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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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Knowsley Council’s ongoing delivery of its Knowsley Council Plan 2025-2030 demonstrates how the Council is supporting local residents to thrive and overcome inequality through the practical delivery of effective, high-quality services and support which continue to make a real impact in communities across the Borough.

In shaping the plan, the Council builds on some of its recent successes (including reversing decades of population decline through the delivery of over 4,000 new homes and 10,000 new jobs in five years) to set out its clear and continued focus on:-

• Delivering effective, high-quality services and support for residents
• Encouraging growth that benefits everyone
• Delivering targeted support to encourage fairness and opportunity for all
This approach and the resulting achievements have been praised by the Local Government Association following the Council’s participation in a Corporate Peer Challenge in November 2025 – highlighting the Council’s positive organisational culture underpinned by high levels of trust and collaboration with stakeholders, its forensic approach to financial monitoring and service delivery which supports its successes and work to support local communities.

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