Co-op News - July 2020

The co-op case for building
back better
CONNECTING, CHAMPIONING AND
CHALLENGING THE GLOBAL CO-OP
MOVEMENT SINCE 1871
Holyoake House, Hanover Street,
Manchester M60 OAS
(00) 44 1612140870
www.thenews.coop
editorial@thenews.coop
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Rebecca Harvey I rebecca@thenews.coop
INTERNATIONAL EDITOR
Anca Voinea I anca@thenews.coop
DIGITAL EDITOR
Miles Hadfield I miles@thenews.coop
DESIGN
Keir Mucklestone-Barnett
INTERNATIONAL
OUTREACH OFFICER
Elaine Dean
DIRECTORS
Barbara Rainford (chair), David
Paterson (vice-chair), Sofygil Crew, Tim
Hartley, Gillian Lonergan, Beverley
Perkins and Shaz Rahman
Secretary: Richard Bickle
Established in 1871, Co-operative
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the Co-operative and Community
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and views set out in opinion articles
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the opinion of Co-operative News.
"JI @coopnews
f cooperativenews
Co-operatives Fortnight runs from 22 June to 5 July 2020, at a time when political
and social rhetoric is focused on the need to 'build back better' post-coronavirus.
"I think the Covid-19 situation has given us an opportunity to reset the dial," says
Margaret Casely-Hayford, the re-elected Co-op Group member-nominated director
(interview, p22-23). "It has thrown into relief the way certain parts of society are
treated. It's a lot worse than I think any of us had actually imagined."
The theme for the fortnight has been #KeepCooperating; co-operation has emerged
as a key response to the crisis, with mutual aid and co-operation among co-operators
a key driver in coping with the demands and knock-on effects of lockdown.
The Co-op Party and Co-operatives UK are looking at how to engage politicians and
policymakers to ensure we do keep on co-operating. "We cannot risk it being a
temporary blip of co-operation - we need to shift it to a structural change," says
the Party (p25). Introducing Co-operatives UK's policy paper, We are the Rebui/ders,
new chair Don Morris highlights how "being able to assist our members right now
is vital" (p26-27). This issue we take a closer look at what 'rebuilding' and 'building
back better' mean in the context of diversity, equity and inclusion in co-operatives.
While diversity is important, says Ms Casely-Hayford, it is equity and inclusion that
are vital because "they are what make people feel that they belong and thrive".
This is echoed by Dr Jessica Gordon-Nembhard, professor of community justice and
social economic development at John Jay College, NYC, whose research explores
the tradition of black co-operative economic development in the context of the
long struggle for civil rights in the USA. "Equity is the issue," she says. "It's not just
about whether you have the numbers, but what happens to African Americans after
they join. Some people use this analogy: inclusion is being invited to the party, but
equity is being asked to dance at the party" (p44-47).
The co-operative approach to diversity, equality and inclusion is seen in all
sectors, from credit unions (p34-35) and ethical lending (p30-31) to housing
(p38-39) and pubs (36-37) - and at a basic commercial level, impacts how
co-operative retailers perform (p42-43). It is also seen in the way co-operatives
have reiterated their commitment to equality, following the death of George Floyd
while being restrained by police (p11, 14-15).
"I am all too familiar with the anger and frustration that comes with the everyday
challenges and realities surrounding race," said Rodney E Hood, chair of the
National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). "I encourage everyone to have difficult
conversations and to look for ways to promote diversity and inclusion."
Finally, with Co-op News holding its online AGM last month, we'd like to take the
opportunity to thank all those who attended and contributed to the event. We've
had a successful year despite these challenging times and are grateful to all our
members for their support.
REBECCA HARVEY- EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Co-operative News is printed using vegetable oil-based
inks on 80% recycled paper (with 60% from post-consumer
waste) with the remaining 20% produced from FSC or PEFC
certified sources. It is made in a totally chlorine free process.
JULY 2020 I 3

THIS ISSUE
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:
Sime! Esim, head of the ILO Co-ops Unit
(p28-29); Don Morris, chair of Rad stock Coop
and new chair of Co-operatives UK
(p26-27); Margaret Casely-Hayford, reelected
Co-op Group member-nominated
director (p22-23); Housing co-ops in
Amsterdam (p38-39); European Parliament,
Strasbourg (p32-33)
COVER: We speak to Dr Jessica
Gordon-Nembhard about the role
of co-ops in tackling inequality
and injustice as part of our look
at building back better (Photo:
USDA/BobNicho/s)
Read more: p44-47
22·23 MEET ... MARGARET
CASELY·HAYFORD
Member-nominated director at
the Co-op Group
25-47 BUILD BACK BETTER
25 OWNING THE FUTURE
The Co-op Party on the moral case for
changing an unfair, inequitable system
26-27 WE ARE THE REBUILDERS
Co-operatives UK's new chair,
Don Morris, on the changes at
the organisation
28-29 'CO-OP PRINCIPLES POINT THE
WAY THROUGH THIS CRISIS' Blog from
Sime I Esim, head of the
co-ops unit at the ILO
30-31 THE MONEY PROBLEM
Co-op finance bodies on the prospects
for a post-Covid rebuild
32-33 SUPPORT IN EUROPE
The European Action Plan for the
Social Economy
34·35 CREDIT UNIONS
Credit unions are key to a fair new
economy - but how are they faring
under Covid-19?
36·37 LAST ORDERS?
Can the co-op difference save the UK's
community pubs?
38-39 AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Amsterdam funding for housing
co-op projects
40·41 A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE Building
back better - or business as usual? Q&A
with Simon Constantine,
a buyer for ethical business Lush
42·43 WHERE HAS REPORTING SEASON
LEFT RETAIL CO-OPERATIVES?
Paul Gosling analyses co-operative
retailers' annual reports
44-47 INTERVIEW: DR JESSICA
GORDON-NEMBHARD
How lessons from the past could help
address today's fight for economic
empowerment
48·49 CO-OP NEWS ANNUAL REPORT
REGULARS
5-12 UK updates
14-21 Global updates
24 Letters
50 Digital events
4 I JULY 2020

