Co-op News - March 2021

The world's co-ops face up to
the challenges of inequality
CONNECTING, CHAMPIONING AND
CHALLENGING THE GLOBAL CO-OP
MOVEMENT SINCE 1871
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Manchester M60 OAS
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editorial@thenews.coop
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Rebecca Harvey I rebecca@thenews.coop
INTERNATIONAL EDITOR
Anca Voinea I anca@thenews.coop
DIGITAL EDITOR
Miles Hadfield I miles@thenews.coop
DESIGN
Keir Mucklestone-Barnett
DIRECTORS
Barbara Rainford (chair); Elaine Dean
(vice-chair); Harry Cairney; Sofygil
Crew; Tim Hartley; Phil Hartwell;
Gillian Lonergan; Beverley Perkins;
Shaz Rahman; Lesley Reznicek
Secretary: Richard Bickle
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statement is to connect, champion
and challenge the global co-operative
movement, through fair and objective
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and views set out in opinion articles
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the opinion of Co-operative News.
W @coopnews f cooperativenews
The world has been rocked by two global crises in rapid succession - it was still
coming to terms with the financial crash of 2008 when Covid-19 hit. These events
have worsened inequalities which were already systemic - between regions,
between races, between genders, between age groups. It's not surprising that we're
also seeing global movements to counter those inequalities - from the Me Too
campaign to Black Lives Matter and the youth-led Extinction Rebellion.
Equality is intrinsic to the co-op values and principles: so how is the movement
responding to the changes sweeping the world? This month we look at just some
of the steps being taken. In Britain, targets have been set by Co-operatives UK and
the Co-op Group to improve diversity at all levels (p28-29), and the movement
has stepped up its efforts to bring food justice to those going hungry during the
pandemic (p32-33).
We also look work at work being done by a number of co-op and credit union
organisations in the USA to drive inclusion and economic empowerment (p30-31),
and how the Fairtrade movement is planning to deal with new challenges to its
efforts to equalise trading arrangements for producers in the global south
(p34-35).
On gender, efforts are being made to increase participation in energy co-ops,
which will hopefully give new impetus to the transition to renewables (p36-37).
We also catch up on some of the converstions being made to improve the position
of women in the global co-op movement (p 38-39).
For the future of the co-op movement it's vital to bring in a new generation of cooperators;
this month we hear from three young voices: Sylandi Brown, who is
active in the US electric co-op movement and has been chosen as one of its 25
young voices by the International Co-operative Alliance (p42-43); and newly
elected Central England Co-operative directors Brad Tuckfield and Jody Meakin
(p40-41).
We also speak with Brian Branch as he prepares for a well-earned retirement from
the helm of the World Council of Credit Unions - we wish him all the best for his
future and thank him for his sterling work (p44-45).
There's a report from the SAOS conference where Scottish farm co-ops look to
the opportunities brought by tech in a world changed by Brexit, Covid-19 and the
climate crisis (p 26-27), while historian Natalie Bradbury looks at pioneering coop
journalist Annie Bamford Tomlinson, as part of our 150th anniversary series.
MILES HADFIELD - DIGITAL EDITOR
Co-operative News is printed using vegetable oil-based
inks on 80% recycled paper (with 60% from post-consumer
waste) with the remaining 20% produced from FSC or PEFC
certified sources. It is made in a totally chlorine free process.
MARCH 2021 I 3

THIS ISSUE
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:
Report from the SAOS conference on
Scotland's agri-co-ops (p26-27); We speak to
the Co-op Party's Preet Kaur Gill MP about the
future of Fairtrade (p34-35); UK retail co-ops
are stepping up their work on food justice
(p32-33); Brian Branch speaks to Co-op News
as he prepares to retire as head ofWoccu
(p44-45); Annie Bamford Tomlinson, a pioneer
of women's co-op journalism (p48-49)
22 MEET ... ANG HIN KEE
Chief executive of Singapore National
Co-operative Federation
38-39 WOMEN'S VOICES
Conversations with women in the global
co-operative movement
26-27 SAOS CONFERENCE
Scotland's agri-food co-ops look to a
future after Covid-19 and Brexit
28-45 EQUALITY
28-29 UK CO-OPS ON INCLUSION CEOs
Steve Murrells from the Co-op Group and
Rose Marley from
Co-operatives UK give progress updates
30-31 US CO-OPS DRIVING THE AGENDA
Initiatives by lnclusiv credit unions, the
Federation of Southern Co-operatives
and NCBA CLUSA
32-33 FOOD JUSTICE
Covid-19 has worsened food inequality.
