Cooperatives Yorkshire and Humber

Co-operatives YH Report to Members. For the period 11/2008 to 11/2009

Summary

Co-operatives Yorkshire & the Humber (CYH) exists to strengthen the sector and provide a regional voice for co-operative and mutual organisations. CYH secured £12,500 of support from the Co-operative Enterprise Hub to continue and increase activity towards its objectives. In particular, we have promoted co-operatives in the region through events, newsletters and a website. The last 12 months has seen steady growth and development of Co-operatives YH.

Objective 1. Representing the Co-operative Sector

• Regular Steering Group meetings have been held at various places across the region.
• Since the last AGM, several people have been recruited to join the Steering Group to fill gaps, including Steve Thompson (the Co-operative - North Regional Board), Alex Sobel (Social Enterprise Yorkshire & Humber) and Adrian Ashton (freelance co-operative development)
• All 230 co-operatives in the region were mailed with information on Fast Forward, vacancy for Business Development Manager and promotional brochure.

Agreed Future Targets
1. As only 40% of co-operatives in the region have a known e-mail address, CYH will continue to lobby at Co-operatives UK national level for a regional co-operative database that was fit for purpose.
2. To aim to communicate with 50% of co-ops through e-mail.

Objective 2. Promoting the Co-operative Sector

CYH have organised events for members and others, including:
• Open event for co-operatives in Hull, in partnership with Business Link, March 2009.
• Transition North conference, in partnership with the Co-operative, November 2009.
• Fast Forward and AGM, November 2009.

CYH have promoted the co-operative sector at various events, including:
• Footsey in Doncaster, October 2009
• Social Enterprise Coalition consultation, March 2009
• Business Link Open Days in Hull, April 2009
• Meetings with Business Link’s Head of Social Enterprise, June

Ongoing promotional activity includes:
• Distribution of CYH brochures on the co-operative economy.
• Almost monthly e-newsletters have been distributed to at least 200 co-ops and external contacts in the region.
• Co-operatives YH’s website is now live at www.cooperatives-yh.coop. Case studies, photographs, news and other materials are all available in the public domain.
• Promoted awards and media coverage secured by co-ops in the region. SUMA have won The Grocer’s award for specialist wholesaler of the year. The launch of Slaithwaite Co-operative was featured on regional TV news and several newspapers. The Guardian published an article on Settle Hydro.
• The Business Development Manager has represented CYH at all quarterly meetings of Regional Co-operative Council representatives.

Agreed Future Targets

1. To aim for effective collaborative promotion of the regional co-operative sector. For example the co-operative sector could be promoted by Supporters Direct and the Co-operative Group at their events and vice versa.
2. Steering Group members will take the lead in strategic regional and sub-regional partnerships, such as SEYH, Yorkshire Forward and local authority economic/regeneration developments. The Business Development Manager will provide support to members to help them fulfil this role.
3. Steering Group members will attend quarterly Regional Co-operative Council meetings on a rota, as a matter of course. Travel and subsistence expenses will be paid. The Business Development Manager will attend occasionally.

Objective 3. Networking among co-operatives

• Newsletters include news and offers from co-ops in the region.
• The key annual event, Fast Forward, attracted 40 participants and provided networking opportunities.
• CYH workshop at Transition North conference also attracted co-operative participants.

Co-operatives and others are forming a co-operative, YH Co-operative Development Consortium, as a direct result of CYH’s activity. These co-operatives include Bradford based Co-operative Business Consultants, SECOD and Co-operative & Mutual Solutions.

Agreed Future Targets
1. To continue meeting this objective with newsletters and events.

Objective 4. Facilitating Co-operative Support

Co-operatives YH have initiated and supported the development of a consortium to deliver co-operative development - YH Co-operative Development Consortium. CYH Business Development Manager has provided secretariat support, including calling meetings, dealing with enquiries, preparation of papers, and compilation of CVs.

CYH has responded to numerous enquiries from people wanting to access support for starting co-operatives and their advisors. Referrals are made where appropriate, eg to Advice & Training.

CYH views were submitted to consultations including:
• Social Enterprise Coalition regarding SE support
• Regional Forum consultation regarding political lobbying
• Co-operatives UK consultations including UK Co-operative Forum and CUK membership / ambassadors proposals.

Co-operatives YH is becoming more integrated with relevant regional agencies. For example Co-operatives YH is nominating its Chair, Jean Miller, to join the Board of Social Enterprise Yorkshire & Humber, at SEYH’s forthcoming AGM. A regionally based Business Development Manager has been successfully appointed – a unique partnership with Social Enterprise YH.

The close working relationship between Co-operatives Y&H and SEYH indicates that co-operative enterprise is becoming increasingly understood and recognised within the regional social enterprise sector. The appointment of SEYH as CYH’s Business Development Manager places co-operatives at the centre of the regional social enterprise organisation.

The establishment of YH Co-operative Development Consortium Limited provides a firm footing for a region-wide co-operative development service.

Governance of CYH is becoming stronger. For example, vacancies for Treasurer and Secretary have been filled by Alan Dootson and Pete Teleha respectively. The incorporation of Co-operatives Yorkshire & the Humber Limited will provide a stronger foundation for future funding and other contracts.

Agreed Future Targets
1. To aim to work with influencers and decision makers such as MPs.
2. To promote the Advice & Training program and increase take up from co-operatives in the region.
3. To support YH Co-operative Development Consortium in delivering support to co-operatives.
4. To invite discussion with the Co-operative Enterprise Hub about the strategic development of the co-operative sector in YH region.