Cooperative Governance: Relational Public Practice

Event Summary

• Date 18/11/26
• Time 13:00
• Location Teams Meeting
• Categories Governance

About the event

This session examines how strong relationships are increasingly recognised as essential to building community power and improving public outcomes. Participants will consider how the legacy of New Public Management has shaped public services and constrained relationships before exploring the potential of public services through a relational lens.

Drawing on recent research in a local government setting, the session will also showcase practical approaches to governance, leadership and collaboration that strengthen relationships between public services and communities. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how relational public practice can support more effective, inclusive and sustainable public service delivery.
Led by Rochdale Borough Council as part of the Co-operative Councils’ Innovation Network

Good governance is not only about structures and decisions. It is also about whose views are heard, how people work through disagreement, and whether communities have a meaningful part in shaping what happens next.

This four-part online series brings practical approaches to those questions. Join colleagues from across local government to explore Deep Democracy, relational public practice and sociocracy — then come back together in January to share what you have tried and what you have learned.

Attend the sessions most relevant to your work, or follow the full series.