Co-op News - March 2021
The March edition of Co-op News: connecting, challenging and championing the global co-operative movement. This issue looks at ways co-ops can help to drive greater equality, with initiatives on racial equity from organisations including the UK's Co-op Group and Inclusiv Credit Unions in the USA. Meanwhile work is being done by Europe's energy co-ops to increase female participation at all levels. Plus the usual updates from the movement around the world.
The March edition of Co-op News: connecting, challenging and championing the global co-operative movement. This issue looks at ways co-ops can help to drive greater equality, with initiatives on racial equity from organisations including the UK's Co-op Group and Inclusiv Credit Unions in the USA. Meanwhile work is being done by Europe's energy co-ops to increase female participation at all levels. Plus the usual updates from the movement around the world.
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The world's co-<strong>op</strong>s face up to<br />
the challenges of inequality<br />
CONNECTING, CHAMPIONING AND<br />
CHALLENGING THE GLOBAL CO-OP<br />
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The world has been rocked by two global crises in rapid succession - it was still<br />
coming to terms with the financial crash of 2008 when <strong>Co</strong>vid-19 hit. These events<br />
have worsened inequalities which were already systemic - between regions,<br />
between races, between genders, between age groups. It's not surprising that we're<br />
also seeing global movements to counter those inequalities - from the Me Too<br />
campaign to Black Lives Matter and the youth-led Extinction Rebellion.<br />
Equality is intrinsic to the co-<strong>op</strong> values and principles: so how is the movement<br />
responding to the changes sweeping the world? This month we look at just some<br />
of the steps being taken. In Britain, targets have been set by <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>eratives UK and<br />
the <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Group to improve diversity at all levels (p28-29), and the movement<br />
has stepped up its efforts to bring food justice to those going hungry during the<br />
pandemic (p32-33).<br />
We also look work at work being done by a number of co-<strong>op</strong> and credit union<br />
organisations in the USA to drive inclusion and economic empowerment (p30-31),<br />
and how the Fairtrade movement is planning to deal with new challenges to its<br />
efforts to equalise trading arrangements for producers in the global south<br />
(p34-35).<br />
On gender, efforts are being made to increase participation in energy co-<strong>op</strong>s,<br />
which will h<strong>op</strong>efully give new impetus to the transition to renewables (p36-37).<br />
We also catch up on some of the converstions being made to improve the position<br />
of women in the global co-<strong>op</strong> movement (p 38-39).<br />
For the future of the co-<strong>op</strong> movement it's vital to bring in a new generation of co<strong>op</strong>erators;<br />
this month we hear from three young voices: Sylandi Brown, who is<br />
active in the US electric co-<strong>op</strong> movement and has been chosen as one of its 25<br />
young voices by the International <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative Alliance (p42-43); and newly<br />
elected Central England <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative directors Brad Tuckfield and Jody Meakin<br />
(p40-41).<br />
We also speak with Brian Branch as he prepares for a well-earned retirement from<br />
the helm of the World <strong>Co</strong>uncil of Credit Unions - we wish him all the best for his<br />
future and thank him for his sterling work (p44-45).<br />
There's a report from the SAOS conference where Scottish farm co-<strong>op</strong>s look to<br />
the <strong>op</strong>portunities brought by tech in a world changed by Brexit, <strong>Co</strong>vid-19 and the<br />
climate crisis (p 26-27), while historian Natalie Bradbury looks at pioneering co<strong>op</strong><br />
journalist Annie Bamford Tomlinson, as part of our 150th anniversary series.<br />
MILES HADFIELD - DIGITAL EDITOR<br />
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MARCH <strong>2021</strong> I 3
THIS ISSUE<br />
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:<br />
Report from the SAOS conference on<br />
Scotland's agri-co-<strong>op</strong>s (p26-27); We speak to<br />
the <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Party's Preet Kaur Gill MP about the<br />
future of Fairtrade (p34-35); UK retail co-<strong>op</strong>s<br />
are stepping up their work on food justice<br />
(p32-33); Brian Branch speaks to <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> <strong>News</strong><br />
as he prepares to retire as head ofWoccu<br />
(p44-45); Annie Bamford Tomlinson, a pioneer<br />
of women's co-<strong>op</strong> journalism (p48-49)<br />
22 MEET ... ANG HIN KEE<br />
Chief executive of Singapore National<br />
<strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative Federation<br />
38-39 WOMEN'S VOICES<br />
<strong>Co</strong>nversations with women in the global<br />
co-<strong>op</strong>erative movement<br />
26-27 SAOS CONFERENCE<br />
Scotland's agri-food co-<strong>op</strong>s look to a<br />
future after <strong>Co</strong>vid-19 and Brexit<br />
28-45 EQUALITY<br />
28-29 UK CO-OPS ON INCLUSION CEOs<br />
Steve Murrells from the <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Group and<br />
Rose Marley from<br />
<strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>eratives UK give progress updates<br />
30-31 US CO-OPS DRIVING THE AGENDA<br />
Initiatives by lnclusiv credit unions, the<br />
Federation of Southern <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>eratives<br />
and NCBA CLUSA<br />
32-33 FOOD JUSTICE<br />
<strong>Co</strong>vid-19 has worsened food inequality.<br />
Here's how the UK's retail co-<strong>op</strong>s and<br />
<strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Party are responding.<br />
40-41 YOUTH ON BOARD<br />
We hear from two young directors who<br />
have been elected to the board of<br />
Central England <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong><br />
