Councillor Jim Robbins
Chair of CCIN & Leader of Swindon Borough Council
Welcome from Cllr Jim Robbins
I am excited and honoured to have been elected as the new Chair of CCIN. Following in the footsteps and leadership of Cllr Louise Gittins, Baroness Taylor, Jim McMahon, and Steve Reed is a huge task, but one I will face with commitment and determination.
In 2023, I became the leader of Swindon Borough Council after years of opposition. After taking control, one of my first objectives was for the Council to join CCIN and work to become a Cooperative Council. The values of CCIN closely align with our values as a Council and my mission to build a fairer, better and greener future for and with our communities.
As Chair of the CCIN, I will bring passion, enthusiasm, and a drive to spread the word about cooperatives and grow our nationwide network. We have an incredible opportunity to advance the network at the moment, with co-operators such as Baroness Taylor, Jim McMahon, Steve Reed, and Jonny Reynolds in Government, Cllr Louise Gittins leading the LGA, and Rachel Reeves MP setting out the government’s plan to double the size of the cooperative sector.
The Government have backed up this ambition by setting up the Mutual & Cooperative Business Council, and we will look to support and grow the Cooperative sector through everything we do.
Today, our collective work is crucial in the face of the cost-of-living crisis and the financial challenges facing the public sector. Together, we must continue reclaiming the traditions of community action, community engagement, and civic empowerment that can transform communities. I will ensure this work progresses and develops across our network, actions are delivered at a pace, and we continually communicate the network’s benefits to our members across the country.
I look forward to meeting you all over the coming months and welcoming new members to our rapidly expanding network.
Best wishes
Jim