NEWS
RETAIL
Covid and after: Co-op Group searches for a new normal at online AGM
Forcing to hold its AGM online by Covid-19,
the retailer found its agenda dominated by
the pandemic crisis.
Digitisation and member participation,
environmental sustainability and inequality
were among the issues highlighted, and
chief executive Steve Murrells warned that
“going back to normal is not an option”.
But the Group’s membership and
community networks are a strong resource,
he added, which leave it well-placed to offer
a flexible response to challenges.
Mr Murrells also saluted the hard work
and kindness shown by the Group’s
workforce during the Covid-19 crisis, adding:
“Our business has stepped up to meet this
extraordinary challenge. It shows what
co-operation can do when it matters most.”
He gave the example of the Group’s
Co-operate app – which connects volunteers
to those in need – as “a national initiative
working at a hyperlocal level, which can
maintain community spirit”.
The Group’s AGM saw a handful of
socially distanced senior figures streaming
via YouTube from its Angel Square HQ, with
others joining on webcam from their homes.
More than 800 delegates viewed the event,
with the option of posting questions.
Such methods could be here to stay,
delegates were told. Mr Crofts said the
Members’ Council has been sourcing
questions for meetings via social media.
Digital innovations developed in response
to social distancing could also mean long
term change. Mr Murrells said his team is
reviewing ways to operate going forward, in
terms of flexibility and home working. “Do
we need large offices any more?” he asked.
The Group celebrated a 50% rise in
underlying profit at the AGM but the impact
of Covid-19 and a likely recession mean it
faces an uncertain period.
Stevie Spring, chair of the remuneration
committee, insisted the Group is doing its
best to boost pay, with the minimum rate for
frontline colleagues rising 7% from £8.38 to
£9 an hour from 1 April; but said the coming
year is difficult to plan for and salaries must
be balanced with the need to invest.
A recession could also affect stocking
decisions at the Group’s food stores by
increasing demand for cheaper own-brand
lines such as the Co-op’s, said Mr Murrells.
p The team at the Ramsey store launch the delivery service
Community support, service expansion: More from the Group
The Co-op Group has taken its online
shopping operation to one of its stores on
the Isle of Man.
Run from the Group’s store in Ramsey,
the same-day service allows shoppers to
select from around 4,000 products on the
retailer’s online shop. The move comes as
the Group prepares for the centenary of
its first shop on the island.
The retailer is also rolling out its robot
grocery deliveries to more communities
across Milton Keynes and surrounding
towns and village. The Group teamed up
with tech firm Starship Technologies in
April 2018 to trial the service in the town.
Along with the economy, the pandemic
has brought to a head issues around mental
health, racism, inequality and climate
change and the environment. Covid-19 has
brought things to a head – and businesses
need to explore more responsible ways
of working. “We’ve seen overwhelming
expressions of kindness, compassion
and solidarity,” he said. “The growing
neighbourliness is very welcome but we’ve
got to turn it from a temporary reaction to
crisis into something that’s going to last.
“There are experiences from recent weeks
that we should take with us and behaviour
from before lockdown that we may want to
leave behind. So let’s aim to go forward with
something better than the old normal.”
It has also opened its next round of
community funding – with a focus on
community wellbeing.
The Local Community Fund supports
UK organisations and causes that make
a difference in communities. In response
to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Group is
targeting its funding at organisations
that are working towards community
wellbeing. Groups involved in any of
these activities are being urged to apply
to be a beneficiary of the scheme, which
paid out an average of almost £5,000 to
4,500 causes across the UK last year. Visit
causes.coop.co.uk for details.
But the business faces “tough choices”
with the coming recession and the ongoing
threat from Covid-19. “This is not going to be
easy,” warned Mr Murrells.
All 12 motions put to members were
approved. These include a motion for the
Members’ Council committing the Group
to do more to address climate change; and
two from independent co-op societies: one
calling on the Group to expand its vegan
range, the other to confirm its ongoing
support to the organisations in the wider
infrastructure of the co-op movement.
Margaret Casely-Hayford was re-elected
as a member-nominated director.
u Meet Margaret Casely-Hayford, p22-23
u Retail influence list, p11
JULY 2020 | 5

BUSINESS
The resilience of the co-operative economy
Co-operative businesses are better placed
to weather the post-lockdown economic
storm, according to the 2020 Co-operative
Economy Report.
Published on 5 June by Co-operatives
UK, the report says co-ops have almost
double the chance of surviving their
first five years: 76% of co-ops (up from
72% in 2019), are still operating after the
difficult first five years of existence, while
just 42% of all new companies make it
beyond five years.
“Co-ops are more resilient because they
are created to meet the needs of their
members. As owners, those members –
customers, suppliers and/or workers –
have a vested interest in the success of
the co-op over the long term,” reads the
report. “Crucially, those same members
all have a say in how the business is run.”
Co-operatives UK, which has
analysed data from thousands of co-op
businesses using a range of data sources,
adds that while the UK is facing tough
economic conditions as a result of
COVID-19, during the crisis millions
of people have participated in and
benefited from solidarity and mutual aid.
“Co-ops can help the UK build back
better by giving people better options in
the way they consume, earn a living and
do business.”
The UK’s co-ops operate across all
sectors, from community-owned pubs and
fan-owned football clubs to organisations
operating in retail, agriculture and
professional services. Nearly 250,000
people are employed by co-ops, and over
14 million people – the equivalent to more
than a fifth of the UK population – are
members of a co-operative.
But there are only 7,063 co-operative
businesses, which is less than 1% of the
total number of businesses operating
in the UK. This needs to change, says
Co-operatives UK: “As we look towards a
post-Covid-19 world, and consider how
to make businesses more robust, more
resilient and fairer, the answer must be
a more co-operative economy.”
Nick Matthews, chair of Co-operatives
UK, added: “There’s an appetite for a
different economy to emerge from this
crisis, with many people talking about
the need to ‘build back better’. If we are to
rebuild a fairer economy, provide decent
livelihoods and support communities
we need more co-ops, mutuals and
social enterprises, not less. And there’s
compelling evidence to show that new
co-ops are built to last.”
MEMBER-FOCUSED BUSINESSES
According to the report, the top three
sectors by turnover are retail (£26.9bn),
agriculture (£7.9bn) and sports/recreation
(£736.7m), while those with the highest
number of businesses are social clubs/
trade unions (2,459), housing (704) and
retail (700). The document also includes
a list of the UK’s top 100 co-operatives
by turnover, placing the Co-op Group top
(£10.9bn), followed by the John Lewis
Partnership plc (£10.2bn) and farmerowned
Arla Foods (£2.6bn).
“Co-ops already play an important role
in the social and economic fabric of our
country, and the Co-op Economy report
illustrates that they are well placed to
face into the difficult economic conditions
that lie ahead in the post lockdown
world,” said Steve Murrells, CEO of the
Co-op Group.
He added that while all businesses
now face unprecedented challenges, “the
fact that many co-ops have communitybased
ownership means more people are
invested in their long-term success”.
Throughout the coronavirus crisis,
co-operatives in all sectors have stepped
up to support communities. The
Co-op Group, for example, established a
Members’ Coronavirus Fund to support
foodbanks, addressed funeral poverty
and helped local causes, by creating
temporary jobs for more than 7,000
people out of work and through launching
Co-operate, an online community centre.
“We didn’t need to invent a local
Community Fund, appoint hundreds of
Member Pioneers to support communities,
or develop a Community Wellbeing Index
to provide unique local insight,” added
Mr Murrells. “Those assets were already
in place because our purpose extends
beyond maximizing commercial profits.”
u Read the 2020 Co-operative Economy
Report in full at www.uk.coop/economy
u Co-op Fortnight, p 9
6 | JULY 2020

