Feed ideas in to the Co-op Group National Members Council
Graham
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Yesterday I got an email as a member of the Co-op Group inviting me to "have my say" as it appears that the National Members' Council wants to hear about the issues that are important to us. The survey is at https://joinin.coop.co.uk/opportunities/239 and you need to be a member to participate. I'm going to suggest that the Group focus some effort on growing the cooperative economy by investing in the the orgs around the country that are doing sterling work to support new co-op start-ups. If you are a Co-op Group member you might want to do something similar.
Cliff Mills Wed 17 Jul 2019 8:37AM
Steve, your point links into a central issue for the Greater Manchester Co-operative Commission. I believe that GMCC could deliver a strong message in its recommendations about creating a pro-coop environment, which recognises the social value contributed by coops, and treats them accordingly. This obviously means that in procuring, public bodies recognise the contribution that coops make to their local economy, and take that into account in comparison with other types of business. My colleague Mark Cook posted a really good e-briefing in relation to this very issue which is here https://www.anthonycollins.com/newsroom/ebriefings/social-value-in-the-award-of-central-government-contracts/ and click through to his response to the consultation.
This links to your point Steve in that if we want to create a pro-coop environment generally, as a movement we need to be setting an example by modelling that in our own rules/constitutions/statutes. We should be explicit about seeking to work with other coops. I can't believe that we haven't previously drafted something as a standard rule, to be included in model rules, which says something to this effect, but based of course on principle 6, and 7 too. So I think that this point should be made to Co-ops UK who are currently reviewing model rules.
Great point Steve.
Graham Wed 17 Jul 2019 8:49AM
Great point Cliff. How can we engage with the the Co-operatives UK review process? @Mark Simmonds (Co-op Culture & Platform 6) will know as a board member.
Cliff Mills Wed 17 Jul 2019 11:13AM
It would help for Mark to feed in, but I will also tell Linda and Emma. Steve, you might want to tell them as well?
Mark Simmonds (Co-op Culture) Wed 17 Jul 2019 12:44PM
I'm feeding into the review through the UK Co-operative Governance Expert Reference Panel tomorrow. I'll add it to the mix. Might be worth a chat with David who's also on the panel @Cliff Mills
Pat Conaty Wed 17 Jul 2019 10:27AM
Brilliant points Cliff. I would add that Mark Cook is the UK legal expert on these matters and is widely recognised on value and supply change problem solving wisdom. This will aid and abet ways forward here I would suggest. Welsh Local Government Association is currently working on solving a problem like this under the banner of Better Jobs Closer to Home. But this work is more along the lines of Preston 'community wealth building' thinking but the local procurement aspect can read across.
Chris Croome (Webarchitects Co-operative) · Wed 17 Jul 2019 7:44AM
I'm sure you have realised that the all the Webarchitects examples involve small co-ops, the Co-operative Web answers are the only examples of big consumer co-ops working with tech co-ops in the UK that I'm aware of, it might be worth giving Nick a call if you want some more details from him.