SUMMARY/PURPOSE
1.
To approve the Strategy to facilitate the promotion
and purchase of products with the Fairtrade Mark, as part of the Council’s
continued commitment to Fairtrade Island status.
BACKGROUND
2.
Fairtrade is a means by which producers in the
developing world can benefit from international trade. The well-known FAIRTRADE
Mark is a certification label awarded to products sourced from the developing
world that meet internationally recognised standards of fair trade. The Isle of
Wight Fairtrade Forum, a community-led organisation, was formed in 2004 to
campaign for a Fairtrade Island under the Fairtrade Towns initiative.
3.
The Council confirmed its commitment to FAIRTRADE at Full Council on 22nd June 2005
when it was RESOLVED:
THAT “the Isle of Wight Council, as an
important consumer and opinion leader, should research, develop and support a
strategy to facilitate the promotion and purchase of foods with the FAIRTRADE
Mark, as part of it’s commitment to sustainable development.”
THAT “the Isle of Wight Council is
committed to helping the Isle of Wight achieve
FAIRTRADE Status and will, as a first step,
offer FAIRTRADE Marked food and
drink options for purchase internally, and
make them available for internal
meetings. Following this, a paper detailing the steps which the Isle of
Wight
Council needs to take to help the Island
gain FAIRTRADE status will be put
before the Cabinet.”
4.
In October
2005, the Island was awarded FAIRTRADE Status as a result of demonstrating
local authority support; FAIRTRADE product availability in shops and cafes;
business and organisational use of FAIRTRADE products; and public awareness of
FAIRTRADE issues. The Isle of Wight Council fulfilled its requirements in
relation to FAIRTRADE Status by passing the resolution in support of FAIRTRADE
and by stocking FAIRTRADE tea and coffee in the Snack Bar and making the same
items available in meetings.
5.
The Council
has provided a small amount of financial support to the Fairtrade Forum for
meeting venues and the FAIRTRADE Island launch event. It has also shown its
support through an advert in the County Press, an article in Wight Insight and
staff awareness through The Vine. The FAIRTRADE Island certificate is displayed
in County Hall.
6.
In accordance
with the Council resolution, it is now proposed that the following actions are
implemented in order to facilitate the promotion and purchase of foods with the
FAIRTRADE Mark:
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Target Date |
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1. |
Awareness-raising |
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(Items 1.1-1.4 will be implemented during national
FAIRTRADE Fortnight (6th -20th March 2006) to maximise
impact.) |
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1.1 |
Article in Wight Insight to coincide with FAIRTRADE
Fortnight |
Mar 06 |
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1.2 |
Strapline in Member’s email messages sent during
March 06 stating “The Isle of Wight Council is a proud supporter of
FAIRTRADE.” |
Mar 06 |
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1.3 |
Information panel on iwight.com homepage with link
to FAIRTRADE Forum website. |
Mar 06 |
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1.4 |
Display panels in Customer Services |
Mar 06 |
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1.5 |
Promote awareness of FAIRTRADE amongst suppliers and
contractors. |
Ongoing |
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1.6 |
Isle of Wight Tourism to publicise FAIRTRADE Island
status in relevant publications. |
Ongoing |
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2. |
Organisational |
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2.1 |
Responsibility for the Fairtrade Strategy allocated
to the Principal Policy Officer (Health & Sustainable Development). |
Immediate |
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2.2 |
Increase range of FAIRTRADE products available in
the County Hall Snack Bar and other Council-run outlets. |
Apr 06 |
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2.3 |
Introduce FAIRTRADE Products to Council-run Leisure
Centres and provide appropriate publicity to customers. |
Apr 06 |
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2.4 |
Provide briefing to teachers on FAIRTRADE issues. |
Nov 06 |
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3. |
Financial |
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3.1 |
Support the production of a Directory listing
FAIRTRADE outlets on the Island. |
Mar 06 |
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3.2 |
Investigate the possibility of erecting signs at
Island ‘Gateways’ declaring FAIRTRADE Island status. |
Oct 06 |