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 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.
  • We will embrace innovation in how we work with local communities to drive positive change.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Up until 2018, the Council’s waste and recycling services were delivered by an external provider. Due to changes in their strategic direction, the external provider decided to exit the waste market and as a result, the Council agreed to terminate the contractual arrangement early. After a detailed options appraisal which considered key measurements including risk management, service delivery, and ability to generate social value, Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) agreed to establish a waste collection and recycling service through a local authority trading (council) company. The company would have a social and environmental purpose and would be aligned to themes of the CWaC Council Plan.

Cheshire West Recycling (CWR), wholly owned by CWaC, commenced services in March 2020, operating in accordance with co-operative principles. CWR joined an established family of companies, either fully owned or part owned by the Council. Each company already generated significant levels of social value however with the establishment of CWR, it was a real opportunity to implement the co-operative model and to share the learnings of this across the wider group.

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