42-43 Q&A WITH SYLANDRI BROWN<br />
One of the 15 young voices of<br />
co-<strong>op</strong>eration chosen by the ICA, Sylandi<br />
works with US electric co-<strong>op</strong>s<br />
44-45 BRIAN BRANCH'S GOODBYE<br />
We speak to the president and CEO of<br />
the World <strong>Co</strong>uncil of Credit Unions as<br />
he prepares for retirement<br />
48-49 ANNIE BAMFORD TOMLINSON<br />
Another look back as <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> <strong>News</strong> turns<br />
150. This month, Natalie Bradford<br />
discusses a pioneering journalist and<br />
early voice for women in co-<strong>op</strong>eration<br />
COVER:<br />
Sylandi Brown, one of the International<br />
<strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative Alliance's 25 young voices<br />
Credit: Jordan Grimes Photography<br />
Read more: p42-43<br />
34-35 FAIRTRADE<br />
The pandemic has added to pressures<br />
facing producer co-<strong>op</strong>s. How is the<br />
Fairtrade movement responding?<br />
36-37 GENDER AND RENEWABLES<br />
How can we increase women's<br />
participation in energy co-<strong>op</strong>s?<br />
REGULARS<br />
5-13<br />
14-23<br />
24<br />
25<br />
46<br />
50<br />
UK updates<br />
Global updates<br />
Letters<br />
Obituaries<br />
Reviews<br />
Digital events<br />
4 I MARCH <strong>2021</strong>
NEWS<br />
POLITICS<br />
<strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Party sets out stall with response to<br />
Starmer speech and London wish list<br />
The <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Party has welcomed last<br />
month's speech from Keir Starmer setting<br />
out his vision for the UK.<br />
In his first major speech on the<br />
economy as leader of the <strong>op</strong>position, Sir<br />
Keir - leader of the <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Party's sister<br />
organisation Labour - attacked the<br />
government's record and attempted to<br />
rally his party.<br />
He called for a new savings scheme to<br />
let pe<strong>op</strong>le to "have a stake in our national<br />
recovery" through bonds offering a<br />
competitive interest rate, with the money<br />
invested in national reconstruction.<br />
Other pledges saw an offer of "startup<br />
loans for 100,000 new small firms,<br />
especially in areas outside the south-east,<br />
and a call for a weekly £20 increase to<br />
universal credit benefits to run beyond the<br />
scheduled end date of 31 <strong>March</strong>.<br />
In a comment piece for Labour List, <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong><br />
Party chair Jim McMahon, Labour/<strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong><br />
MP for Oldham West, wrote: "The need<br />
to rebuild an empowering state so it can<br />
be fit for the challenge ahead is critical.<br />
Without a foundation of decent public<br />
services we cannot h<strong>op</strong>e to put power,<br />
wealth and <strong>op</strong>portunity in the hands of<br />
working pe<strong>op</strong>le. Only with an active state<br />
- one that takes determined action - will<br />
we rebuild our fragile nation."<br />
Mr McMahon, who is transport<br />
spokesman on Sir Keir's shadow cabinet<br />
team, said co-<strong>op</strong>s would be crucial to this<br />
process. "If you want to build an inclusive<br />
economy- rooted in community, returning<br />
.a. Labour leader Keir Starmer<br />
value and acting in the long-term interests<br />
of our nation - co-<strong>op</strong>s provide the answer.<br />
"With Keir's long-standing support<br />
of the movement, and with the shadow<br />
chancellor [Anneliese Dodds] as one<br />
of seven Labour and <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative MPs<br />
serving on the shadow cabinet, you would<br />
expect policies being devel<strong>op</strong>ed to be<br />
co-<strong>op</strong>erative proof, and that is exactly<br />
what has been delivered."<br />
Mr McMahon said the recovery bond<br />
and small business fund would, among<br />
other things, create "a new generation of<br />
co-<strong>op</strong>eratives" and "give working pe<strong>op</strong>le a<br />
stake in the future and a dividend on the<br />
contribution they make".<br />
He added: "Labour's pr<strong>op</strong>osals would<br />
help spread small businesses, which<br />
are rooted in their local communities<br />
by design. It would encourage more<br />
businesses to consider registering<br />
as social enterprises, co-<strong>op</strong>eratives,<br />
employee-owned businesses, as well<br />
as establishing a preference for joint<br />
ventures, as evidence suggests that these<br />
are more successful and durable."<br />
The recovery fund will also bring<br />
investment to communities, said Mr<br />
McMahon. "As we think ahead to the<br />
new economy a true partnership between<br />
government, enterprise and pe<strong>op</strong>le will<br />
tackle the climate crisis and support<br />
the creation of new skilled jobs. This is<br />
a moment to start a new chapter for our<br />
country, one of h<strong>op</strong>e and a collective<br />
endeavour. <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>eration will be at the<br />
forefront of our renewal."<br />
Meanwhile, the <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Party's London<br />
branch: has revealed its key policy<br />
pr<strong>op</strong>osals ahead of the Mayoral and<br />
Greater London Authority (GLA) elections<br />
in May <strong>2021</strong> and local authority elections<br />
in 2022.<br />
The Party's manifesto, Building <strong>Co</strong>mmon<br />
Ground, calls on the London mayor to<br />
implement several co-<strong>op</strong>erative policies.<br />
These include a <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative <strong>Co</strong>mmission,<br />
modelled on those in Wales and Greater<br />
Manchester, to identify barriers to the<br />
growth of the sector. The Party also wants<br />
a <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative Devel<strong>op</strong>ment Agency for<br />
the city, to foster the devel<strong>op</strong>ment of small<br />
co-<strong>op</strong>s, credit unions, renters' unions and<br />
supporters' trusts.<br />
It also calls for a co-<strong>op</strong>erative approach<br />
