commit to at least protect per-pupil funding in real terms from 5-19. Background Briefing This motion and the accompanying policy paper substantially update and develop policy on education from early years to age 19. In particular they develop policies on reform of the school accountability system, the quality of teaching, the treatment of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and education funding. Existing policy is set out in the 2017 General Election Manifesto Change BritainÕs Future, policy paper 119, Protecting Public Services and Making Them Work for You (2014), and policy paper 110, Learning for Life (2013). Policy on grammar schools specifically is set out in policy motion Young People and Grammar Schools (2016) and policy on term-time holdays is set out in policy motion Term Time Holidays (2015). F8 Policy motion: A Rural Future: Time to Act (Rural Communities Policy Paper) The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion: In line 30, delete Ôthe approach ofÕ. In 4. a) (lines 69Ð70) delete Ôthe context of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)Õ and insert Ôagricultural policyÕ. After a) (line 72) insert: b) Replacing or reforming the Common Agricultural Policy to have a sustainable land management policy, which would target public and private money to reward farmers and land managers who invest in natural capital, as well as supporting the sustainable production of high quality food. In b) (line 73) delete ÔCAPÕ and insert ÔfarmÕ. Background Briefing This motion and accompanying policy paper substantially update and develop policy on rural communities. In particular they propose measures to increase the availability of affordable housing in rural areas, protect and improve rural services, promote the rural economy and tourism and reform agricultural policy. Existing policy is set out in the 2017 General Election Manifesto Change BritainÕs Future, policy paper 113, Prosperous, Sustainable and Secure (2013), and policy paper 52, Rural Futures (2002). F9 Question and Answer Session: Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Hall Aide: Zo‘ OÕConnell (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee). F10 Report: Federal Board Q1 Submitted by: Alisdair Calder McGregor Can the Federal Board provide Conference with the conclusions of the review it was required to undertake by Article 21 of the Leadership Election Regulations, and in particular: A) Any consideration it has made into how GDPR will affect future leadership elections. B) The disparity between how an uncontested leadership election results in a coronation, while other uncontested party votes require a run-off versus a ÔRe-Open NominationsÕ option. C) What the Federal BoardÕs conclusion on diversity measures was. Q2 Submitted by: Michael Meadowcroft Will the General Election Review enable the evidence leading to his sacking as candidate for Bradford East to be given to David Ward? Q3 Submitted by: Spencer Hagard Could you please tell us whether the Federal Board, the FPC, and other elements of Party governance, are using scenario planning to devise strategy, as is happening increasingly among corporate and public bodies, as a way to survive and get ahead in a world that is increasingly disrupted, uncertain and complex. If so, could you mention one or two examples of its use by the Party. Q4 Submitted by: Alisdair McGregor On what basis is Party owned data and the use of email address lists provided to external organisations such as Your Liberal Britain? Q5 Submitted by: Alisdair McGregor The Electoral Commission website lists a £10,000 donation from the Party to Your Liberal Britain. What was the source of the donation, and what are the objectives and success/failure metrics of the donation? Q6 Submitted by: Jennie Rigg As Liberal Democrats we rightly champion democracy, openness, transparency and accountability. Can you tell me how those principles apply to the running of Your Liberal Britain, which styles itself as an independent grassroots organisation, yet is run by someone with an HQ staff pass, and appears from information on the electoral commission website to be heavily funded by HQ; and yet has no elected officers, and while it reports to FPDC (and some other party bodies in some circumstances) the reports and responses to them are not published, and none of those party bodies have any power over it? Q7 Submitted by: Jennie Rigg Over the last 18 months I have received multiple emails from party luminaries as diverse as Vince Cable, Sal Brinton and Dick Newby promoting Your Liberal Britain. How can SAOs such as LGBT+ Lib Dems access similar levels of promotion from HQ? Q8 Submitted by: Jennie Rigg The Electoral Commission website lists a £10,000 donation from HQ to Your Liberal Britain. How can SAOs such as LGBT+ Lib Dems access similar levels of financial support from HQ? Q9 Submitted by: Theo Butt Philip The report of the Campaign for Gender Balance states: ÒWe have also gone backwards in terms of budget. We had a budget of around £30,000 pa when we were first set up. Things are very different now. We have no dedicated budget from the Party. We have limited staff support from the excellent and hard working Natalie Chindipha as part of her Diversity remit. And we can bid for limited funds from the Diversity Team budget.