Group Board Director, Duncan Bowdler updated the Committee on the Bank Capital Plan and responded to
questions.
The Regional Operations Manager from the Food business was in attendance at the meeting and gave a
presentation which included sales and profit performance of stores and a focus on some stores that the
Committee had raised concerns about previously. He responded to questions by Committee members.
The Committee received the latest financial figures for the Food, Pharmacy and Funeralcare businesses in
the area.
The Committee had been asked to provide feedback to Food management as to which Co-operative
branded produce was their best five and worst five. After some discussion and voting, their top five and
bottom five were agreed.
A report was received on the presentation rate of membership cards per transaction in store for all the food
stores in the Manchester area.
The following reports were received and discussed: Market Briefing, Co-operative Bank Quarterly Report,
the Enterprise Hub monthly feedback, a Post Office Review, customer panels for Food stores and the
promotional channels for the area committee elections.
Reports from the Regional Board meetings held in June and July were received. It was noted that the
Group Secretary, Moira Lees had attended the July meeting and reports were received at the meeting
regarding a visit of the Executive to the Toad Lane Museum, updates regarding issues relating to the Bank
and the resomation business that was being undertaken in the United States.
Membership and Community Activity – reports were received on the healthy eating event held at the Cooperative Academy of Manchester on 12 June which had been enjoyed by all participants and the Cooperative Family Fun Day in Chester on 7 July which had been a great success with 2,500 in attendance.
Activity to support the Irlam O’th Heights Food store on 24 July was agreed and updates on the Building
Bridges project and requests for small scale funding were discussed. The Committee agreed support in
principle to a ‘DIY Wedding’ project proposal which would include wine tasting and an opportunity to bulk
buy wine for weddings and similar events.
The Committee noted details of a new outdoor Plan Bee resource which would be used by the Committee
when they attend the Diwala Mela on 12 October.
A community celebration event focussing on the Community Fund would be held in all areas of the region
later in the year and the Committee identified first and second choice locations for the one to be held in the
Manchester area. First choice was Sale and the second choice was Salford.
A delegate to attend the Half Yearly Meeting in November was agreed and a report from the Committee’s
delegate who had attended Co-operative Congress was received.
The Committee agreed to undertake store visits to the Burnage and West Didsbury Food stores and one
pharmacy and one Funeralcare branch in the vicinity on 12 August.
A suggested motion for the Half Yearly meeting was agreed for the Regional Board to consider submitting.
This related to the equity in the Co-operative Bank that would be released under the Bank Capital Plan and
whether consideration would be given to buying back the shares when the Group was in a position to do
so.
After some discussion the Committee agreed to hold its Half Yearly Meeting at the Peoples History
Museum on 12 October to coincide with the launch of an exhibition to mark the 150 th anniversary of CWS.
A number of thank you letters from recipients of Community Fund awards were noted.
As Committee member Kate Williams had decided not to stand for re-election, this had been her last
Committee meeting and members thanked her for her valuable contribution to the work of the Committee.