Author Archives: admin

About admin

Alex Bird is an experienced co-operative searcher and activist. Follow him @coopalex3

Differences revealed in consumer views of PLCs and Co-operatives

Figures published in a new report from Co-operatives UK have revealed stark differences between public perceptions of PLCs and co-operative businesses. Co-operatives are four times more likely to be described as ‘fair’ and ‘honest’ compared to PLCs. Conversely, PLCs are … Continue reading

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Credit Union Action Plan launched

Last month, the Welsh Assembly Government published a three year Action Plan for supporting the Welsh credit union sector which seeks to build upon the great strides already made in the sector’s development since the devolved administration’s creation a decade … Continue reading

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Enterprise Hub funding increased

The Co-operative, Group has announced additional funding for a scheme designed to support a new co-operative business every day in 2011. The Group has an­nounced a 50% increase in its funding for The Co-op­erative Enterprise Hub, which was Iaunched in … Continue reading

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NI Assembly Cross Party Group

FOR much of her life, Anna Lo has played a key role in bringing communities together in Northern Ireland. Now she is heading up a bid by the Assembly to build stronger links between Stormont and the Co-operative Movement. The … Continue reading

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Co-ops Fortnight 2011 launched

Co-operatives UK are delighted to announce that Co-operatives Fortnight 2011 will take place from 25 June to 9 July with the theme of ‘yours to share’. The national campaign, which unites the co-operative sector, will highlight how sharing ownership and profits … Continue reading

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Future Co-operatives Conference launched

Co-operative Futures have announced the programme for their annual conference at the Hayley Conference Centre outside Swindon from 28th to 30th January. For more information and booking details download the brochure:- Future Coops Programme 2011

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Co-operation in the age of Google

What is the way forward for the co-operative sector? Commissioned by Co-operatives UK, Robin Murray – a co-operative innovator and key thinker behind Fairtrade, Twin Trading and much more besides – has produced a radical vision of the how the … Continue reading

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Friends of the Robert Owen Museum launched

The “Friends of the Robert Owen Museum” was officially launched on Thursday November 11th at the Museum in Newtown with a short presentation by Professor Chris Williams of Swansea University on the relationship Robert Owen had with Newtown, the place … Continue reading

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Assembly Cross Party Group

The Welsh Assembly Cross Party Group on Co-operatives and Mutuals met again on 10th Nov 2010. David Melding AM, the Chair, introduced a presentation by Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK to the 25 people, AMs and others from the … Continue reading

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Co-operative Care Report published

Shaping The Future of Care Can Co-operative forms of organisation help us to deliver sustainable services and healthy communities against a back-drop of so many challenges? Should Co-operative models become a valued part of Welsh health and social care provision/ … Continue reading

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Co-op Bank expands business lending

Despite the criticism aimed at other banks for lending less and less to businesses, even where they are in profit and expanding, the Co-operative Bank is bucking the trend. Since 2007 it has increased lending to businesses across the UK … Continue reading

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Andrew Davies AM writes on the “New Mutualism”

    Andrew Davies AM has recently published an article on the “New Mutualism” in which he sets out his position on this important debate. Andrew was elected to the Assembly in May 1999.  He was a prominent member of the … Continue reading

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Assembly Cross Party Group

  The second open meeting of the Welsh Assembly Cross Party Group on Co-operatives and Mutuals was held on September 29th in the Assembly Media Briefing Room. The presentation was given by Glyn Thomas, Vice Chair of CDS Co-operatives http://www.cds.coop on … Continue reading

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International Principle Six Networking

A networking session with top officials from co-operatives from India, Africa South and Central America, Ireland and Scotland meeting up with co-operatives from across Wales. The event was organised by Co-operatives and Mutuals Wales in partnership with Twin Trading and Fair Trade … Continue reading

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Creative Co-operatives

  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 … Continue reading

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From Plunkett to the credit crunch

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 … Continue reading

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Barca

Co-operatives UK and Supporters Direct launch new Report 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 … Continue reading

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Evidence to Welsh Assembly Enterprise and Learning Committee

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:- … Continue reading

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Winners of the Co-operative Awards are announced

  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, … Continue reading

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Wales Co-ops top £900m turnover

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, … Continue reading

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