Co-operative Group National Members Council South West

Happy and a prosperous Co-op New Year to you all! Late November, a chill in the air, Members of the Co-op National Council meet up for our quarterly meeting, in our traditional home, the bowels of 1 Angel Square.   We had an unusual start. Many of the new members who were elected in May 2016, indicated that they were not sure who else were elected members in their locality.  So, to start the meeting, we undertook a challenge in our Regional groups, to build the largest tower from newspaper. I know from my own experience of joining existing groups (especially one of 100 members) that it is hard to remember all the names and faces, so this challenge was a good way of saying hello to fellow members.  Alas the South West tower slumped at the final moment. A metaphor for the strength of our common bonds, or our inability to source another roll of tape? The main business of the morning was a presentation from the CEO of Co-op Insurance.  Mark Summerfield took u...

Sunny Angel Square Welcome to the report of the Co-ops National Council meeting held on a sunny Saturday in late September   As usual, when the sun was shining and everyone was having a great time enjoying the late September summer, I along with my one hundred fellow council members and colleagues from the Co-op were encased in the basement Auditorium of 1 Angel Square.   . Although the Council started work at 9.30 in the morning, there was an informal session with Steve Murrells the  CEO Co-op food, on  the day before. This session updated the Council the  progress of our food business and how our renewal programme “True North” was performing.Members may remember a few months ago that the Group sold many of our food stores to McColl’s as part of this strategy.   Council members had raised some concerns over this sale and  Steve and his colleague from estates came to update us and respond to our concerns. Steve explained that the sale ...