A Local organisation, providing Local savings and loans, to local people, with dividends and profits going back to local people and local causes.
I do not think this is too much to ask.
And today this is a reality.
I want a bank that is based in the community, run by someone from that community, with profits going back to that community - like a German Sparkassen .... rather than that which you call Lloyds / HSBC or another of the big banks, who are based so far away in so many ways, and who struggle - despite the best efforts of local staff - to be a truly local bank.
To that end we have done many things:
First we have changed the law to make it easier to set up local community banks and enhanced credit unions. I spent a large part of the last parliament doing this.
Then we started by setting out our vision and an idea of a community bank / beefed up credit union would look like and work upwards from that. For more details of what our plans are read here:
http://www.saveoursavers.co.uk/banks/guy-opperman-mp-on-plans-for-regional-banks-and-how-to-fix-the-banking-industry/
We have set out to convert people locally with regional banking events in Gateshead and elsewhere covered by the media and featuyring local successes in banking:
http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/guy-opperman-hosts-meeting-regional-4391940
Finally, we are taking steps to expland our offer to cover not just those in fuel poverty but anyone who is struggling with pay day lenders and / or are unbanked; we are also unashamedly seeking to attrract middle class savers, which is the perennial failing of an old style credit union. This has been a journey of many years but we have much more news to follow. I am spending a lot of the spring and summer taking this forward.
We are now beginning to take shape locally with
- a number of local champions across Tynedale
- a proper board of key local supporter and community leaders
- a partnership, and common bond, with the Prince Bishops Bank in Stanley, County Durham
- a formal proper launch today, after several months of soft launches, visits to interested parish councils, oil buying clubs, and discussions with clergy and commuinties.
We are fully regulated and your money is as secure as is it were in a high street bank.
As always, we need volunteers interested in contributing by action or outreach, fundraising and engaging with the wider community. This is an utterly apolitical project. Anyone interested should get in touch with me and I will pass on details of the key players taking forward this exciting project in our community.
Or you can visit our website at www.tynedalecommunitybank.org.uk
Application forms can be found there too.
Showing posts with label FT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FT. Show all posts
Friday, 1 January 2016
Sunday, 6 October 2013
The challenges of an ageing population
Ageing is an opportunity not a burden, so agreed a discussion panel I chaired last week. One further thing was clear. Leadership is required to ensure that ageing is addressed not ignored.Newcastle University leads the way on solutions to crack these problem but an all star cast this time last week tried to address the problems and come up with solutions.
I was lucky enough to attend a ground breaking event in Manchester with Professor Tom Kirkwood, Associate Dean of Ageing at the University, David Willetts MP, Dr Lynne Corner [director of the institute of ageing], and Norma Cohen, the Demography correspondent for the FT.
I was there as a moderator and panel chair and also as an enthusiast eager to understand a problem that will affect Northumberland more than most.
Many things were made clear. It is obvious from the research of Newcastle University, who looked at 1000 people, that life expectancy in the past can be determined by a lifestyle derived from a location and background. How we address that health disparity is the key and Newcastle Uni are leading the way on radical approaches that go much further than exercise and a change in eating.
Aside from Professor Kirkwood's work you could do a lot worse than read The Pinch, the book by David Willetts, MP, which is subtitled - "how the baby boomers took their children's future - and why they should now give it back".
Much was raised in the debate but a few key points stood out for me:
- Britain is clearly not ready for the demographic change that is happening all around it.
- the concept of retirement at 60 or 65 is completely outdated given our massively improved life expectancy.
- Healthcare improvements and policy changes have addressed the issues of maternity, diagnosis, treatment, improved public health and reduced industrial based disease but our abilities to embrace and enhance the lives of our elderly population are still lagging.
- Movement sensors are on their way to monitor elderly patients and pre-empt a potential fall.
- Housing and the ability to downsize is a major issue. The interesting point was made that the social housing needs to be in the centre of the town near all the major social units that are needed.
- Data transmission and telemedicine are improving as are robotic supports but all have a catch up to deal with both demand and acceptance by the elderly.
The Livewell Programme of the University is designed to address these problems and develop interventions that are feasible, effective and cost effective.
It was a fascinating hour long discussion. I hope that we, in Northumberland, will be able to embrace the findings
I was lucky enough to attend a ground breaking event in Manchester with Professor Tom Kirkwood, Associate Dean of Ageing at the University, David Willetts MP, Dr Lynne Corner [director of the institute of ageing], and Norma Cohen, the Demography correspondent for the FT.
I was there as a moderator and panel chair and also as an enthusiast eager to understand a problem that will affect Northumberland more than most.
Many things were made clear. It is obvious from the research of Newcastle University, who looked at 1000 people, that life expectancy in the past can be determined by a lifestyle derived from a location and background. How we address that health disparity is the key and Newcastle Uni are leading the way on radical approaches that go much further than exercise and a change in eating.
Aside from Professor Kirkwood's work you could do a lot worse than read The Pinch, the book by David Willetts, MP, which is subtitled - "how the baby boomers took their children's future - and why they should now give it back".
Much was raised in the debate but a few key points stood out for me:
- Britain is clearly not ready for the demographic change that is happening all around it.
- the concept of retirement at 60 or 65 is completely outdated given our massively improved life expectancy.
- Healthcare improvements and policy changes have addressed the issues of maternity, diagnosis, treatment, improved public health and reduced industrial based disease but our abilities to embrace and enhance the lives of our elderly population are still lagging.
- Movement sensors are on their way to monitor elderly patients and pre-empt a potential fall.
- Housing and the ability to downsize is a major issue. The interesting point was made that the social housing needs to be in the centre of the town near all the major social units that are needed.
- Data transmission and telemedicine are improving as are robotic supports but all have a catch up to deal with both demand and acceptance by the elderly.
The Livewell Programme of the University is designed to address these problems and develop interventions that are feasible, effective and cost effective.
It was a fascinating hour long discussion. I hope that we, in Northumberland, will be able to embrace the findings
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