GOVERNANCE
Group of London cabbies go to regulator over “LTDA co-op board capture”
A group of London cabbies in the Licensed
Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) is calling
for a special meeting to remove the current
members of its elected board, arguing
they have captured the association.
The LTDA co-op is democratically
controlled by its 10,000 members
through its elected board, the Council
of Management (COM). But the group
of drivers claims the members have
been frozen out of the decision-making
process; that unconstitutional attempts
have been made to expel members; assets
have been sold without consultation; and
the association itself has been left in a
dangerous financial position.
The group consists of 130 drivers and
more than 300 have signed a petition
in support. Working through Anthony
Collins Solicitors, they have been raising
their concerns with the FCA since 2018
and last month started a process to try to
remove the current members of the COM.
Anthony Minas, one of the drivers
involved in the campaign, told Co-op
News: “There is no member participation
within the organisation and there hasn’t
been for nearly two years … We want to
hand control back to the members.”
The group claims the board members
have disenfranchised other members
by closing local branches; making
rule changes which hamper member
participation; obstructing attempts by
members to exercise democratic rights;
refusing to provide information; and
seeking to expel members.
They say the LTDA no longer fulfils the
requirements to be registered as a co-op
and has asked the FCA to use its powers
to address this.
In a statement, Anthony Collins
Solicitors expressed serious concerns
about the “true financial position of the
LTDA, employment contracts provided for
members of the COM without disclosure
of their salaries, and losses of over £4m in
the last five years”.
In May 2019, the member group
organised an application to the FCA,
signed by over 100 drivers, to call a
special meeting of the LTDA to propose
the removal of the current members of
the COM, and to enable their temporary
replacement so new elections can be held.
On 7 February 2020, the FCA told the
group it was willing to call a special
meeting of the branches as a first step.
Last month, the FCA confirmed its
willingness, as requested by the member
group, to call special meetings of the three
branches as part of the normal process for
holding a special meeting of the LTDA.
Meanwhile, says Anthony Collins, the
COM has re-commenced the process to
expel a number of members; Taxi House,
the headquarters building of the LTDA,
was sold last year for £21m without
any consultation of members; and the
LTDA continues to operate with only
one functioning branch in place, which
represents 0.7% of its membership.
The COM is proceeding with elections
which are held every three years under
the rules. The member group says that the
election process was initiated without the
members being informed. Mr Minas says
he was eligible for the election and went
through the nomination process “but at
the 11th hour they stopped me because
I was member of a social media platform”.
Mr Minas added: “The association is fit
for the 21st century but the COM are not
fit to run it. We want a special general
meeting to remove the COM outright
and put in a new COM including co-op
professionals to ensure it can never be
captured again.”
Responding to the allegations, Steve
McNamara, general secretary of the LTDA,
accused the group of members of resisting
“change to a more democratic system”.
Speaking to association website
TaxiPoint, he said: “We agreed, at the
other side’s request, not to release any
details of this pending its resolution. Quite
frankly, we are stunned that they have
now done these press releases and have
made a formal complaint to both the FCA
and the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
“We have sought to get away from the
‘show of hands’ at a meeting that has
resulted in intimidation and threats against
members. We favour a one member, one
vote, by postal ballot, where all members
have a democratic vote, not just a handful
who hold a meeting in a pub.
“A small group of members are resisting
this change to a more democratic system.”
The group of members replied, in
an online statement: “Over 120 drivers
signed a formal application to the FCA.
In addition to this, over 300 drivers have
signed a petition for the removal of the
council. Neither 120 drivers nor 300
drivers is a small number.”
They say the application for a special
meeting will allow all members to “hear
the truth about what has been going on in
the LTDA under the current council, and
have a chance to ask their own questions
and express their own views to them.”
They added: “The general secretary
has consistently characterised our group
as small, disruptive, intimidating and
threatening. He fails to acknowledge
the true number, the fact that we are
following due process, and that we are
doing so assisted by a law firm known for
its expertise in co-operative law.
“The FCA has agreed that we have made
out a case for a special meeting, and that
meetings of the branches should be called
as part of the process.”
JULY 2020 | 7

FINANCE
Co-ops and social
enterprises at risk if
SITR scheme is axed
The government is being urged not to scrap
its Social Investment Tax Relief (SITR),
which makes it easier for community
interest companies, community benefit
societies and charities to raise finance.
The scheme offers tax relief on social
investments and campaigners say it “has
a proven record of unlocking and directing
private capital into some of the most
disadvantaged places in the country”.
It was introduced by the government
in 2014, but last year’s election and the
Covid-19 crisis have delayed a review of its
impact, which means it could come to an
end in April 2021.
Social investment institution Big Society
Capital warns the loss of SITR would
be a “hammer blow” for disadvantaged
communities already reeling from
Covid-19. It says the scheme is crucial to
the government’s promise to level up the
UK’s cities and regions – and is calling on
MPs to support their bid to extend it for
two years as part of an amendment to the
Financial Bill passing through parliament.
Alex Sobel, Labour/Co-op MP and
shadow minister for arts, heritage
and tourism, said: “SITR was growing
as a new and innovative measure
p Alex Sobel MP
to grow investment. It’s extremely
disappointing that the government wants
to scrap this scheme just as the sector is
getting to grips with it. It’s becoming part
of many organisations’ growth strategies.”
SITR has already leveraged at least
£14m in private investment to help
more than 75 social enterprises deliver
essential services. It is the only tax break
specifically aimed at social enterprises,
with backers receiving a 30% tax break on
eligible investments.
Stephen Muers, interim CEO at Big
Society Capital, said: “The very social
fabric of our country is being tested by
Covid-19, and social enterprises are on
the frontline responding to the crisis,
including supporting the most vulnerable
in communities by delivering food and
medicine and tackling domestic violence.
They will also be on the frontline of
making things better in the aftermath.”
He added: “Now is not the time to
be taking away a tax relief scheme that
has been proven to attract significant
investment into some of the most
disadvantaged places and causes in the
UK, and this is why we urge MPs to act
quickly to prevent the closure of what is
a valuable lifeline for the sector, saving
potentially hundreds of jobs and key
community services in the process.
“What we are proposing is a modest
two-year extension to allow time to reflect
and make any necessary changes needed
to support future policy on directing
private money to disadvantaged places
and causes.”
SUSTAINABILITY
Bold vision for UK’s
community energy
Community Energy Fortnight (13-28 June)
saw sector leaders call for a new push
for people-centred projects to drive the
transition to a low-carbon economy.
Community Energy England (CEE)
unveiled its 2030 Vision and State of the
Sector report – which sets ambitious
targets: by 2030, community energy
should be powering the equivalent of 2.2
million homes by contributing 5,270MW
to the energy system, supporting
8,700 jobs, saving 2.5 million tonnes of
CO2 and adding over £1.8bn a year to
the economy.
It says the government has fallen short
of its target, set in 2014, to have a million
homes powered by community energy by
2020. “Due to policy setbacks we have
only achieved 10% of that.
“UK government needs to offer policy
and financial support that recognises
community energy’s essential role in the
net-zero transition and the huge social
and community benefit it brings.”
The Committee on Climate Change’s Net
Zero Report, released last year, warned a
net-zero target cannot be met without
engaging people, adding: “There is no
government strategy to engage the public
in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
This will need to change.”
Community energy is key to this
engagement, says CEE, adding: “If the
future of energy is local, as ministers
have stated, then enabling local actors
will be key, to create local generation and
do the energy efficiency and local grid
management that is essential to rolling
out more zero-carbon energy.”
The State of the Sector report found that
community energy in the UK contributes
265MW of renewable electricity generation
and 13MW of heat. Across England,
Wales and Northern Ireland, community
energy contributes at least £4.6m to local
economies, engages 234,000 local people
in energy efficiency, and has developed 39
energy storage projects and 47 low carbon
transport projects.
CEE said: “With the right backing
and suitable support mechanisms,
community energy organisations can
harness the immense passion, ingenuity
and commitment of their employees and
volunteers, engage their communities,
and accelerate the net-zero energy
transition to benefit communities and
local people.”
8 | JULY 2020

