The Plunkett Weekly News is a weekly round up of the latest news from the Plunkett Foundation and the latest co-operative social enterprise, farming and food and rural development news.
Plunkett Weekly News 18.09.2009 (pdf)
Plunkett Foundation News
PLUNKETT PERSPECTIVE
This week’s perspective looks at the Plunkett Foundation’s ‘Right to Try’ idea and its adoption within the Co-operative Party’s Manifesto.
http://plunkettfoundation.blogspot.com/
To follow the Plunkett Foundation on Facebook visit http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=79687818921&ref=nf
To follow the Plunkett Foundation on Twitter visit http://twitter.com/PeterCouchman
TWO NEW COMMUNITY SHOPS CELEBRATE SUCCESS
The communities of Hindon in Wiltshire, and Freshford and Limpley stoke in Somerset had reason to celebrate this week. Both shops have just held their official openings to mark their success in establishing a community-owned shop.
The villagers of Hindon rallied together when their commercial shop faced closure and together raised £170,000. A further £37,000 in grant funding was generated to buy the freehold of the new premises and then to convert the space into an attractive Village Stores and Post Office. In addition, local craftsmen and tradesmen generously donated their time and also provided materials at cost. Volunteers from the community will ensure that the shop will open 7 days a week and remain a social hub of the village.
Freshford and Limpley Stoke celebrated their opening with celebrity guest, Midge Ure, cutting the official ribbon. After three and a half years of hard work, Freshford and Limpley Stoke now have an attractive new build shop and café with an emphasis on local food. More than half the households in Freshford and Limpley Stoke were involved in one way or another with the shop through financial contributions, hard committee work, grant applications, accounting, architectural services, design, carpentry, decorating, sign-building, and of course finally volunteering in the shop. To find out more about Freshford Shop visit: http://www.freshfordvillage.co.uk/pages/freshford_shop_project.php
Co-operatives and Social Enterprise News
RECENT TRENDS IN GOVERNMENT FUNDING AND PUBLIC SECTOR
The State and the Voluntary Sector is ideal for anyone who wants to quickly and clearly understand the statutory funding environment. The voluntary sector in modern Britain is a major force for social and economic change. With an expenditure of over £33 billion and a paid workforce of 634,000, the voluntary sector is also a key player in the modernisation and delivery of public services. At a time when public expenditure is under pressure, policy-makers and voluntary sector leaders need the latest intelligence on the statutory funding relationship. The State and the Voluntary Sector provides a unique, easy-to-understand analysis of the funding relationship between the two sectors. It is an indispensable guide for policy-makers and voluntary sector leaders and anyone interested in the sector. It includes clear, simple statistics for those wishing to present on government funding and public service delivery by the voluntary sector; analysis of 16 different themes, including grants and contracts, social enterprise, and expenditure by central government departments; easy-to-read charts and tables showing trends over time, and are all downloadable from http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/almanac
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/publications/publication.asp?id=15084
© National Council for Voluntary Organisations
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE COALITION’S ELECTED BOARD IN PLACE
The Social Enterprise Coalition's elected board is officially in place after voting by the Council has decided six of its members. An additional three appointed members will be appointed in the coming weeks. The Council voted for board members in categories with a specific number of places for each: Social Enterprise Coalition Board:
• Chair: Claire Dove;
• Six Elected board members: Social Enterprise category: Emma Wilson - Local Care Direct,
• Dai Powell - HCT Group, Caroline Mason - Investing for Good;
• National umbrella organisation: Steve Wyler - Development Trusts Association;
• Regional networks and devolved nations: Lucy Findlay – Rise;
• Partner organisation: Alistair Wilson - School for Social Entrepreneurs;
• Two executive directors: Jonathan Bland, CEO, SEC and, David Shannon, finance director, SEC;
• Three appointed board members: To be appointed in the coming weeks.
http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/press-releases.php/62/social-enterprise-coalitions-elected-board-in-place
© Social Enterprise
GO! CO-OPERATIVE ON TRACK TO CREATE RAIL TRAVEL OF THE FUTURE
One of the newest co-operatives in the country - Go! Co-operative - looks set to shape the future of rail travel as it prepares to become the first co-operatively-owned train operating company (TOC) in the UK.
Go! Co-operative is seeking funding from socially-minded investors to raise upwards of £250,000 to support initial work as the first open access train provider running as a multi-stakeholder co-operative.
Go! Co-operative’s stated aim is to improve access to public transport by providing open access rail services linking main lines to smaller market towns and villages. Initially planning to provide a service in Southern England, if successful, Go! would become the fifth TOC to take advantage of the principle of open access to rail lines and will provide much-needed connections for otherwise isolated rural locations.