Here's how the UK's retail co-ops and
Co-op Party are responding.
40-41 YOUTH ON BOARD
We hear from two young directors who
have been elected to the board of
Central England Co-op
42-43 Q&A WITH SYLANDRI BROWN
One of the 15 young voices of
co-operation chosen by the ICA, Sylandi
works with US electric co-ops
44-45 BRIAN BRANCH'S GOODBYE
We speak to the president and CEO of
the World Council of Credit Unions as
he prepares for retirement
48-49 ANNIE BAMFORD TOMLINSON
Another look back as Co-op News turns
150. This month, Natalie Bradford
discusses a pioneering journalist and
early voice for women in co-operation
COVER:
Sylandi Brown, one of the International
Co-operative Alliance's 25 young voices
Credit: Jordan Grimes Photography
Read more: p42-43
34-35 FAIRTRADE
The pandemic has added to pressures
facing producer co-ops. How is the
Fairtrade movement responding?
36-37 GENDER AND RENEWABLES
How can we increase women's
participation in energy co-ops?
REGULARS
5-13
14-23
24
25
46
50
UK updates
Global updates
Letters
Obituaries
Reviews
Digital events
4 I MARCH 2021

NEWS
POLITICS
Co-op Party sets out stall with response to
Starmer speech and London wish list
The Co-op Party has welcomed last
month's speech from Keir Starmer setting
out his vision for the UK.
In his first major speech on the
economy as leader of the opposition, Sir
Keir - leader of the Co-op Party's sister
organisation Labour - attacked the
government's record and attempted to
rally his party.
He called for a new savings scheme to
let people to "have a stake in our national
recovery" through bonds offering a
competitive interest rate, with the money
invested in national reconstruction.
Other pledges saw an offer of "startup
loans for 100,000 new small firms,
especially in areas outside the south-east,
and a call for a weekly £20 increase to
universal credit benefits to run beyond the
scheduled end date of 31 March.
In a comment piece for Labour List, Co-op
Party chair Jim McMahon, Labour/Co-op
MP for Oldham West, wrote: "The need
to rebuild an empowering state so it can
be fit for the challenge ahead is critical.
Without a foundation of decent public
services we cannot hope to put power,
wealth and opportunity in the hands of
working people. Only with an active state
- one that takes determined action - will
we rebuild our fragile nation."
Mr McMahon, who is transport
spokesman on Sir Keir's shadow cabinet
team, said co-ops would be crucial to this
process. "If you want to build an inclusive
economy- rooted in community, returning
.a. Labour leader Keir Starmer
value and acting in the long-term interests
of our nation - co-ops provide the answer.
"With Keir's long-standing support
of the movement, and with the shadow
chancellor [Anneliese Dodds] as one
of seven Labour and Co-operative MPs
serving on the shadow cabinet, you would
expect policies being developed to be
co-operative proof, and that is exactly
what has been delivered."
Mr McMahon said the recovery bond
and small business fund would, among
other things, create "a new generation of
co-operatives" and "give working people a
stake in the future and a dividend on the
contribution they make".
He added: "Labour's proposals would
help spread small businesses, which
are rooted in their local communities
by design. It would encourage more
businesses to consider registering
as social enterprises, co-operatives,
employee-owned businesses, as well
as establishing a preference for joint
ventures, as evidence suggests that these
are more successful and durable."
The recovery fund will also bring
investment to communities, said Mr
McMahon. "As we think ahead to the
new economy a true partnership between
government, enterprise and people will
tackle the climate crisis and support
the creation of new skilled jobs. This is
a moment to start a new chapter for our
country, one of hope and a collective
endeavour. Co-operation will be at the
forefront of our renewal."
Meanwhile, the Co-op Party's London
branch: has revealed its key policy
proposals ahead of the Mayoral and
Greater London Authority (GLA) elections
in May 2021 and local authority elections
in 2022.
The Party's manifesto, Building Common
Ground, calls on the London mayor to
implement several co-operative policies.
