12.1    MOTION REAFFIRMING FAIRTRADE IN TOWER HAMLETS

Council considered a motion as printed in the agenda on reaffirming Fairtrade in Tower Hamlets was moved by Councillor Abdul Wahid and seconded by Councillor Nathalie Bienfait. Following debate, the motion as moved by Councillor Abdul Wahid was put to the vote and was agreed that:

This Council notes:

• Next year will be the 30th anniversary of the U.K. launch of the Fairtrade Mark, a labelling scheme administered by the Fairtrade Foundation that identifies products grown and processed to Fairtrade Standards, including sustainable social, economic, and environmental criteria. Many of the organisations involved are cooperatives of small-scale farmers and workers.
• Tower Hamlets Council passed a unanimous resolution on the 1st of March 2006 to actively support and promote Fairtrade. Council acknowledges in particular, the work of the Teams which have supported Tower Hamlets in its Fairtrade journey: Sustainability, Procurement, Contracts and Communication.
• A Tower Hamlets Fairtrade Borough Steering Group was set up, and on 11th January 2007, it was successful in applying for Fairtrade Borough Status, having satisfied. Fairtrade criteria including Council support, Council use of Fairtrade products, availability. of Fairtrade products in local shops, catering establishments, workplaces, and community organisations, and popular support for Fairtrade campaigning.
• Since 2007, the Council has maintained its support for Fairtrade-related activities, notably through the integration of its support for Fairtrade with its sustainable and ethical procurement policy. Making it a requirement for the supply of bananas and juices to be Fairtrade in the Schools Canteen Contract contributed to Tower Hamlets being awarded. the Soil Association Gold Food for Life Award.
• The Tower Hamlets Fairtrade Steering Group has worked with local stores, cinemas, bookshops, cafes and other establishments in Fairtrade-related events and activities. Local residents and workers have contributed to and supported Fairtrade campaigns. This has enabled Tower Hamlets to retain its Fairtrade Borough status since 2007.
• There are now over 600 Fairtrade Communities in the UK and more than 2,000 globally. London is the biggest Fairtrade City in the world and Tower Hamlets contributes. to that positive story.
• Tower Hamlets is home to a diversity of communities with many having family, cultural ties, and roots in farming communities in a multitude of countries worldwide. Many have their own experiences to inform their personal support for Fairtrade.
• Efforts to combat injustice and deprivation, fight climate change and improve social and economic conditions in the borough have established a tradition of community support. for social justice, economic reform and global solidarity which aligns with the Fairtrade. movement.
• The U.K. Fairtrade market is now one of the world's largest. Globally, Fairtrade sales have generated hundreds of millions of pounds in Fairtrade Premiums which have enabled. farmers in 73 countries to invest in health, education, and social welfare measures, as well. as attempt to mitigate the devastating impact of climate change, increase sustainable production, and bolster global food security.
• Despite this positive news, exploitation remains rampant in global supply chains. More than 40 million people are trapped in modern slavery and 152 million young people. in child labour. Hundreds of millions are earning less than a living income or wage. Fairtrade and its supporters in Tower Hamlets have the capacity to influence change in global supply chains, including in the textile industry and garment trade and the cocoa and chocolate sector, as well as in the general areas of child labour and modern slavery.

This Council resolves that:

• Fairtrade and the wider Fair Trade movement has a significant contribution to make towards ending exploitation, mitigating the impact of Climate Change, and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• The recently agreed International Fair Trade Charter should be welcomed, with its vision of transforming trade to work for people and planet.
• The Fairtrade principles of paying minimum prices to protect producers from market volatility, and a ‘premium’ that is wholly managed by farmers and workers themselves are. crucial to systemic change.
• Public bodies, including local authorities, should support ethical procurement policies, using their purchasing power to implement Fairtrade principles and standards and ensure that their supply chains, at home and abroad, are sustainable and free of exploitation, including modern slavery.
• Council suppliers operating through global supply chains should be encouraged to operate sustainably and responsibly. They should ensure that their trading practices uphold. human rights and Fairtrade principles such as the payment of living wages and the achievement of living incomes for all.

This Council resolves to:

• Renew its commitment to maintaining ‘Fairtrade Borough’ status, including serving Fairtrade certified tea and coffee in meetings and ensuring that Fairtrade Mark - certified. food and drink options are widely available internally in its canteens and vending machines, including at the new Town Hall in Whitechapel.
• Review its procurement policy, including its catering offer, to ensure that Fairtrade produce is chosen wherever possible, and that Fair Trade considerations are included as a preference in any contracts going out to tender.
• Be recognised by the residents and business community of Tower Hamlets, suppliers, employees, and other local authorities as a borough that actively supports and promotes Fairtrade.
• Continue to work with the Fairtrade Borough Steering Group, by identifying a lead member to support the work going forward, including increasing awareness and availability. of Fairtrade products within Tower Hamlets’ cafes, shops, schools, universities, faith groups, workplaces, and organisations.

(Motions 12.2 and 12.3 were not considered due to lack of time)