Ó Given that the 2005 motion to turn the Gender Balance Task Force into the Campaign for Gender Balance included the lines: ÒConference calls forÉThe Federal Executive to ensure the Campaign for Gender Balance is adequately funded in order to carry out its functions in finding, training and developing female candidatesÓ. Why does the CGB no longer have a dedicated budget from the party and does the Federal Board believe it is meeting the requirement placed upon it by conference to ensure the Campaign for Gender Balance is adequately funded? Q10 Submitted by: Theo Butt Philip Is the Party and/or the CGB in a position to publish in future reports to conference: 1. The number of women selected as PPCs, what this is as a percentage of selected PPCs overall and how this has changed since the last conference? 2. The number of women on the list of approved Westminster candidates and what this is as a percentage of the list and how this has changed since the last conference? 3. The number of women applying to be approved as Westminster candidates and what this is as a percentage of people applying to be approved as Westminster candidates? 4. An brief assessment of how the 2016 Electing Diverse MPs motion is being implemented by Federal, State and Regional and Local Parties in terms of gender balance? F11 Report: Campaign for Gender Balance Q1 Submitted by: Theo Butt Philip When the Campaign for Gender Balance was set up it had clear targets of a least 40% of new MPs and at least 25% of total MPs to be women after the next (2005) General Election. Whilst those targets were not met at the subsequent (2010) General Election, they were exceeded at the most recent General Election (2017). Are the CGB currently working to revised targets and if so what are they? F13 Business motion: Reforming our PartyÕs Disciplinary Processes Amendment One 12 members Mover: Margaret Joachim. Summation: Margaret Joachim. In iv) (line 41) after ÔadjudicatorsÕ insert Ôand investigatorsÕ. In 1. (line 46) delete Ôless than 50Õ and insert Ôfewer than 40Õ. In 1. (line 49), delete Ôreport their appointment to ConferenceÕ and insert Ôsubmit the list of names for approval by a vote of Federal ConferenceÕ. After 1. (line 49) insert: 2. The Federal Board shall appoint a pool of no fewer than 15 investigators who shall be required to undergo an approval process and shall not sit on any regional, state or federal party committee, and that the Federal Board shall submit the list of names for approval by a vote of Federal Conference. F14 Constitutional Amendment: Macdonald Review Implementation The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion: After line 1, insert: In Article 3.1 (a), after Ôgender, Õ insert Ôgender identity, Õ. In 22.9 (lines 161Ð162) delete Ôthe case shall be dismissedÕ and insert Ôthe original decision shall standÕ. After 22.15 (line 251) insert: 22.16 The civil burden of proof, Ôbalance of probabilitiesÕ, shall be used for the purposes of these disciplinary procedures. Amendment One 12 members Mover: Margaret Joachim. Summation: Margaret Joachim. In 22.1 (line 50) delete Ô50Õ and insert Ô40Õ. In 22.1 (line 52) delete ÔThis list shall be reported to Federal ConferenceÕ and insert ÔNo adjudicator may serve concurrently as an investigator. One adjudicator shall be designated Lead Adjudicator; this nomination shall be individually approved by a vote of the Federal Conference. The adjudicators list shall also be approved by a vote of the Federal Conference.Õ After section 22.1 (line 53) insert: 22.2 There shall be an investigators list which shall consist of 15 investigators nominated by the Federal Board, of whom at least three shall be members of each State Party. No investigator may serve concurrently as an adjudicator. This list shall be approved by a vote of the Federal Conference. In 22.2 (line 54), after ÔadjudicatorÕ insert Ôand investigatorÕ. In 22.2 (line 66), after Ôappointment.