These include a Co-operative Commission,
modelled on those in Wales and Greater
Manchester, to identify barriers to the
growth of the sector. The Party also wants
a Co-operative Development Agency for
the city, to foster the development of small
co-ops, credit unions, renters' unions and
supporters' trusts.
It also calls for a co-operative approach
to public transport via a revitalised
London Transport User Group, with
all season ticket holders automatically
made members. The group would have
the right to elect a representative to
the board of Transport for London.
Other key asks are involving individuals
and community groups in local strategic
planning, and a citizen's assembly to sit
in parallel with the upcoming UN climate
summit in Glasgow.
The Party would also like 16- and
17-year-olds to have the right to vote
in London elections, (as they do in
equivalent elections in Scotland and
Wales), alongside an expansion in
co-operative education.
Developed by Party members in
London, the manifesto incorporates their
ideas and experiences, as well as those
of councillors and candidates working
within local government, co-operative
housing, healthcare, co-operative
education and credit unions in the city.
The Party is running 17 joint Labour
& Co-operative London Assembly
candidates in May.
Other activity from the Party has seen
Luke Pollard, shadow environment
secretary and Labour / Co-op MP for
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, call on
the government to reverse its decision to
lift the ban on bee-killing pesticides.
He has written a letter to the Prime
Minister and is asking for people to cosign
the letter in support of his request.
You can read and co-sign the letter on
the Co-op Party website.
MARCH 2021 I 5

MUTUALS
MP writes to LV= chief executive for answers on its demutualisation
The chair of the All-Party Parliamentary
Group for Mutuals, Gareth Thomas, has
written to the CEO of LV=, Mark Hartigan,
for answers about the demutualisation of
its life and pensions business.
Mr Thomas, Labour/Co-op MP for Harrow
West, invited Mr Hartigan to give evidence
to an inquiry by the group into the matter.
He has also invited Matt Popoli, who is
leading the bid by US private investor Bain
Capital's £530m bid to the 178-year-old
mutual, to answer questions.
Mr Thomas said the bid is "particularly
controversial as other deals, such as
a £540m bid from fellow mutual the
Royal London Group, which would have
permitted the company to retain its
mutual status, have been rebuffed".
Mr Thomas said: "We look forward to
hearing Mr Hartigan's evidence for the
demutualisation of Liverpool Victoria. We
are keen to understand why he thinks such
a move is in the interests of LV's current
owners; their members and similarly why
he thinks it might be good for consumers
and for competition."
LV=, one of Britain's biggest financial
mutuals, was founded in 1843 and traded
for most of its life as Liverpool Victoria.
The sale in December 2020 of the life and
pensions business to Bain Capital follows
the sale of LV= General Insurance to
Allianz in 2019.
Mr Thomas said: "Members of the
parliamentary group are concerned at
what impact the sale will have on LV=
members, the insurance industry and
competition and choice in financial
services. We are also interested in whether
the LV= decision reflects weaknesses in
the government and regulators' views and
support of mutuals."
A spokesperson for LV = said: "As part of
this process, we have already proactively
offered the chair of the APPG for Mutuals
a detailed discussion on the transaction
with Bain Capital. We welcome the
opportunity to more formally explain
why Bain Capital was singular in offering
not only an excellent financial outcome
for members but also an unrivalled and
long-term commitment to LV='s future
prospects, business and people."
When it announced the sale in
December 2020, LV= said the move would
deliver "an excellent financial outcome
for members with greater security and
enhanced distributions for with-profits
members" and emerged from a "boardled,
comprehensive and rigorous strategic
review". It said the sale "maintains
competition and choice for customers."
But Mr Thomas said: "Bain are a wellknown
American private equity giant.
They have been accused in the past of
buying up businesses, then funding the
purchase through corporate debt loaded
onto the books of the company they're
buying, cutting jobs and other costs only
to sell up at a heavy profit.
"Even more worrying, the sale seems to
be going forward without proper scrutiny.
The LV= board is attempting to do away
with the democratic process which would
usually require a majority of members to
approve any move to demutualise, and
have banned the media from attending
online member meetings about the
sale. Policyholders cannot even find out
how much they will receive if the sale
goes through. We're looking forward to
understanding the plans prepared by
the board of LV= through the evidence
Mark Hartigan offers us, but we're also
.&. Gareth Thomas MP
keen to hear direct from Bain themselves
to properly understand their plans for the
future of LV=."