CO-OP FORTNIGHT
Finding hope for a
brighter future in the
response to Covid-19
Eight out of 10 consumers who shopped
locally during the Covid-19 lockdown
intend to continue their new habit once
the crisis is over, a new co-op study shows.
One in three say they have used local
retailers more since the pandemic struck
and 80% of them aim to carry on shopping
this way in the future, according to a
YouGov poll for Co-operatives UK.
Experience of food shortages has
made reducing food waste a priority for
consumers. More than a third of people
(35%) surveyed say they have been
planning meals to reduce waste, and 82%
of those who’ve done so say they’ll carry
on after lockdown eases.
Social distancing measures have
also prompted changes in the way we
travel and keep in touch, with 75% of
respondents traveling less since the end of
March; and 31% saying this will continue
even after restrictions have been lifted.
Meanwhile, 48% say they will stay in
touch with friends and family remotely.
The poll findings were published ahead
of Co-op Fortnight (22 June to 5 July)
which is highlighting co-op support for
communities through the pandemic.
When the Larder, a community-owned
cafe in Preston, closed under lockdown,
its manager Kay Johnson put a call out
on social media and within 24 hours had
recruited 40 volunteers to help cook and
deliver free meals to vulnerable residents.
A fundraising campaign raised £8,500
to cover costs and since April, the Larder
has provided thousands of meals, as well
as organising ingredient kits and online
recipes for families in most need.
Other examples of co-op support
include Lilac Co-housing in Leeds, which
is providing a built-in neighbour support
network; Edinburgh Bike Co-op, which is
repairing bikes for key workers; and retail
societies which are supporting vulnerable
customers, food banks and staff.
The CEOs of the Co-op Group and the
independent Midcounties, Lincolnshire,
Southern, Heart of England, Scotmid,
Central England, Chelmsford Star, East
of England and Channel Islands societies
issued a joint statement for Co-operatives
Fortnight, looking at the “immense
challenges” faced during the pandemic.
“Co-operatives have always thrived in
periods of social and economic change,
when needs go unmet and people look
to themselves and others for support,”
they wrote. “All co-operatives share the
principle ‘concern for the community’,
and this has been at the heart of our
response to this crisis.
“We now have a unique opportunity to
work together to rebuild our economy and
communities with responsibility, fairness
and kindness at its core. Let’s build
something better together.”
Former Co-operatives UK chair, Nick
Matthews, said: “It’s heartening to see
that the public has seen the benefit of
shopping locally, reducing food waste,
increasing recycling and exploring their
local area. The fact many people are
planning to continue their new behaviour
shows they can see the positive impact.
Our Co-op Fortnight campaign is all about
encouraging and supporting people to
keep co-operating.”
Meanwhile Co-operatives UK has
appointed a new chair, Don Morris,
replacing Nick Matthews, who has
stepped down after six years.
Mr Morris said: “I take on this challenge
at the beginning of Co-op Fortnight, as
we showcase the ways that co-ops across
the UK have supported their communities
during the pandemic, and look towards
rebuilding a fairer, greener and more
inclusive economy.”
p The Larder in Preston has carried on serving its community
u Interview with Don Morris, p25
JULY 2020 | 9

ANNUAL RESULTS
Ecology Building Society announces record profit of more than £1m
p Ecology CEO, Paul Ellis
Ecology Building Society announced a
second successive year of record profits
of more than £1m in its results to 31
December 2019.
Its profit after tax is £1.073m (2018:
£1.022m) making it one of the most
profitable building societies in the UK
(based on percentage of mean assets).
Ecology also reported a 14.6% increase
in mortgage lending. It lent more than
£43.5m (2018: £38.4m) for sustainable
properties and projects, with 90% of
mortgages for residential properties
(including new energy efficient homes,
renovations and shared ownership)
and 10% for community-led housing
(including charities, community land
trusts and housing co-operatives) and
non-residential properties such as
sustainable businesses.
Total assets are £198.0m (2018: £177.9m)
and savings balances stand at £185.3m
(2018: £166.0m).
The profit adds to Ecology’s capital
base, which it says enhances its resilience
to the economic impact of the Covid-19
outbreak and extend the benefits of its
sustainable lending.
Ecology said it had continued its
commitment to ethical business practices,
reducing its own environmental impact
and supporting campaigns such as the
Global Strike for Climate. It was also the
first building society to be awarded the Fair
Tax Mark; was a founding signatory of the
United Nations Principles for Responsible
Banking; and became a Living Wage
employer, with a maximum pay ratio limit
where the highest salary paid is no more
than eight times the lowest.
Ecology is sharing its knowledge for
the development of new mechanisms to
fund retrofits, alongside a wide range
of partners and initiatives including the
European Energy Efficiency Mortgage
scheme, the UK’s Green Finance Institute
and the UK Green Building Council.
CEO Paul Ellis said: “These results
mark another strong year of sustainable
growth. While we won’t be immune to
the challenging economic impacts of
Covid-19, our financial strength gives
us the resilience required to maintain
our focus on lending that improves
our environment throughout 2020
and beyond.”
He added: “We are delighted to see the
elevated level of interest in collaborative
action to support a sustainable green
recovery. We have joined calls for the
government to quickly deliver the
economic stimulus required to create
green jobs and a just transition to a lowcarbon
economy.”
Tamworth beats its forecast and grows surplus
Staffordshire-based retail society
Tamworth Co-op has announced a trading
surplus of £940,000 in its results for the
year to 25 January.
The society, which operates a fashion/
outlet store, a supermarket, 11 convenience
stores, eight funeral service locations and
five post offices, said it had budgeted for a
small drop in trading surplus but instead
the figure rose 1.5%.
The figures included the impact of the
National Living Wage and the cost of
expensive property repairs, including a
new roof over the funeral vehicle garage.
Chief executive Julian Coles said
the latest results were “comparatively
strong”, bearing in mind factors outside
the society’s control.
“In general, the figures for the financial
year ending on 25 January 2020 show that
the society is in sound financial health,”
said Mr Coles. “The results were ahead
of our budget and point to us also having
assets totalling £13m. That’s all positive
news to report. In addition, the food
division recorded an overall increase in
trading surplus.”
Mr Coles said the rolling programme of
improvements to outlying food locations
had continued, most recently with a major
refit for the Rosliston convenience store.
But the headline development was the
new purpose-built Dordon store, which is
nearing completion.
Mr Coles said the funeral division
remains a “robust part of the society’s
operation”, despite carrying out fewer
funerals than in the previous financial
period – reflecting lower mortality rates
over the period.
But town centre trading is more of a
concern, warned Mr Coles. “The former
department store continued to record
losses and there was also a decline in sales
at our supermarket in Church Street.”
He also sounded a note of caution in
relation to pension fund liability, which
rose to £7.5m from £6.6m.
“This relates to the final salary scheme
which closed to future accrual in 2009,”
p The society’s department store
said Mr Coles. “During the year we have
paid £375,000 into the scheme, as well as
covering the running expenses.”
Property income was slightly down
on the previous year from £504,000 to
£493,000.
Tamworth Co-op’s Community Dividend
Fund, now in its eleventh year, handed out
an average payment of £769 to 13 groups,
in addition to a £5,000 donation from its
Cash in the Bag scheme to Tamworth’s
homeless shelter.
The society also embarked on a new
initiative to redistribute food that would
otherwise have gone to waste through the
FareShare charity.
10 | JULY 2020

