Principles met
-
Co-production
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.
-
Enterprise and social economy
We will promote community-based approaches to economic development that focus on supporting the creation of jobs, social enterprises and other businesses and providing an environment for co-operative and mutual enterprises to thrive.
-
Innovation
We will embrace innovation in how we work with local communities to drive positive change.
-
Learning
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.
-
Maximising social value
We will support the development of a framework and criteria for social value, giving substance to the concept and supporting Councils with the tools to ensure better local social and economic outcomes.
-
New models of meeting priority needs
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.
-
Social partnership
We will strengthen the co-operative partnership between citizens, communities, enterprises and Councils, based on a shared sense of responsibility for wellbeing and mutual benefit.
-
Walking the talk
As a membership organisation, we will make this statement of our principles operational by:
• Co-operation among members: Our members work together to help each other implement our values, sharing experiences and learning.
• Openness of membership: Full, Associate and Affiliate Membership is open to any qualifying Council, organisation or individual who shares our values and is committed to putting them into action.
• Co-production of the Network’s work: Members help shape the Network’s work programme and the content of events and written products.
• Action-focused: The network is a vehicle for helping councils translate co-operative values and principles into policy and practice.
•Membership-based: The network is majority funded by modest membership subscriptions from its member Councils, Associates and Affiliates.
•Non-party-political: Members share the belief that working co-operatively within and across communities holds the key to tackling today’s challenges.
Despite significant economic challenges, including funding cuts and rising service demands, the Council has maintained financial stability through robust financial management processes and effective forward planning. By successfully balancing its budget for the last five consecutive years, the Council has not only maintained essential services but also positioned itself to achieve the ambitions set out in the new Council Plan.
In shaping its new plan, the Council builds on some of the achievements and successes of recent years – for example, reversing decades of population decline and delivering 4,000 new homes and 10,000 new jobs in just five years. Transformational regeneration projects in Kirkby and Prescot have revitalised key areas, and well-developed plans are progressing to bring further improvements to Halewood and Huyton. Whilst these achievements provide a strong foundation (and there remains a continued ambition and need for growth), the Council acknowledges that economic progress alone is not enough.
For further information contact:
Jon Pitt
Lead Policy Advisor
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council