Potton has been recognised as a Fairtrade town.
After a campaign lasting three-years, the town’s bid for the status was finally approved by the Fairtrade Foundation.
Becoming a Fairtrade Town has been a target since 2009, when it was included as one of the goals in the Potton Town Plan.
In order for this to happen, five goals need to be achieved:
(i) the Town Council passes a resolution supporting Fairtrade;
(ii) Fairtrade products are readily available in shops/cafés;
(iii) Fairtrade products are used by a number of local work places and community organisations;
(iv) the Fairtrade Town campaign attracts local media coverage;
(v) a Fairtrade Town steering group exists.
Town councillor Andy Hopkins , who has been involved in the project for the past year, described the news that the town had been granted fairtrade status as “absolutely fantastic”.
He said: “We’ve worked hard on it over the past year and we’re really pleased to have got it.
"We need to reapply next year, and then every two years, so the work doesn’t stop here.
"Our next step is to try and get the schools to become Fairtrade schools and get more businesses to have Fairtrade tea and coffee in their canteens.
“Things like that can make a difference and this is all about making sure that we’re supporting people in developing countries so people are getting a decent wage.”
A campaign group of Tim Sidaway, Jo Gibb and Jenny Ream had championed the cause, which has been picked up by businesses in the town.
Quarterly Fairtrade stalls have been held at the Four Seasons market in the Market Square.
________________________________________________________________________
NOTE : Biggleswade Town Council have twice rejected a motion to support Fairtrade. Fairtrade Association Biggleswade (FAB) welcomes the response given by the people of Biggleswade to the possibility of Biggleswade becoming a Fairtrade Town in the Town Plan Questionnaire.In the Action Plan produced by the Town Plan Steering Group, FAB is encouraged to let the people of Biggleswade know more about Fairtrade.
No comments:
Post a Comment