Cooperatives Yorkshire and Humber

From oil dependency to local resilience

Meeting organised by York Co-operative Members Group with speaker Dr Andreas Heinemeye, York university.18th May. More info contact Elizabeth Atkinson on 01904 707708.

Co-operatives UK trade union event

Taking place at the Mechanics Institute on May 22nd, jointly organised with Union 21 and Ruskin college Oxford. Hazel Blears will kick off proceedings with an outline for the challenges for trade unions today. This will be followed by keynote speakers from a range of key activists in the area.

Co-operatives Congress 2009

26-28 June, Beaumont House Hotel, Old Windsor

Annual Congress for co-operatives to discuss current issues and take part in workshops. Speakers to include Co-operatives UK Chief Executive Pauline Green and other high profile figures from across the Co-operative Movement. Organised by Co-operatives UK 0161 246 2906 www.congress.coop. PLUS a training and networking event for small and medium sized co-operatives. Reduced price fee and accommodation, for small or worker co-ops. Contact john.Atherton@cooperatives-uk.coop or 0161 246 2961.

Co-operative Values Conference 2009

Can Values Make A Difference? 1st & 2nd July in Manchester

Taking the theme of co-operative renewal, the academic conference will explore turning points and explore the ways in which co-operative values have been central to the emergence of co-operative enterprises across the world. £85 for two days. http://www.co-op.ac.uk/valuesconference09/vc09_about.htm . Organised by the Co-operative College, Liverpool John Moores University, Leeds Metropolitan University, Edge Hill University and the University of Central Lancashire. valuesconference@co-op.ac.uk 0161 246 2926. 

International Co-operatives Day

4 July is the 87th ICA International Co-operatives Day and the 15th UN International Day of Co-operatives, and has the theme of "Driving global recovery through co-operatives". The theme highlights how co-operatives not only promote economic growth, but also promote ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others. It focuses on recovery rather than crisis, but allows stakeholders to address the response of the co-operative movement to crisis – financial, food, values. www.ica.coop

Accountants Forum

Thursday 19 November Windmill Village Hotel, Coventry, CV5 9AL

Now in its third year, the Accountants Forum provides a much needed opportunity for discussion of the important and demanding challenges faced by accounting professionals within the co-operative movement. The forum is aimed at all senior and middle ranking accountants to address issues that uniquely face co-operatives and their finance functions. In addition, the forum provides ideal networking opportunities throughout the day. The event is also suitable for accountants dealing with co-operative businesses or those looking to learn more about accounting for co-operative enterprises. www.events.coop

Free Co-op Advice and Training

Support for emerging and developing cooperatives

Co-operatives in Yorkshire & the Humber region can still benefit from a programme run by the Co-operative Group's Enterprise Hub. The Advice and Training programme offers up to 4 days free co-op consultancy, plus the costs of incorporation to new and existing co-operatives. Specialist support can include business planning, feasibility studies or legal and governance advice. Check out their new website at http://www.co-operative.coop/Enterprisehub/Advice-and-training/ 

Co-operative development invitation

Co-operatives Yorkshire & the Humber anticipate that the Co-operative Group will in due course seek to identify a credible partner from within our region with the ability to deliver the Advice & Training program from Spring 2010 - around £40,000 pa. Co-operatives Yorkshire & the Humber is keen to use the time available to identify and work with appropriately skilled and experienced individuals and organisations to establish a suitable consortium.

In order to move this exciting project forward, Co-operatives Yorkshire & the Humber would like to develop our existing knowledge, build a database of potential consortium members, and a mailing list. We aim to hold an initial meeting in early July to bring together all those with an interest in being members of the consortium to discuss and agree an action plan. For more information or to express an interest, please contact Graham Mitchell, Vice Chair on graham[at]mc3.coop or Jo Bird, Business Development Manager on jo[at]cooperatives-yh.coop. 

North of Watford SilverJubilee

North of Watford, one of the oldest actors co-operatives in the country is celebrating 25 years in the business. Now with an office in Hebden Bridge, members have appeared in t.v. theatre and film. Further info at www.northofwatford.com . 

New website dedicated to food co-operatives

A new website has been launched to provide information about food co-operatives - what they are, how you go about setting one up, how you can find your nearest and so on. This great new resource has been created by Sustain - the national alliance for better food and farming. www.foodcoops.org 

Recession - Co-operatives UK need your views

Both economic conditions and government policy have changed dramatically in the last few months. The UK is now officially in recession and a number of new government initiatives have been launched. To continue to inform action to support co-operatives we need to know what things are like for you on the ground. Co-operatives UK in partnership with the Social Enterprise Coalition is conducting a short survey to find out more about the effects of the recession, building on one conducted last year by SEC. To complete the survey click here. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=gMHWzXhAvRStNIlRSaQl1g_3d_3d It will take no longer than ten minutes. Should you have any questions please contact Mary Rayner. mary.rayner@cooperatives-uk.coop.

Local Food Programme (England)

Under the Local Food Programme a total of £50 million is available over the next five years to support a range of organisations such as voluntary and community groups, health agencies including hospitals and PCTs , schools, social enterprises, Parish and Town Councils etc., to carry out a variety of food related projects to make locally grown food more accessible and affordable to local communities. Grants are currently available http://www.localfoodgrants.org/index.php/grants

Additional Help for Coalfield Communities

The Government has announced an additional £750,000 cash injection to help provide practical advice to people in coalfield communities on getting through these tough economic times. The new funding will go towards a new £1million scheme to be run by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT). It will give families and businesses facing new economic pressures, in historically deprived communities more targeted help on issues ranging from managing debt, getting back to work and avoiding repossession. Each of the five coalfield regions - the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humber, East Midlands and West Midlands - will receive £200,000, which will then be allocated to organisations including local Citizens Advice Bureaux, Credit Unions and Law Centres. In addition the Coalfield Regeneration Trust administers a number of grant schemes that aim to regenerate the former coalfield communities by supporting projects that promote employment; education and skills; health and well being enhancing the infrastructure.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1174546

Co-operatives UK welcomes legislation reform proposals

Co-operatives UK has welcomed Government proposals for a Legislative Reform Order to update the legislation which governs Industrial & Provident Societies and credit unions in Britain. A consultation on proposals for a Legislative Reform Order (LRO) took place last summer and Co-operatives UK and many of its members responded. The Government has now published its response to that consultation. The Government’s response to the consultation on the Legislative Reform Order can be found at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/consult_credit_union.htm

In the Spotlight

Co-operative UK's bulletin in the Spotlight has changed. >From being a monthly e-bulletin, In the spotlight will now be a regularly updated blog. Subscribe now and get an alert every time theirs an update. Visit http://inthespotlight.uk.coop