Co-operative Group annual meeting 2015

On Saturday 16 May, the Co-operative Group started its first annual meeting that was open for attendance to qualifying grassroots members. Here is a round-up of what happened during...

On Saturday 16 May, the Co-operative Group started its first annual meeting that was open for attendance to qualifying grassroots members. Here is a round-up of what happened during the day.

  • Members approve annual report and fees

    A motion to confirm receipt of the annual report and accounts for the year ending 3 January 2015 was carried at the Group’s annual general meeting in Manchester. The members’ council said it did not have time to fully review the 2014 report and accounts to provide detailed comment on this motion. The council has, however, met with the Group’s chief executive following the publication of ...

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  • Co-operative Group is focused on rebuild, says chief executive

    Addressing members at the annual meeting in Manchester, the Co-operative Group’s chief executive, Richard Pennycook, said the society was on the way to recovery. With a £2.3bn loss in 2013, the society’s main focus last year was to reduce its debt. “We were an example for a while of how not to do things but now I think we can begin to claim that we are becoming a role model for how we ...

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  • Lesley Reznicek, president of the Co-operative Group's council (Image; The Co-operative Group)

    Council president challenges Group chair to work 'more co-operatively'

    As the Co-operative Group’s council president Lesley Reznicek challenged chair Allan Leighton to “trust” and “work more co-operatively” she revealed that a solution has been found following a week of elections controversy. Last week, the Midcounties Co-operative, which is an independent member, threatened the Group with an injunction to void the member nominated director election following ...

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  • Sir Christopher Kelly, Allan Leighton and Richard Pennycook

    Board directors receive election confirmation from members

    The Co-operative Group’s annual general meeting adopted three motions confirming current directors onto the board. Christopher Kelly, Allan Leighton and Richard Pennycook had been appointed in recent months to begin to establish the Group’s new board. They were put forward for election for members to confirm their appointments. Chief executive, Richard Pennycook was appointed to the board ...

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  • Members vote KPMG as Co-operative Group auditors

    KPMG will remain the auditors of the Co-operative Group. At the annual general meeting in Manchester, eligible members backed a motion proposed by the board to re-appoint the accounting firm, known as one of the “Big 4”. The council recommended supporting this motion, commenting that a tender process will be undertaken to select the Group’s auditors with effect from the AGM in ...

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  • Annual meeting backs rule changes

    Co-operative Group members voted in favour of amendments to the society’s rules. The amendments were inspired by recommendations made by the council and Group secretary, following a detailed review of the rule book by a council working group. The council recommended supporting this motion. A statement said: "The new rules have been reviewed by the board and the council who have agreed a ...

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  • The Co-operative Party's 'Keep it Co-op' campaign team celebrate outside the Co-operative Group's annual meeting

    Co-operative Party subscription agreement is secure with Co-operative Group

    Funding for the Co-operative Party has been secured following a vote by members. In a relationship that goes back to the party's founding in 1917, the Co-operative Group last year donated £625,000 to the party as a subscription, which is approximately 60% of its funding. Motion 10 at the Group's AGM, put forward by members, asked for the approval of political expenditures (not to exceed ...

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  • Members reaffirm Group's commitment to The Co-operative brand

    A motion asking the Group’s board to collaborate with other co-operative societies to maximise the potential of the brand was passed. Co-operative Brands Limited, a subsidiary of the Group, owns most registered 'The Co-operative' trademarks. The Co-operative Bank, in which the Group holds a 20% interest continues to own its registered trademark 'The Co-operative Bank' and other related ...

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  • Members tell Co-operative Group board to back Fairtrade

    Co-operative Group members have asked the society’s board to ensure the retailer remained the UK’s leading supermarket supporter of Fairtrade. In a motion discussed at the Group’s annual general meeting, they called on the board to increase the existing range and availability of Fairtrade products in store. The meeting also requested the board to retain the long-term strategic objective ...

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  • Opening the doors for democracy at the Group AGM

    Despite the Co-operative Group’s troubles, it’s heartening to know the members have still not given up hope. Its annual general meeting, which took place on Saturday 16 May, certainly showed its co-operative difference through a number of firsts – mainly allowing 2.8 million members to vote and also attend. Over 800 of those came to the meeting at Manchester Central, and 93,286 members ...

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