► The APPG says it will also seek evidence
from mutual sector experts and financial
analysts. It is keen to hear from other
individuals and organisations and with
an interest in this Inquiry. The deadline
for the submission of written evidence is
Friday 5 March and the APPG plans to
hold a number of oral evidence sessions
in the first quarter of 2021, before
publishing its inquiry report. Evidence
can be submitted to the APPG Secretariat
at appg@mutuo.coop
BANKING
Co-op Bank reports
improved loss of £100m
The Co-operative Bank has recorded a pretax
loss of £103.?m (down from £152.lm in
2019) for the year to 31 December 2020.
The Bank said it had enjoyed a resilient
financial performance in challenging
environment, with its performance targets
met or exceeded in line with its plan.
Updated guidance expects it to return to
profitability from 2021.
CEO Nick Slape said: "Our priority
has been to provide customers with
the support and reassurance they have
needed during this period and to navigate
a challenging retail banking market and
uncertain economic conditions.
"We end the year having delivered a
resilient financial performance that is
in line with our plan at this stage in our
transformation, and having completed
a number of key milestones including
separation of IT systems from the Co-op
Group, improved digital journeys for our
customers, and the issuance of £200m of
MREL-qualifying debt.
The Bank is no longer owned by
the the Co-op Group following the
financial crisis of 2012. But it has kept
the name in line with its ethical policy
and support for the movement via
the Hive, a co-op support body delivered
by Co-operatives UK.
MARCH 2021 I 7

HOUSING
New rules, new funding
as government looks at
the housing sector
Members of the Confederation of
Co-operative Housing (CCH) are being
invited to an online meeting with the
Regulator of Social Housing to discuss a
new framework for tenants.
This follows the publication of the
Charter for Social Housing Residents, a
white paper setting out the government's
plans following a consultation green paper
published after the Grenfell fire tragedy.
The meeting will take place online on
18 March at 2pm with Jonathan Walters,
deputy chief executive of the Regulator of
Social Housing. It will give CCH members
the chance discuss what the forthcoming
changes mean for co-ops.
While much of the white paper is
welcomed by the CCH, the organisation
has raised a list of issues that will be
covered at the meeting:
• Regulation of safety and consumer issues
• A responsible person for health and safety
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
and electrical systems
• New tenant satisfaction measures
• Perception of crime
• Information on how money is spent
• Engagement with tenants
• A Responsible Person for the Consumer
Standards
• Decent Homes Standard review
• Anti-social behaviour review
• Access to skills on mental health
• Requirement to have a domestic abuse
policy
• The Housing Ombudsman Service
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Housing,
Communities & Local Government has
allocated £4m to help community-based
organisations prepare bids for the £11.Sbn
Affordable Homes Programme - which
aims to provide up to 180,000 new
homes across the country while helping
to diversify the homebuilding sector,
improving design, sustainability and
build quality.
CCH chief executive, Blase Lambert,
said: "I welcome the government's
renewed commitment to supporting
communities that want to access grant to
build new affordable homes in England
as demonstrated by its announcement of
£4m in revenue support.
"The sector's lobbying, led by Catherine
Harrington at the National CLT Network,
has delivered much needed new resource
that will enable many communities to
make significant progress with their
plans to deliver affordable homes using
the various approaches and models of
community led housing."
CREDIT UNIONS
Call goes out to save the voices of a movement for posterity
Work to record and preserve memories of
credit union pioneers has continued under
lockdown, thanks to a dedicated team
of volunteers.
The Credit Union Foundation's Save and
Sound Project, funded by the National
Lottery Heritage Fund, has moved online,
with eight volunteers - trained by the
Oral History Society - using a podcasting
platform to conduct interviews across the
north of England.
The interviews will become part of the
national oral history collection cared for
by the British Library where they will be
available to generations of researchers.
The project has interviews lined up for the
coming months but is still keen for people
with memories of credit unions before the
year 2000 to get in touch and share their
stories. The online platform means people
can see each other but only the sound
is recorded.
So that audio quality can be assured,
people sharing their memories are provided
with a microphone and headphones, as
well as full instructions.
