Councillor: Fairtrade for meetings "too expensive" (From Bucks Free Press)

Councillor: Fairtrade for meetings "too expensive"

9:39pm Monday 6th October 2008

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A TORY council leader tonight questioned a Liberal Democrat call to serve “ethical” Fairtrade foods at its meetings as too expensive.

Councillor Lesley Clarke, leader of Wycombe District Council, said rate payers might not approve of the extra cost for Fairtrade items like tea and coffee.

A Liberal Democrat motion called for the products to be used within the council “as a sign of the Council’s commitment” – and for it to back a move to make High Wycombe a “Fairtrade town”.

Cllr Clarke said: “We need to look at what cost it would be because there probably would be a cost.

“Would council tax payers want us to use money for that when there are so many other things the council tax has to be put towards?”

Campaigners hoping to get Fairtrade status for the town tonight gave the Conservative-dominated authority a frosty reception after members refused to back the motion and allow a debate on the issue.

It has been sent to a council committee for scrutiny.

According to the Fairtrade Foundation products with the logo guarantee “prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world”.

Michael King, spokesman for newly formed campaign group Wycombe for Fairtrade, slammed the move as council backing is needed for the town to get Fairtrade status.

He said: “The Tories have turned it into a political baseball in sticking their head in the sand.

“We have evidence to suggest that more than enough retail outlets qualify to sell Fairtrade goods. All we wanted was a seal and stamp of approval.”

Yet he said the campaign was “not a lost cause”.

Mr King said: “We have lost a battle but we haven’t lost the war.”

Councillor Brian Pollock, Liberal Democrat leader on the authority, put forward a motion asking the council to “research, develop, and support a strategy to facilitate the promotion and purchase of foods with the Fairtrade Mark”.

Also the group wanted the council “to aim to achieve the status of a Fairtrade Town …as soon as possible”.

Cllr Pollock said he was “very disappointed” by the council’s decision not to debate the topic but send it to the Improvement and Review Commission for scrutiny.

And Liberal Democrat councillor Trevor Snaith said: “I am deplored that it wasn’t debated this evening. I see it as a stalling tactic by the council.”

But Cllr Clarke said: “It is not something I am against at all. We need to look at the pros and cons.”

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