Stop Funding Hate!

Following the Branch meeting in November, we have sent a letter to Richard Pennycock, the Chief Executive of the Co-operative Group asking them to support the Stop Funding Hate campaign:

The Letter to Richard Pennycock:

"We are writing to you in the hope that you will use your good offices to encourage the Co-operative Society to progress the campaign against hatred and discrimination in certain sections of the press.

Members of the East Sussex Branch of the Co-op Party were concerned that the Co-op should be seen to be putting its weight behind the campaign 'Stop Funding Hate' which LEGO has supported by terminating its agreement with the Daily Mail .

At its meeting in November the following motion was proposed to the meeting which the East Sussex Branch of the Co-op Party passed unanimously as follows:-

'The East Sussex Branch calls upon the Co-op Party Executive and the CEO of the Co-op Retail Group to support the stance taken by LEGO to stop advertising in newspapers which support hatred, discrimination and demonization in accordance with the principals of the Co-Operative Party.'

Branch members are aware that this issue is being considered by the Co-op Group and wished to add their support for action."

We will let you know how we get on!

AGM 2015: Saturday 27th June

The Annual General Meeting of the East Sussex Branch of the Co-operative Party will be held on on Saturday 27th June, commencing at 10.30am at the Central Methodist Church, Langney Road, Eastbourne.

A G E N D A

1. Apologies for Absence
2. Minutes of the last AGM, held on May 17th 2014.

3. Reports:

• Chair,
• Vice Chair,
• Secretary/Treasurer (including annual accounts)
• Constituency Labour Parties
• Party Council

4. Elections:

• Chair
• Vice Chair
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Any other officers
• Delegates to Party Council (2)
• Delegates to Constituency Labour Parties (Hastings and Rye, Bexhill and Battle, Eastbourne, Wealden, Lewes and Brighton City [Kemptown CLP]

5. Plan of Work for 2014-15, to include confirmation of meeting dates for the year.

6. Any other Business

Tea and Coffee will be available at the meeting.

Urgent- Use your vote for the Co-op Group AGM

After 98 years of changing Britain for the better, the Co-operative's voice in politics could be silenced.  You have the power to keep it.

Showing a grotesque ignorance of the history, values and strength of the Co-operative Movement,  Allan Leighton the new Chief Executive of the Co-Operative Group (Britain's largest co-operative, and a major supporter of the Co-operative Party) has said that "It's the apples not the activists that will transform the Co-op"

If you have received a Co-op AGM pack via post or email, the deadline to vote online is noon on Wednesday 13th May.

The Co-operative Party is at risk. Time is running out save it. Vote 'YES' to motions 9 and 10 to keep the link.

For more information visit http://keepit.coop/how_to_vote or watch the film below.

There's also a great article from Paul Routledge in the Mirror, where he exposes what he calls a "Trojan Horse" style plot to strip the progressive politics from the Co-op.

Branch Meeting: Saturday 21st March

There will be a meeting of the East Sussex Branch of the Co-operative Party on Saturday 21st March, 2015, 10.30am at the Central Methodist Church, Langney Road, Eastbourne.

Our guest speaker will be Lis Telcs, National Executive Member, about the Keep it Co-op campaign.

Each year the Co-operative Group, along with other co-operative, pays a subscription (its membership fee) to support the Party’s work. In the run up to the May’s Annual General Meeting, the Group will ask its members whether to authorise the subscription and continue the nearly 100 year partnership with the Co-operative Party.

We believe the partnership with the Co-operative Party is vital if the Group wants to be at the heart of a co-operative resurgence. We provide strategic political leadership and support, driving forward policy solutions, opening up new areas for the movement to expand into.

The Co-operative Party is the guardian of the co-operative movement’s powerful values and inspiring vision, and a vital tool in achieving its profoundly political objectives.

Our aim is to deepen and enhance the link so the Group and its Members benefit, as well as society and our communities. We can create a stronger, more sustainable future together.

Members of the Labour Party are also invited to hear Lis, and participate in the discussion about the Keep it Co-op Campaign.


