Councillor Rodney Bates to move that:
“this Council
(i) notes
a. that since 2001, over 600 communities across the UK have secured Fairtrade status;
b. that Surrey County Council achieved Fairtrade status in September 2015 and that Rushmoor, Guildford and Addlestone also have Fairtrade status within its vicinity;
c. the principles of an area with Fairtrade status namely any community that:
- supports Fairtrade and deepens understanding of the benefits that Fairtrade brings;
- takes action by choosing Fairtrade products whenever possible and encourages others to do likewise;
- achieves and continues to take action on the five Fairtrade goals set by the Fairtrade Foundation;
(ii) believes that Fairtrade is an important value within our community and that we should take positive action towards achieving Fairtrade status across the Borough;
(iii) supports Fairtrade and serve Fairtrade products wherever possible and practical at Council events, meetings and within Council buildings;
(iv) promotes awareness and understanding of Fairtrade across Surrey Heath using its Council communication channels and to highlight the Council’s commitment to this principle;
(v) establishes a local Fairtrade steering group including representatives from this Council, local business, education, relevant community groups and the faith community to develop a Fairtrade campaign and action plan for Fairtrade status; and
(vi) submits the application for formal Fairtrade status for the Borough of Surrey Heath by no later than 31 March 2023.”
Minutes:
It was moved by Councillor Rodney Bates and seconded by Councillor Sharon Galliford that
“the Council
(i) notes
a. that since 2001, over 600 communities across the UK have secured Fairtrade status;
b. that Surrey County Council achieved Fairtrade status in September 2015 and that Rushmoor, Guildford and Addlestone also have Fairtrade status within its vicinity;
c. the principles of an area with Fairtrade status namely any community that:
- supports Fairtrade and deepens understanding of the benefits that Fairtrade brings;
- takes action by choosing Fairtrade products whenever possible and encourages others to do likewise;
- achieves and continues to take action on the five Fairtrade goals set by the Fairtrade Foundation;
(ii) believes that Fairtrade is an important value within our community and that we should take positive action towards achieving Fairtrade status across the Borough;
(iii) supports Fairtrade and serve Fairtrade products wherever possible and practical at Council events, meetings and within Council buildings;
(iv) promotes awareness and understanding of Fairtrade across Surrey Heath using its Council communication channels and to highlight the Council’s commitment to this principle;
(v) establishes a local Fairtrade steering group including representatives from this Council, local business, education, relevant community groups and the faith community to develop a Fairtrade campaign and action plan for Fairtrade status; and
(vi) submits the application for formal Fairtrade status for the Borough of Surrey Heath by no later than 31 March 2023.”
It was moved by Councillor Sashi Mylvaganam and seconded by Councillor Graham Tapper that the motion be amended by
1. inserting at the end of (i)c “- that the cost of living crisis has put Surrey Heath residents under huge pressure and, as a result, the cost implications of Fairtrade status should be established before the Borough fully commits to it”;
2. inserting a paragraph stating “requests the Chief Executive to undertake a cost analysis of the Council committing to Fairtrade status and submits that analysis to the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee;”
3. amending (ii) by inserting “subject to the cost implications” between ‘that’ and ‘we’; and
4. amending (vi) by deleting “by not later than 31 March 2023” and inserting “after referral to the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee who should make a recommendation to a future meeting of the Full Council.”
Members discussed the potential resource implications associated with undertaking the action requested in the motion and heard differing views on the expected cost to the Council. It was also suggested that the actions sought in the amendment could involve greater resource than those required from the original motion. The amendment was put to the vote and lost.
RESOLVED
(i) to note
a. that since 2001, over 600 communities across the UK have secured Fairtrade status;
b. that Surrey County Council achieved Fairtrade status in September 2015 and that Rushmoor, Guildford and Addlestone also have Fairtrade status within its vicinity;
c. the principles of an area with Fairtrade status namely any community that:
- supports Fairtrade and deepens understanding of the benefits that Fairtrade brings;
- takes action by choosing Fairtrade products whenever possible and encourages others to do likewise;
- achieves and continues to take action on the five Fairtrade goals set by the Fairtrade Foundation;
(ii) that the Council believes Fairtrade is an important value within its community and that it should take positive action towards achieving Fairtrade status across the Borough;
(iii) supports Fairtrade and serve Fairtrade products wherever possible and practical at Council events, meetings and within Council buildings;
(iv) that awareness and understanding of Fairtrade be promoted across Surrey Heath using its Council communication channels and to highlight the Council’s commitment to this principle;
(v) that a local Fairtrade steering group be established including representatives from this Council, local business, education, relevant community groups and the faith community to develop a Fairtrade campaign and action plan for Fairtrade status; and
(vi) that the application for formal Fairtrade status be submitted for the Borough of Surrey Heath by no later than 31 March 2023.