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CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page1of40
casestudies……
WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&MutualsTheStory2009-2015
OneofaseriesofcasestudiesbyAlexBirdMay2016
www.alex-bird.com
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page2of40
casestudies…….
I’vewrittenmanypapersovertheyears,fewofwhichseethelightofdaythroughpublication,soI’mputtingtogetherafewoftheminaninformalseries,andpublishingthemonmywebsite.
TheycoverarangeofsubjectsthatIhopewillbeofinterest.
Someareofhistoricalinterest,somearetopicsfordiscussion.
Somehavealreadybeenpublishedsomewhere,inwholeorinpart.
Mosthaven’tmadeit.
Havingputinsomuchthoughtandeffort,seeingthemlieinadigitalvaultsomewhereonmylaptopseemslikeawaste–hencethissmall-scalepublicationeffort.
Allarefreetodownloadfrommywebsiteat:-http://www.alex-bird.com/download-publications/
Hopeyoufindthemofinterest.ThisworkislicensedundertheCreativeCommonsAttribution-NonCommercial4.0InternationalLicense.Toviewacopyofthislicense,visithttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/AlexBird2016www.alex-bird.com
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page3of40
WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&MutualsTheStory2009-2015Thiscasestudycoversthefirst17meetingsorganisedbythefirstSecretariat,AlexBird,ChairofCo-operativesandMutualsWales
FoundingeventJune2nd2009at6.00pm
FollowingasuccessfuleventintheWalesMillenniumCentreonFebruary29th2009,Co-operativesandMutualsWalesorganisedaneventintheAssemblyontheCreditCrunch
EventchairedbyDavidMeldingAM,supportedbyChrisFranksAMandJohnGriffithsAM
GuestspeakerwasRinaClark,ManagerofRobertOwenCreditUnioninNewtown
Issuescoveredincluded:-
▪ Theroleofcreditunionsandmutualsinhelpingpeoplemanagetheirfinances
▪ Co-operativesolutionstothehousingcrisis
▪ Thesignificanceofattractingyoungpeopleintotheco‑operativemovement
▪ Theneedforschoolstoteachpracticalfinances
▪ ProposalfromthefloorbyGarethJonesAMtoformaCrossPartyGroup,andalsotolookattheroleofco-operativesattheEnterpriseandLearningCommitteewhichhechairs
AllAMspresentsupportedthesuggestion
DavidMeldingAMtooktheideaforward
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page4of40
1stMeetingoftheCrossPartyGrouponNovember25th2009at5.30pm
TheAssemblyCross-PartyGrouponCo-operativesandMutualswasofficiallyformedatameetingchairedbyDavidMeldingAMonWednesday25thNovember2009.
▪ Decidednottohaveformalmeetings,buttoconcentrateonpresentinganddiscussingissuesoftheday.
▪ ThegroupagreedtomeetatlunchtimestoaddresstopicssuchasFarmers’Co-operatives,TheWelshHousingMutual,MutualFundsforsmallbusinessinvestment,theCreditUnionmovementinWales.
▪ EventswouldbeopentoCivilServantsandrelevantoutsidersbyinvitation
FounderMembersare:-
▪ DavidMeldingAM,Conservative(Chair)
▪ ChrisFranksAM,PlaidCymru
▪ MikeGermanAM,LiberalDemocrat
▪ GarethJonesAM,PlaidCymru
OtherAssemblyMemberswhocommittedtojoin:-
▪ HuwLewisAM,Labour/Co-op(ViceChair)
▪ LorraineBarrettAM,Labour/Co-op
▪ JohnGriffithsAM,Labour/Co-op
▪ MarkIsherwoodAM,Conservative
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page5of40
2ndMeetingFeb11th2010at12.30pm
OnFebruary11ththenewlyformedCrossPartyGrouponCo-operativesandMutualsreceivedadelegationfromCo-operationNorthernIreland,whichwasorganisedbyAlexBird,onbehalfofCo-operatives&MutualsWales.
Thedelegation,AnnaMacAleavyandErskineHolmeshadaguidedtouroftheAssemblybuilding,theSeneddaccompaniedbytheGroupChair,DavidMeldingAMfollowedbylunchwithotherGroupmembersincludingChrisFranksAMandAlanDaviesAM.AlsoinvitedwereMikeAsh-Edwards,theCo-operativeGroupCymru/WalesRegionalSecretaryandAlexBird,ChairCo-operatives&MutualsWales
L-RMikeAsh-Edwards,AnnaMacAleavy,ChrisFranksAM,AlexBird,ErskineHolmes
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page6of40
3rdMeetingoftheCrossPartyGrouponMay26th2010at12.30pm
RealisingthePotential–areviewoftheCreditUnionmovementinWales
AddressbyMollyScott-CatofromCardiffInstituteforCo-operativeStudiesinwhichshedetailedtheresearchworkundertakenbytheCardiffInstituteforCo-operativeStudiesatUWIC
AMs
▪ DavidMelding(Chair),Conservative
▪ JoyceWatsonAM,Labour
▪ AngelaBurnsAM,Conservative
▪ MarkIsherwoodAM,Conservative
▪ JanetRyderAC/AM,PlaidCymru
▪ LorraineBarrettAM,Labour/Co-op
▪ GarethJonesAM,PlaidCymru
▪ DrBrianGibbonsAM,Labour
▪ ChrisFranksAM,PlaidCymru
▪ DrDaiLloydAM,PlaidCymru
WAG
▪ LynneSchofield,FinancialInclusionUnit
▪ BillHudson,CommunitiesDivision
Guests
▪ AlexBird-ChairCo-operativesandMutualsWales
▪ MollyScottCato-DirectorofCICS,UWICSchoolofManagement
▪ KarenStevens-OfficeSupervisor,CardiffCreditUnion
▪ JohnRichards–Manager,GatewayCreditUnionLtd
▪ JeffHopkins-Manager,SaveEasy(Llanelli)CreditUnion
▪ PaulMallett-RegionalManager-PublicSectorBanking,Co-opBank
▪ ChristinaStoneman–Manager,DragonsaversCreditUnion
▪ AlunTaylor–Chair,CardiffandtheValeCreditUnion
Apologies
▪ GwendaThomasAM
▪ KarenWilkie,Co-opParty
NB:MoreAMsattendingthanatanyotherCrossPartyGroupsofar
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page7of40
4thMeetingJune16th2010atthePierHeadBuilding.12.30pm
AsanewWestminstergovernmenttalksaboutputtingco-operativeideasattheheartofBritishsociety,AssemblyMembersfromthefourmainpoliticalpartiesoutlinedwhattheybelievethefutureholdsforWalesataneventsponsoredbytheCrossPartyGrouponCooperativesandMutualsonWednesday16thJuneinthePierheadbuilding,CardiffBay.
4membersoftheGroupspokeatapubliceventsponsoredbytheChair,DavidMeldingAMinthePierHeadBuildingtohighlightthestartofthefirstUKwideCo‑operativesFortnight,organisedbyCo-operativesUK
▪ DavidMeldingAM(Chair),Conservative
▪ HuwLewisAM(ViceChair),Labour/Co-op
▪ JennyRandersonAM,LiberalDemocrat
▪ GarethJonesAM,PlaidCymru
ThiswasapubliceventtolaunchCo-operativesFortnight(19June–3July2010)inWales.
