East Dunbartonshire's appetite to keep Fair Trade on the menu has been reaffirmed with a ringing vote of confidence.
Elected members voted unanimously in favour of a new resolution supporting Fair Trade locally.
The motion - passed at a recent meeting of East Dunbartonshire Council - included a pledge to:
- Offer Fair Trade goods wherever possible when catering for Council meetings and functions
- Implement Fair Trade through procurement processes and those of suppliers wherever possible
- Continue to support the work of East Dunbartonshire Fairtrade Steering Group
- Promote Fair Trade issues and practices among local business, commercial and other organisations
- Share best practice on Fair Trade and sustainable development with other public bodies, stakeholders and partners
- Work to ensure East Dunbartonshire continues to meet and exceed the requirements necessary to maintain its status as a Fairtrade Zone.
Councillor Rhondda Geekie, Leader of the Council, said, "I am very pleased we were able to give unanimous backing to the Fair Trade resolution - reaffirming our commitment to the cause and updating the last resolution passed in December 2004.
"As a Council we fully support the principles of Fair Trade and, as a consumer, the promotion and purchase of Fair Trade goods as part of our commitment to sustainable development.
"I would like to commend the many individuals, retailers, workplaces, churches, nurseries, schools and local community groups who work tirelessly in support of Fair Trade - helping to make a direct difference to people's lives around the world.
"In particular I would like to highlight the inspirational work carried out by The Balmore Trust over so many years. The Coach House facility - which is due to close in the New Year - has been a Fair Trade beacon for decades. I wish Chairman John Riches and his team all the very best for the future."
The Council works closely with East Dunbartonshire Fair Trade Steering Group, as well as Fairtrade Town groups in Lenzie, Bearsden and Milngavie.
It also works with enterprises such as Silver Birch (Scotland) Ltd in Milton of Campsie - a flagship Fair Trade employer in the area.
The Council will set targets and measure progress through its Sustainability and Climate Change Framework.
Progress will be reported via the biennial Fairtrade Zone renewal bids submitted to the Fairtrade Foundation by East Dunbartonshire Fair Trade Steering Group.
Co-convenor Angela Oakley said, "We are delighted at this renewed commitment of support by the Council, which has been exemplary since the group was started in 2005, and look forward to seeing an expansion of the authority's ethical and sustainable purchasing.
"This will have a positive impact on the lives of many workers who endure difficult working conditions - addressing environmental concerns and issues of unsustainability in supply chains.
"This will also help East Dunbartonshire remain a Fairtrade Zone. The area is one of the longest in Scotland to hold the status continually - dating back to 2007."
- East Dunbartonshire Fair Trade Steering Group works with retailers, workplaces, churches, nurseries, schools and local community groups. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/eastdunbartonshirefairtrade
- Fairtrade Town groups are carrying out great work in Lenzie, Bearsden and Milngavie. Visit www.facebook.com/LenzieFairTrade and www.facebook.com/bearsdenandmilngaviefairtrade for more details.
- The Coach House in Balmore is also renowned for its Fairtrade work - visit balmoretrust.org.uk/pages/thecoachhouse
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