EQUALITY
UK co-ops join global
outcry against racism
p Cllr Asher Craig, deputy mayor of Bristol
UK co-operators have joined the global
outcry against racism in the wake of the
death of George Floyd in the USA.
They include Co-op Group CEO Steve
Murrells, who wrote on social media:
“Some of you experience judgement and
discrimination every single day ... I know
I can’t get close to knowing what this feels
like, but I want you to know that I won’t
look away.”
He said the Group would continue to
strive for a more inclusive culture.
At Central England Co-op’s AGM last
month, CEO Debbie Robinson added her
voice to the protests and said reaffirmed
her society’s commitment to inclusivity.
The Co-op College said on its website
that racism remains a “deep faultline in
human society” and affirmed its solidarity
with victims of racism.
It said the co-op movement is
“underpinned by a commitment to equity
and social justice and rooted in solidarity.
“It’s all of our responsibility to educate
ourselves on things we don’t know,
don’t understand, and perhaps most
importantly, don’t experience.”
On the Co-op Party website, Cllr Asher
Craig, deputy mayor of Bristol, discussed
crowd action in the city to remove the
statue of slave trader Edward Colston.
She said the statue is “a reminder of the
treatment of Africans; a past which – sadly
– still shapes some attitudes today” but
added that she did not condone criminal
damage. Referring to her council’s role
in the campaign against modern slavery,
Cllr Craig said she wanted to see her city
become place of greater equality, where
people work to challenge racism.
u US co-ops react, p14-15
u Interview, Dr Jessica Gordon
Nembhard, p44-47
Southern Co-op wins ethical retail franchise accreditation
Co-operative finalists in grocery awards
British Wool warns of price slump after pandemic
Co-operators make retail influence list
Southern Co-operative has become one
of the first convenience store chains to be
accredited as a full member of the British
Franchise Association (BFA). It is the only
voluntary self-regulatory body for the UK
franchise industry, and works to promote
ethical franchising practice across the UK.
Southern Co-op currently partners with
22 franchisees.
Co-operative retailers are finalists in
awards that recognise the UK grocery
industry. East of England Co-operative
and the Co-op Group are among the
finalists of The Grocer Gold Awards 2020.
The awards recognise businesses, brands
and initiatives in the grocery industry
across 20 categories, and are now in their
16th year.
British Wool has warned its sheep farmers
face a financial hit after the Covid-19
crisis left the global market for cross-bred
wool since February. The co-op, which
collects, markets and sells wool for its
40,000 owner members in the UK, says
the lockdown closed its markets closed
during its busiest trading period, leaving
around 9 million kilos of unsold stock out
of a total 2019/20 clip of 27,000 tons.
Retail Week’s annual list of the industry’s
100 most influential people saw Co-op
Group CEO Steve Murrells rise to #6 from
#18. The Group’s food chief executive,
Jo Whitfield, rose from #37 to #33. Dame
Sharon White, the new chair of John
Lewis, debuted the list at #17, and Richer
Sounds founder Julian Richer was at #55.
Yorkshire co-op celebrates a decade of fair trading
The Fair Trader co-op – a store in Holmfirth,
West Yorkshire, is celebrating its 10th
anniversary. The store is volunteer-owned
and run with 661 members worldwide
and 29,000 hours gifted by 70 volunteers.
It sells ethical gifts including Fairtrade
jewellery, toys, homeware and stationery.
u Visit fairtrader.coop to learn more.
JULY 2020 | 11

www
0
FAIRTRADE
Concern as Nestlé drops Fairtrade commitment for KitKat
KitKat bars sold in the UK and Ireland will
no longer be produced using Fairtrade
cocoa and sugar. The company will use
cocoa certified by the Rainforest Alliance
from October 2020.
Nestlé’s decision affects 27,000 smallscale
producers from co-ops in Côte
d’Ivoire, Fiji and Malawi, who will lose
£2m in Fairtrade premium each year.
Atse Ossey Francis, chair of the
Ivorian FairTrade Network, said: “A
non-Fairtrade trade relationship means
regression and continued poverty. We
invite Nestlé to continue negotiating
with us producer representatives and the
Fairtrade label to find ways of agreement
so as to reconsider their decision.”
Fairtrade Foundation CEO Michael
Gidney said: “We urge Nestlé: listen to
farmers, do not choose this moment of
global crisis to exacerbate the inequalities
in the cocoa industry. Be part of the
solution and keep KitKat Fairtrade.”
The Co-op Party has launched a
petition calling on the company to
reverse its decision.
Nestlé says it took the decision so it
could invest more in sustainably sourced
cocoa and harmonise certification
for confectionery products within its
global portfolio. The company says it
will provide financial support to enable
Fairtrade farmers to certify their farms
to the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable
Agriculture Standard if they wish.
Nestlé says it will invest £1m in a living
German firm Ludwig Weinrich is the new
majority shareholder of Divine Chocolate.
The company, which has been
manufacturing Divine’s chocolate since
it was set up in 1998, has acquired the
majority of the shares in the company
from existing investors, including Twin
Trading, an alternative trading company
which went into administration last year.
Kuapa Kokoo, the farmers’ co-op in
Ghana which was a founding shareholder,
will maintain a 20% share in Divine,
income pilot and a further £500,000 in
community projects, as its partnership
with the Fairtrade Foundation ends
Simon Billington, global technical
manager for Nestlé, said: “We are aware
that the move will have an impact on
some farmers, and we are working hard
to mitigate this. ”
OBITUARY
Gwyneth Brown, dedicated co-operator
German firm buys majority stake in Divine Chocolate
news Issue #7288 OCTOBER 2017
Connecting, championing, cha lenging
down from 40%. According to Divine,
Kuapa Kokoo and Weinrich have agreed
“a strategic partnership structure” under
which Kuapa Kokoo will continue to have
a 40% board influence.
The company’s chief executive, Sophi
Tranchell, who had been at the helm
of Divine for 21 years, has also left the
business in May. According to Divine, she
took the decision to leave in November
last year but stayed longer to ensure the
business “was left in good hands”.
PLANNING
Co-op buildings
past, present and
futuristic...
Plus ... The Alliance’s
2017 Global Conference...
Co-op development in
Malawi... Celebrating
Social Saturday
ISSN 0009-9821
01
9 7 7 0 0 0 9 9 8 2 0 1 0
www.thenews.coop
Alex Morgan, chief markets officer at
Rainforest Alliance, said: “Our programmes
continue to connect companies,
consumers, farmers and businesses
committed to protecting the health of
ecosystems, workers, and communities by
using social and market forces to protect
nature and improve the lives of producers.”
NOVEMBER 2019 Connecting, championing, cha lenging
£4.20
OCTOBER 2017
news
ISSN 0009-9821
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01
b
Plus …
India’s co-o
war-time secre
second largest co
... meet CBNZ’s Roz
£4.2
Gwyneth Brown, who died on 12 April
2020, aged 94, was a keen co-operator
with roles in the youth movement and the
Co-op Party.
Gwyneth’s mother was among the
group which opened the Liverpool Co-op
Women’s Guild. In the 1950s she
introduced introduce Gwyneth’s husband
John Brown (died 1992) to open a Co op
Pathfinder Club. This led the Co op store in
Birkenhead to get in touch with John and
Gwyneth and ask them to open a junior
club, a senior club and then a youth club.
This led to the clubs getting involved with
a series of projects and raising money to
take some of the youth club members to
co-op youth conferences.
Gwyneth was already involved with
the member relations and regional
committees and Co op Party, so when
the Co op Youth Movement finished
she carried on with the committees and
joined a Woman’s Guild in Wirral. She had
friends all over the country and was still in
contact with them up to her death.
She was delighted when a Co op store
opened around the corner from her home.
She was highly respected by the staff and
was asked, after the store had a refit, if she
would cut the ribbon to open it again.
p Gwyneth cuts the ribbon at a Co-op store
u Co-op News would like to thank
Gwyneth’s daughter, Sandra Brown, for
the information in this article.
Issue #7299
news
SEPTEMBER 2018
, championing, cha lenging
12 | JULY 2020
VALUES
Are co-op values
losing ground as
businesses grow?
Plus ... Meet Tamworth
Co-op’s Julian Coles ...
Updates from OPEN 2018
... Social Business Wales
Conference: a preview
ISSN 0009-9821
9 7 7 0 0 0 9 9 8 2 0 1

