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Principles met

  • 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.

  • 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.

Context

Spanning 23 square miles from Heathrow Airport in the west to Chiswick in the east, the London Borough of Hounslow is one of the capital’s most diverse areas. With a population of over 250,000, it is home to a vibrant mix of communities, combining urban centres, green belt villages, and cosmopolitan districts. Its excellent transport links, eight London Underground and seven mainline stations, plus proximity to Heathrow, make it a strategic location for residents and businesses alike.

Initial Intervention

To reinforce its commitment to diversity and inclusivity and align with refreshed organisational values, Hounslow partnered with Real World Group to implement the Embracing Diversity Inventory (EDI). The goal was to assess how leadership culture was perceived across the Council, with insights segmented by demographics such as race, gender identity, team, and department.

The EDI survey was customised to reflect Hounslow’s unique environment and strategic priorities. A broad communication campaign, supported by executive leaders and focus groups, helped maximise participation. While the survey was distributed electronically, hard copies ensured access for all employees.

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