TheChairoftheAssembly’sCrossPartyGrouponCo-operativesandMutualsDavidMeldingAMwasjoinedbyHuwLewisAM,JennyRandersonAMandGarethJonesAM.
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page8of40
DavidMeldingAM(WelshConservative)said:
“IbelievethatCo-opswillbeattheheartofthemostinnovativeeconomicregenerationwearelikelytoseeinthenext10years”.
HuwLewisAM(LabourandCo-operative)said:
”Inthefaceofsomucheconomicuncertainty,theidealsandvaluesthatunderpintheco-operativemovementhaveneverseemedmoretimelyorrelevant.“Whetheritbeco-operativechildcaregroups,creditunionsortacklingfuelpovertythroughcollectiveenergypurchasing,innovativeco-operativesolutionsofferanswerstomanyofthepressingproblemsfacingsocietytoday.”TheAssemblyGovernmenthasdonemuchtosupporttheco-operativemovementinWalesoveradecadeandmore,butifwegraspthismomentwecancontinuetoleadtheway,channellingtheco-operativespirittohelpbuildabetter,fairersociety.”
JennyRandersonAM(LiberalDemocrat)said:
“Theco-operativemovementwasborninWales.Weneedtodomorenowtopromoteitasananswertothegapsinourbusinessinfrastructure.WelshcompaniessuchasGlasCymrudemonstratethatsocialenterprisesandco-operativescanbelargeandfinanciallysuccessful.”
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page9of40
Othermembersinattendancewere:-
▪ LorraineBarrettAM,Labour/Co-op
▪ DrBrianGibbonsAM,Labour
▪ JeffCuthbertAM,Labour
Therewasanexhibitionofco-operativesallday,whichwasopentothepublic.Organisationsrepresented:-
▪ Co-operativesandMutualsWales
▪ Co-operativeGroup
▪ CardiffInstituteforCo-operativeStudies
▪ CardiffandValeCreditUnion
▪ FairTradeWales
▪ MakersGuild
▪ TinternAngiddy(CommunityHydroProject)
Approx70membersofthepublicattended
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page10of40
5thMeetingSept29th2010at12.30pm
MediaBriefingRoom
ThepresentationwasgivenbyGlynThomas,ViceChairofCDSCo-operativeshttp://www.cds.coopon
“Keepingcontrolofourlives–MutualHousingforolderpeople”.
ThisReportwaspresentedasevidencetotheCommissiononCo-operativeHousing,aUKwidestudywhichreportedearlierthisyear.
GlynoutlinedhispropsalsfordevelopingbothCommonholdandfullyMutualHousingsolutionsforolderpeople,aswellasexplainingandlearningfromsomeofthehistoryofco-operativehousingdevelopmentsoverthelastcentury.
InparticularheproposedthedevelopmentofaspecialistserviceinWalestoprovideadviceandguidanceonthedevelopmentofsuchschemes,whichrequiregovernmentlegislativesupport,butnotnecessarilygovernmentfinancialsupport,astheyarebasedonthetraditionalco-operativeprincipleofmutualselfhelp.
Themeetingwasattendedby4AssemblyMembers,DavidMeldingAM(Chair),JennyRandersonAM,DrBrianGibbonsAMandMarkIsherwoodAMtogetherwith18representativesfromtheco-operativeandsocialhousingmovements.
DownloadGlyn’spresentationhereWelshAssemblyTalkDownloadGlyn’sReportherekeepingcontrolofourlives[FullReport]DownloadtheCommissionReporthereCo-operativeHousingCommissionReportDownloadtheCo-oppartyReportonHousinghereNewFoundations-Co-opPartyPublicationsMoreinformationonGlyn’swebsitewww.glynthomas.org.uk
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page11of40
6thMeetingNov10th2010at12.30pm
Theneweconomicagendaforco-operatives
EdMayo,SecretaryGeneral,Co-operativesUK
DavidMeldingAM,theChair,introducedapresentationbyEdMayo,SecretaryGeneralofCo-operativesUKtothe25people,AMsandothersfromthemovement,whoattended.
Edtalkedabouttheneweconomicagendaforco-operatives,touchingonawiderangeofissues.Co-operativesandMutualsareaverydifferentformofbusinessasthesharesarenottraded,andsoarenotsubjecttothevagariesofthemarket,anddemocracyisinbuiltintothemodel,ensuringtheycannoteasilyfallintothewronghands.EdhighlightedthecurrentworkbeingconductedfortheWestminstercoalitiongovernmentonamutualtotakeonthePostOfficenetwork.Muchofthisnetworkisalreadyinmutualhands,withover1,000PostOfficesalreadyinmutualhands.525areinCo-operativestores,440inCostCutterandNISAstoresand150incommunityownedlocalstores.Thiscompareswithonly373PostOfficesstillrundirectlybythePostOffice.
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page12of40
TheCo-operativeformofbusinessisalreadyhighlyregardedbythepublic.Inarecentsurveythemajorityofpeoplesaidtheywouldtrustco-operativebusinesstotreatthemfairly,whilstonlyasmallminoritytrustedotherformsofbusiness.Inco-operativestheworkforceisalsomoreengaged(over80%comparedto23%inotherbusinesses).
TheCo-operativeBankhasrecentlybeenrecognisedastheworld’smostsustainablebank,andtodaytheMonmouthshireBuildingSocietyhasbeenrecognisedasthebestregionalBuildingSocietyforvalue,(lastyearitwasthePrincipality!),recognisingthatco-operativesandmutualsareabetterformofbusiness,andalsothatthoseinWalesareparticularlygood.
Theco-operativesectorhasgrownacrosstheUKbyover25%inthelastthreeyears,andinWalesturnsoveralmost£1billionperannum.Co-operativesaremoresustainableasabusinessform,andforinstance,ofthe245communityownedshopsestablishedwiththehelpofthePlunkettFoundationacrosstheUK,240arestilltrading.Asalmostallofthesewereestablishedbecauseconventionalbusinessesfailed,thisisatrulyremarkableresult.
ThisisprobablythelastCrossPartyGroupmeetingofthisAssembly,andthenextmeetingwillprobablybecalledshortlyaftertheAssemblyelectionsonMay5th2011.
DavidMeldingAMthankedeveryoneforcomingtoanotherextremelywellattendedGroupmeetingandlooksforwardtoanotherinterestingroundofmeetingsnextyear.