ISSN
news Issue #7312 OCTOBER 2019
Connecting, championing, cha lenging
OCTOBER 2019
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
How are co-ops
helping to make
the SDGs a reality?
Plus … ICA Global
Conference preview ...
Meet Fairtrade Foundation’s
Michael Gidney ... positive
impacts of the Preston Model
ISSN 0009-9821
01
9 7 7 0 0 0 9 9 8 2 0 1 0
www.thenews.coop
£4.20
MAY 2019 Connecting, championing, cha lenging
0
news
Issue #7313
NOVEMBER 2019
CO-OPS FOR
DEVELOPMENT
Kigali 2019:
Learning how to
ild a better world
The scandal affecting
p banks ... the
t of America’s
nsumer co-op
Henry
news Issue #7310 AUGUST 2019
Connecting, championing, cha lenging
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AUGUST 2019
CO-OP CULTURE
What is it –
and why does
it matter?
Plus … 100 years
of the Channel Islands
Co-operative ... Coop
Exchange: addressing
the issue of capital
ISSN 0009-9821
01
www.thenews.coop
news Issue #7305 MARCH 2019
Connecting, championing, cha lenging
MARCH 2019
SO, WHAT
HAPPENS NEXT?
Co-operating for
a better Brexit
Plus ... A new generation
of pioneers ... Meet Heart
of England’s Ali Kurji ...
and whatever happened to
the International Summit?
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£4.20
news Issue #7309 JULY 2019
Connecting
9 7 7 0 0 0 9 9 8 2 0 1 0
£4.20
JULY 2019
DEVELOPMENT
How can we grow
the global co-op
community?
Plus … a manifesto
for Northern Ireland
… Stephen R McDow II
on US development …
Co-op Congress report
ISSN 0009-9821
01
www.thenews.coop
Issue #7306
FOR ALL
Learning for a
co-operative life
news
APRIL 2019
EDUCATION
news Issue #7311 SEPTEMBER 2019
Connecting, championing, cha lenging
SEPTEMBER 2019
AGRICULTURE
Can co-ops reduce
the burden down
on on the the farm? farm?
Plus … Preview of the
ICA Global Conference ...
Why co-ops should be like
pirates ... and proposals
for Irish legal reform
ISSN 0009-9821
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9 7 7 0 0 0 9 9 8 2 0 1 0
www.thenews.coop
AGRICULTURE:
MICRO TO MACRO
£4.20
news Issue #7304 FEBRUARY 2019
Connecting, championing, cha lenging
FEBRUARY 2019
MODERN RETAIL
REDRAWN
Where do co-ops
fit in the picture?
Plus ... Community
finance in Europe ... new
Pioneers in Rochdale ...
and the lead up to Brexit
ISSN 0009-9821
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www.thenews.coop
£4.20
JANUARY 2019 Connecting, championing, cha lenging
Plus ... Co-opera
Retail Conferen
... Abcul’s an
Q&A with

USA
Tackling racism: Credit unions as a catalyst for change
Hundreds of credit union professionals
from around the world explored the
sector's answer to the racial turmoil in the
USA during a webinar organised by the
World Council of Credit Unions (Woccu).
The online workshop featured Renee
Sattiewhite, president and CEO of the
African-American Credit Union Coalition
(AACUC), who thinks the current antiracism
protests could be an opportunity
A Renee Sattiewhite, president and CEO of
the African-American Credit Union Coalition
for credit unions to show how they can
work together against systemic racism.
"Often people just need to be heard,"
she said.
Because they operate on co-operative
principles, credit unions are in a unique
place to lead the nation and show how
to address inequality, she added. Last
year US credit unions adopted an eighth
co-operative principle: "Diversity, equality
and inclusion".
"The philosophy of credit unions is
'people helping people.' Well, when you
start there and you know that's what you
want to forge to, I believe that you can
make a difference just in being kind to one
another," said Ms Sattiewhite.
AACUC has launched the Commitment
to Change campaign to bring credit unions
together against racism.
"We want credit unions all across
the nation, and those of you who are
international, to please join with us in
eliminating and eradicating racism," said
Ms Sattiewhite. "Unite against racism -
because it could be me that's under
somebody's foot or dying."
During the webinar she answered
nearly a dozen questions from attendees,
looking at issues such as racism, rioting
and white privilege.
"Racism or discrimination flourishes
where people do not know each other,"
she told delegates.
Woccu president and CEO Brian Branch
said the initial reaction from many white
people to being told about white privilege
is a defensive one.
"The issue is not about how hard we
have worked, what kind of obstacles we
faced," he added, "but if I am not African
American there are obstacles I have not
had to face."
Empathy is needed to understand the
difficulties others might have faced
"If I walk into a room, if I do not dress
in a certain way or act in a certain way,
people will make assumptions, without
knowing me." said Ms Sattiewhite. "So
often it is about asking ourselves - how to
do things better? What could change?
"Silence can be translated to team
members as not caring. Whatever a
colleague comes to you about, you want
them to know that you care; you are not
being ignorant, but may not know what to
say or how to address this."
Credit union professionals should look
at the current protests and civil unrest as
a symptom of a much greater problem,
she added.
"When they are rioting it's not that
they don't care about their community
but they feel that they don't matter," she
said, adding that many communities
lack access to nice parks, good schools or
food stores.
"If you ignore the problem it keeps
getting bigger and bigger. Put yourself
in that person's place," she said, adding
that stereotypes about black communities
should also be challenged.
Asked how to increase representation
for African Americans at national
level and within credit union service
organisations, she said it was important to
have conversations and encourage people
of colour to go for senior level positions.
"Put them in the pipeline, people of
colour aren't tapped on the shoulder
and given the nods," she said. "If you
have diversity within credit unions then
you automatically have diversity within
CUSOs. Be open to hiring someone who
does not look like you, but it is important
to hire best person for the role."
AACUC and Woccu are planning
scholarship exchanges to help address the
problem of discrimination.
"Woccu has always been about building
bonds across borders and across cultures,"
said Mr Branch, "One of the ways we fight
racism and discrimination is through
building bonds through exchanges and
shared experience: 'una viventem' - living
and working together.
"We knock down the walls that separate
us in this global community."
The webinar is available on Woccu's
YouTube channel: s.coop/2d3ee
A Protests have taken place in the US and around the world after the death of George Floyd
16 I JULY2020

IP YOUR VIEWS
GROWING THE MOVEMENT
During my lifetime (I was born in 1927)
there has never been a more appropriate
time to grow the co-operative movement.
So, as we gradually come out of lockdown
and look for something better than
before, let us seize this opportunity. Let
us proclaim, to all who will listen, that
the way to a more equal and more just
society is through co-operative working.
The legal structure, governance advice,
access to loan capital, are all available at
Co-operativesUK and there is no need for
re-invention.
Roger Sawtell
Holder of Co-operatives UK Lifetime
Achievement Award
MARGARET LLEWELYN DAVIES
I greatly enjoyed Andrew Bibby's review
of Ruth Cohen's biography of Margaret
Llewelyn Davies, With Women for a New
World. One of the aspects of the brilliant
story that Ruth tells is the co-operative
conversion moment. Most biographies of
great co-operators have one. Margaret,
was a powerful intellectual, friend of
Bertrand Russell, and also a wonderfully
hard working practical co-operator. She
was the architect of the most powerful
women's organisation Britain had
ever seen. Ruth captures Margaret's
conversion moment:
"Margaret joined her local co-operative
society in 1886. Her enthusiasm for
co-operative sausages became a family
joke, but this seemingly small step was to
change her life."
A small step that not only changed
her life but successfully changed many
thousands of women's lives for the better!
All of us co-operators have experienced
such a step. What was it for you?
Nick Matthews
Vice-chair, Co-operatives UK
Have your say
Add your comments to our stories on
line at thenews.coop, get in touch
via social media, or send us a letter.
If sending a letter, please include
your address and contact number.
Letters may be edited and no longer
than 350 words.
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f Co-operative News
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Resurgence (1/: Ecologist is published by The Resurgence Trust, an educational charity (no.1120414), registered in England and Wales.
24 I JULY 2020