to public transport via a revitalised<br />
London Transport User Group, with<br />
all season ticket holders automatically<br />
made members. The group would have<br />
the right to elect a representative to<br />
the board of Transport for London.<br />
Other key asks are involving individuals<br />
and community groups in local strategic<br />
planning, and a citizen's assembly to sit<br />
in parallel with the upcoming UN climate<br />
summit in Glasgow.<br />
The Party would also like 16- and<br />
17-year-olds to have the right to vote<br />
in London elections, (as they do in<br />
equivalent elections in Scotland and<br />
Wales), alongside an expansion in<br />
co-<strong>op</strong>erative education.<br />
Devel<strong>op</strong>ed by Party members in<br />
London, the manifesto incorporates their<br />
ideas and experiences, as well as those<br />
of councillors and candidates working<br />
within local government, co-<strong>op</strong>erative<br />
housing, healthcare, co-<strong>op</strong>erative<br />
education and credit unions in the city.<br />
The Party is running 17 joint Labour<br />
& <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative London Assembly<br />
candidates in May.<br />
Other activity from the Party has seen<br />
Luke Pollard, shadow environment<br />
secretary and Labour / <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> MP for<br />
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, call on<br />
the government to reverse its decision to<br />
lift the ban on bee-killing pesticides.<br />
He has written a letter to the Prime<br />
Minister and is asking for pe<strong>op</strong>le to cosign<br />
the letter in support of his request.<br />
You can read and co-sign the letter on<br />
the <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Party website.<br />
MARCH <strong>2021</strong> I 5
MUTUALS<br />
MP writes to LV= chief executive for answers on its demutualisation<br />
The chair of the All-Party Parliamentary<br />
Group for Mutuals, Gareth Thomas, has<br />
written to the CEO of LV=, Mark Hartigan,<br />
for answers about the demutualisation of<br />
its life and pensions business.<br />
Mr Thomas, Labour/<strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> MP for Harrow<br />
West, invited Mr Hartigan to give evidence<br />
to an inquiry by the group into the matter.<br />
He has also invited Matt P<strong>op</strong>oli, who is<br />
leading the bid by US private investor Bain<br />
Capital's £530m bid to the 178-year-old<br />
mutual, to answer questions.<br />
Mr Thomas said the bid is "particularly<br />
controversial as other deals, such as<br />
a £540m bid from fellow mutual the<br />
Royal London Group, which would have<br />
permitted the company to retain its<br />
mutual status, have been rebuffed".<br />
Mr Thomas said: "We look forward to<br />
hearing Mr Hartigan's evidence for the<br />
demutualisation of Liverpool Victoria. We<br />
are keen to understand why he thinks such<br />
a move is in the interests of LV's current<br />
owners; their members and similarly why<br />
he thinks it might be good for consumers<br />
and for competition."<br />
LV=, one of Britain's biggest financial<br />
mutuals, was founded in 1843 and traded<br />
for most of its life as Liverpool Victoria.<br />
The sale in December 2020 of the life and<br />
pensions business to Bain Capital follows<br />
the sale of LV= General Insurance to<br />
Allianz in 2019.<br />
Mr Thomas said: "Members of the<br />
parliamentary group are concerned at<br />
what impact the sale will have on LV=<br />
members, the insurance industry and<br />
competition and choice in financial<br />
services. We are also interested in whether<br />
the LV= decision reflects weaknesses in<br />
the government and regulators' views and<br />
support of mutuals."<br />
A spokesperson for LV = said: "As part of<br />
this process, we have already proactively<br />
offered the chair of the APPG for Mutuals<br />
a detailed discussion on the transaction<br />
with Bain Capital. We welcome the<br />
<strong>op</strong>portunity to more formally explain<br />
why Bain Capital was singular in offering<br />
not only an excellent financial outcome<br />
for members but also an unrivalled and<br />
long-term commitment to LV='s future<br />
prospects, business and pe<strong>op</strong>le."<br />
When it announced the sale in<br />
December 2020, LV= said the move would<br />
deliver "an excellent financial outcome<br />
for members with greater security and<br />
enhanced distributions for with-profits<br />
members" and emerged from a "boardled,<br />
comprehensive and rigorous strategic<br />
review". It said the sale "maintains<br />
competition and choice for customers."<br />
But Mr Thomas said: "Bain are a wellknown<br />
American private equity giant.<br />
They have been accused in the past of<br />
buying up businesses, then funding the<br />
purchase through corporate debt loaded<br />
onto the books of the company they're<br />
buying, cutting jobs and other costs only<br />
to sell up at a heavy profit.<br />
"Even more worrying, the sale seems to<br />
be going forward without pr<strong>op</strong>er scrutiny.<br />
The LV= board is attempting to do away<br />
with the democratic process which would<br />
usually require a majority of members to<br />
approve any move to demutualise, and<br />
have banned the media from attending<br />
online member meetings about the<br />
sale. Policyholders cannot even find out<br />
how much they will receive if the sale<br />
goes through. We're looking forward to<br />
understanding the plans prepared by<br />
the board of LV= through the evidence<br />
Mark Hartigan offers us, but we're also<br />
.&. Gareth Thomas MP<br />
keen to hear direct from Bain themselves<br />
to pr<strong>op</strong>erly understand their plans for the<br />
future of LV=."<br />
► The APPG says it will also seek evidence<br />
from mutual sector experts and financial<br />
analysts. It is keen to hear from other<br />
individuals and organisations and with<br />
an interest in this Inquiry. The deadline<br />
for the submission of written evidence is<br />
Friday 5 <strong>March</strong> and the APPG plans to<br />
hold a number of oral evidence sessions<br />
in the first quarter of <strong>2021</strong>, before<br />
