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 

Holyoake House, Hanover Street, 

Manchester M60 OAS 

(00) 44 161214 0870 

www.thenews.coop 

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 

Established in 1871, Co-operative 

News is published by Co-operative 

Press Ltd, a registered society under 

the Co-operative and Community 

Benefit Society Act 2014. It is printed 

every month by Buxton Press, Palace 

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Membership of Co-operative Press is 

open to individual readers as well as 

to other co-operatives, corporate bodies 

and unincorporated organisations. 

The Co-operative News mission 

statement is to connect, champion 

and challenge the global co-operative 

movement, through fair and objective 

journalism and open and honest 

comment and debate. Co-op News 

is, on occasion, supported by co-ops, 

but final editorial control remains with 

Co-operative News unless specifically 

labelled 'advertorial'. The information 

and views set out in opinion articles 

and letters do not necessarily reflect 

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. 


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. 


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 


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." 


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 


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 


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 


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 


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 


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 


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

Co-op News - March 2021

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