Co-op Party develops toolkit
to repair a broken system
'How can we create something
better, learning from our
renewed spirit of solidarity
to grow a better economy?'
In June the Co-op Party launched the Owning
the Future report, setting out sweeping policy
proposals that could "form the toolkit we need to
repair our economy - not simply patching up the
damage done by Covid-19 but fixing the problems
at the heart of an unfair, inequitable system."
The report highlights the widespread inequality
seen throughout the UK, and says the moral case
for change is "crystal clear".
"We deserve an economy that works for
everyone," says Co-op Party policy officer Anna
Birley. "Everyone deserves a decent roof over
their head, somewhere to call home. Everyone
deserves to be able to put food on the table and
to earn a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. From
dignity at work to a say in the decisions that affect
us, we deserve better."
The report makes the economic case for
change. "After every crisis, there is a window of
opportunity not just to recover but to fix the root
causes of the crisis.
"While the economic effects of a pandemic and
a global shutdown are unavoidable, its severity
and longevity are not a foregone conclusion.
History shows that growing inequality often
precedes financial crashes and that economies
characterised by inequality grow slower and risk
that weaker growth being short-lived. So with
the Bank of England predicting a recession three
times as severe as the financial crisis of 2008, we
must take steps now to limit its damage."
Ms Birley adds "The causes of inequality
are structural and self-perpetuating. Some of
these causes, like the entrenched inequality that
excludes BAME people from the workplace or sees
them disproportionately exposed to the virus, are
rooted in discrimination.
"In terms of structural economic inequalities,
our shareholder system means wealth and power
are concentrated in a small and shrinking
number of executives and company shareholders
who make decisions in their own short-term
gain, rather than in the long-term best interests
of their company, community, workforce
or environment."
The report says that to break the cycle of
short-termism, low productivity, low wages and
rising inequality, "we need to rewrite the rules
governing the economy, and the values that
underpin how businesses operate".
"The answer has been around for centuries.
Co-operatives owned by their employees,
customers and communities are a fairer way to
do business, and economies characterised by a
larger co-operative sector are more equitable,
productive and accountable, with a narrower gap
between the rich and poor."
The report adds that during the Covid
crisis, the state "found a way to solve, albeit
temporarily, many of the problems" it had
previously washed its hands of. The challenge
now is to build on this new consensus. As we
open up and look to reboot the economy, it is
under threat by the sttus quo. We cannot risk it
being a temporary blip of co-operation - we need
to shift it to a structural change."
To address this, the Co-op Party is
exploring seven policy areas it sees as integral to
a fairer future.
1. Co-operative expansion
2. Job retention and employee ownership
3. Co-operative green new deal
4. Fair tax
5. An alternative financial services sector
6. Place-based economy
7. Democratic public ownership
www.party.coop/owningthefuture
OWRIRG
PUTURE
THE CO-OPERATIVE PLAR FOR RECOVERY
JULY 2020 I 25

government can do to multiply its impact -
and it outlines more general policy changes to
"make the UK a better place to start and grow
co-operatives".
Co-operatives UK's Co-op Economy Report
2020 highlighted how 76o/o of co-op start-ups are
still flourishing after the difficult first five years,
compared with just 42o/o of new companies.
The organisation is aware that across society,
transformative action is already being driven by
factors such as the emergence of digital tools, the
maturing and evolution of the 'community shares'
financing model and the explosion of mutual aid
during the coronavirus crisis.
"The pandemic has laid bare economic and social
injustices and fragilities in critical systems,"
says the briefing. "It has also given us a
glimpse of how much our lives would really need
to change to actually avert climate disaster."
The four co-op offers in the paper relate
primarily to supporting the creation of new
co-ops in a particular context. But it also makes
the case for more general policy changes that
would make it easier to set-up a co-op in the UK,
and the government action needed to make it easier
to run and develop co-ops once they are operating.
This includes the need for an effective
environmental and social floor (co-ops are
"unfairly disadvantaged when government policy
prop ups businesses and business models that
undercut them environmentally and socially");
business support programmes; procurement;
legislative reform; and HMRC services.
"We're saying that we want to rebuild back
better and that the co-operative model is here for
communities," says Mr Morris. "Where we can
really play our part in this is in recognising that
jobs are safer if they're co-operative. We've got a
bit of durability and a bit of resilience in our businesses.
We've demonstrated that we are relevant
in all walks of life.
"We're going to do this in any case, but getting
the government on board would have a
multiplier effect. It would mean that we build
back bigger and faster than we would
otherwise."
Read the policy briefing online at www.uk.coop
Weare
the rebuilders
Four co-operative offers
for building back better
from COVID-19
June2020
JULY 2020 I 27

Amsterdam funds for housing co-op projects
By Anca Voinea
"Amsterdam has
a great shortage
of affordable
housing.
Tenants have
sky-rocketing
rents or are
on a waiting list
for years.
[Residential cooperatives]
give
them full control
over their home"
Top: Alderman
Ivens, Deputy Mayor
(Credit: amsterdam.nl)
A loan fund of €50m (£45m) put in place by
Amsterdam's city council will be used to support
the development of housing co-ops.
The council is also allocating land plots under
an indefinite lease for 15 to 20 housing co-op
projects. The move is part of the municipality's
efforts to help provide more affordable housing
for the city's residents.
Commercial banks provide mortgage loans up
to 70o/o of the total investment or property value,
but funding can be hard to access for start-up
housing co-ops. Therefore, the municipality has
set up the loan fund to enable them to borrow
money from it, in addition to securing financing
from banks and adding their own contribution.
The loan is to be repaid in 10 to 15 years.
Deputy mayor Alderman Ivens, who leads policy
on housing, construction, and public space, says
the model can help to provide a solution to the
city's affordable housing problem.
He said: "Amsterdam has a great shortage
of affordable housing. Tenants are faced with
sky-rocketing rents or are on a waiting list for years.
The great thing about residential co-operatives is
that groups of tenants themselves will design,
build and manage their living and living spaces in
new buildings.
"They then individually rent a house from
the co-operative. This gives them full control
over their home, without interference from
large real estate parties. In addition, the homes
are also retained in the long term for low and
middle incomes because they cannot be sold
or liberalised."
The co-ops will be responsible for the building
process and members will be able to have
their input in the design of the buildings. The
model is based on housing co-ops developed in
Switzerland and Germany. Councils across
Switzerland work with housing co-ops through
public-co-operative partnerships, which enable
the municipalities to provide land to the housing
co-operative in the form of a "right to use".
The limited equity housing co-operatives,
which will offer below-market buy-in, will be
available to people with low or moderate incomes.
Restrictions on resale will also ensure that the
units remain an affordable option for those on low
and medium incomes.
Rent per unit will be between €600 and €1,010
(£540-£910), lower than for private dwellings
between 40-70 sq m, which can cost between
€1,100 and €2,200 (£910- £1,980) excluding
service fees.
The co-ops will also provide collective services
such as green energy car sharing, childcare and
healthcare.
Mr Ivens added: "The fact that the municipality
will be co-financing housing construction itself
is a major change of course. In this way, just as
in the past when a municipal housing company
existed, the municipality takes an active role in
the creation of affordable housing, whereby the
future residents themselves determine what their
residential complex looks like.
"Moreover, because it is separate from the
traditional real estate companies and project
developers, this form of housing can keep house
construction going, especially in these economically
uncertain times."
Clemens Mol, housing co-op programme
manager at !WOON, a foundation which advises
inhabitants of Amsterdam how to start a housing
co-op, says the idea of housing co-ops has only
recently been explored in the Netherlands.
"There are a great number of social housing
providers but tenants do not have many opportunities
to plan and manage their own dwellings,"
he said.
38 I JULY 2020