publishing its inquiry report. Evidence<br />
can be submitted to the APPG Secretariat<br />
at appg@mutuo.co<strong>op</strong><br />
BANKING<br />
<strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Bank reports<br />
improved loss of £100m<br />
The <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative Bank has recorded a pretax<br />
loss of £103.?m (down from £152.lm in<br />
2019) for the year to 31 December 2020.<br />
The Bank said it had enjoyed a resilient<br />
financial performance in challenging<br />
environment, with its performance targets<br />
met or exceeded in line with its plan.<br />
Updated guidance expects it to return to<br />
profitability from <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
CEO Nick Slape said: "Our priority<br />
has been to provide customers with<br />
the support and reassurance they have<br />
needed during this period and to navigate<br />
a challenging retail banking market and<br />
uncertain economic conditions.<br />
"We end the year having delivered a<br />
resilient financial performance that is<br />
in line with our plan at this stage in our<br />
transformation, and having completed<br />
a number of key milestones including<br />
separation of IT systems from the <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong><br />
Group, improved digital journeys for our<br />
customers, and the issuance of £200m of<br />
MREL-qualifying debt.<br />
The Bank is no longer owned by<br />
the the <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Group following the<br />
financial crisis of 2012. But it has kept<br />
the name in line with its ethical policy<br />
and support for the movement via<br />
the Hive, a co-<strong>op</strong> support body delivered<br />
by <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>eratives UK.<br />
MARCH <strong>2021</strong> I 7
HOUSING<br />
New rules, new funding<br />
as government looks at<br />
the housing sector<br />
Members of the <strong>Co</strong>nfederation of<br />
<strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative Housing (CCH) are being<br />
invited to an online meeting with the<br />
Regulator of Social Housing to discuss a<br />
new framework for tenants.<br />
This follows the publication of the<br />
Charter for Social Housing Residents, a<br />
white paper setting out the government's<br />
plans following a consultation green paper<br />
published after the Grenfell fire tragedy.<br />
The meeting will take place online on<br />
18 <strong>March</strong> at 2pm with Jonathan Walters,<br />
deputy chief executive of the Regulator of<br />
Social Housing. It will give CCH members<br />
the chance discuss what the forthcoming<br />
changes mean for co-<strong>op</strong>s.<br />
While much of the white paper is<br />
welcomed by the CCH, the organisation<br />
has raised a list of issues that will be<br />
covered at the meeting:<br />
• Regulation of safety and consumer issues<br />
• A responsible person for health and safety<br />
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms<br />
and electrical systems<br />
• New tenant satisfaction measures<br />
• Perception of crime<br />
• Information on how money is spent<br />
• Engagement with tenants<br />
• A Responsible Person for the <strong>Co</strong>nsumer<br />
Standards<br />
• Decent Homes Standard review<br />
• Anti-social behaviour review<br />
• Access to skills on mental health<br />
• Requirement to have a domestic abuse<br />
policy<br />
• The Housing Ombudsman Service<br />
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Housing,<br />
<strong>Co</strong>mmunities & Local Government has<br />
allocated £4m to help community-based<br />
organisations prepare bids for the £11.Sbn<br />
Affordable Homes Programme - which<br />
aims to provide up to 180,000 new<br />
homes across the country while helping<br />
to diversify the homebuilding sector,<br />
improving design, sustainability and<br />
build quality.<br />
CCH chief executive, Blase Lambert,<br />
said: "I welcome the government's<br />
renewed commitment to supporting<br />
communities that want to access grant to<br />
build new affordable homes in England<br />
as demonstrated by its announcement of<br />
£4m in revenue support.<br />
"The sector's lobbying, led by Catherine<br />
Harrington at the National CLT Network,<br />
has delivered much needed new resource<br />
that will enable many communities to<br />
make significant progress with their<br />
plans to deliver affordable homes using<br />
the various approaches and models of<br />
community led housing."<br />
CREDIT UNIONS<br />
Call goes out to save the voices of a movement for posterity<br />
Work to record and preserve memories of<br />
credit union pioneers has continued under<br />
lockdown, thanks to a dedicated team<br />
of volunteers.<br />
The Credit Union Foundation's Save and<br />
Sound Project, funded by the National<br />
Lottery Heritage Fund, has moved online,<br />
with eight volunteers - trained by the<br />
Oral History Society - using a podcasting<br />
platform to conduct interviews across the<br />
north of England.<br />
The interviews will become part of the<br />
national oral history collection cared for<br />
by the British Library where they will be<br />
available to generations of researchers.<br />
The project has interviews lined up for the<br />
coming months but is still keen for pe<strong>op</strong>le<br />
with memories of credit unions before the<br />
year 2000 to get in touch and share their<br />
stories. The online platform means pe<strong>op</strong>le<br />
can see each other but only the sound<br />
is recorded.<br />
So that audio quality can be assured,<br />
pe<strong>op</strong>le sharing their memories are provided<br />
with a micr<strong>op</strong>hone and headphones, as<br />
well as full instructions.<br />
Volunteer Nancy Gray is new to credit<br />
unions but says she feels "very privileged<br />
and excited to be part of this project<br />
recording the history of the movement<br />
and the contribution it has made to<br />
bettering the financial health of so many of<br />
its members."<br />
Another volunteer, <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> <strong>News</strong>'<br />
international editor Anca Voinea, has<br />
volunteered because she wants to "help tell<br />
