Fair Trade

Speech by Proposer: Bob Smith Seconder: Fran Bennie delivered to Surrey Heath Borough Council on Wed 19th Jul 2006

Coffee is one of 900 Fair Trade products now available

The Council celebrates Fair Trade as an example of how voluntary consumer choice can generate real improvement in the lives of some of the most impoverished communities worldwide, and congratulates the efforts of the Fair Trade movement in promoting it.

Accordingly, Council directs the Executive to seek Fair Trade Town status for the Borough of Surrey Heath over the coming year, with the aim of declaring that status during Fair Trade Fortnight in March 2007, and to that end the Executive shall ensure that Surrey Heath Borough Council will:

(a) Offer the option of use Fair Trade tea, coffee and other goods where applicable for all its internal catering;

(b) encourage local retailers to provide Fair Trade options for residents;

(c) set up a steering committee with representation from Councillors and from interested organisations in the community of Surrey Heath in order to progress the achieving of Fair Trade Town status;

(d) allocate responsibility for promoting Fair Trade to the Agenda 21 officer

(e) commit itself to promoting Fair Trade in its publications and on its website;

(f) co-operate with schools, churches and other organisations in educating the people of Surrey Heath about the principles of Fair Trade;

(g) organise publicity, provide facilities and/or events, during national Fair Trade Fortnight