Volunteer Nancy Gray is new to credit
unions but says she feels "very privileged
and excited to be part of this project
recording the history of the movement
and the contribution it has made to
bettering the financial health of so many of
its members."
Another volunteer, Co-op News'
international editor Anca Voinea, has
volunteered because she wants to "help tell
the stories of some of north of England's
credit union pioneers".
Project manager Abbie Shelton said: "We
have already recorded some fascinating
stories; I am really thankful for all the
advice we have received, and I am proud of
our volunteers who have risen admirably to
the challenge of learning new technologies
and techniques.
"We are really grateful to everyone
who has already come forward, but we
are still looking for more people to share
their story. No matter what role you
played in a credit union, your memories
will help us tell the story of early credit
unions and raise awareness of credit
union heritage."
► If you are interested in contributing
your memories to the project, or have photos
or other items that you could share, email
abbie.shelton@c redit unionfoundation.
org.uk or visit s.coop/2ke2d
8 I MARCH 2021

GLOBAL
Campaign to
create a '10,000 strong'
network of young credit
union professionals
The World Council of Credit Unions'
youth programme has launched a '10,000
Strong!' campaign in a bid to form the
largest global network of young credit
union professionals.
The World Council's Young Credit
Union Professionals network (WYCUP)
began as a scholarship programme and
now offers a platform for young credit
union professionals and their advocates
to connect internationally.
The campaign encourages people to
join the WYCUP Affiliates Network and
Council, which are open to all young credit
union professionals and their advocates.
The WYCUP Affiliates Council is a
monthly round-table discussion among
leadership from networks around the
world, as well as advocates for young
people in jurisdictions where formal
networks do not currently exist.
With the launch of the 10,000 Strong!
campaign, WYCUP has redesigned its
website and will convene the first monthly
meeting of the WYCUP Affiliates Council
on 16 February. That gathering will
include up to 70 representatives from local
networks around the world.
.&. Credit union professionals attending a WYCUP event
In 2021, the WYCUP Affiliates Council is
aiming to:
• Strengthen communication channels
between local networks
• Support the formation of new local
networks
• Expand engagement opportunities
and speaking roles for young people at
virtual events
• Promote an exchange of ideas to
develop shared resources.
Thomas Belekevich, WYCUP director,
said: "This is an exciting time for
WYCUP as we work to bridge the
leadership gap. After a year of separation,
we're coming back together stronger
than before.
"That strength comes from recognising
that our local efforts have a global impact
when we collaborate effectively. WYCUP
is expanding horizons by empowering
youth to be part of the solution and
- in the process - strengthening the
relevance of financial co-operatives in
the eyes of young professionals and
members everywhere."
WYCUP is bridging the leadership gap
as part of Worldwide Foundation for
Credit Unions' awareness and fundraising
campaign called 'Bridge the Gap,' which
aims to help the global credit union
movement bridge four key inclusion gaps
that have been further exposed by the
Covid-19 pandemic.
► You can sign up to the WYCUP Affiliates
Network at wycup.org
GLOBAL
Credit unions join forces to launch
website campaigning for 8th co-op principle
A number of US credit unions have come
together to launch deitalks.com, a website
which advocates an 8th co-operative
principle focused on diversity, equity and
inclusion (DEI).
The Local Government Federal Credit
Union (LGFCU) and Civic Federal Credit
Union (CFCU) in North Carolina and the
African-American Credit Union Coalition
(AACUC) are behind the website. They
are inviting other credit unions and
co-operatives to adopt the 8th Principle
and demonstrate their support through
the site.
Deitalks.com allows for organisations
to publicly pledge their support for the
8th principle, and encourages them to
promote the idea on their own websites
and social media channels.
"Co-operatives support the notion
that every member of a community
has an inalienable right to exercise the
doctrines presented in the co-operative
principles,'' said LGFCU and CFCU chief
executive officer Maurice Smith. "I see
an opportunity to reaffirm our values and
explore new opportunities.
"It is time to consider where diversity,
pluralism and inclusion for all of us stands
today. I think the time is right to officially
recognise the 8th Principle as part of the
credit union and co-operative philosophy."
Renee Sattiewhite, AACUC president
and CEO, added: "These values of
plurality will not be short-lived. It's the
right thing to do. Diversity, equality and
inclusion line up with our core principles
and values, and that is why it is lasting."
