Representing the Co-operative Movement in Wales
Mark Bishop of Big State Theatre
With the number of freelancers in UK creative industries continuing to rise and creative graduates facing a difficult job market, Co-operatives UK, the national trade body that campaigns for co-operation, has launched Creative Co-operatives, a new guide and website. Continue reading ‘Creative Co-operatives’
The Co-operative Forum (Northern Ireland) held an international conference, “From Plunkett to the credit crunch” at Trinity College, Dublin over the weekend of July 31st/August 1st 2010.
The conference welcomed over 50 delegates from across the British Isles and as far away as the ICA in Geneva to a wide ranging and well received series of presentations and discussions. Continue reading ‘From Plunkett to the credit crunch’
The way to improve football in the UK, now the World Cup is over, is to follow the approach of leading Spanish clubs and hand them over to their fans. This report – written by Dave Boyle and launched by Co-operatives UK and Supporters Direct – details how.
This report, launched as part of Co-operatives Fortnight, is published alongside the first English translation of the statutes of Spanish club FC Barcelona, the poster child of co-operative football.
Download the full reports below:-
On July 15th, Alex Bird, Chair of Co-operatives and Mutuals Wales was asked to give evidence to the Welsh Assembly’s Enterprise and Learning Committee, together with John Bennett, CEO of the Welsh Social Enterpise Coalition.
Watch the full presentation below:-
(To start the video - click on the Hi Med or Lo buttons)
The written evidence is available at:-
Six dynamic and successful businesses have been honoured with national Co-operative Awards at Co-operatives 2010 in Plymouth, to recognise their innovation and contribution to the co-operative sector.
Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society, Delta-T Devices, Shared Interest Society, The Handmade Bakery, whomadeyourpants? and Winyates Co-operative Housing received the Co-operative Award in recognition of their excellent work in diverse areas of the economy.
The six winners were chosen from a diverse shortlist and all excelled in the past year to help promote, unite and develop their business as well as the co-operative movement.
David Button, Chair of Co-operatives UK, which organised the awards said: “The Co-operative Awards 2010 celebrate the diversity, innovation and excellent work of co-operatives across the UK and all six winners are worthy recipients of these awards.” Continue reading ‘Winners of the Co-operative Awards are announced’
Figures released today at the launch of the Co-operative Enterprise Hub in Wales today, show that the number of co-operatives in Wales is now 199. Between them they employ 5,400 people and have a turnover in excess of £900m. Across the UK, the co-operative sector grew by 15.8% to £34bn last year, whilst Britain’s GDP only grew by 4.9%, clearly demonstrrating the dynamism of the co-operative sector.
The Co-operative Enterprise Hub is a £5m support package for co-operatives funded entirely by the Co-operative Group. It is delivered in Wales by a partnership between the Wales Co-op Centre and consultancy.coop The scheme is open to all co-operative businesses, whether starting up or already established.
To apply, go to www.co-operative.coop/enterprisehub Continue reading ‘Wales Co-ops top £900m turnover’
Latest figures from Co-operatives UK reveal that co-operative businesses in the UK have pushed up their combined turnover by some 15.8% to almost £34 billion – during the same period UK GDP decreased by 4.9%.
As the UK coalition government debates the provision of public services via a co-operative model, and trust in PLCs and other models of business continues to decline, Ed Mayo, Secretary General of the trade body for co-operatives, Co-operatives UK, says the co‑operative sector is well placed to step up to the challenge. Continue reading ‘UK Co-operatives nudge £34bn’
Change AGEnts, the new older people’s participation co-operative held its UK launch on June 21st at the Welsh Assembly, as part of Co-operatives Fortnight .
The event was attended by delegates from across the UK and was sponsored by |Janice Gregory AM, and chaired by Mervyn Eastman and Howard Lewis. Continue reading ‘Launch of Change AGEnts’
Wales Co-operative Centre have produced a new film about co-operatives in Wales especially for Co-operatives fortnight
For more about Co-operatives Fortnight, visit www.thereisanalternative.coop, or for the work of The Assembly Cross-party Group on Co-operatives and Mutuals, visit www.cooperatives-wales.coop/?page_id=23
As a new Westminster government talks about putting co-operative ideas at the heart of British society, Assembly Members from the four main political parties outlined what they believe the future holds for Wales at an event sponsored by the Cross Party Group on Cooperatives and Mutuals on Wednesday 16th June in the Pierhead building, Cardiff Bay.
