Development Plan

At today's Manchester Area Party AGM much was made of the Development Plan. Essentially it's the future structure of the Co-op Party in an area beyond just Manchester and Warrington and for the first time we had delegates from Stoke-on-Trent. It's an unwieldy area and one that will increase expenses for travel and mailings.

The guest speakers who stepped in at the last moment where two chaps from the new Staffordshire Credit Union. They'd obviously done the Powerpoint Presentation many times before. But it was no flaky wouldn't it be nice approach they talked about the grim realities of loan sharks, UK Christmas Hamper rip-off (£40 of goods for £90 - Farepak went bust even at those exorbitant rates) and the lack of thrift. We wish them every success to their members. The mutual offer for micro credit has a lot going for it - cheaper, safer savings - but not an instant fix. But long term solutions take time to deliver.

Co-op Backing Films

"two-way partnership will see Dogwoof and The Co-operative jointly financing the marketing and distribution costs associated with campaigning films on important issues, starting with BURMA VJ and THE VANISHING OF THE BEES."

Not the sort of stuff your PLC would touch, Burma regime politics and the threat to food supply by having no bees. More.

Showing films is still controlled by a less than a handful of distribution companies but you can still reach a large audience with the web, DVD and organised showings by voluntary groups. It's good that The Co-operative have seen the alternative distribution methods.

Co-operative.TV

An online channel that hosts film clips and programmes relating to the co-operative campaigns and its broader aims. What's available? The Plan Bee campaign, Fairtrade, Young Film Makers showreel that runs for 20 minutes...Most of the clips are 4 or 5 mins and play on full screen. A good venture. It continues the Co-operative tradition in the moving image that's dates back over 100 years.
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