16 I MARCH 2021

I I
IRELAND
Glanbia dairy
co-op announces
2021 profit share
Irish dairy Glanbia Co-op has announced
its 2021 trading bonus, and says it will
continue its monthly profit distribution
for milk supplier members. The co-op will
also return €6.3m (£5.Sm) to 4,500 farmer
shareholders under the terms of the 2020
trading bonus scheme.
Glanbia says its 2021 trading bonus
scheme will reward farmer members for
purchases made from milk processor
Glanbia Ireland (GI) and its subsidiaries,
in which the co-op has a 60o/o stake.
For milk supplier members, the 2021
trading bonus is potentially worth up to
0.4 cents (0.3 pence) per litre on all milk
delivered this year. This is equivalent to
up to €2,000 (£1,700) for a 500,000-litre
supplier spending over 8 cents (7 pence)
per Ii tre with GI.
At the end of this year, the total spend
will be divided by the total litres of
milk delivered to generate a cent-perlitre
input spend for each member. The
applicable trading bonus will be paid in
February 2022.
For grain growers, there's a trading
bonus of up to €10 (£9) per tonne of
grain supplied.
Beef and sheep farmer members will
qualify for a feed trading bonus of €10
(£9) per tonne on beef, dairy and sheep
feed products purchased from GI. And
there's €3 (£2.60) per tonne available to
qualifying co-op members on purchases
of pig feed and straights.
Eligibility for feed bonus payments is
confined to non-milk suppliers in 2021.
The dividend the co-op receives from
GI, which equates to 30o/o its annual profit
after tax, is ring-fence for distribution to
active farmer members of Glanbia Co-op.
The share of GI profit payment for 2021
is 0.4 cents (0.3 pence) per litre (plus VAT).
Australia's biggest credit union rebrands as bank
Credit Union Australia (CUA) has confirmed
it has registered a new trading name of
Great Southern Bank which takes it one
step closer to becoming Australia's largest
customer-owned banking organisation.
"For 75 years we've remained steadfastly
focused on helping all Australians own
their own home," said CEO Paul Lewis. "To
continue that journey, our research shows
we need to change our name."
Fonterra partners with Royal DSM to lower emissions
New Zealand Dairy business Fonterra is
working with science-based company
Royal DSM to reduce its members' on-farm
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Owned
by over 10,000 farmers, Fonterra hopes the
project will reduce the emissions produced
by dairy cows and their manure, which
contribute to climate change. The new feed
will reduce methane emissions by 30o/o.
European retail co-ops to work on code of conduct
The European Commission launched
discussions with stakeholders on
designing a code of conduct for business
and marketing. Retail co-ops will be
represented in the talks by Euro Coop.
The plan will see the code emphasise the
collective role of actors along the food
chain in the transition towards a more
sustainable EU food system.
New report explores flexibility services for energy co-ops
A report from REScoop.eu - the European
federation of citizen energy co-ops - has
set out new opportunities for energy
co-ops to use 'flexibility services' to
integrate wind and solar energy into the
energy system. Methods of achieving this
flexibility include using pricing and other
market incentives.
ICA gears up for second Global Youth Forum
GYF21
25-26 March
Get trained & join
the cooperative
youth community!
The second Global Youth Forum will take
place virtually on 25-26 March. Organised
by the International Cooperative
Alliance, within the framework of ICA­
EU Partnership in collaboration with the
ICA Youth Network, the event will bring
together young professionals from
around the world. Register at
s.coop/2ke5y
MARCH 2021 I 19

YOUR VIEWS
MOTION TO CO·OP GROUP
Details of the Co-operative Insurance
Services 'partnership' with Markerstudy
were received by policyholders shortly
before Christmas in a letter of bewildering
complications. The reports of the f185m
purchase by Markerstudy (itself recently
acquired by a Qatari-based company), that
was finally completed in early December
following delays in the approval process by
the Financial Conduct Authority (no doubt
related to the protracted Brexit transition
negotiations), told a very different story to
that given to members of the Co-operative
Group previously.
Markerstudy were keen to boast of their
access to the entire Group membership
database in their ongoing partnership
with the Group - 'to target products more
relevant to members' individual needs'.
This follows the surprise announcement of a
Co-op Live f100m sponsorship deal with US
based Oak View Group and another ongoing
'partnership' with the Co-operative Group.