More information about Go! Co-operative can be found on their website, http://www.go-now.coop/
http://www.ethos-pr.com/news/entry/go-co-operative-on-track-to-create-rail-travel-of /
© Ethos Public Relations Limited
GOOD DEALS 2009: THE SOCIAL INVESTMENT ALMANACK
As the first publication of its kind, The Social Investment Almanack exists to showcase the different types of social investment. It includes the UK's first comprehensive directory of social investors, finance providers and support organisations. The four chapters introduce the social investment marketplace and run through models that are well established, just taking off and those that are in the laboratory stage. This is the essential publication for both social entrepreneurs and social investors alike and can be downloaded for free at http://www.socialenterpriselive.com/sites/default/files/files/supplements/Good_Deals_Almanack_2009_spreads4.1.pdf
http://www.socialenterpriselive.com/supplements/good-deals-2009-the-social-investment-almanack
© Social Enterprise
THE STROUD POUND LAUNCHED IN THREADNEEDLE STREET
The official unveiling of the exquisitely designed Stroud Pound took place on Threadneedle Street, outside the offices of the Stroud Valleys Project and opposite Stroud’s very own Old Lady (Teashop) on Saturday 12th September. The Stroud Pound is the work of the Stroud Pound Co-op Ltd which in turn, grew out of Transition Stroud. Molly Scott Cato, one of the organisers of the initiative says: “The aim of the currency is to keep economic value within the local economy, but the link to the local identity is also important. What makes Stroud better is that we have a lot of local producers here. We have a big farmer’s market here and we hope there will be a synergy between consumers and producers. Green economists hope to achieve this kind of closed loop.”
Four denominations of Stroud Pound vouchers are now available to exchange for Sterling on a 1-to-1 basis.
The notes, designed by local artist Ronan Schoemaker and produced by Steve Charlwood, are like miniature histories of the economic and cultural life of the Five Valleys.The most prominent local celebrity to feature is Laurie Lee, author of Cider with Rosie, who was born in Stroud and is buried in the Slad Valley.
http://stroudpound.org.uk/page7.html
© Stroud Pound
THREE SUPPLEMENTARY SOCIAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT GUIDES PUBLISHED
As part of a package of support from Government to help maximise the social value the third sector creates, the Office of the Third Sector (OTS) has published three tailored guides to Social Return on Investment (SROI), which supplement 'A guide to Social Return on Investment', published in May 2009. The guides are part of the OTS Measuring Social Value project, which aims to encourage wider use of SROI, through making it more accessible and more cost effective for organisations and more attractive to investors, funders and commissioners.
• 'Social Return on Investment – an introduction' gives an overview of SROI, what it can do for organisations, commissioners and investors and signposts where more information and support can be found.
• 'Social Return on Investment - and commissioning' explains how SROI can be used by commissioners and helps commissioners to use SROI to achieve more social value when commissioning services.
• 'Social Return on Investment – for social investing' explains how SROI can be used by investors if they want to integrate SROI approaches into investment decisions to help them decide which investment will achieve the most social impact.
For more information and to download copies of the guides, visit:
http://www.sroi-uk.org/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/090915_sroiguides.aspx
© Office of the Third Sector
CO-OPERATIVES AND LOCAL IMPACT - LAST CHANCE TO COMPLETE SURVEY
Co-operatives UK are putting in place a programme of activity to begin evidencing the impact of co-operatives on their local areas. The first stage of this activity is a survey of co-operatives on the theme of ‘regeneration'. The survey will be closing very shortly so please click on the link below to take part.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=IAT7CnjTiQYwfE3Rd0k6Aw_3d_3d
© Co-operatives UK
THE PHONE CO-OP NAMED FINALIST IN NATIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS
The Phone Co-op has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Small to Medium Sized Business category of this year’s National Business Awards. Vivian Woodall, Chief Executive of the Phone Co-op is delighted that they have bee selected as a finalist, “The fact we have made it to the final stage of the National Business Awards is a tribute to everyone involved in our business – our employees and our customer members alike.”
http://www.thephone.coop/webmail
© The Phone Co-op
Farming and Food News
AGRICULTURE PIONEER BORLAUG DIES
The man known as the father of the Green Revolution in agriculture, has died in the US state of Texas aged 95.
