WDC blocks Fairtrade debate
Wycombe For Fairtrade were dismayed that at the full meeting of Wycombe District Council on Monday 6th October 2008, a motion supporting Fairtrade was not allowed to be debated.
Six members of the Wycombe For Fairtrade steering group attended the meeting to hear the debate on the motion proposed by Cll Brian Pollock. The full text of the motion can be found here. Cllr Pollock made a passionate statement in support of the motion, citing the 377 councils which have already approved such a motion - including those in Buckinghamshire. Council Leader Cllr Lesley Clarke then rose to voice her concerns regarding the ‘cost’ of approving such a motion. She immediately moved that the proposal be moved to a committee stage, which was seconded by one of her colleagues and the Chair ruled that he would allow no further debate on the matter.
Members of Wycombe For Fairtrade, many of whom had never attended a council meeting before, were visibly shocked that no-one else was permitted to speak in the debate.
Coverage on the Bucks Free Press website can be found here.
January 5th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
I too am appalled and dismayed that Ms Clarke dismissed the time and effort the steering group had put into preparing the statement and of course turning up to be heard. The steering group is made up of volunteers expending time and energy to spread the Fair Trade word so Wycombe can obtain the proud status. To be dismissed in such a way is truly outrageous behaviour and shows lack of respect and foresight for such an important cause.
I am watching this space closely and fully support the effort the steering group in their dedicated cause.
February 24th, 2009 at 1:25 am
In this day and age we all should be trying to support Fairtrade and public institutions should reflect this. Businesses, councils, churches all have an ethical responsibility to support this campaign. Wycombe distict will come round eventually when they discover that informed public opinion is on the side of Fairtrade.
April 4th, 2009 at 11:39 am
I am confident that Wycombe District Council WILL come round to support Fairtrade in the fullness of time - but not whilst it is run under the grotesque partisanship of Conservative Leader Cllr Lesley Clarke and her poodles (The Conservatives treated it as a ‘whipped’ vote, so all the Conservatives obediently voted Fairtrade down, whatever personal opinions they may claim to have held in its favour!). In 2011 there will be fresh elections for Wycombe District Council, just in time for when it will be possible for a fresh attempt at seeking Fairtrade status for the town. If you want a better outcome for Fairtrade in 2011, then the lesson is to vote for councillors who will support it - that seems to me to mean voting Liberal Democrat