Co-op News
AGM & annual report
Co-operative Press hosted its first online AGM on
22 June, with 37 people in attendance.
Chair Barbara Rainford was joined on the virtual
platform by the secretary Richard Bickle, and the
executive editor, Rebecca Harvey, who presented
the annual report and accounts for the financial
year 2019-2020.
Ms Rainford said: "The role of Co-op News is
to connect, champion and challenge the global
co-operative movement - we have been telling the
stories of co-operatives and co-operators around
the world for nearly 150 years. Those stories and
the way of telling them have changed, but your
Press and your board are still utterly committed
to upholding the values and principles of
co-operation and working for you, our members."
Co-operative Press reported a turnover of
£235,565 for the year ending 29 February 2020
with a gross profit of £53,926 and an operating
loss of £3,289, down from £18,020 in the
previous year.
In 2019 Co-operative Press embarked on a fiveyear
strategy to help ensure the relevance and
sustainability of Co-op News. As part of this it is
working to increase digital output, develop new
content and services and develop new geographies
and sectors.
Rebecca Harvey said: "The focus and the priority
of the year was very much on creating a news
product that is wholly fit for purpose for the 21st
century. 2021 will be the 150th anniversary of the
Co-operative Press but our role is very different
now compared with last century or the century
before. Over the last few years we have focussed
on becoming more digital, more international and
more outward-facing in what we report and how."
Over the course of the year Co-op News,
Co-operatives UK, the Co-operative College and
the Co-operative Heritage Trust have also been
working together under the New Force initiative to
ensure they do not end up duplicating work. The
collaboration also resulted in a new co-op podcast
(More Than a Shop); work on a joint education and
training offer; and a Welcome to the Movement
Guide aimed at new co-ops and co-operators.
Co-op News published a total of 938 stories
over the course of the year. It also covered
16 UK conferences and three international
events. Throughout the year, Co-op News also
deepened its relationship with the international
co-operative movement, producing content
for apex organisations and covering global
conferences.
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Read at: thenews.coop/agm-2020/
48 I JULY 2020

DIARY
The Covid-19 crisis has
led to the postponement
of many co-op events -
including some of those
listed below.
If you would like to add any
postponements - or let us
know of any virtual events
taking place instead,
please email us at:
events@thenews.coop
ILO COOP 100 Webinar Ill - Cooperatives
for Climate Action on the occasion of the
2020 International Day of Cooperatives
(3 July)
On the eve of the IDC, and as part of
the ILO Coop Centenary Webinar series,
the ILO will organise a webinar on
climate on 3 July 2020 between 13:30
and 15:00 (CESD. The webinar aims to
highlight climate change mitigation and
adaptation actions being undertaken
by co-operative enterprises and their
relevance in creating decent jobs. The
event will feature contributions from
Sonia Dias, waste specialist, Women in
Informal Employment: Globalizing and
Organizing (WIEGO), Brazil - on waste
picker co-operatives; Dirk Vansintjan,
president, REScoop.eu, Europe - on
renewable energy co-operatives; Noel
Ra boy, president and CEO, CLIMBS Life
and General Insurance Cooperative,
Philippines - on weather index
insurance; Moustapha Kamal Gueye,
manager, Green Jobs Programme, ILO.
c-:> bit.ly/2NsWr4G
Worker Co-op Development in Immigrant
Communities Webinar (6 July)
A Stir to Action initiative, the webinar
will explore how Center for Family
Life, a social services organisation
in New York has pivoted their
service delivery framework to partner
with community residents in the
entrepreneurial act of developing worker
co-ops. The webinar will hear from Maru
Bautista, the director of the Co-operative
Development Program at the Center for
Family Life in Brooklyn, New York City.
C-:> bit.ly/31qGVOG
Co-op virtual connections Brighton
(7 July)
Due to the Covid-19 crisis, Co-operatives
UK has converted its Co-op Connections
events to virtual meetings. They are
free to join and will take place from
3.30pm.
Co-op Virtual Connections are an
opportunity for co-ops to connect
locally, as well as to find out what
support is available in your region.
Also joining will be, where possible,
experts from Co-operatives UK's
Advice, Co-op Development, Policy
and Membership teams.
The mutual advantage: Episode 2,
IPB Insurance (8 July)
In this series of bi-monthly webinars,
ICMIF members from around the
world present how they leverage their
mutual/co-operative difference in order
to gain competitive advantage in their
market. In this episode participants
will hear from Tom Keane, head of
marketing, communications & corporate
social engagement at IPB Insurance.
More information is available on the
International Cooperative and Mutual
Insurance website.
c-:> icmif.org
Woodcraft Folk launches
#DreamBigAtHome
Education co-op Woodcraft Folk has
set up a new website called Dream Big
at Home, which features hundreds of
activities and games to do at home,
weekly challenges to try and a regular
programme of live workshops and events
on line. More information on how to get
involved is on their website.
C-:> dreambigathome.uk
50 I JULY 2020

Co-operatives UK
CO-OPERATIVES UK
JOB TITLE:
Chief Executive
APPOINTMENT DETAILS
The network for Britain's thousands of
co-operatives for 150 years, Co-operatives
UK works to promote, develop and unite
member-owned businesses worth over
£38bn to the UK economy. Owned and run
by our members, we act as an authoritative,
campaigning voice to influence public policy;
provide members with the advice and services
they need to thrive; and bring them together
so that they can connect, learn and trade
with one another.
We are now seeking an exceptional candidate
to join as our next Chief Executive. You
will work with the board of directors and
management team to create and deliver an
innovative and ambitious strategy, aligned
to our co-operative values, which reflects the
changing needs of our membership and the UK
economy. An ambassador for the organisation
and the broader cooperative economy, the
Chief Executive will build lasting relationships
at the highest level with our key stakeholders,
from our members to opinion formers, business
leaders, government and the media.
Candidates will have a track record of strategic,
transformational leadership in an organisation
of equivalent or greater scale and complexity.
A proven, authentic and consensus-driven
leader and first-class stakeholder manager
and influencer, you will be able to inspire
and motivate a close-knit team in a valuesdriven,
democratic environment. You will be
a values-based leader with a commitment
to co-operation and the values that are the
foundation of the co-operative model. Past
experience in a co-operative or membership
organisation is not required, but you will bring
experience of setting and operationalising
a commercial strategy, aligned to a clear,
mission-driven vision.
JOB REFERENCE: HAFAMM
Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Co-operatives UK on this
appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply,
please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference HAFAMM.
Alternatively, telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours).
Applications should be received by noon on Thursday 9 July 2020.
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