Prof Borlaug won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for agricultural innovation and the development of high-yield crops. The Green Revolution helped world food production more than double between 1960 and 1990 with Asia, Africa and Latin America in particular benefiting. The Nobel Institute said he had helped save hundreds of millions of lives. In the early 1960s Prof Borlaug realised that creating short-stemmed varieties would leave food plants more energy for growing larger heads of grain. His high-yield, disease-resistant dwarf wheat quickly boosted harvests in Latin America, and his techniques were particularly successful in South Asia, where famine was widespread. Analysts believe the Green Revolution helped avert a worldwide famine in the late 20th century. The Nobel prize presentation said Prof Borlaug "more than any other single person of his age... has helped to provide bread for a hungry world". Prof Borlaug continued his work into his 90s. Prof Borlaug was awarded the highest US civilian award, the Congressional Gold Medal, in 2007.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8253005.stm
© BBC
MEETING COMMUNITY DEMAND FOR ALLOTMENTS
The Government is urged to dramatically expand the number of public allotments by building on brownfield sites and encouraging landowners to donate unused holdings to their local community. With 100,000 people currently on a waiting list for an allotment, the New Local Government Network (NLGN) is calling for the Government and local councils to make better use of the estimated 3,500 hectares of unused brownfield land – the equivalent size of 25 Hyde Parks – to create new community allotments. With residents in some London Boroughs having to wait up to 40 years for a plot, NLGN argues that the need for additional land is clearly vital.
The number of allotments in the UK has declined from 1.4million in the 1940s to 200,000 in the present day. Recently however there has been an increase in their popularity as more people seek to grow their own produce, especially during the economic downturn. The Queen recently dedicated some of the Buckingham Palace Garden into an allotment to grow produce for the palace kitchen and Sarah Brown has begun to grow vegetables in the Downing Street garden. In 2008 the influential DEFRA Select Committee called for more allotments to be built to help tackle global food shortages. Director of the NLGN, Chris Leslie said: “With 1% of landowners owning 70% of land in the UK we would like to see the Government encourage them to share a small portion of it with people in their local communities, particularly those who do not have access to their own garden.”
http://www.nlgn.org.uk/public/press-releases/can-you-dig-it-meeting-community-demand-for-allotments/
© New Local Government Network
TYNEGRAIN SOWS SEEDS OF SUCCESS
Scores of North East farmers will reap the rewards of a new grain drying facility which is opening up valuable new markets for their crops. The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) has invested £135,000 into South Shields-based Tynegrain Ltd - a farmer owned co-operative storage, processing and marketing facility with 114 members in the region and a 75,000 tonne capacity. Improvements mean that a large number of farmers in the region who are working together co-operatively can improve the performance of their own business and will reap the rewards sooner rather than later. Tynegrain had reached its maximum capacity prior to the RDPE investment so new members will now be able to join the co-operative providing further benefits across the region.
http://www.rdpenortheast.co.uk/page/news/article.cfm?articleId=3995
© Rural Development Programme for England
BENN’S FOOD POLICY ADVISERS TARGET FRUIT AND VEGETABLES
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn’s team of food policy advisers have told him to encourage the production and consumption of more home-grown fruit and vegetables. In the first report to Mr Benn since its formation late last year, the Council of Food Policy Advisers, made up of industry leaders from across the food chain, also told Mr Benn to define a ‘sustainable diet’ and increase the Government’s food procurement programme.
The fruit and vegetable ‘task force’ was a top priority as the fledgling Council urged Mr Benn to develop ‘a strategy for increasing consumption and domestic production of fruit and vegetables’. Government figures reveal UK self-sufficiency in fresh fruit halved between 1988 and 2007 to just above 10 per cent. Self-sufficiency in fresh vegetable production has fallen by 20 per cent since 1988 to 55 per cent and it continues to fall.
Following the Council recommendation, the industry has already taken action. Retailers, growers, and public procurers met recently to consider the barriers to greater consumption and production of fruit and vegetables in the UK.
http://www.farmersguardian.com/benns-food-policy-advisors-target-fruit-and-veg/27734.article
© Farmers Guardian
EU FARMERS OPT FOR MILK STRIKE
The European Milk Board (EMB), representing milk producer organisations from eight European countries, has announced a "far-reaching revolt", including farmer blockades of dairies and the withholding of milk from the market. At a press conference in Paris on Thursday 10th September the EMB said "enough is enough". The EU Commission's policy of buying butter and skimmed milk powder into intervention had cost taxpayers millions of euros, but had not raised prices to milk producers. Instead, the EMB advocates cutting milk quotas progressively, until the supply of milk is tight enough to force processors to pay prices that cover the cost of production.
