Saturday's Regional AGM

Saturdays AGM of the Co-op Group (Central and Eastern Region) went rather well, I thought. This was helped by the fact that the year in question has been quite a good one for the Co-op, from both a financial and Co-operative point of view. Some good questions were asked, including my favourite about why the Co-op Group fails to use their stores to the fullest extent in promoting Co-operation in general, and all the good things that the Group does in particular. I note that this was the subject of a formal motion at the South West regional AGM - hopefully the pressure being applied will result in an improvement on this front soon.

Steve Watts reported on the progress of the merger. Elections to all democratic structures within the society are delayed until after the merger has been completed and bedded in - this is disappointing as it represents a break with the vital regular cycle of elections, although I can see the reason for it while the Society goes through a period of immense turmoil. If all goes well, the merger should be formally achieved on the 29th July.

Oher picks of the meeting included the talk and Q&A session with Chris Mills, an ethical policy manager from the Manchester head office. Chris announced that a formal written ethical policy will be drawn up for the Food Retail business, based upon members' concerns, in a similar way to how the Co-op Bank's ethical policy is formed and developed. After the meeting I asked Chris about the Society's use of carbon offsets, as I am concerned that we do not rely on these to the exclusion of making real reductions in CO2 emissions. Chris indicated that this is more or less the Society's position, but also that the Society is unapologetic in using offsets where carbon emissions remain- and that we are convinced our offset schemes are well chosen and providing real climate benefits.

One quick quote from Simon Butler's talk on the Society's Values and Principles work - we currently have 10,000 new members sign up per week online. This is an amazing rate of increase and we need to make sure that all of these are given ample opportunity to engage with the Society as much as they care to.

My next Co-op Group meeting is the national AGM in Manchester, next weekend. Unlike the regional AGM which is open to all members, this is only attended by elected delegates from the regions. I am slightly apprehensive at attending my first national meeting, but very much looking forward to meeting Co-operators from around the country.