the stories of some of north of England's<br />
credit union pioneers".<br />
Project manager Abbie Shelton said: "We<br />
have already recorded some fascinating<br />
stories; I am really thankful for all the<br />
advice we have received, and I am proud of<br />
our volunteers who have risen admirably to<br />
the challenge of learning new technologies<br />
and techniques.<br />
"We are really grateful to everyone<br />
who has already come forward, but we<br />
are still looking for more pe<strong>op</strong>le to share<br />
their story. No matter what role you<br />
played in a credit union, your memories<br />
will help us tell the story of early credit<br />
unions and raise awareness of credit<br />
union heritage."<br />
► If you are interested in contributing<br />
your memories to the project, or have photos<br />
or other items that you could share, email<br />
abbie.shelton@c redit unionfoundation.<br />
org.uk or visit s.co<strong>op</strong>/2ke2d<br />
8 I MARCH <strong>2021</strong>
GLOBAL<br />
Campaign to<br />
create a '10,000 strong'<br />
network of young credit<br />
union professionals<br />
The World <strong>Co</strong>uncil of Credit Unions'<br />
youth programme has launched a '10,000<br />
Strong!' campaign in a bid to form the<br />
largest global network of young credit<br />
union professionals.<br />
The World <strong>Co</strong>uncil's Young Credit<br />
Union Professionals network (WYCUP)<br />
began as a scholarship programme and<br />
now offers a platform for young credit<br />
union professionals and their advocates<br />
to connect internationally.<br />
The campaign encourages pe<strong>op</strong>le to<br />
join the WYCUP Affiliates Network and<br />
<strong>Co</strong>uncil, which are <strong>op</strong>en to all young credit<br />
union professionals and their advocates.<br />
The WYCUP Affiliates <strong>Co</strong>uncil is a<br />
monthly round-table discussion among<br />
leadership from networks around the<br />
world, as well as advocates for young<br />
pe<strong>op</strong>le in jurisdictions where formal<br />
networks do not currently exist.<br />
With the launch of the 10,000 Strong!<br />
campaign, WYCUP has redesigned its<br />
website and will convene the first monthly<br />
meeting of the WYCUP Affiliates <strong>Co</strong>uncil<br />
on 16 February. That gathering will<br />
include up to 70 representatives from local<br />
networks around the world.<br />
.&. Credit union professionals attending a WYCUP event<br />
In <strong>2021</strong>, the WYCUP Affiliates <strong>Co</strong>uncil is<br />
aiming to:<br />
• Strengthen communication channels<br />
between local networks<br />
• Support the formation of new local<br />
networks<br />
• Expand engagement <strong>op</strong>portunities<br />
and speaking roles for young pe<strong>op</strong>le at<br />
virtual events<br />
• Promote an exchange of ideas to<br />
devel<strong>op</strong> shared resources.<br />
Thomas Belekevich, WYCUP director,<br />
said: "This is an exciting time for<br />
WYCUP as we work to bridge the<br />
leadership gap. After a year of separation,<br />
we're coming back together stronger<br />
than before.<br />
"That strength comes from recognising<br />
that our local efforts have a global impact<br />
when we collaborate effectively. WYCUP<br />
is expanding horizons by empowering<br />
youth to be part of the solution and<br />
- in the process - strengthening the<br />
relevance of financial co-<strong>op</strong>eratives in<br />
the eyes of young professionals and<br />
members everywhere."<br />
WYCUP is bridging the leadership gap<br />
as part of Worldwide Foundation for<br />
Credit Unions' awareness and fundraising<br />
campaign called 'Bridge the Gap,' which<br />
aims to help the global credit union<br />
movement bridge four key inclusion gaps<br />
that have been further exposed by the<br />
<strong>Co</strong>vid-19 pandemic.<br />
► You can sign up to the WYCUP Affiliates<br />
Network at wycup.org<br />
GLOBAL<br />
Credit unions join forces to launch<br />
website campaigning for 8th co-<strong>op</strong> principle<br />
A number of US credit unions have come<br />
together to launch deitalks.com, a website<br />
which advocates an 8th co-<strong>op</strong>erative<br />
principle focused on diversity, equity and<br />
inclusion (DEI).<br />
The Local Government Federal Credit<br />
Union (LGFCU) and Civic Federal Credit<br />
Union (CFCU) in North Carolina and the<br />
African-American Credit Union <strong>Co</strong>alition<br />
(AACUC) are behind the website. They<br />
are inviting other credit unions and<br />
co-<strong>op</strong>eratives to ad<strong>op</strong>t the 8th Principle<br />
and demonstrate their support through<br />
the site.<br />
Deitalks.com allows for organisations<br />
to publicly pledge their support for the<br />
8th principle, and encourages them to<br />
promote the idea on their own websites<br />
and social media channels.<br />
"<strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>eratives support the notion<br />
that every member of a community<br />
has an inalienable right to exercise the<br />
doctrines presented in the co-<strong>op</strong>erative<br />
principles,'' said LGFCU and CFCU chief<br />
executive officer Maurice Smith. "I see<br />
an <strong>op</strong>portunity to reaffirm our values and<br />
explore new <strong>op</strong>portunities.<br />
"It is time to consider where diversity,<br />
pluralism and inclusion for all of us stands<br />
today. I think the time is right to officially<br />
recognise the 8th Principle as part of the<br />
credit union and co-<strong>op</strong>erative philos<strong>op</strong>hy."<br />
Renee Sattiewhite, AACUC president<br />
and CEO, added: "These values of<br />
plurality will not be short-lived. It's the<br />
right thing to do. Diversity, equality and<br />
inclusion line up with our core principles<br />
and values, and that is why it is lasting."<br />
16 I MARCH <strong>2021</strong>
I I<br />
IRELAND<br />
Glanbia dairy<br />
co-<strong>op</strong> announces<br />
<strong>2021</strong> profit share<br />
Irish dairy Glanbia <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> has announced<br />
its <strong>2021</strong> trading bonus, and says it will<br />
continue its monthly profit distribution<br />