These so-called 'partnerships' mark a
further gross departure by the Co-operative
Group from the model developed first by
the Rochdale Pioneers as expressed in
the ICA statement of Co-operative Identity
which forms the basis of co-operatives the
world over. The gulf is now staring us all
in the face and there is an urgent need of
attention by the UK regulatory body before
any more lasting damage is done to the UK
co-operative movement. In light of this I
propose that the following motion should be
put to the Co-operative Group at this year's
Annual General Meeting:
"We the membership, call for an
immediate referral to be made on our
behalf, as owners of the Co-operative Group,
to the UK regulatory body - the Financial
Conduct Authority - to demand a review of
the constitution adopted in haste in 2014 to
reassess compliance with the ICA statement
of co-operative identity in light of recent
decisions by the executive and the board.
We need to re-establish the Co-operative
Group as an authentic co-operative in order
to restore trust and renew our purpose with
structures that properly reflect co-operative
values and principles."
For a motion to qualify to be put to the
AGM it is necessary to submit 100 copies
each signed in 'wet ink' by qualifying
Co-operative Group members at least 70
days prior to the date of the AGM (15 May
Have your say
Add your comments to our stories
on line at thenews.coop, get in touch
via social media, or send us a letter.
If sending a letter, please include
your address and contact number.
Letters may be edited and no longer
than 350 words.
Co-operative News, Holyoake
House, Hanover Street,
Manchester M60 OAS
letters@thenews.coop
"t# @coopnews
f Co-operative News
2021) - ie Saturday, 6 March 2021. This is
non-trivial especially so given the feeble
state of the current democracy.
If you wish to support progress of the
motion please email me at ian.hewitt@
phonecoop.coop for further details.
Ian Hewitt
Nottingham
The Co-op Group were approached for
comment
TRIBUTES TO BRIAN HILL
See obituary p25
So very
strength
and
sad. Thoughts, love and
to Brian's family, friends
co-operative colleagues.
Cooperative Futures
Via Twitter
So sorry to hear this. I remember Brian
did a fantastic job getting together all the
Midcounties Funeral vehicles for a 'Top
Gear' special which we filmed. It was a
fun day and he really enjoyed himself. My
condolences to his family.
.a. The Co-op Group's HQ in Manchester
Nicholas Milton
Via Twitter
24 I MARCH 2021

Nick Milton
A FAIRTRADE
FUTURE?
Fairtrade - which helps producers in growing
countries achieve sustainable and equitable
trade relationships - has a longstanding
relationship with co-operatives. Many Fairtrade
producers are organised as co-ops, and in the
UK, retail co-ops are vital supporters.
Another supporter is the Co-op Party, which
champions Fairtrade and acknowledges the
importance of ensuring sustainable livelihoods
for the farmers and workers within them, in the
context of fragile global supply chains.
The Co-op Party will continue to champion
the Fairtrade movement but it needs to rethink
the way it markets itself, said Labour/Co-op MP
Preet Kaur Gill, ahead of Fairtrade Fortnight (22
February - 7 March).
"The Co-op Party has been at the heart of the
Fairtrade movement in the UK for over 25 years,"
she adds. "Like us it is internationalist and wants
"WE NEED TO RETHINK HOW
WE MARKET FAIRTRADE ...
DIALOGUE IS SO IMPORTANT,
WE NEED TO FIND A WAY
OF INCREASING ITS
MARKET SHARE"
to spread wealth more fairly. We share the same
values and believe that Fairtrade is still the best
way of lifting farmers in the global south out
of poverty."
Ms Gill, who chairs the Co-op Party's
parliamentary group and is shadow international
development secretary, is the first Sikh female
Labour MP, representing Edgbaston.
"We all want to see the Fairtrade movement
succeed," she says, "because it is the best way
of ensuring that everyone gets an equal share
and stops the big corporations from completely
controlling the market."
Seen by many as a rising star in the Party, Ms
Gill shops at Birmingham's Bearwood, Harborne
and Quinton stores run by the Co-op Group and
Central England Co-op. Last year she took an
active role in promoting Fairtrade Fortnight in
Parliament and this year is looking forward to
joining in the online fortnight whose theme is
'Climate, Fairtrade and you'.