A G E N D A

1. Apologies for Absence
2. Minutes of the last ordinary meeting held November 2014
3. BRIEFLY: Matters Arising

4. BRIEF Reports:
a) Membership
b) Treasurer
c) Constituency Labour Parties
d) Sussex Co-operative Party Council
e) Any other Reports

5. KEEP IT CO-OP: with Lis Telcs- Co-op Party National Executive Committee Member. Update on the threats and challenges facing the Party, and the campaign to promote the political link and a genuine Co-operative movement !

6. Elections Update
7. Any Other Business Tea and Coffee will be available at the meeting.

 

Local, Loved, Trusted: It's Co-operatives Fortnight

22nd June to the 6th July is Co-operatives Fortnight- a chance to explore and support your local co-operatives.

Co-operatives Fortnight brings together co-operatives and their members and supporters from across the country to raise awareness of the ways in which co-operatives are offering fantastic, local and trustworthy shops and services for everyone’s needs.

In 2013, Co-operatives Fortnight is focusing on raising consumers’ awareness and understanding of the diversity and benefits of co-operatives. Co-operative businesses and organisations are armed with online and printed resources, for use in store or for members to take out, to encourage people to explore local co-operatives and find new co-operative shops and services.

Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK says:

“We know that people love and trust co-operatives. But we know that most people are yet to discover the tremendous range of co-operative products, shops and services available to them.  

The purpose of this year’s Co-operatives Fortnight campaign is to focus on helping people find co-operatives they’ll love – whether that’s sparkling wines or energy providers, online or in-store.”

You can find local co-operatives in East Sussex by visiting Co-operatives UK here or even download the co-op finder Phone App here !

Turn Your Street into a "Nature Street"

Are you a wildlife enthusiast? Do you enjoy gardening? Then join us for an evening with the Sussex Wildlife Trust to find out how you can create a rich wildlife environment in your own garden as part of a growing network of Nature Streets.

Sussex Wildlife Trust are launching a project called Nature Street to inspire people to get together with their neighbours, to create urban wildlife corridors and encourage more wildlife into their gardens. It’s a simple message. We’re asking people to think about what their own bits of outside space can offer to wildlife in a more joined-up way. However big or small your outside space, you can join in! Come and learn all about how to turn your area into a Nature Street.

   

Lewes event

Date: Wednesday 24th October

Time: 7-8.30pm

Location: Linklater Pavilion, Railway lane, Lewes, BN7 2FG

Brighton event

Date: Wednesday 17th October

Time: 7 - 8.30pm

Location: Friends Meeting House , Ship street, Brighton, BN1 1AF

Why is The Co-operative Group encouraging you to get involved? It is our goal to be the most socially responsible business in the UK, and safeguarding biodiversity is one of our environmental priorities. We also offer a range of benefits to our Members and we hope you’ll enjoy this one.

Places are limited and must be booked in advance. Please contact us on 0800 015 1147 or email membership@co-operative.coop to reserve a place.  There are only 20 places available for this event and places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Free Film Screening: Sing Your Song

To celebrate diversity and Black History Month, The Co-operative Membership are very excited to be hosting a free film screening of the award winning film Sing Your Song.

Most people know the lasting legacy of Harry Belafonte, the entertainer. This film unearths his significant contribution to and his leadership in the civil rights movement in America and to social justice globally.

This inspiring documentary is about the power of one man’s passion for social change. It has received rave reviews from press around the globe and this is your opportunity to come and watch it.

Date: Monday 22^nd October 2012

Time: 5pm- 7.30pm

Venue: City College, Pelham Street, Brighton BN1 4FA

(Just along the road from the Co-operative Food Store and Funeralcare branch)

Cost: FREE!  And an opportunity to enjoy some fantastic food provided by City College catering students.

Why is the Co-operative encouraging you to get involved? As part of our commitment to delivering the Co-operative Values and Principles we offer our members a wide range of events and activities throughout the year that support them. We hope you’ll enjoy this one.

This is a very popular film and places are limited. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis. To book and secure your place please contact us on 0800 015 1147 or email membership@co-operative.coop.