Attending
ChairDavidMeldingAM Chair,CrossPartyGrouponCo-operativesandMutuals
JennyRandersonAM
BrianGibbonsAM
AlexBird ExecutiveChair,Co-operativesandMutualsWales
JackieAplin DevelopmentandMarketingOfficer,Co-operativesandMutualsWales
GlennBowen EnterpriseProgrammeDirector,WalesCo-operativeCentre
MikeAsh-Edwards Cymru/WalesRegionalSecretary,TheCo-operativeGroup
PaulMallett RegionalManager,PublicSectorDevelopment,TheCo-operativeBank
PaulSwann PolicyOfficer(IndependentLiving),DisabilityWales
MargaretMinhinnick Director,SustainableWales
JeffHopkins LlanelliCreditUnion
CllrJanWilliams LlanelliCreditUnion
MrsMargaretGimblett LlanelliCreditUnion
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page13of40
MrsHalinaAshley LlanelliCreditUnion
MrWyndhamConniff NewportCreditUnion
DavidSmith Newport,TheCo-operativeGroup
HildaSmith OlderPerson’sPartnershipForum
MarcoGil-Cervantes ProMo-Cymru
JohnMckernan ProMo-Cymru
KarenWilkie DeputyGeneralSecretary,TheCo-operativeParty
SharonAngus-Crawshaw ABCULDirectorforWales
SionedHughes DirectorofPolicyandSocialEnterprise,CommunityHousingCymru
BrianRoberts consultancy.coop
AlunNutt DevelopmentManager,CartrefiCymru
MartinFilton SoilAssociation
Apologies
NerysEvansAM
JoyceWatsonAM
DerekWalker CEOWalesCo-opCentre
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page14of40
7thMeetingJune28th2011at12.30pm
TheCrossPartyGroupheldanothersuccessfuleventatthePierheadbuildinginpartnershipwithCo-operativesandMutualsWalesandWalesCo-operativeCentre.
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page15of40
Speakers:-
▪ DavidMelding,SouthWalesCentral,Conservative(Chair)
▪ VaughanGething,CardiffSouthandPenarth,Labour
▪ KirstyWilliams,Brecon&Radnorshire,LiberalDemocrat
▪ SimonThomas,Mid&WestWales,PlaidCymru
OtherAssemblyMembersattendingincluded:-
▪ MarkDrakeford,CardiffWest
▪ KeithJones,Llanelli
▪ KenSkates,ClwydSouth
▪ JulieJames,SwanseaWest
▪ RhodriGlynThomas,CarmarthenWest&Dinefwr
Aplogiesreceivedfrom
▪ JeffCuthbert,Caerphilly
TherefollowedapaneldebatechairedbyDavidJenkins,ChairofWalesCo-operativeCentre
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page16of40
GuestSpeakersincluded:-
▪ EdMayo,SecretaryGeneralofCo-operativesUK
▪ MollyScottCato,DirectorofCardiffInstituteforCo-operativeStudies
▪ AlexBird,ChairofCo-operativesandMutualsWales
▪ DerekWalker,ChiefExecutiveofWalesCo-operativeCentre
ThePaneldebatewaswide-rangingandaquestionwasaskedfromthefloor:-
“Whydon’twesetupaCommissiontolookattheco-operativemovementinWales,anditsfuturerole?”
DerekWalker,CEOofWalesCo-operativeCentrerepliedhehadameetinginacoupleofweekswiththeMinister,EdwinaHart,andhewouldraisetheidea.
Therewereexhibitionstandsfrom10co-operativeorganisationspresent,andover70peopleattended
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page17of40
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page18of40
8thMeetingNationalAssemblyforWalesCrossPartyGrouponCo-operativesandMutuals
12noonWednesdayOctober19th2011,CommitteeRoomC
TheCrossPartyGrouphasreformedforthethirdTermoftheWelshAssemblyunderanewChair-VaughanGethinAM.
ThefirstmeetingofthenewTermwas:-
CurrentdevelopmentsinAgriculturalCo-operativesinScotlandandWales
Speakers:
▪ JamesGraham,CEOoftheScottishAgriculturalOrganisationsSociety(SAOS)
▪ DonThomas,CEOoftheWelshAgriculturalOrganisationsSociety(WAOS)
DonThomas,DavidMeldingAM,JamesGraham,AlexBird
KarenWilkie,MartinPrice,VaughanGethingAM(Chair)
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page19of40
ThemeetingwasopenedbytheoutgoingChair,DavidMelding,whothenhandedovertoVaughanGething.
JamesGrahamexplainedtheroleandimpactoftheScottishAgriculturalOrganisationsSociety(SAOS)andtheimpactoftheagriculturalsectorontheScottisheconomy.HealsooutlinedthevariousprogrammesfinanciallysupportedbytheScottishparliamentaswellasthosedeliveredtoagriculturalco-opsonaconsultancybasis.
DonThomassimilarlyoutlinedtheroleoftheWelshAgriculturalOrganisationsSocietywhichsincethemid1980'shashadtooperatewithoutanydirectGovernmentfunding.Heexplainedtheworktheycarryoutonfarmassuranceandorganiccertificationandalsodetailedthe
Downloadthepresentations:-
SAOSPresentation-JamesGraham
WAOSPresentation-DonThomas
Secretariat:AlexBird,Co-operatives&MutualsWales
JackieAplin,Co-operatives&MutualsWales
AssemblyMembersandAMsupportstaff:
DavidMeldingAM,(OutgoingChair)SouthWalesCentral
VaughanGethingAM,(IncomingChair)CardiffSouth&Penarth
JanetFinch-SaundersAM,Aberconwy
MickAntoniwAM,Pontypridd
SimonThomasAM,Mid&WestWales
MikeHedgesAM,SwanseaEast
MathewCollins,ResearchertoChrisChapmanAM
Toby,ResearchertoRebeccaEvansAM
LeighJeffes,ResearchertoJanetFinch-SaundersAM
Temmy,ResearchertoVaughanGethingAM
Gretta,ResearchertoVaughanGethingAM
VictoriaBinding,ResearchertoVaughanGethingAM
Guests:KarenWilkie,DeputyGeneralSecretary,TheCo-operativeParty
MartinPrice,consultancy.coop
GlennBowen,WalesCo-operativeCentre
ApologiesLlyrHuwsGruffyddAM
MarkIsherwoodAM
DerekWalker,WalesCo-operativeCentre
AlexStill,ResearchertoJeffCuthbertAM
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page20of40
9thMeetingFeb12th2012
ChrisEarnshaw,MDofJohnLewis(Cardiff)
TheJohnLewisEmployeeOwnershipModel
ChrisEarnshaw,MDofJohnLewis(Cardiff)
AMspresentwere:-
▪ VaughanGethingAM(Chair)▪ DavidMeldingAM▪ JoyceWatsonAM▪ DavidReesAM▪ RhodriGlynThomasAM▪ MikeHedgesAM
AlsoinattendanceweretheresearchstaffofLeanneWoodAM,JulieMorganAM,andRussellGeorgeAMandaround30membersofthepublic.
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page21of40
10thmeetingMay2012at12.30pm
CreditUnionsinWales
Inapackedmeeting,theWelshAssemblyCross-PartyGrouponCo-operativesandMutualsbroughttogetherWelshAssemblyMembers,Welshfinancialbodiesincludingawidevarietyofcreditunions,thePrincipality,Co-operativeandBarclays,theWalesCo-opCentreandotherconcernedgroups,todiscussthechallengesforfinancialco-operativesinWales.
BarryRoberts,GeneralManagerofNorthWalesCreditUnion,presentedhiscreditunion’swork,andSharonAngus–Crawshaw,PresidentoftheAssociationofBritishCreditUnions(ABCUL)outlinedthewiderchallengesandopportunitiesthesectorfaces.
Speakingaftertheevent,theChairoftheCrossPartyGroupVaughanGethingAMsaid:
“CreditUnionsofferaccesstofinancetosomeofourmostdisadvantagedcommunities.IamproudthatourWelshgovernmenthassupportedthesector,butwemustdomore.Wemustworkinprimaryschools,toensurethatfinancialliteracyisengrainedearly,andwemustalsolookatinnovativewaysforward,suchaswithpostoffices.”