Õ insert ÔConfirmation of such appointment shall be obtained by a vote of the first Federal Conference following the appointmentÕ. After 22.4 a) (line 73) insert: b) An investigator is a person appointed from the investigatorsÕ list to carry out an investigation into a complaint. In 22.8 (line 141), delete from ÔinvestigatingÕ to the end of line 144 and insert Ôappointing an investigator to investigate the case and produce a written report. The investigator will present the case to the Disciplinary Panel on behalf of the Party. The initial adjudicator shall not be permitted to sit on any disciplinary panel relating to the case in questionÕ. In 22.13 (line 209) after ÔtheÕ insert ÔinitialÕ. In 22.13 (line 210) delete ÔAÕ and insert ÔThe investigatorÕsÕ. There will be a separate vote on lines 36Ð41. Sunday 11 March Advance notice for Sunday 11 March. F15 Party Strategy: Ambitious for our Country, Ambitious for our Party The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendment to the motion: In lines 39Ð40, after Ôopen society,Õ insert Ôsocial justice includingÕ. Amendment One 52 members Mover: Callum Robertson. Summation: Joe Otten. Delete D. (lines 33Ð35) and insert: D. Working with those on all sides of politics who share goals with us to achieve them. F18 Policy motion: The NHS at 70 The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendment to the motion: Delete e) (line 62) and insert: e) The re-establishment of the NHS bursaries for nursing students and students of allied health professions. In 2. (line 73) after Ômental health careÕ insert Ôare reduced toÕ. After 6. (line 85) insert: 7. Work to prevent people becoming ill by reversing the Conservative GovernmentÕs £531 million cuts to local councilsÕ Public Health Services since 2015, and work with local authorities to tackle the social determinants of health over a range of issues including diet, drinking, exercise, education, employment, the environment and housing. Emergency motions ballot One of the following motions will be selected by ballot to be debated as F17 at 10.10 on Sunday 11 March. The ballot paper, attached to the back of the printed Conference Daily or available from the Information Desk in the STCC, should be returned to the ballot box in the Auditorium in the STCC between 09.00 and 12.50 on Saturday 10 March. Emergency Motion 1: Escalation of Conflict in Syria 20 members Conference deeply regrets: A. The on-going civil war in Syria, in which 500,000 have been people killed, and over half the population internally or internationally displaced. B. The failure of the international community to prevent an escalation with new belligerents entering the conflict since it began seven years ago, and failure to place sufficient pressure on key actors in order to facilitate a single, unified negotiated peace process. Conference condemns: i) The recent re-escalation of violence across Syria, in particular the indiscriminate attacks by the Syrian government on its own civilian citizens blockaded in Eastern Ghouta, and the illegal attack by Turkish forces on the enclave of Afrin, with the consent of the Russian Federation. ii) The Syrian GovernmentÕs, and their Russian alliesÕ, refusal to adhere to a UN mandated ceasefire, and their continued violation of international humanitarian law. Conference notes UNSC Resolution 2401 (2018) of 24th February 2018 which provides for a cessation of hostilities by all belligerents, and inter alia for humanitarian access and relief during an initial 30-day period. Conference supports: a) A new UNSC resolution being proposed with greater sanctions on belligerents that are shown to be non-compliant with UNSC 2401 (2018) in the Secretary GeneralÕs report of 11th March 2018, proposing new international monitoring. b) The 30-day ceasefire agreed in UNSC Resolution 2401 (2018) being followed by an extension during which time there should be unification of peace negotiations under UN auspices. c) The position that the ceasefire required by UNSC 2401 (2018) should include the Turkish invasion of Afrin. d) Working with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to give effect to these positions. Conference calls for the UK government to: 1. Comply fully with the letter and spirit of the provisions of UNSC 2401 (2018). 2. Provide urgent asylum in the UK to the most critically wounded civilians in need of evacuation from Eastern Ghouta. 3. Continue to provide financial and technical support to countries in the region directly and via the European Union, in particular Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, who are hosting the vast majority of Syrian refugees. Applicability: Federal. Emergency Motion 2: Fixing Rail Franchising 13 members Conference notes with concern that: i) On 5 February, the Government announced that Virgin Trains East Coast had broken its financial covenant and will cease operating within months. ii) This is the third time in 11 years that the company operating the InterCity East Coast franchise has collapsed due to financial difficulties. iii) Passengers on the Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern lines continue to face disruption, with the National Audit Office in January