This was a public event to launch Co-operatives Fortnight (19 June – 3 July) in Wales. Continue reading ‘The Future for Co-operation in Wales’
A new short film on co-operatives has been produced for Co-operatives Fortnight by Co-operatives UK for Co-operatives Fortnight, June 19th to July 3rd 2010
Watch the full screen movie here: There is an Alternative NB Download may take a couple of minutes
or on YouTube here
Alex Bird addressed the Renewables UK Wales Conference at the Mercure Holland Hotel in Cardiff on Wed May 26th as part of a dedicated session on Co-operative Wind Energy Schemes. The conference proceedings can be viwed at: http://www.renewable-uk.com/events/cymru-conference/index.html
The conference Co-operative Wind session was also addressed by Rod Edwards, the Commercial and Technical manager of Dulas Ltd, the rewable energy co-operative based at Dyfi Eco Parc in Machynlleth, www.dulas.org
Alex’s PowerPoint presentation can be viwed at: Co-operative Community Schemes
Co-operatives UK have declared that 19 June to 3 July 2010
will be a Co-operative Fortnight, and events will be organised across the UK on the theme ‘There is an alternative’
More events have been added
Latest info at:-
As the debate around football club ownership intensifies, new research conducted by Co-operatives UK has today revealed that fans want to take control at both Manchester United and Liverpool – and could afford to do so.
83 per cent of Manchester United fans and 72 per cent of Liverpool fans who expressed an opinion felt their club would be in better hands if it was owned co-operatively. Across the country 56% of fans, who gave an opinion, feel the same way according to the survey* conducted by YouGov on behalf of Co-operatives UK.
The survey confirms for the first time that they would be willing to put their money where their mouth is and invest in the club to take it into co-operative ownership.
Continue reading ‘Fans want to take over as Premier League club owners – reveals new survey’
Co-operativesUK has launched a ‘co-operative call to action’ for the forthcoming General Election asking all political parties to focus on co operation as a major force in addressing issues ranging from economic renewal to fairness in society.
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operativesUK, said: “Unprecedented events such as the financial crisis and the climate threat show the importance of co-operation.
“There is increasing evidence that people are co-operative as much as they are also competitive and we wish to see the next government make a commitment to encourage a diverse economy where the co-operative business model features strongly.”
The call to action addresses five key areas including: economic renewal; social innovation; a fairer society; climate change and digital futures. Continue reading ‘Support for Co-operation is vital for next Government’
On February 11th the newly formed Cross Party Group on Co-operatives and Mutuals received a delegation from Co-operation Northern Ireland, which was organised by Co-operatives & Mutuals Wales. The delegation, Anna MacAleavy and Erskine Holmes had a guided tour of the Assembly building, the Senedd accompanied by the Group Chair, David Melding AM followed by lunch with other Group members including Chris Franks AM and Alan Davies AM. Also invited were Mike Ash-Edwards, the Co-operative Group Cymru/Wales Regional Secretary and Alex Bird, Chair Co-operatives & Mutuals Wales
L-R Mike Ash-Edwards, Anna MacAleavy, Chris Franks AM, Alex Bird, Erskine Holmes
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operativesUK, announces a radical new plan to give football fans a realistic chance to be in charge of their club.
Speaking at the Community Ownership of Sport conference, sponsored by the Co-operative Group and organised by Co-operatives & Mutuals Wales at the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff on Feb 22nd, Ed said: -
“I call on Government to introduce legislation that will allow supporters the right to buy their club and convert it to a co-operative if 75% of season ticket holders are in favour of the move. And this should be fast-tracked for clubs in difficulty along with the right to buy at a fair market valuation.” Continue reading ‘Co-ops show Commercial Football the Red Card’
A Study Day exploring the practical opportunities to develop
co-operatively structured, citizen-directed delivery of care services for people in Wales
Wednesday March 24th at Caerphilly County Hall
See future Events page for details
NEW YORK, 21 December (Department of Economic and Social Affairs) — The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives, highlighting the contribution of cooperatives to socio-economic development. In adopting resolution 64/136 on 18 December, the Assembly noted that cooperatives impact poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration.
A cooperative is an autonomous voluntary association of people who unite to meet common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations, through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. In general, they contribute to socio-economic development.
Continue reading ‘2012 – International Year of Co-operatives’
14 days for your diary – this year sees the launch of a groundbreaking fortnight to celebrate co-operative business.
Co-operatives UK have declared that 19 June to 3 July 2010
will be a Co-operative Fortnight.
June 23rd to 26th will be the UK Co-operative Congress at Plymouth, and the fortnight will finish with the celebration of International co-operators day.
Further details from www.cooperatives-uk.coop