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page22of40
ChairofCo-operativesandMutualsWalesAlexBirdsaid:“Iwasdelightedtoseesomanyorganisationsrepresented.Inthecurrentfinancialinstabilityandthisfastchangingenvironment,itisvitalthatcreditunionssharegoodpractice,adaptandworksmarttocontinuetooffersolutionstothosewhoneedthem.TheWelshAssemblyhasrecognisedtheimportanceofcreditunionsforsomeyearsnow,andhashelpedthemtosupportfinanciallyexcludedpeoplegetaccesstosavingsandcredit,anditwasgoodtoseesomanyAssemblyMemberstakingthetimetocomeanddiscussthefuturewiththem.”
SpeakingafterthemeetingSharonAngus–Crawshaw,PresidentoftheAssociationofBritishCreditUnions(ABCUL)thankedChairoftheCrossPartyGroupVaughanGethingAMandtheGroupitselfforhostingthemeeting.
Shesaid:“Wecanallgainmuchbylearningmoreabouteachother’sexperiencesandbyworkingtogether.AndIthinkthatthisisespeciallyimportantintheInternationalYearofCo-operatives.
“Ifwearetoemulatethesuccessofmanyofourinternationalcreditunioncolleaguessomeofwhichserve30,40oreven50%ofthepopulation,wemustcontinuetoworktogetherandmakethemostofournewopportunities.ThatwaywecanensurethateveryoneinWalescanaccessthefinancialservicestheyneed."
CreditunionsinWaleshaveexperiencedsubstantialgrowthinrecentyears:
▪ from34,000membersandjuniorsin2004,to58,000in2011–a70%increase
▪ fromsavingsof£11millionin2004to£21millionin2011–a90%increase
▪ fromassetsof£13millionin2004to£27millionin2011–a107%increase
ViewBarry'spresentation:-NWalesCreditUnion
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page23of40
AssemblyMembersinattendance:-
▪ VaughanGethingAM(Chair)
▪ LlyrGruffyddAM
▪ DavidReesAM
▪ MikeHedgesAM
▪ SuzyDaviesAM
▪ JulieJamesAM
▪ AnnJonesAM
▪ AledRobertsAM
▪ MarkDrakefordAM
▪ MarkIsherwoodAM
Apologies:-
▪ SimonThomasAM
▪ LindsayWhittleAM
▪ MohammadAsgharAM
▪ BethanJenkinsAM
▪ AntoinetteSandbachAM
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page24of40
11thMeetingJan23rd2013at12.30pm
SocialCo-operativesinWales
AtalivelymeetingintheWelshAssembly'sMediaRoom,theCrossPartyGrouponCo-operativesandMutualsheldanotherofitsevents,focussingontheroleSocialCo-operativescouldperforminprovidingsocialcareinWales.ThemeetingwaschairedbyMarkDrakefordAM,ChairoftheSocialServicesCommittee,whowasstandinginfortheGroup'sChair,VaughanGethingAM,whowasaway.
ThefirstpresentationwasbyLaurieGregory,thefounderandChairoftheFosterCareCo-op,whichfromitsofficesinMalvernandCardiffprovidesfostercareservicesacrosstheUK.Fromsmallbeginningsitisnowa£multi-millionco-operativeenterprise.
ThesecondpresentationwasfromAdrianRoper,theChiefExecutiveofCartrefiCymru,acharitableorganisationbasedinCardiffwhichoriginallyspecialisedinservicestopeoplewithlearningdisabilityfollowingtheclosureprogrammeofthesocalled"longstayhospitals"followingtheinnovativeWalesOfficeprogammeknownasthe"AllWalesStrategy".CartrefiCymrunowemploysover1,000carersandprovidessocialcaretoarangeofclientsincludingolderpeopleacrossWales.
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page25of40
SeeAdrian'spresentation:-AdrianRoper-CrossPartytalkJan2013
SeeLaurie'spresentation:-LaurieGregory~SocialCareCo-ops2013
AdrianchairsthenewlyformedSocialCo-opDevelopmentForuminWales,whichisworkingtodevelopsocialco-opsinthelightofthenewSocialCareBillforWaleswhichsupportsthismodelofcare.SocialCo-ops,particularlywhentheyaremulti-stakeholder,engagingtheserviceuserandthestaff,arewellestablishedinQuebecandItaly,andprovideademonstrablybettermodelofcare.
DetailsoftheForumandhowtogetinvolvedareathttp://www.cooperatives-wales.coop/?page_id=1879
Summingup,MarkDrakefordAMwelcomedthedevelopmentsdetailedatthismeetingoftheCrossPartyGroup,andhopestoseethemroledoutaftertheSocialCareBillhascompleteditswayintolaw.InhiscontinuingroleasProfessorofSocialSciencesatCardiffUniversity,Markhaslongbeenanexponentofco-opsinsocialcareandinprovidingotherservicestothecommunitysuchasthosefromcreditunions,andhehaswrittenandresearchedextensivelyonthisarea.
ThemeetingwassponsoredbytheCo-operativeMembership
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page26of40
12thMeetingJan28th2013at12.30pm
EvergreenCo-operativesinCleveland,Ohio
TedHoward,ExecutiveDirectoroftheDemocracyCollaborative
AtapackedmeetingoftheCrossPartyGroup,chairedbyVaughanGethingAM,TedHoward,ExecutiveDirectoroftheDemocracyCollaborativeattheUniversityofMarylandspokeabouthisworkattheEvergreenCo-operativesinCleveland,Ohio.
Clevelandisa"rustbucket"townwhichoncehadmoreFortune500companiesheadquarteredtherethananyothertownoutsideNewYorkCity.nowitonlyhas2left.It'spopulationhasfallenfromalmostamilliontoaround400,000,andmanyplotsinthecityhavebeenclearedandstandempty.
Teddescribedhowtheyhavebroughttogetherseedcornmoneyfromphilanthropicfoundationstoestablisha$multi-millionloanfundtoestablishworkerco-operatives.Thishasbeeninparrallelwiththoselocalinstitutionstheyhaveidentifiedas"anchors",suchastheUniversity,localhospitalsandlocalgovernment.TheseinstitutionsareClevelandbased,haveClevelandintheirname,deliverservicesinCleveland,andunlikemanycommercialbusinessescan'tgoawaytowherelabourischeaper.
Theyhaveworkedwiththese"anchorinstitutions"onalocalpurchasinginitiativetofindoutwhatservicestheyneed,anddevelopco-opstosupplythoseneedslocally.Sofartheyhaveopenedupalaundry,asolarpanelinstallerandaninnercitygreenhouseproducingmillionsoflettuceeachyear.
BuildingonwhattheylearnedfromtheMondragonCo-operativeCorporationintheBasquecountryofnorthernSpain,theyhavelinkedtheseco-opstogetherintoasupportivefederation,whichinvestsinnewco-ops,supportsthem,andthen
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page27of40
receives10%oftheirprofitsbackagainwhentheyfinallystartmakingprofits.This10%returnwillbeputasidetosupportmoreco-opventuresinthefuture,whilsttheremainingprofitswillbesplitbetweenreinvestmentintheindividualco-opsandadividendtoworkermembers.Tedseesthisprofitdistributionasanimportantpartoftheprocess,asitputswealthbackintothemostdeprivedcommunities.