describing the franchise as having Òthe worst performance on the rail networkÓ. Conference believes that: a) Railways are run as a service to passengers, not as a cash cow for the Government. b) Virgin Trains East Coast vastly overbid for the contract, as was recognised in the commercial press at the time. c) Network Rail failed to deliver on its commitments to improve the unreliable infrastructure on the East Coast Main Line. d) The fact that parent company Stagecoach has lost £200 million is of little compensation to passengers who will view the early termination of the contract as a bailout. e) It is absurd that the Government has no legal basis to sanction Stagecoach for failing to meet the terms of its contract. f) The repeated failures of the InterCity East Coast and Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchises reveal weaknesses in the franchising system that need to be urgently addressed. Conference believes that the failures at Virgin Trains East Coast and at Govia Thameslink Railway rise to the level of breach of contract and calls on the Government to pass control of both franchises to the Government-run Ôoperator of last resortÕ as an interim measure. Conference calls on the Government to reform the franchising system more widely by: 1. Awarding future franchises on a rolling basis, using the quality of previous franchises a company has held as part of the evaluation of future bids. 2. Banning companies that substantially breach the terms of their contract from bidding for future franchises for a period of time. 3. Allowing public sector bodies to bid for franchises and supporting mutual groups involving staff and passengers to make bids in the near future. 4. Giving local authorities and city regions a greater role in commissioning or operating franchises in their area, for example, by giving Transport for London responsibility for London suburban rail services. Applicability: England. Emergency Motion 3: Small business and public procurement 10 members Conference notes that the recent collapse of Carillion has exposed major problems with the way current public procurement practices affect small businesses. These include late payments to subcontractors by major government contractors, weak protection for subcontractors when those major contractors fail, and above all the reliance of government procurement on large multinational firms at the expense of small- and medium-sized companies (SMEs). Conference notes with concern the specific implications of CarillionÕs collapse for thousands of small businesses as reported by the media: a) CarillionÕs collapse has left 30,000 small firms unpaid, with creditors only expected to recover 0.8 to 6.6 pence of every pound; CarillionÕs failure therefore threatens the viability of many SME subcontractors. b) Despite both being signed up to the voluntary Prompt Payment Code and bound to government regulations for public sector contractors Ð both of which require payment to subcontractors within 30 days Ð CarillionÕs average payment time was 43 days, with some firms waiting up to 120 days for payment. c) More generally, the Government is failing to meet its target of 33% spending on SMEs, with the rate falling from 27% to 24% according to the latest official figures; this is reflected in the disproportionate number of public contracts awarded to Carillion. Conference therefore calls on the Government to make the following improvements to the public procurement regime, so that small businesses are better protected when large contractors fail and such failures are themselves less likely to occur: 1. Introducing ring-fenced Òproject bank accountsÓ for major government projects delivered by the private sector, so that subcontractors are guaranteed prompt payment and do not have to worry about the main contractorsÕ financial health. 2. Requiring major government contractors to sign up to the Prompt Payment Code, alongside their existing obligations under public sector procurement regulations; both sets of rules should be rigorously monitored and enforced so that small suppliers are actually paid within 30 days; companies that repeatedly fail to meet their prompt payment obligations should be barred from future public contracts. 3. Requiring major government contractors to appoint a non-executive director responsible for the supply chain. If successful at improvement payment practices this requirement should be extended to all firms above a certain size. 4. Improving the transparency and accessibility of the public procurement regime for SMEs; central and local government should aim to increase the number of public contracts genuinely accessible to small firms, by reducing bureaucracy; raising awareness; and, where necessary, breaking up large contracts into small ones.? Applicability: Federal.