Case Study - Welsh Assembly CPG on Co-ops...Case Study - Welsh Assembly Cross Party Group on Co-operatives & Mutuals – 2009 – 2015 Page 5 of 40 2nd Meeting Feb 11th 2010 at 12.30pm

CaseStudy-WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&Mutuals–2009–2015 Page1of40

casestudies……

WelshAssemblyCrossPartyGrouponCo-operatives&MutualsTheStory2009-2015

OneofaseriesofcasestudiesbyAlexBirdMay2016

www.alex-bird.com


casestudies…….

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TheycoverarangeofsubjectsthatIhopewillbeofinterest.

Someareofhistoricalinterest,somearetopicsfordiscussion.

Somehavealreadybeenpublishedsomewhere,inwholeorinpart.

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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


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


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


3rdMeetingoftheCrossPartyGrouponMay26th2010at12.30pm

RealisingthePotential–areviewoftheCreditUnionmovementinWales

AddressbyMollyScott-CatofromCardiffInstituteforCo-operativeStudiesinwhichshedetailedtheresearchworkundertakenbytheCardiffInstituteforCo-operativeStudiesatUWIC

AMs

▪ DavidMelding(Chair),Conservative

▪ JoyceWatsonAM,Labour

▪ AngelaBurnsAM,Conservative

▪ MarkIsherwoodAM,Conservative

▪ JanetRyderAC/AM,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


4thMeetingJune16th2010atthePierHeadBuilding.12.30pm

AsanewWestminstergovernmenttalksaboutputtingco-operativeideasattheheartofBritishsociety,AssemblyMembersfromthefourmainpoliticalpartiesoutlinedwhattheybelievethefutureholdsforWalesataneventsponsoredbytheCrossPartyGrouponCooperativesandMutualsonWednesday16thJuneinthePierheadbuilding,CardiffBay.

4membersoftheGroupspokeatapubliceventsponsoredbytheChair,DavidMeldingAMinthePierHeadBuildingtohighlightthestartofthefirstUKwideCo‑operativesFortnight,organisedbyCo-operativesUK

▪ DavidMeldingAM(Chair),Conservative

▪ HuwLewisAM(ViceChair),Labour/Co-op

▪ JennyRandersonAM,LiberalDemocrat


ThiswasapubliceventtolaunchCo-operativesFortnight(19June–3July2010)inWales.

TheChairoftheAssembly’sCrossPartyGrouponCo-operativesandMutualsDavidMeldingAMwasjoinedbyHuwLewisAM,JennyRandersonAMandGarethJonesAM.


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.”


Othermembersinattendancewere:-


▪ DrBrianGibbonsAM,Labour

▪ JeffCuthbertAM,Labour

Therewasanexhibitionofco-operativesallday,whichwasopentothepublic.Organisationsrepresented:-

▪ Co-operativesandMutualsWales

▪ Co-operativeGroup

▪ CardiffInstituteforCo-operativeStudies

▪ CardiffandValeCreditUnion

▪ FairTradeWales

▪ MakersGuild

▪ TinternAngiddy(CommunityHydroProject)

Approx70membersofthepublicattended


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


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.


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


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


7thMeetingJune28th2011at12.30pm

TheCrossPartyGroupheldanothersuccessfuleventatthePierheadbuildinginpartnershipwithCo-operativesandMutualsWalesandWalesCo-operativeCentre.


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


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



8thMeetingNationalAssemblyforWalesCrossPartyGrouponCo-operativesandMutuals

12noonWednesdayOctober19th2011,CommitteeRoomC

TheCrossPartyGrouphasreformedforthethirdTermoftheWelshAssemblyunderanewChair-VaughanGethinAM.

ThefirstmeetingofthenewTermwas:-

CurrentdevelopmentsinAgriculturalCo-operativesinScotlandandWales

Speakers:

▪ JamesGraham,CEOoftheScottishAgriculturalOrganisationsSociety(SAOS)

▪ DonThomas,CEOoftheWelshAgriculturalOrganisationsSociety(WAOS)

DonThomas,DavidMeldingAM,JamesGraham,AlexBird

KarenWilkie,MartinPrice,VaughanGethingAM(Chair)


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


9thMeetingFeb12th2012

ChrisEarnshaw,MDofJohnLewis(Cardiff)

TheJohnLewisEmployeeOwnershipModel

ChrisEarnshaw,MDofJohnLewis(Cardiff)

AMspresentwere:-

▪ VaughanGethingAM(Chair)▪ DavidMeldingAM▪ JoyceWatsonAM▪ DavidReesAM▪ RhodriGlynThomasAM▪ MikeHedgesAM

AlsoinattendanceweretheresearchstaffofLeanneWoodAM,JulieMorganAM,andRussellGeorgeAMandaround30membersofthepublic.


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.”


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


AssemblyMembersinattendance:-

▪ VaughanGethingAM(Chair)

▪ LlyrGruffyddAM

▪ DavidReesAM

▪ MikeHedgesAM

▪ SuzyDaviesAM

▪ JulieJamesAM

▪ AnnJonesAM

▪ AledRobertsAM

▪ MarkDrakefordAM

▪ MarkIsherwoodAM

Apologies:-

▪ SimonThomasAM

▪ LindsayWhittleAM

▪ MohammadAsgharAM

▪ BethanJenkinsAM

▪ AntoinetteSandbachAM


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.


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


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


receives10%oftheirprofitsbackagainwhentheyfinallystartmakingprofits.This10%returnwillbeputasidetosupportmoreco-opventuresinthefuture,whilsttheremainingprofitswillbesplitbetweenreinvestmentintheindividualco-opsandadividendtoworkermembers.Tedseesthisprofitdistributionasanimportantpartoftheprocess,asitputswealthbackintothemostdeprivedcommunities.

DerekWalker,TedHoward,VaughanGething,AlexBird

SeeTed'sfullpresentation:-

EvergreenCo-ops-28January2013-Presentation

ThemeetingwassponsoredbyWalesCo-operativeCentre


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


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.


AlexBird(Secretariat)addedthattheimportanceoftheonememberonevotenatureofSupportersTrustsmeantthatfollowingachangeoflegalstructure,anytakeoverbysingleindividualswouldbecomeeffectivelyimpossible,andthiswasagreatstrengthofthemovement.

ThegeneralconsensusofthemeetingwasinagreementwiththeneedtodeveloptheSupportersTrustmovementinWales,anditwassuggestedinterestedpartiesshouldformasmallsteeringgrouptotakethisforward.ThissuggestionwasendorsedbytheChair.

Themeetingwasclosedat1.25pmbytheChair,whothankedallpresentforattending.


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


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


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.”


15thMeetingJuly1st2014at12.30pm

TheCo-operativesUKReportonSocialCo-operatives


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.


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.


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.


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


couldbeincludedinAgri-Environmentalschemes

CllrGarethHoldensaidthatCardiffCCarelookingatdemandforCSAschemesinthecity,andanygroupsinterestedshouldcontacthimattheCouncil.

Therebeingnofurtherquestions,MickAntoniwAMclosedthemeetingat13.25andthankedeveryoneforattending.


17thMeetingMarch19th2015

12.15–13.30,TheMediaBriefingRoom

CommunityOwnedGreenEnergySchemes


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.


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.

Documents

Case Study - Welsh Assembly CPG on Co-ops...Case Study - Welsh Assembly Cross Party Group on Co-operatives & Mutuals – 2009 – 2015 Page 5 of 40 2nd Meeting Feb 11th 2010 at 12.30pm