History of Fairtrade in Hartlepool

 

Hartlepool declared a Fairtrade Town

In 2004 the Hartlepool for Global Peace & Justice Group mounted a campaign to have Hartlepool declared a Fairtrade Town. Following a presentation to and support from Hartlepool Strategic Partnership, the idea was taken on board by Hartlepool Borough Council, and in July 2005 Hartlepool became the first of the four Teesside Boroughs to become a Fairtrade Town, with the certificate being presented during the maritime festival. See photo below.

 


 Photo from left to right: Mr Martin Green - Chair of Hartlepool Fairtrade Town Steering Group, Anthony Day - English Martyrs Young Cooperatives pupil , Jane Wilkinson - Chairman's Lady, Councillor Carl Richardson - Chairman of the Council, Stuart Drummond - Mayor of Hartlepool and Philip Warnes - English Martyrs Young Cooperatives pupil.
 

Becoming a Fairtrade Town is a prestigious honour, which enables a town to show its commitment to supporting Fairtrade across all sectors of the community, and a number of bodies demonstrated their support.
 

What is a Fairtrade Town? 
 

There are five goals set by the Fairtrade Foundation to become a Fairtrade Town
 

1. The local council must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in offices and canteens. 
2. A range of Fairtrade products must be readily available in the area’s shops and served in local cafés and catering establishments (targets are set in relation to population, therefore Hartlepool must have at least 17 shops and 9 catering establishments) 
3. Fairtrade products must be used by a number of local work places (estate agents, hairdressers etc) and community organisations (churches, schools etc) 
4. Attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign 
5. A local Fairtrade steering group must be convened to ensure continued commitment to Fairtrade Town status. 
 

Hartlepool and Fairtrade 

In 2004 the council signed up to a resolution (shown below) to become a Fairtrade Council, recognised as actively supporting and promoting the concept of Fairtrade - by residents, visitors, the local business community, its own employees, suppliers and other local authorities. The Council will pursue this aim as part of its wider commitment to social responsibility. As part of this commitment the council now serves Fairtrade tea and coffee as standard in its meetings. 

A Hartlepool Fairtrade Town Steering Group  was set up and meets regularly to promote Fairtrade in the town. It has a voluntary chair and a secretary from the Council. Members represent
 

Hartlepool Borough Council

The Trade Union Movement - Unison

Local Businesses

Hartlepool Places of Worship

Schools/Education

The Voluntary Sector

Hartlepool for Global Peace & Justice Group  

Young People

 

Hartlepool Borough Council Motion Supporting Fairtrade

Hartlepool Borough Council will contribute to the campaign to increase sales of products bearing the FAIRTRADE mark by working to achieve Fairtrade status for Hartlepool as detailed in the Fairtrade Foundation’s Fairtrade Towns Initiative.

The initiative involves a commitment to:

Widely offer FAIRTRADE marked food and drink options internally and make them available for internal meetings.

Promote the FAIRTRADE mark using Fairtrade Foundation materials in refreshment areas and promoting the Fairtrade Towns Initiative in internal communications and external newsletters.

Use influence to urge local retailers to provide Fairtrade options for residents.

Use influence to urge local business to offer Fairtrade options to their staff and promote the Fairtrade mark internally.

Engage in a media campaign to publicise the Fairtrade Towns initiative.

Allocate responsibility for progression of the Fairtrade Town Initiative to a member or group of staff.

Organise events and publicity during national Fairtrade Fortnight – the annual national campaign – to promote sales of products with the FAIRTRADE mark.

Signed:

Cllr Carl Richardson - Chairman

 

If you would like any more information about fair trade in Hartlepool, about becoming a Fairtrade organisation, or if you have any comments, corrections or additions to the premises listed on this site, please contact us at enquiries@fairtradehartlepool.org.uk.