for milk supplier members. The co-<strong>op</strong> will<br />
also return €6.3m (£5.Sm) to 4,500 farmer<br />
shareholders under the terms of the 2020<br />
trading bonus scheme.<br />
Glanbia says its <strong>2021</strong> trading bonus<br />
scheme will reward farmer members for<br />
purchases made from milk processor<br />
Glanbia Ireland (GI) and its subsidiaries,<br />
in which the co-<strong>op</strong> has a 60o/o stake.<br />
For milk supplier members, the <strong>2021</strong><br />
trading bonus is potentially worth up to<br />
0.4 cents (0.3 pence) per litre on all milk<br />
delivered this year. This is equivalent to<br />
up to €2,000 (£1,700) for a 500,000-litre<br />
supplier spending over 8 cents (7 pence)<br />
per Ii tre with GI.<br />
At the end of this year, the total spend<br />
will be divided by the total litres of<br />
milk delivered to generate a cent-perlitre<br />
input spend for each member. The<br />
applicable trading bonus will be paid in<br />
February 2022.<br />
For grain growers, there's a trading<br />
bonus of up to €10 (£9) per tonne of<br />
grain supplied.<br />
Beef and sheep farmer members will<br />
qualify for a feed trading bonus of €10<br />
(£9) per tonne on beef, dairy and sheep<br />
feed products purchased from GI. And<br />
there's €3 (£2.60) per tonne available to<br />
qualifying co-<strong>op</strong> members on purchases<br />
of pig feed and straights.<br />
Eligibility for feed bonus payments is<br />
confined to non-milk suppliers in <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
The dividend the co-<strong>op</strong> receives from<br />
GI, which equates to 30o/o its annual profit<br />
after tax, is ring-fence for distribution to<br />
active farmer members of Glanbia <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>.<br />
The share of GI profit payment for <strong>2021</strong><br />
is 0.4 cents (0.3 pence) per litre (plus VAT).<br />
Australia's biggest credit union rebrands as bank<br />
Credit Union Australia (CUA) has confirmed<br />
it has registered a new trading name of<br />
Great Southern Bank which takes it one<br />
step closer to becoming Australia's largest<br />
customer-owned banking organisation.<br />
"For 75 years we've remained steadfastly<br />
focused on helping all Australians own<br />
their own home," said CEO Paul Lewis. "To<br />
continue that journey, our research shows<br />
we need to change our name."<br />
Fonterra partners with Royal DSM to lower emissions<br />
New Zealand Dairy business Fonterra is<br />
working with science-based company<br />
Royal DSM to reduce its members' on-farm<br />
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Owned<br />
by over 10,000 farmers, Fonterra h<strong>op</strong>es the<br />
project will reduce the emissions produced<br />
by dairy cows and their manure, which<br />
contribute to climate change. The new feed<br />
will reduce methane emissions by 30o/o.<br />
Eur<strong>op</strong>ean retail co-<strong>op</strong>s to work on code of conduct<br />
The Eur<strong>op</strong>ean <strong>Co</strong>mmission launched<br />
discussions with stakeholders on<br />
designing a code of conduct for business<br />
and marketing. Retail co-<strong>op</strong>s will be<br />
represented in the talks by Euro <strong>Co</strong><strong>op</strong>.<br />
The plan will see the code emphasise the<br />
collective role of actors along the food<br />
chain in the transition towards a more<br />
sustainable EU food system.<br />
New report explores flexibility services for energy co-<strong>op</strong>s<br />
A report from RESco<strong>op</strong>.eu - the Eur<strong>op</strong>ean<br />
federation of citizen energy co-<strong>op</strong>s - has<br />
set out new <strong>op</strong>portunities for energy<br />
co-<strong>op</strong>s to use 'flexibility services' to<br />
integrate wind and solar energy into the<br />
energy system. Methods of achieving this<br />
flexibility include using pricing and other<br />
market incentives.<br />
ICA gears up for second Global Youth Forum<br />
GYF21<br />
25-26 <strong>March</strong><br />
Get trained & join<br />
the co<strong>op</strong>erative<br />
youth community!<br />
The second Global Youth Forum will take<br />
place virtually on 25-26 <strong>March</strong>. Organised<br />
by the International <strong>Co</strong><strong>op</strong>erative<br />
Alliance, within the framework of ICA<br />
EU Partnership in collaboration with the<br />
ICA Youth Network, the event will bring<br />
together young professionals from<br />
around the world. Register at<br />
s.co<strong>op</strong>/2ke5y<br />
MARCH <strong>2021</strong> I 19
YOUR VIEWS<br />
MOTION TO CO·OP GROUP<br />
Details of the <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative Insurance<br />
Services 'partnership' with Markerstudy<br />
were received by policyholders shortly<br />
before Christmas in a letter of bewildering<br />
complications. The reports of the f185m<br />
purchase by Markerstudy (itself recently<br />
acquired by a Qatari-based company), that<br />
was finally completed in early December<br />
following delays in the approval process by<br />
the Financial <strong>Co</strong>nduct Authority (no doubt<br />
related to the protracted Brexit transition<br />
negotiations), told a very different story to<br />
that given to members of the <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative<br />
Group previously.<br />
Markerstudy were keen to boast of their<br />
access to the entire Group membership<br />
database in their ongoing partnership<br />
with the Group - 'to target products more<br />
relevant to members' individual needs'.<br />
This follows the surprise announcement of a<br />
<strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Live f100m sponsorship deal with US<br />
based Oak View Group and another ongoing<br />
'partnership' with the <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative Group.<br />
These so-called 'partnerships' mark a<br />
further gross departure by the <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative<br />
Group from the model devel<strong>op</strong>ed first by<br />
the Rochdale Pioneers as expressed in<br />
the ICA statement of <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative Identity<br />
which forms the basis of co-<strong>op</strong>eratives the<br />
