Principles met

  • We will develop systems that enable citizens to be equal partners in designing and commissioning public services and in determining the use of public resources.
  • We will embrace innovation in how we work with local communities to drive positive change.
  • We will capture and ‘expand’ the experience and learning from individual projects and approaches in order to encourage broader application of co-operative principles within individual member Councils and across the Network.
  • In exploring new ways of meeting the priority needs of our communities we will encourage models, such as co-operatives and mutuals, which give greater influence and voice to staff and users. in designing and commissioning public services and in determining the use of public resources.

Background and Foundation

In Winter 2023, Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) in partnership with community technology provider Made Open, undertook a 12-week pilot exploring the viability of time banking in the St Nicholas ward. Time banking is a community-based model where members exchange time and skills rather than money — each hour given earns one “time credit” that can be spent on receiving services from others.

This initiative was championed by Councillor Sandra Barr, inspired by a successful time banking scheme she encountered in Ireland. Recognising the potential for local replication, the Council applied for Policy Prototype funding through the Co-operative Councils Innovation Network (CCIN) to test a small-scale implementation.

Although initially considered as a council-led programme, capacity constraints led SBC to commission Made Open, specialists in time banking software and community platforms. St Nicholas was selected due to its active community network and existing partnerships under the Stevenage Together and Social Inclusion Partnership banners.

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