The Welsh Assembly Cross-Party Group on Co-operatives and Mutuals Alex Bird Executive Chair

Welsh Assembly Cross Party Groups 41 Cross Party Groups are registered with the Table Office at the National Assembly for Wales on issues as diverse as the Welsh Rugby Union, Latin America, funerals and bereavement, beer and the pub, and the horse. Such Groups act as a conduit for information and experience between people on the ground and the decision makers in the Welsh Assembly Government and the National Assembly for Wales

Welsh Assembly Cross Party Groups Cross Party Groups are becoming victims of their own success. Their number is steadily increasing as their value is more widely understood. Any Secretary to a Group will testify to the logistical nightmare of finding a room available at the Assembly to hold a meeting at lunchtime on a plenary day. It can be guaranteed that there are at least 3 or 4 other events on at the same time, some of which will be meetings of other Cross Party Groups.

Welsh Assembly Cross Party Groups The operation of the Welsh Assembly is very friendly and relaxed, and the Presiding Officer, Dafydd Ellis Thomas takes the view that rules are to be created when needed. There is no requirement for Cross Party Groups to register with the Welsh Assembly, and there are no rules governing their operation beyond the single requirement that they have Assembly Members of at least three political parties as members. Tradition dictates they have 4 “Founder Members”, a Chair and Vice Chair.

The Co-operative Party Group This has been active since the start of the Assembly in 1999 Current Chair is Lorraine Barrett AM 4 Co-op Party sponsored members plus other Co-op Party members Meets regularly to discuss policy and strategy Strong influence on Wales Labour Party policy

The Welsh Assembly Cross Party Group on Co-operatives and Mutuals Idea first touted in 2008 Co-op Party members understandably not enthusiastic at first David Melding AM (Conservative) has always been a supporter of Co-operatives – participated in first co-operative debate in the Assembly

June 2 nd 2009 Following a successful event in the Wales Millennium Centre on February 29 th, Co- operatives and Mutuals Wales organised an event in the Assembly on the Credit Crunch Event chaired by David Melding AM, supported by Chris Franks AM, John Griffiths AM and Mike German AM Guest speaker was Rina Clark from Robert Owen Credit Union in Newtown

June 2 nd 2009 Issues covered included:- –The role of credit unions and mutuals in helping people manage their finances –Co-operative solutions to the housing crisis –The significance of attracting young people into the co-operative movement –The need for schools to teach practical finances

June 2 nd 2009 Proposal from the floor by Gareth Jones AM to form a Cross Party Group, and also to look at the role of co-operatives at the Enterprise and Learning Committee which he chairs All AMs present supported the suggestion David Melding AM took the idea forward Co-operatives and Mutuals Wales agreed to take on the Secretariat before discovering there is no budget Still seeking sponsorship!

June 2 nd 2009

25 th November 2009 The Assembly Cross-Party Group on Co-operatives and Mutuals was officially formed at a meeting on Wednesday 25 th November Decided not to have formal meetings, but to concentrate on presenting and discussing issues of the day. The group agreed to meet at lunchtimes to address topics such as Farmers’ Co-operatives, The Welsh Housing Mutual, Mutual Funds for small business investment, the Credit Union movement in Wales. Events would be open to Civil Servants and relevant outsiders by invitation

The Welsh Assembly Cross Party Group on Co-operatives and Mutuals Founder Members are:- David Melding AM, Conservative (Chair) Chris Franks AM, Plaid Cymru Mike German AM, Liberal Democrat Gareth Jones AM, Plaid Cymru Other Assembly Members who committed to join:- Huw Lewis AM, Labour/Co-op (Vice Chair) Lorraine Barrett AM, Labour/Co-op John Griffiths AM, Labour/Co-op Mark Isherwood AM, Conservative

The Welsh Assembly Cross Party Group on Co-operatives and Mutuals Others who have since joined:- Angela Burns AM, Conservative Alun Davies AM, Labour Brian Gibbons AM, Labour Janet Ryder AM, Plaid Cymru Gwenda Thomas AM, Labour Joyce Watson AM, Labour Jenny Randerson AM, Liberal Democrat

The Welsh Assembly Cross Party Group on Co-operatives and Mutuals First event on May 26 th 2010 Realising the Potential – a review of the Credit Union movement in Wales Address by Molly Scott-Cato from Cardiff Institute for Co-operative Studies 9 AMs and 10 others attended More AMs attending than any other Cross Party Group so far

June 16 th 2010 Sponsored a public event at the Pierhead Building. 4 AMs spoke, others in attendance

Spin-offs Co-operatives and Mutuals Wales have gained Welsh Assembly Government support for networking events Co-operatives and Mutuals Wales have recently been invited to give evidence to the Enterprise and Learning Committee Co-operatives and Mutuals Wales to be invited to give evidence to the Review of Further Education in Wales

Future Events September 29 th - Glyn Thomas, Vice Chair, CDS Housing - Mutual Housing for older people. Glyn will present the evidence he gave to the Commission of Co-operative Housing November 11 th – Ed Mayo – Secretary General, Co-operatives UK. Ed will talk on the Co-operative Economy Other autumn events still in development

Alex Bird Executive Chair