world over. The gulf is now staring us all<br />
in the face and there is an urgent need of<br />
attention by the UK regulatory body before<br />
any more lasting damage is done to the UK<br />
co-<strong>op</strong>erative movement. In light of this I<br />
pr<strong>op</strong>ose that the following motion should be<br />
put to the <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative Group at this year's<br />
Annual General Meeting:<br />
"We the membership, call for an<br />
immediate referral to be made on our<br />
behalf, as owners of the <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative Group,<br />
to the UK regulatory body - the Financial<br />
<strong>Co</strong>nduct Authority - to demand a review of<br />
the constitution ad<strong>op</strong>ted in haste in 2014 to<br />
reassess compliance with the ICA statement<br />
of co-<strong>op</strong>erative identity in light of recent<br />
decisions by the executive and the board.<br />
We need to re-establish the <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative<br />
Group as an authentic co-<strong>op</strong>erative in order<br />
to restore trust and renew our purpose with<br />
structures that pr<strong>op</strong>erly reflect co-<strong>op</strong>erative<br />
values and principles."<br />
For a motion to qualify to be put to the<br />
AGM it is necessary to submit 100 c<strong>op</strong>ies<br />
each signed in 'wet ink' by qualifying<br />
<strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative Group members at least 70<br />
days prior to the date of the AGM (15 May<br />
Have your say<br />
Add your comments to our stories<br />
on line at thenews.co<strong>op</strong>, get in touch<br />
via social media, or send us a letter.<br />
If sending a letter, please include<br />
your address and contact number.<br />
Letters may be edited and no longer<br />
than 350 words.<br />
<br />
<strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative <strong>News</strong>, Holyoake<br />
House, Hanover Street,<br />
Manchester M60 OAS<br />
letters@thenews.co<strong>op</strong><br />
"t# @co<strong>op</strong>news<br />
f <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>erative <strong>News</strong><br />
<strong>2021</strong>) - ie Saturday, 6 <strong>March</strong> <strong>2021</strong>. This is<br />
non-trivial especially so given the feeble<br />
state of the current democracy.<br />
If you wish to support progress of the<br />
motion please email me at ian.hewitt@<br />
phoneco<strong>op</strong>.co<strong>op</strong> for further details.<br />
Ian Hewitt<br />
Nottingham<br />
The <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Group were approached for<br />
comment<br />
TRIBUTES TO BRIAN HILL<br />
See obituary p25<br />
So very<br />
strength<br />
and<br />
sad. Thoughts, love and<br />
to Brian's family, friends<br />
co-<strong>op</strong>erative colleagues.<br />
<strong>Co</strong><strong>op</strong>erative Futures<br />
Via Twitter<br />
So sorry to hear this. I remember Brian<br />
did a fantastic job getting together all the<br />
Midcounties Funeral vehicles for a 'T<strong>op</strong><br />
Gear' special which we filmed. It was a<br />
fun day and he really enjoyed himself. My<br />
condolences to his family.<br />
.a. The <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Group's HQ in Manchester<br />
Nicholas Milton<br />
Via Twitter<br />
24 I MARCH <strong>2021</strong>
Nick Milton<br />
A FAIRTRADE<br />
FUTURE?<br />
Fairtrade - which helps producers in growing<br />
countries achieve sustainable and equitable<br />
trade relationships - has a longstanding<br />
relationship with co-<strong>op</strong>eratives. Many Fairtrade<br />
producers are organised as co-<strong>op</strong>s, and in the<br />
UK, retail co-<strong>op</strong>s are vital supporters.<br />
Another supporter is the <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Party, which<br />
champions Fairtrade and acknowledges the<br />
importance of ensuring sustainable livelihoods<br />
for the farmers and workers within them, in the<br />
context of fragile global supply chains.<br />
The <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Party will continue to champion<br />
the Fairtrade movement but it needs to rethink<br />
the way it markets itself, said Labour/<strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> MP<br />
Preet Kaur Gill, ahead of Fairtrade Fortnight (22<br />
February - 7 <strong>March</strong>).<br />
"The <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Party has been at the heart of the<br />
Fairtrade movement in the UK for over 25 years,"<br />
she adds. "Like us it is internationalist and wants<br />
"WE NEED TO RETHINK HOW<br />
WE MARKET FAIRTRADE ...<br />
DIALOGUE IS SO IMPORTANT,<br />
WE NEED TO FIND A WAY<br />
OF INCREASING ITS<br />
MARKET SHARE"<br />
to spread wealth more fairly. We share the same<br />
values and believe that Fairtrade is still the best<br />
way of lifting farmers in the global south out<br />
of poverty."<br />
Ms Gill, who chairs the <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Party's<br />
parliamentary group and is shadow international<br />
devel<strong>op</strong>ment secretary, is the first Sikh female<br />
Labour MP, representing Edgbaston.<br />
"We all want to see the Fairtrade movement<br />
succeed," she says, "because it is the best way<br />
of ensuring that everyone gets an equal share<br />
and st<strong>op</strong>s the big corporations from completely<br />
controlling the market."<br />
Seen by many as a rising star in the Party, Ms<br />
Gill sh<strong>op</strong>s at Birmingham's Bearwood, Harborne<br />
and Quinton stores run by the <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Group and<br />
Central England <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>. Last year she took an<br />
active role in promoting Fairtrade Fortnight in<br />
Parliament and this year is looking forward to<br />
joining in the online fortnight whose theme is<br />
'Climate, Fairtrade and you'.<br />
While Fairtrade grocery sales have grown in<br />
the UK and around the world, non-grocery sales<br />
have slumped, warns Michael Gidney, CEO<br />
of the Fairtrade Foundation. Another serious<br />
challenge has seen some supermarkets and<br />
