The report of the Assistant Director, Communications (Document “N”) provides an update on the Council’s support of Fairtrade, based on the recommendations made by the Fairtrade Working Group in 2007.  

The report outlines further possible ways to extend the principles of Fairtrade within the Council and more widely across the District.

Recommended –

(1)       Reaffirm the Council’s commitment to Fairtrade principles and practice, and support for the District’s Fairtrade status and the work of the Fairtrade movement in helping to deliver inclusive economic growth and social and environmental sustainability.

(2)       Welcome the progress made in Council departments in embedding the recommendations of the report in working practice.

(3)       Note the forthcoming Fairtrade Fortnight events in 2017 which will enhance the profile of Fairtrade and offers the opportunity to improve links with businesses.

(4)       Request that the Chief Executive gives consideration to the allocation of officer time to the coordination of Fairtrade activities within the Council and to assist in the wider promotion of Fairtrade with private and voluntary partners, as per Option B above.

(Elaine Ayris – (01274) 431330)

The report of the Assistant Director for the Office of the Chief Executive (Document “N”) was presented by the Business Transformation Officer.

Following a synopsis of the report, a question and answer session ensued:

·         What had been planned in terms of promoting Fairtrade further in 2017?

o   There was significant work due towards promotion which was to begin on 27 February 2017 for a fortnight to include events in the Bradford Broadway and Keighley Airedale Shopping Centre;

·         How was Fairtrade being promoted in schools? and,

o   This could only be achieved through securing officers time to push this policy further due to the significant amount of work involved.

During the discussion the Committee, the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Sport and Culture including officers made the following comments:

·         Fairtrade was a Council policy and therefore no need for a Committee approval in order to progress with the principles of implementing Fairtrade across the Council;

·         It was important for the Portfolio Holder to ensure Fairtrade was being adhered to and enforced across the Council;

·         Despite it being a Council policy it was there were concerns as to the low level of implementation;

·         Appreciating the fact it being a policy but at what point should the Council say that enough is enough taking into consideration that people either adopt Fairtrade or not. Equally important was to note that products could be purchased cheaper elsewhere and therefore reasons for not wishing to adopt Fairtrade;

·         Fairtrade was a policy and this should be built into the Council’s procurement process by giving incentives for providing Fairtrade products;

·         There was a clear lack of progress over the course of a decade;

·         The enforcing throughout the whole Council had to come from top management;

·         Fairtrade was implemented in the region of  600 towns and without the support of Councillors, it was difficult to progress with Fairtrade in a wider context. Fairtrade was out there and the team had worked tirelessly to coordinate all the work to promote Fairtrade. The Fairtrade logo was now very recognisable in the public eye. Unfortunately the team lacked a lead officer from within the Council to assist in coordinating the work in order to drive it forward; and,

·         Fairtrade had over 1400 products and with the right strategy there was significant potential for opportunities for this to grow as opposed to the lack of impact over the past decade.

The Chair concluded the discussion by echoing the Committee’s sentiments and highlighted the reason for the update was to identify how the Committee could assist in the work of driving Fairtrade across the Council, therefore:

Resolved –

(1)       That the Executive clarifies which Portfolio Holder has responsibility for Fairtrade and that it ensures that Council Policy on Fairtrade is implemented Council wide; in addition an officer be identified as a point of contact for Fairtrade.

(2)       That the Chief Executive be requested to remind the Council Management Team that Fairtrade is Council Policy and therefore should be built into all relevant procurement contracts.

(3)       That the forthcoming Fairtrade Fortnight events in 2017 which will enhance the profile of Fairtrade and offer the opportunity to improve links with businesses be noted.

(4)       That the information regarding Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation Fairtrade products and pricing be circulated to Members.

Action: Assistant Director, Communications