Campaigning for change & countdown to Christmas
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Published 16 Dec 2022 in Phil's blog
Campaigning for change – House of Commons visit & Letter to the Prime Minister on Renewable Energy
As a leading Co-operative, we work with others to campaign for change in legislation on behalf of our members. I’m pleased that we’ve had two particularly strong examples of that over the last few days.
On Monday, Sally Bonnar, Chief Operating Officer for Childcare, travelled to the House of Commons to take part in a roundtable discussion with Labour & Co-operative MPs including two Shadow Education ministers. The event was to launch a new report, “Steps to Success” written by the Co-op Party around lessons that can be learnt from Co-operatives in education. The report concentrates on case studies, including on Co-op Childcare, and sets out policy recommendations on areas including early years, noting the success of systems and models that put accountability, democracy and affordability at their heart.
Sally and Holly Sawyers, Commercial Operations Manager have spent a lot of time ensuring that the report and the proposals for change represent our views and those of our parents and members. I’d like to thank them both for their efforts and welcome the support we’ve had from the MPs who attended.
Sally at the House of Commons, with Helen Hayes & Stephen Moore, Labour Co-op / MPs
I was also pleased last week to sign a joint letter calling on the Government to unlock renewable energy generation capacity. The letter was sent to the Prime Minister with fellow signatories including the CEOs of Coop Group, Central England, Marks & Spencer and Community Energy England. Together, we have urged the Government to prioritise incentives to encourage investment in renewable energy and calls for an overhaul of the planning regime to fast-track new wind and solar schemes.
We at Midcounties have been long-standing advocates of greening the grid and have worked with, and alongside, our members over many years to encourage and facilitate locally owned community owned energy in particular. We already have agreements in place with over 200 community energy providers, supplying enough energy for 60,000 homes through our Co-op Community Power tariff, and join this campaign on behalf of our members to call for changes to further support renewable energy in the UK.
With extended media coverage in The Times, let’s hope that this combined effort will ensure the Government acts in securing our long-term energy efficient future.
Exclusively for colleagues – 12 Days of Festive Fun on Colleagues Connect & Seasonal Savings and Support continue
As we countdown to Christmas there is an early treat for colleagues. The 12 days of Festive Fun prize draw has begun and runs until 23rd December on Colleagues Connect. Giving all colleagues the chance to win some great prizes, they are automatically placed into a daily prize draw to win one of three prizes. You just need to check back on Colleagues Connect each day at 1pm to find out if you have won. Good luck!
With it being pay day, our Seasonal savings and support also continue with some great offers and personal support for you and your families. With the enhanced 20% discount in Food running until the end of the month along with a number of trading area discounts and support, I hope it’s making a difference. Next week also sees the launch of our enhanced family first policies, helping colleagues at important times in their lives.
To find out more click here.
Colleague Pulse Survey now open until 25 December
The last colleague pulse survey of the year is now live and open until 25 December. It’s your chance to anonymously share your views by taking part. Just log in via Colleagues Connect and the survey link will be shown in your dashboard notifications.
Your views are so important for us to understand what colleagues think and what can be improved across our business. Plus, if you take part, you could win one of five £20 Your Co-op vouchers. To find out more click here.
Ask me a question for January
Finally, with the next colleague Q&A in the new year, it’s your chance to submit a question via your Colleague Council representative. Next week, I will be out and about on store/branch visits meeting colleagues where it’s always great to speak to you and understand your personal queries. They really do make a difference and ensure that we continually improve and provide support where necessary. So, I encourage you to send through your questions to your colleague council representative, which can be on anything.
If you missed the last one, click here.
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