Principles met

  • We will explore ways for councils to act as a platform for helping the community to contribute to local outcomes, and to re-think the role of councillors as community connectors, brokers and leaders.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Partnership working is giving grassroots sport in South Tyneside a major boost. A new 3G football pitch will be ready by the Summer thanks to a partnership working between the Council and Perth Green Community Association in Jarrow.

The Community Association is a not-for-profit charity incorporated organisation which took over the running of the community centre from the Council when it had to look for new methods of delivery. As a result of the Council putting co-production at the heart of its strategy and volunteers stepping up to the challenge, valuable community assets such as community centres and branch libraries have been protected and are now going from strength to strength.

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