President of the French Association of Independent Milk Producers, Pascal Massol, said his members would resort to any measures necessary to achieve these aims, while German president of the EMB, Romuald Schaber, said he would suspend his milk supplies immediately. These views were supported by representatives from the French Organisation of Milk Producers, the German Dairy Farmers Association and the Austrian dairy farmer body IG-Milch.
http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/10/117675/eu-dairy-farmers-opt-for-milk-strike.html
© Farmers Weekly
Rural Development News
INVESTIGATION INTO STATE OF RURAL SERVICES IN ENGLAND
The Rural Services Network is conducting an in-depth investigation to detail the State of Rural Services in England. They want your input to help develop their publication so it best serves you.
The RSN invite you to look at their paper at http://www.rsnonline.org.uk/images/files/srs2010evidencebase.doc and then complete a short survey to ensure their final report provides you the most relevant information needed.
Complete the State of Rural Services in England survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Ui25n9UTPZpnhS1cY0ydsQ_3d_3d
http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/projects/ruralservices/blog/ruralservicesnetworkinvestigatesstateofruralservicesinengland
© Rural Services Network
ACRE BRIEFING ON AGING RURAL POPULATIONS
ACRE has compiled a new Briefing about rural ageing and summarises the recent Government Strategy on Ageing. ‘Building a Society for All Ages’ and the related document ‘Working Together for Older People in Rural Areas’ that examines evidence on the social exclusion experienced by older people in rural areas and identifies examples of innovative service delivery that is making a difference. Download these reports at:
http://www.acre.org.uk/DOCUMENTS/publications/briefings/ACREbriefing_ageing.pdf
© ACRE
REVEALED: HOW TO IMPROVE RURAL LIFE
A groundbreaking report has revealed more than 60 ways that local authorities can improve rural life.
The Essex Rural Commission was asked to recommend ways Essex County Council could improve support to rural communities. Following a year-long inquiry, its findings were published this September.
It is the first time such a report has been produced in England. The independent commission was asked by the local authority to examine all issues around living and working in rural Essex. It examined the environmental, economic and social challenges facing rural communities.
The report splits its recommendations into the following 12 priority areas:
Expand rural enterprise in Essex; provide more affordable rural housing; transform existing rural space and buildings to multifunctional use; widen transport options; increase use and management of natural green spaces;
secure an Essex food policy; celebrate and protect the coast; ensure schools serve communities and children;
establish a strategy for young and old; build community well-being and volunteering; initiate an Essex energy policy and nurture wilderness in Essex.
The commission had sought to look to the future, mindful of the substantial environmental, economic and social change it would bring. The council will now study the recommendations before devising ways of supporting the county’s rural communities.
http://www.rsnonline.org.uk/politics/councils-can-improve-rural-life-report.html
© Rural Services Online
International News
FISCHER-BOEL CALLS TIME ON HER BRUSSELS CAREER
Mariann Fischer-Boel has confirmed she is to step down as EU Agriculture Commissioner when the current commission finishes its term later this year. Reports from Brussels indicate that the Dane has informed commission president José Manuel Barrosso of her intention to leave. Mr Barrosso had been anxious for Ms Fischer-Boel to remain in the farm portfolio for another five-year term, but she has decided to call time on her Brussels career. While Ms Fischer-Boel has insisted that she had enjoyed her term in farming, she said the role was "demanding". The position is likely to become even more demanding over the next five years as the renegotiation of the full CAP package takes centre stage ahead of 2013.
With the agriculture portfolio now up for grabs, pressure on the Government to pitch for the post is likely to gather pace. Farmer representatives have warned that the CAP framework up to 2020 will be settled by forthcoming budget negotiations and argue that having an Irish commissioner in place would be beneficial
http://www.independent.ie/farming/fischerboel--calls-time-on-brussels-career-1886285.html
© Independent.ie
MORE THAN 4,300 ‘ATE ATLANTIC’ ON 4TH SEPTEMBER
More than 4,300 Atlantic Canadians heeded Co-op Atlantic's call to eat only locally-produced food on the 4th September. The Eat Atlantic Challenge was organized by Co-op Atlantic to promote the eating of local food in an effort to strengthen the region's economy, environment and future.
The event included a friendly competition among the Ministers of Agriculture for the four Atlantic provinces to see which province would claim the most "Eat Atlantic" pledges. On a per-capita basis, Prince Edward Island was the victor, with 644 Islanders pledging to eat Atlantic for the day. Nova Scotia had the most total pledges, with 2,098.
http://www.coopscanada.coop/en/info_resources/Publications/CooperativeNewsBriefs/10/16
© Co-operative Canada