DerekWalker,TedHoward,VaughanGething,AlexBird
SeeTed'sfullpresentation:-
EvergreenCo-ops-28January2013-Presentation
ThemeetingwassponsoredbyWalesCo-operativeCentre
CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page28of40
13thMeetingWelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operativesandMutuals15thJanuary2014
TheCommunityOwnershipofSport
MediaBriefingRoom,12.30–1.30pm
AssemblyMembersPresent
MickAntoniwAM(Chair),MikeHedgesAM,LeightonAndrewsAM,JulieMorganAM,BethanJenkinsAM,JulieJamesAM
Secretariat
AlexBird(ExecutiveChair,Co-operatives&MutualsWales)
Speakers
DanielRose(HeadofSupportersDirect,England&Wales)KevinRye(HeadofCommunications,SupportersDirect,EnglandandWales)MeurigEvans(Chair,MerthyrTownFC)
Guests
TimHartley(Chair,CardiffCitySupportersTrust),JohnStrand(MerthyrTownFC),MarkEvans(MerthyrtownFC),BrentCarter(BusinessDevelopment,MerthyrTownFC),AlanLewis(Chair,SwanseaCitysupportersTrust),IanCourtney(RegionalDirector,CharityBank),KarenWilkie(DeputyGen.Sec.Co-opparty),DrMartinPrice(consultancy.coop),AlanJones(CommunitiesInvestmentFund),AngelaFarr(SportWales),AlanBurge,RichardVaughan(CadwynHousingAssoc.),AshleyDrake(MembershipManager,Wales,Co-operativeGroup),RyanJones(Wales
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Co‑operativeCentre),SioneddHughes(DirectorofPolicy&Regeneration,CommunityHousingCymru),GeoffJones(EnterprisingCommunities,WCVA),JeremyBowen-Rees(Landsker),MikeClarke(Chair,CartrefiCymru)and11others
MickAntoniwAM(Chair)openedthemeetingat12.30pm,welcomedtheguestsandintroducedthespeakers.
TheChairoutlinedhiscommitmenttothedevelopmentoftheSupportersTrustmovementinWalesandthepotentialimportanceoftheLocalismActinsecuringcommunityassets.
DanielRose(HeadofSupportersDirect,England&Wales)spokeabouttheworkofSupportersDirectanditsorigins.ItisfundedprincipallybyalevyontheEnglishFA,butcampaignsacrossallformsofspectatorsport.It’svaluesaretorestorethepowerandinfluenceoftheprincipalstakeholders,thespectators.Inclubsthathavebecomefanownedtherehasbeenadistinctchangeofatmosphereandpurpose,puttingmoreemphasisoncommunity,volunteeringandplayerengagementwithitsvalues.Thishasmadetheclubsmoresustainable.
KevinRye(HeadofCommunications,SupportersDirect,EnglandandWales)spokeabouttheworkofSupportersDirectinEnglandandacrossEurope.TherearenowsimilarorganisationsinmanyEuropeancountriesthatcomeunderacommonSupportersDirectEuropebanner.TheseincludeIreland,wherefootballhasdeclinedoverdecadesandisnowstartingtoberevivedbyasupporterledmovement.
HealsopointedtotheworkdonebyMerthyrTownFCincommunityengagement,aswellasthegoodworkdonebyWrexhamandSwansea.HecitedMerthyrTownasanexemplarofthepossibilitiesforcommunityownership.
MeurigEvans(Chair,MerthyrTownFC)gaveaprécisedaccountoftherecenthistoryofMerthyrTownFCmovingfromprivateownershipviaadministrationandbankruptcytocommunityownership.Heparticularlyemphasisedtheroleoftheground’sowners,MerthyrTydfilCouncil,withoutwhosehelpandco-operationitwouldnothavebeenpossible.Theyhavemovedfrom1½staffatlaunchtoatotalof6todaywiththefinancialsupportoftheCouncilandothers,includinga3foldincreaseinlocalbusinesssponsorship.Theyarenowabletoengageinavarietyofactivitiesinvolvinglocalyoungsters,andwiththesupportofasubstantialgranthavejustopenedabrandnewallweatherpitch,whichwillenableevenmoreactivitytotakeplace
DiscussionfollowedinwhichMikeHedgesAMcitedtheimportanceofimplementingtheLocalismActinWales.ThiswasendorsedbyLeightonAndrewsAM(afoundingmemberofCardiffSupportersTrust)andbytheChair.ItwasalsopointedoutbyIanCourtney,AlanBurgeandothersthatthiswouldimpactonothercommunityassetssuchaslocalpubsandvillageshops.KevinRyeaddedthatinEngland,footballgroundssuchasAnfieldhadbeenofficiallylistedasCommunityAssets,whichwouldpreventthebeingsoldwithoutthecommunityhavingachancetobidforthem.
LeightonAndrewsAMsuggestedthataSupportersDirectCymruwasessentialtotakethemovementforwardinWales.KarenWilkiestatedthatsheandmanyothershavearguedforaSupportersTrustmovementinWalesformanyyears,andthetimewasrightnowforsuchadevelopment.
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AlexBird(Secretariat)addedthattheimportanceoftheonememberonevotenatureofSupportersTrustsmeantthatfollowingachangeoflegalstructure,anytakeoverbysingleindividualswouldbecomeeffectivelyimpossible,andthiswasagreatstrengthofthemovement.
ThegeneralconsensusofthemeetingwasinagreementwiththeneedtodeveloptheSupportersTrustmovementinWales,anditwassuggestedinterestedpartiesshouldformasmallsteeringgrouptotakethisforward.ThissuggestionwasendorsedbytheChair.
Themeetingwasclosedat1.25pmbytheChair,whothankedallpresentforattending.
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14thMeetingCrossPartyGrouponCo-operativesandMutuals
12thMarch2014at12.30,TheMediaBriefingRoom
TheReportoftheWelshCo-operativeandMutualsCommission
AssemblyMembersPresentMickAntoniwAM(Chair),JulieJamesAM
SecretariatAlexBird(Chair,Co-operativesandMutualsWales)
Speakers
▪ AndrewDavies(ChairofAbertaweBroMorgannwgUniversityHealthBoard),
▪ DerekWalker(ChiefExecutive,WalesCo-operativeCentre)
GuestsNeilRonconi-Woolard(AMSS),PaulCubbit(AMSS),SamHunt(AMSS),KarynPittick(WG),LisaClarridge(WG),JoMorton(WG),JayneHoward(AMSS),TimHartley(SD),AmberCourtney(Unison),JeffJones(WCVA),SimonHarris(WCVA),SuzanneSims(BronAfonHA),PhillipEvans(ADSSCymru),DonnaCoyle(WCC),FrankLearner(Greengage),DanMcCullum(AwelAmanTawe),DewiWilliams(AnturTeifi),IanCourtney(CharityBank),AdrianRoper(CartrefiCymru)and4others
MickAntoniwAM(Chair)openedthemeetingat12.30pm,welcomedthemembersandguestsandintroducedthespeakers.
HethenoutlinedhissupportoftheCommissionanditsReport,whichhefeltwasanimportantdevelopment,andifacceptedbytheAssemblyGovernmentwouldrepresentamajorchangeineconomicandsocialpolicy.