corporations pull out of Fairtrade certification<br />
in favour of their own 'fairly traded' lines -<br />
facing sh<strong>op</strong>pers with a dazzling array of logos,<br />
from red British tractors to blue sustainable fish.<br />
This blurs the distinction for Fairtrade and has<br />
hit its market share.<br />
The retail co-<strong>op</strong>s are among the few big players<br />
to stay loyal to the scheme: the most recent highprofile<br />
defection saw KitKat announce last June<br />
that it was severing its links with Fairtrade and<br />
would instead source cocoa from farms in the<br />
rival Rainforest Alliance scheme.<br />
"Over 21,000 <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> members signed a<br />
petition calling on the company to reconsider.<br />
That shows the real strength of feeling," says<br />
Ms Gill. "We called the CEO of Nestle into<br />
Parliament and asked them to rethink, but sadly<br />
they didn't. That decision impacted over 27,000<br />
farmers and producers in West Africa, many of<br />
them women who will now earn just 74p a day."<br />
Ms Gill believes Fairtrade needs to look<br />
again at how it markets itself in an increasingly<br />
competitive environment. Although co-<strong>op</strong> stores<br />
stock only Fairtrade bananas and were the first<br />
supermarket to do so, most of its competitors<br />
stock bananas certified by other schemes,<br />
alongside small quantities of Fairtrade. "We<br />
are all familiar with buying bananas," she says.<br />
"The non-Fairtrade ones are nearly always<br />
34 I MARCH <strong>2021</strong>
DIARY<br />
With the <strong>Co</strong>vid-19 crisis<br />
affecting mobility in the UK<br />
and across the world, many<br />
co-<strong>op</strong> events are now taking<br />
place online, including<br />
some of those listed below.<br />
If you would like to add any<br />
virtual events taking place,<br />
please email us at:<br />
events@thenews.co<strong>op</strong><br />
Worksh<strong>op</strong>:<br />
Social economy and youth<br />
entrepreneurship<br />
2 <strong>March</strong> <strong>2021</strong><br />
Worksh<strong>op</strong> organised by Social Economy<br />
Eur<strong>op</strong>e and <strong>Co</strong><strong>op</strong>eratives Eur<strong>op</strong>e,<br />
gathering young entrepreneurs in the<br />
social economy and co-<strong>op</strong>eratives,<br />
bringing knowledge from educational<br />
institutions, to spark an exchange on<br />
EU initiatives aimed at supporting youth<br />
entrepreneurship in the social economy.<br />
c-::> s.co<strong>op</strong>/2kec8<br />
<strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Retail <strong>Co</strong>nference<br />
5 <strong>March</strong> <strong>2021</strong> •<br />
The <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Retail <strong>Co</strong>nference will feature<br />
an overview of retail trends from a leading<br />
economist, case studies from senior<br />
co-<strong>op</strong>erative retail executives, interactive<br />
networking and a celebration of how<br />
much has been achieved in one of the<br />
most challenging years for retail<br />
in modern times.<br />
C-::> tinyur/.com/y2boy3ha<br />
Abcul annual conference<br />
10-11 <strong>March</strong> <strong>2021</strong><br />
The largest gathering of credit union<br />
personnel in Britain. Full details tbc.<br />
c-::> tinyur/.com/y4d9vf4o<br />
Just Don't Call it <strong>Co</strong>nflict Resolution<br />
24 <strong>March</strong> <strong>2021</strong> •<br />
Stir to Action webinar on why conflicts<br />
erupt and what to do about it, facilitated<br />
by Kate Whittle, who has been involved in<br />
the co-<strong>op</strong> sector for over 30 years. The<br />
event will explore the pros and cons of<br />
different conflict resolution styles.<br />
Participants will also learn about the<br />
different steps involved in using a<br />
retrospective technique to resolve<br />
team conflicts.<br />
C-::> tinyur/.com/yyhk5bsz<br />
CFCFE Credit Union <strong>Co</strong>nference: Towards<br />
New Business Models<br />
29 <strong>March</strong> <strong>2021</strong><br />
<strong>Co</strong>vid-19, fintech and big data technology,<br />
such as <strong>op</strong>en banking, will bring change<br />
to the financial services industry,<br />
and credit union mergers may be one<br />
response. This conference will look at the<br />
implications of this.<br />
c-::> s.co<strong>op</strong>/2kec7<br />
Global Youth Forum<br />
31 <strong>March</strong> <strong>2021</strong> •<br />
The second edition of the Global Youth<br />
Forum - <strong>Co</strong><strong>op</strong>erative Entrepreneurship.<br />
Organised by the International<br />
<strong>Co</strong><strong>op</strong>erative Alliance, within the<br />
framework of ICA-EU Partnership<br />
(#co<strong>op</strong>s4dev) and in collaboration<br />
with the ICA Youth Network, it will bring<br />
together young co-<strong>op</strong> entrepreneurs<br />
and professionals from all around the<br />
world to discuss new solutions and<br />
recommendations, learn from the best<br />
practices, and to foster new ideas and<br />
innovation.<br />
C-::> s.co<strong>op</strong>/2kec5<br />
Food Justice <strong>Co</strong>nference<br />
31 <strong>March</strong> <strong>2021</strong> •<br />
<strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong>eratives East Midlands hosts an<br />
on line discussion with Paul Gerrard from<br />
the <strong>Co</strong>-<strong>op</strong> Group, Nigel Adams from H<strong>op</strong>e<br />
Foodbank,Nottingham, and Tanya Noon<br />
from Kandaroo.<br />
C-::> co<strong>op</strong>eratives-em.co<strong>op</strong><br />
World Credit Union <strong>Co</strong>nference<br />
11-14 July <strong>2021</strong> •<br />
World <strong>Co</strong>uncil of Credit Unions' <strong>2021</strong><br />
conference will feature more than 30<br />
educational sessions with t<strong>op</strong>ics relevant<br />
to all credit union leadership levels.<br />
Delegates will also be able to network<br />
with other attendees and industry<br />
partners from across our international<br />
co-<strong>op</strong>erative movement. Further event<br />
details will be available in early <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
C-::> tinyur/.com/y6hgh8w4<br />
50 I MARCH <strong>2021</strong>