While Fairtrade grocery sales have grown in
the UK and around the world, non-grocery sales
have slumped, warns Michael Gidney, CEO
of the Fairtrade Foundation. Another serious
challenge has seen some supermarkets and
corporations pull out of Fairtrade certification
in favour of their own 'fairly traded' lines -
facing shoppers with a dazzling array of logos,
from red British tractors to blue sustainable fish.
This blurs the distinction for Fairtrade and has
hit its market share.
The retail co-ops are among the few big players
to stay loyal to the scheme: the most recent highprofile
defection saw KitKat announce last June
that it was severing its links with Fairtrade and
would instead source cocoa from farms in the
rival Rainforest Alliance scheme.
"Over 21,000 Co-op members signed a
petition calling on the company to reconsider.
That shows the real strength of feeling," says
Ms Gill. "We called the CEO of Nestle into
Parliament and asked them to rethink, but sadly
they didn't. That decision impacted over 27,000
farmers and producers in West Africa, many of
them women who will now earn just 74p a day."
Ms Gill believes Fairtrade needs to look
again at how it markets itself in an increasingly
competitive environment. Although co-op stores
stock only Fairtrade bananas and were the first
supermarket to do so, most of its competitors
stock bananas certified by other schemes,
alongside small quantities of Fairtrade. "We
are all familiar with buying bananas," she says.
"The non-Fairtrade ones are nearly always
34 I MARCH 2021

DIARY
With the Covid-19 crisis
affecting mobility in the UK
and across the world, many
co-op events are now taking
place online, including
some of those listed below.
If you would like to add any
virtual events taking place,
please email us at:
events@thenews.coop
Workshop:
Social economy and youth
entrepreneurship
2 March 2021
Workshop organised by Social Economy
Europe and Cooperatives Europe,
gathering young entrepreneurs in the
social economy and co-operatives,
bringing knowledge from educational
institutions, to spark an exchange on
EU initiatives aimed at supporting youth
entrepreneurship in the social economy.
c-::> s.coop/2kec8
Co-op Retail Conference
5 March 2021 •
The Co-op Retail Conference will feature
an overview of retail trends from a leading
economist, case studies from senior
co-operative retail executives, interactive
networking and a celebration of how
much has been achieved in one of the
most challenging years for retail
in modern times.
C-::> tinyur/.com/y2boy3ha
Abcul annual conference
10-11 March 2021
The largest gathering of credit union
personnel in Britain. Full details tbc.
c-::> tinyur/.com/y4d9vf4o
Just Don't Call it Conflict Resolution
24 March 2021 •
Stir to Action webinar on why conflicts
erupt and what to do about it, facilitated
by Kate Whittle, who has been involved in
the co-op sector for over 30 years. The
event will explore the pros and cons of
different conflict resolution styles.
Participants will also learn about the
different steps involved in using a
retrospective technique to resolve
team conflicts.
C-::> tinyur/.com/yyhk5bsz
CFCFE Credit Union Conference: Towards
New Business Models
29 March 2021
Covid-19, fintech and big data technology,
such as open banking, will bring change
to the financial services industry,
and credit union mergers may be one
response. This conference will look at the
implications of this.
c-::> s.coop/2kec7
Global Youth Forum
31 March 2021 •
The second edition of the Global Youth
Forum - Cooperative Entrepreneurship.
Organised by the International
Cooperative Alliance, within the
framework of ICA-EU Partnership
(#coops4dev) and in collaboration
with the ICA Youth Network, it will bring
together young co-op entrepreneurs
and professionals from all around the
world to discuss new solutions and
recommendations, learn from the best
practices, and to foster new ideas and
innovation.
C-::> s.coop/2kec5
Food Justice Conference
31 March 2021 •
Co-operatives East Midlands hosts an
on line discussion with Paul Gerrard from
the Co-op Group, Nigel Adams from Hope
Foodbank,Nottingham, and Tanya Noon
from Kandaroo.
C-::> cooperatives-em.coop
World Credit Union Conference
11-14 July 2021 •
World Council of Credit Unions' 2021
conference will feature more than 30
educational sessions with topics relevant
to all credit union leadership levels.
Delegates will also be able to network
with other attendees and industry
partners from across our international
co-operative movement. Further event
details will be available in early 2021.
C-::> tinyur/.com/y6hgh8w4
50 I MARCH 2021