AndrewDaviesopened:-
Westartedthisprojectbyrecognisingthatnewwaysoforganisingeconomicactivityareneeded,inwhichco-operationandmutualityarefundamentalprinciples,sowelookedatco-operativesbothasbusinessesandascontributorstopublicservices.
“WewereluckytohaveaworldwideperspectivefromPaulineGreen,thePresidentoftheInternationalCo-operativeAllianceandthespecialistacademicinputofRobinMurrayfromtheLSE,aswellasapublicservicesviewfromSirPaulWilliamsformerChiefExecutiveofNHSWales.
“Wehaverecommendedbetterco-ordinationofbusinesssupportservicestodevelopingco-operativesandmutuals,enablingthemtoobtainbothspecialistandmainstreamadvice,aswellhelpingthemtoaccesstospecialistfinance.
“Co-operativesandmutualsaredifferentandneedpartnersthatunderstandthatdifference,butexperienceshowstheyhaveoutperformedmoreconventionalbusinessesinrecentyearsandaremoreresilientinadownturn.WhilstinWalestheyaretypicallyquitesmallatpresenttheyhavetheabilitytogrow,asexamplesaroundtheworldhaveshown.
“WesawthatthereisaneedforpublicbodiesinWalestohaveaccesstospecialistadvice,sotheycometorecognisethatoutsourcingtocommercialcompaniesisnottheonlyoptionavailabletothemwhenchangingservicedelivery,andthatco-operativeethicsareveryclosetotheirown.
“Werecognisedtheveryreasonableconcernsofthetradesunionsinanyoutsourcing
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situation,butexperienceshowsthatifaservicemovestomutualmodelstaffconditionsareusuallypreserved,andinsomecasesimproved,soweareconfidenttheirconcernscanbeaddressed.TheTradesUnionmovementhasbeenalong-termsupporterofco-operativesinWales,andthisCommissionwasestablishedin2012,whichwasthe30thanniversaryofthefoundationbytheWalesTUCoftheWalesCo-operativeCentreaswellasbeingtheUN’sInternationalyearofCo-operatives.”
DerekWalkerthenspoke:-
“It’simportanttolookatwhat’sgoingonintheco-operativesectoratpresent,butalsotoputthatinperspective.WhilstthetroublesatCo-operativeGrouparemakingtheheadlines,notonlyaretheylargelytodowiththedifficultiesotherbanksandsupermarketchainsarehaving,butthatthereareover6,000otherco-operativeintheUKthatarecontinuingtogrowandprosper.Indeedtheyarecontinuingtooutperformtherestoftheeconomy,andtheco-operativebrandremainsmoretrustedthanordinarybusinessesbythemajorityofthepublic.
“TheWalesCo-operativeCentreseesthisreportasverypositive.Itputsalotofemphasisontheco-operativeandmutualsectortakingtheinitiative,aswellasheWelshGovernmenttakingaction.Ithasastrongemphasisoneducation,andwewelcometherecommendationofputtingmoreco-operationonthecurriculuminWales,aswellaslookingathowco‑operativevaluesandgovernancecanbedevelopedinpubliceducation”.
Questionsfromthefloor:-
DanMcCullumNotheardaboutco-operativeschools.Canyoutellmemore?
IanCourtneyThefailuresaroundthePaulFlowersaffairshowstheneedtolearnlessons
FrankLearnerWilltheguidanceforco-operativesthatistoproducedregardingprocurementbeavailabletocharitiesaswell?
AndrewDaviesProcurementisamatterforGovernmenttoproduceguidance,andI’msureitwillberelevant.OnPaulflowers,that’sapointwellmade,butletsnotforgetFredGoodwin,RBS,NorthernRock,etc.Onco-opschoolsIfeelstrongly.Muchpublicpolicyisaroundwhatthingsarenot.Weneedtobepositiveaboutco-opethos–putastakeinthegroundandsaythisiswhatweareandwhatwecando.
DerekWalkerMostco-opschoolsinEnglandaremulti-stakeholder,engagingpupils,parentsandstaff
AlexBirdMostco-opschoolshavealsostayedwithlocalauthoritiesastheiradvisers,astheirethosisverysimilartolocalgovernment’s
MickAntoniwI’mpleasedtoseealsotheemphasisonthetransferofassets/righttobidforcommunityassetsbeingemphasisedintheReport.Thisisimportantforschools,forleisureservicesandforsportingfacilities,andwe’vesupportedthatatpreviousmeetings
DewiWilliamsPleasedtoseetheemphasisontheneedforspecialistandgeneralbusinesssupport
SimonHarrisOnpublicservicedelivery,isthereabarrierfromlocalgovernmenton
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thisarea?
AndrewDaviesBridgendhaveoutsourcedLeisureServicestoHalo,asocialenterprise,andthisisworkingwell.Inanotherauthority(unnamed)theyhaveoutsourcedtoasocialenterprise,butnotletgoofcontrol,andthereitsnotworkingsowell.It’sessentialtoletmutualhavethefreedomtogetonanddothejob.
TimHartleyTheLocalismAct2011hasn’tbeenimplementedinWales,whichprovidesa6monthwindowforcommunitygroupstoraisefundsandprepareabidforcommunityassets.Whatcanbedonetobringthisforward?
AndrewDaviesTheReportisgoingthroughaformaconsultationrunbyWalesCo-operativeCentrefortheGovernment.Thiswouldbeagoodopportunitytoinputyourconcerns.Alsoworthnotingthatwomenaremoreactiveinsocialenterprises.
DanMcCullumCommunityenergyprojectsarelesscommoninWales.Thereisaneedtopromotethisoptionmoreforcefully.Needapromotionalevent
DerekWalkerTheCentrecoulddosomethinghere.We’llgetsomethingorganised
AtthispointMikAntoniwhadtoreturntotheChamber,AlexBirdtooktheChairforaninformaldiscussiontocontinue
PhilEvansTheethicsofco-opsarecongruouswithpublicserviceethics,butthescaleofmicro-managementbyWelshGovernmentandtheRegulatorspreventsustakingrisksandinitiatingchange
AndrewDaviesWeneedtoengagewiththeworkforcefromthebeginning.AtmyhealthBoardwearealreadylookingatpilotprojectstomutualisesomeservices
AmberCourtneyWhatsafeguardsarethereforworkers?NeedforaPRexercisetomakeitplainwhattheseare.
AndrewDaviesIrecogniseyourconcerns.It’sworthnotingthatinallmutualisationinWalessofar,workerstermshavebeenmaintained,andinsomecasesimproved.
AdrianRoperJusttoleteveryoneknowtheWalesSocialCo-opForumwillbereconveninginApriltobuildontheworkwearealreadydoinginPowys
AlexBirdclosedthemeetingat13.40
InconclusionPhilipEvansissuedastatementonbehalfofADSSCymru:-“TheworkoftheWelshCommissiononCo-operativesandMutualsishighlyvaluedbyDirectorsofSocialServices.Wearekeentopromotethespecialcontributionthatthesectorcanmakeinchangingthewaysocialcareservicesareplannedandmadeavailabletopeopleinourlocalities.
