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The Lewes Pound update May 2010
The Lewes Pound CIC is currently having an audit conducted as part of a bid to secure funding, further develop its accounting systems, and to pay for a part time administrative member of staff to help run the scheme and develop it into a model that could be replicated around the country. The audit is being carried out by a reputable Lewes based firm of accountants and should be finished in the next couple of months.
One of the aims of the Lewes Pound is that it should benefit the community. When the audit is completed it is proposed that a proportion of the money from the first issue of Lewes Pounds will be put back into the community via a donation. This could go to support a number of projects or a single one. We'll be asking the community to put forward ideas and suggestions about what the donation should go towards when we know what the amount available is likely to be. Suggestions must be in line with the aims of the Lewes Pound which encourage a thriving local economy that is less reliant on fossil fuels. The decision will be made by an online vote, with the Mayor having the final say in the event of a draw.
Watch this space for updates!
Cartoon by Dave Shephard"This cartoon came about in light of the decision to grant the Lewes store permission to expand it’s premises by 50%, seriously risking the death of it’s high street. The announcement of Tesco’s astronomical profits last week, smacks of shoving the towns nose in the s@%t."
To see more of Dave's work visit http://www.daveshephard.com/
“Some … imagine the aim of economic localisation is complete self-sufficiency at the village level. In fact, localisation does not mean everything being produced locally, nor does it mean an end to trade. It simply means creating a better balance between local, regional, national and international markets. It also means that large corporations should have less control, and communities more over what is produced; and that trading should be fair and to the benefit of both parties. … Localisation is not about isolating communities from other cultures, but about creating a new, sustainable and equitable basis on which they can interact.”
Ed Mayo in Douthwaite (1996:ix)
NEW! The Lewes Pound 'How To' Guide - Setting up a local currency
The Lewes Pound CIC and the Transition Network are delighted to announce the launch of 'The Lewes Pound "How to" Guide'. This guide was commissioned to help communities interested in setting up local currency schemes. The guide aims to give an indication of how to set up a local currency scheme, based on how we went about developing and running the Lewes Pound.
Download it here if you're interested in setting up a local currency or want to find out how we went about doing it.
What is it?
Essentially the Lewes Pound is a voucher or token, redeemable for goods or services with local traders and anyone that wants to use it. It is complementary to sterling, and by using it, we can all help support local producers and traders and raise awareness of the importance of shopping locally.
Lewes Pounds can be bought or redeemed for sterling at any of the issuing points. Click here for a full list of traders and issuing points.
What else?
Unlike sterling, the Lewes Pound can also be used as a tool to help reconnect and rebuild the once vibrant web of local businesses and traders in the community, by bringing people together.
Here are just a few examples of how it's being used creatively to encourage trade:
- Cliffe traders are currently running a prize draw whereby each Lewes Pound in circulation is effectively a lottery ticket. Three lucky serial numbers are selected at random once a month and the first person to hand in one of the winning numbers wins a great przie. See our website and Harveys window for details.
- Some local traders are offering discounts and deals for payment of goods in Lewes Pounds. A complete list of current offers can be found on the Offers page of our website.
- Other traders and suppliers have truly embraced the Lewes Pound and are using it to good effect, for example, by paying their own suppliers in Lewes Pounds, who in turn spend them with other Lewes businesses, thus creating a virtuous circle that benefits the town.
2010-07-28
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