S&HC Quick Links	LA21 Strategy	Sundial	News	What's On	A to Z	Contact Us

Stafford Borough Council's Fairtrade Resolution

For Stafford to become a Fairtrade Town Stafford Borough Council had to pass a resolution in support.  Below is the text of the resolutions supporting Fairtrade and the Fairtrade Towns Initiative.

CABINET - 24 JUNE 2003 [Link - pdf]

CAB21               FAIRTRADE AND THE FAIRTRADE TOWNS INITIATIVE 

               Considered supporting the principles of Fairtrade and the submission of an application to the Fairtrade Foundation for Stafford to become a Fairtrade Town, in accordance with the Fairtrade Foundation's 'Five Goals for a Fairtrade Town' as set out in Section 2 of Digest No 48 issued on 27 June 2003. 

               RESOLVED:-           that the proposal of the Cabinet Member - Environment and Community Safety be approved as follows:- 

                                          that         (a)         the principles of Fairtrade be supported and the Council's commitment to providing Fairtrade beverages and other products as appropriate as options at the Gatehouse, Riverside Recreation Centre and at other Council functions be reiterated; 

                                                            (b)         the submission of an application by the 'Stafford Area Action for Fairtrade Group' for Stafford to become a Fairtrade Town in accordance with the Fairtrade Foundation's 'Five Goals for a Fairtrade Town' be approved and supported. 

Section 2 of Digest No 48 issued on 27 June 2003.   [Link - pdf]

Fairtrade and the Fairtrade Towns Initiative

This is the Report supporting Cabinet Decision reference CAB21/03.

Purpose of Report

To propose that Stafford Borough Council pass a resolution in support of the principles of Fairtrade.

To seek approval and support for the submission of an application to the Fairtrade Foundation for   Stafford to become a Fairtrade Town, in accordance with the Fairtrade Foundation's 'Five Goals for a Fairtrade Town'.

1        Detail

1.1        Fairtrade means that small-scale producers in the developing world receive a decent price for their products, a price that is a fair reflection of their labour.  It means that communities can afford to invest in healthcare, education and more sustainable methods of production - and consequently work towards more sustainable development themselves.

1.2     For several years Stafford Borough Council has expressed its support for  Fairtrade and in September 2000 Council approval was given for the introduction of Fairtrade beverages as options at Stafford Borough Council. Specifically this pertained to coffee and tea being available at 'The Gatehouse' and at the Riverside Recreation Centre.

1.3     Over the last two years, the Council's support for Fairtrade has taken a variety of forms. Fairtrade tea is typically used at meetings within the Civic Suite. Fairtrade beverage options are now available in the Members' rooms.  'The Gatehouse' restaurant has supported several Fairtrade promotional events, including the popular 'Fairtrade Friday Puddings', as well as providing other Fairtrade products for Council functions when requested eg Fairtrade wines and fruit juice.  Through the Local Agenda 21 programme for sustainable development and via the Best Value review process, Fairtrade has been flagged up as an issue that can help to achieve 'social, economic and environmental well-being' and which can contribute to several international commitments made by national Government, as well as new agreements reached at the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development, last September.

1.4     Stafford Borough Council is already amongst a number of Local Authorities who have chosen to help to reduce global inequity by expressing their support for Fairtrade and introducing Fairtrade items as options within their organisations. Other examples of Local Authorities which have introduced policies to support Fairtrade include Nottingham, Derby, Gloucester and Bristol Councils.

1.5     Locally, Fairtrade has been promoted by the 'Stafford Area Action for Fairtrade Group' and this group, with support from Stafford Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council and several other organisations and individuals, has produced a Fairtrade Directory for the Borough, has launched a Fairtrade Resource Pack, which has been distributed to all schools in the Borough as well as community groups and others, and has supported annual events such as 'Fairtrade Fortnight' and 'One World Week'.

1.6     The Fairtrade Foundation has recently set up the 'Fairtrade Town Initiative'.  The purpose of a Fairtrade Town is to contribute to the Fairtrade Foundation's aim of  'tackling poverty by enabling disadvantaged producers from poor countries to receive a better deal, through encouraging support for the Fairtrade Mark'.

1.7     In order to fulfil the criteria set down by the Fairtrade Foundation, to become a Fairtrade Town, five goals must be realised (as set out in the APPENDIX), one of which is having Council support.  The proposals summarised in Section 2 below, provide support for the application for Stafford to become a Fairtrade Town.  All the other criteria have been fully met already.

Proposal of Cabinet Member

That   (a)          Stafford Borough Council pass a resolution as follows:-

                        'Stafford Borough Council supports the principles of Fairtrade.  The Council reiterates its commitment to providing Fairtrade beverages, and other products as appropriate, as options at The Gatehouse, the Riverside Recreation Centre and at other Council functions'.

                  (b)           Stafford Borough Council offer approval and support for the submission of an application by the 'Stafford Area Action for Fairtrade Group' for Stafford to become a Fairtrade Town, in accordance with the Fairtrade Foundation's 'Five Goals for a Fairtrade Town'.

Officer Contact

Karen Davies, Local Agenda 21 Co-ordinator, Tel 619408

_______________________________________

APPENDIX

FAIRTRADE AND THE FAIRTRADE TOWNS INITIATIVE

The Five Goals of a Fairtrade Town According to the Fairtrade Foundation's 'Fairtrade Towns Initiative'

• A range of Fairtrade products are readily available in the area's shops, and served in at least two local cafes or catering establishments
• Fairtrade products are used by at least 10 local businesses and organisations
• Media coverage and popular support for the Fairtrade is attracted
• A local Fairtrade steering group is convened to ensure continued commitment to its Fairtrade Town status
• The local Council passes a resolution supporting Fairtrade and agrees to serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in its offices and canteens