“Thisreportanditsrecommendationswillhelpustothinkaboutnewwaysofmeetingthechallengesinvolvedinhavingamoreresponsiverangeofservicesandproviders.Promotingco-operativesandmutualswillhelpuscollectivelytotacklerisingdemandandchangingexpectationsaboutgreatercontrolforserviceusersandcarersandmaintainingastrongethicalbasisonthepartofallstaffwhoprovidecareandsupport.”
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15thMeetingJuly1st2014at12.30pm
TheCo-operativesUKReportonSocialCo-operatives
AssemblyMembersPresent
None
Secretariat
AlexBird(Chair,Co-operativesandMutualsWales)
Speakers
EdMayo(SecretaryGeneral,Co-operativesUK)PatConaty(Co-operativesUKResearchAssociate)
Guests
RuthDineen(Co-productionWales),SueThomas(HealthLibrarian)RichardVaughan(CadwynHA)SarahCole(CadwynHA)GlennBowen(WalesCo-operativeCentre)AdrianRoper(CartrefiCymru)MikeVigar(CymorthCymru)MichaelFlyn(DiverseCymru)Ceri-AnnFiddler(WCC)DavePalmer(WCC)HowardLewis(ChangeAGEnts)PaulDear(WelshGovernment)RayJoseph,EleanorMarks(WG)RhianDavies(DisabilityWales)DavidSmith(Co-operativeGroup)LindaWard(Co-operativesUK)Cllr.SylviaJones(Co-opParty)MartinPrice(consultancy.coop)KarenWilkie(Co-opParty)LynRichards(WalesRestorativeApproachesPartnership)JuliaHoulstonClark(WRAP)MichelleAndrews(WRAP)MikeJones(WCC)JoMora(WG)KarynPittick(WG)RonWaltonand3others
AlexBird(ActingChair)openedthemeetingat18.10pmasnoAssemblyMemberswereabletoattend,asthePlenarysessionoftheAssemblywasrunninguntillaterthatevening.Alexexplainedthesituationandwelcomedtheguestsandintroducedthespeakers.
EdMayosetthesceneforthelaunchofthisReportinWales,notingthatWalesisleadingtheagendaintheUKonsocialco-operativedevelopment.Thisisimportantasaround1/3oflocalauthoritybudgetsarespentonsocialcareandanychangewillbeimportanttothewaypublicservicesaredelivered.
PatConatythenexplainedtheprocessofthereport’sdevelopmentanditskeypoints.
WorkstatedonitapproximatelyoneyearagoinBirminghamwithaseminar.
HenotedthatCareHomesintheUKhaveacollectivedebtburdenofover£4bn,andmanyarebelowtheacceptedstandard.Thesectorwaslargelymadeupofvoluntarysectorandpublicsectororganisations20yearsago,butnowit’sdominatedbytheprivatesector.Inadditionthereare6.3millionunpaidcarers,mostlyfamilyandfriends.
InItalytherearealreadythousandsofsocialco-ops,andtheco-operativesectoringeneralismuchlargerthanhere.IntheEmiliaRomagnaregionthereareover8,000co-opswhichcontribute40%oftheGDP.
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SocialCo-opsinItalyaimtohavelessthan100memberstokeepthempersonalised,andtheyoperatethe“strawberrypatch”principlewherebyeveryonepledgestosupportthecreationofanotherco-operative.
Patlaidoutthepossibleprogressandgrowthopportunitiesforsocialco-ops,particularlytheopportunitiesintheHealthandSocialCareAct.
CopiesoftheReportwereavailableattheevent
Questionsfromthefloor:-
RhianDaviesexplainedthenewprojecttosetupsocialco-opsbeingrunbyDisabilityWales
HowardLewisaskedabouttheattitudeoftheTradesUnions.
PatexplainedthatinQuebecsocialco-opshadthefullsupportoftheTradesUnionmovementbecauseitisjob,notvolunteerbased,andco-opsgenerallyprovidehigherqualityjobs
EdexplainedthattheWalesTUC,followingaresearchvisittoMondragon,setuptheWalesCo-operativeCentre.Thisyear’sUKCo-operativeoftheYear,SUMAWholefoodsinYorkshire,wasreceivingavisitfromtheTUCthisweekendtoexplaintheco-operativemodelanddemonstratethequalityofemploymenttheyhavecreated.
Edalsopointedouttheneedtobeanalyticalaboutorganisations.SomesocalledmutualsthathavespunoutfrompublicservicesinEnglandarenotbestpracticeexamples,andhaveonlylimitedemployeeorstakeholderownershipandcontrol.Hestressedtheneedforthepublicsectortoworkwiththeco-operativesectortoensuretheygetthebenefitsofthetrueco-operativemodelinanyspin-outs.
AlexBirdclosedthemeetingat19.20andthankedeveryoneforattending.
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16thMeetingFeb24th2015at12.30pm
CrossPartyGrouponCo-operativesandMutuals,
TheMediaBriefingRoom
AllotmentsandCommunitySupportedAgriculture
AssemblyMembersPresentMickAntoniw(Chair)
MarkIsherwood
SecretariatAlexBird(Chair,Co-operativesandMutualsWales)
Speakers
▪ CllrGarethHolden(CardiffCC,Gabalfa)
▪ NikkiGiles(FlintshireCSA),
▪ GeraldMiles(CaerhysCSAinPembrokeshire)
GuestsHelenCunningham(OfficeofJennyRathboneAM)JohnCharles(AllensbankAllotments)AlunNutt(TorfaenAllotments)SteveWarbeys(LeckwithAllotments)TerryCooper(ForestFarmAllotments)HowardLewis(ChangeAGEnts)KarenWilkie(Co-opParty)and5others
MickAntoniwAM(Chair)openedthemeetingat12.30,welcomedtheguestsandintroducedthespeakers.
GarethHoldenspokeabouthisroleastheCardiffChampionforAllotmentsandGrowersHisfocusoverthelastyearhasbeenonallotments.CardiffAllotmentHoldersAssociationhasbeenrevitalised,andtheCouncilisworkingtosupportthelocalmanagementofallotmentsacrossthecity.Therearecurrently26sites,ofwhich8arelocallymanaged.
Notallgroupshavethecapacitytoself-manage,sotheCouncilisworkingtodevelop5levelsofself-managementfromwhichsitescanchoose.
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Garethiskeentobringtogetherallotments,leisuregardensandcommunitygardensacrossthecityintoonenetwork.
HealsolaidoutaprogrammeforWelshGovernment,whichwouldbesupportiveofallotmentdevelopment.
Asmuchallotmentproduceisthrownawaywhentherearesurpluses,legislatingtoallowthesaleofexcessproducewouldbehelpful,aswouldlegislationtoenableothercategoriesofpubliclandtobeused,suchasparksandhighwayslandsuchasverges.
NikkiGilesspokeaboutthedevelopmentofFlintshireCSA,andofCSAsacrosstheUK.Therearenowaround200CSAsinEngland,and6inWales.Theyprovideasteadyincomefortheproducer,whoissupportedbythevolunteermemberswhoalsosharetheriskwiththem.Mostareonrentedland,andafewareonexistingfarms,whichhavesetsomelandasidefortheCSA.Theyaretypically5to100acres,andcanworkonlandthatisdifficulttofarmwithmachineryasmuchoftheworkcanbedonemanually.Mostareorganic,butnotall,andofthosethatareorganic,notallbotherwithcertification,asthemembersknowtheprovenanceanyway.
TheCSAWalesNetworklaunchedonFeb14th,andisaimingtohelpthemovementgrowinWales.CSAsneedsomefundingonstart-uptopayfortheemployedproducerintheperiodbeforecropsareharvested.Theyalsoneedtopurchaseequipment.
Nikkisuggestedaloansystemforstart-upCSAswouldbesomethingtheWelshGovernmentcouldconsider.
GeraldMilesspokeabouthisexperiences.Hisfarmhadbeenorganicforabout15yearsbeforetheCSAstarted.Hehadproducedmilk,butthefarm-gatepricedroppedfrom29pto13pperlitrein2003andhetookthedifficultdecisiontosellhisherdandstopdairyproduction.Thiswasanemotionaltime,astheherdhadbeenfarmbredfortwogenerations.
In2009hesawapresentationbyNickReeveonCSAs,andwiththehelpoftheSt.DavidsEcoCityGrouptheCSAwasestablishedwith12members.Itisnowupto54.
TheCSAhasbroughtcommunityspiritbacktothefarm.Withtheincreaseinmechanisationandconsequentreductioninlabourrequired,farmingtodaycanbealonelybusiness,andthis,togetherwiththesenseofresponsibilityononepersonsshoulders,canleadtodepressionandworse.
Thecommunitynowhasacloserelationshipwiththefarmer,andviceversa,andsotheconsumerismuchmoreawareoffoodandhowitisproduced.Theyhavebuiltacobovenforbakingbreadandpizzas,andhaveregularmonthlyworkingpartiestotill,weedandharvest.TheynowhaveWWOOFvolunteersaswellasinternationalvolunteersviatheUNAyouthprogramme.
Questionsancommentsfromthefloor:-
NikkiGilessaidaccesstolandisaproblem.ManyCouncilsaresellingtheirtenantedfarmswithoutofferingthemtothecommunity
MarkIsherwoodAMaskediftheChaircouldwritetotheMinistertoseeifCSAs
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couldbeincludedinAgri-Environmentalschemes
CllrGarethHoldensaidthatCardiffCCarelookingatdemandforCSAschemesinthecity,andanygroupsinterestedshouldcontacthimattheCouncil.
Therebeingnofurtherquestions,MickAntoniwAMclosedthemeetingat13.25andthankedeveryoneforattending.
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17thMeetingMarch19th2015
12.15–13.30,TheMediaBriefingRoom
CommunityOwnedGreenEnergySchemes
AssemblyMembersPresent
MickAntoniw(Chair)
AlunFfredJones
Secretariat
AlexBird(Chair,Co-operativesandMutualsWales)
Speakers
▪ JeremyThorp(Sharenergy)
▪ NeilLewis(RobertOwenCommunityBankingFund-ROCBF)
Guests
DavidParker(WalesCo-operativeCentre),Ceri-AnneFidler(WalesCo-operativeCentre)GeorgeRuelibusch(WelshAssembly)KarenWilkie(Co-operativePartyDGS)andthreeothers
MickAntoniwAM(Chair)openedthemeetingat12.30,welcomedtheguestsandintroducedthespeakers.
JeremyThorpspokeabouthisroleworkingforSharenergy,whichisaco-opthatcoverstheUKfromitsbaseinShrewsbury,providingsupporttoCommunityEnergyShareIssueprojects.
Mostcommunityownedenergyschemeschoosetoraisemoneythroughashareissuetothepublicbecausethisgivesalowerinterestrate(ticket)totheorganisationwhilstgivingabetterreturntotheinvestorthanworkingwithabankorsimilarsourceofloanfinance.
WhatarethebarrierstosuchCommunityEnergySchemesdeveloping?Theyaregenerallyofasmallerscaletocommerciallyowneddevelopments,whichincreasestheproportionoftime/effort/moneyspentonoverheads.Also,theearly,atriskstagesaremoredifficulttogetthrough,particularlysoforhydroschemeswhereconsiderableeffortandmoneyisrequiredjusttogetalltheconsentsinplace.SomeoftheAssemblySupportedBodies(ASBs)areunhelpful,andthereisnoeffectiverecoursetoanarbiterorombudsperson.
ThereisagreatopportunityforLocalAuthorities,theAssemblyandotherpublicbodiestopartnerupwiththecommunity,particularlyastheyhavelargeestateswhicharesuitableforcommunitygenerationprojects.
NeilLewisspokeaboutthedevelopmentofanumberofschemessupportedbytheROCBF’sCommunityEnergyFund.TheFundofover£1millionactsasanunderwritertoschemes,wheretheaimisusuallytopaybackanyloansfromshareissues.
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Someoftheseschemeshavebeenverysuccessful.AnafonHydro,a270kWschemebasedinavillageof250people,raisedover£450,000fromashareissuewiththeirsupport.AlsoLlangattockGreenValleysisanotherhighlysuccessfulscheme.
However,therecanbeobstacles,particularlywithhydroschemes.CarmarthenshireEnergyhavehadlongdelayswaitingforanabstractionlicence,andthesedelaysincreasecosts.
TheRobertOwenRenewablesschemeatPenarthWeir,northofNewtownhashadtogiveup,asCadwwillnotallowanychangestotheexistingfishpassontheweir,whichisaGradeIIlistedmonument,andtheoldfishpassistheproposedsiteoftheArchimedesScrewgenerator.Theironyofthisisthatthefishpassdoesn’twork,anewoneisproposed,andthespawningfishhavealwayshadtojumptheweiritself.
AlsoGowerPowerhavehadtogotoappealoverobjectionstotheirproposedgroundmountedsolarPVscheme,someofwhichhavecomefrompeopleclaimingavisualimpacteventhoughtheycannotthemselvesseethescheme.
AnotherschemeatDeepNavigation,aimingtousethewaterspillingoutoftheoldmineworkingshasbeendelayedbyRCTtaking3yearstonegotiatealeaseontheland.
AtEvanstown,therequirementofNaturalResourcesWalestocarryoutafishsurvey,eventhoughthewaterisbrightorangewithpollution,hasagaincauseddelay.
Neilsummarisedthebarriersas:-
• Planningsystemtakestoolong
• NaturalResourcesWalestaketoolongtodecide
Neilfeltthiswaspresumablybecausetheyareafraidofmakingamistake,butnotmakingadecisionisineffectadecisiontodelay.
Questionsancommentsfromthefloor:-
AlexBirdsuggestedthePlanningandConsentsystemsbesubjecttoa“presumptiontopermit”sothatifauthoritiesdidn’tcomeupwithreasonedobjectionsinasettime,say6months,permissionwouldbegrantedautomatically.TheChairpointedoutthisalreadyappliestoBettingShopapplications.
JeremyThorppointedoutthegreatopportunitiestodevelopsolarPVonsocialhousingroofs,wherebythecommunitygettheFeedinTariff(FiT)andthetenantgetsfreedaytimeelectricity.HepointedoutsuchaschemeSharenergyareworkingoninCannockChase.
MickAntoniwAMfeltthatthisdiscussionhadbeenveryuseful,andhewouldbeconsideringtheissuesraisedwhenheattendstheEnvironmentCommittee’sstudyvisitongreenenergytoGermanylaterthismonth
Therebeingnofurtherquestions,MickAntoniwAMclosedthemeetingat13.15andthankedeveryoneforattending.
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