CCIN calls to put co-op ideas into action at annual conference
- February 2025
Greenwich Council draws up its vision for future of co-operation
- 25th Feb 2025
- Community Wealth Building, Health & Social Care
A co-operative commission appointed by the borough last April has produced 12 recommendations on co-op business development, community energy and social care
Miles Hadfield
Digital Editor
Co-op News
A co-operative commission launched by the Royal Borough of Greenwich last April has produced a report on ways to develop the co-op sector in the area.
Chaired by Lord Bassam of Brighton, the Co-operation for the Future report focuses on three main areas: supporting new and existing co-operative start-ups and businesses; social care; and community energy,
The commission – which included Emma Back of Equal Care Co-op, Giovanna Speciale of South East London Community Energy (Selce), Rich Mason of the London Ownership Hub, Nick Plumb of Power to Change and former Co-operatives UK chief Ed Mayo, now of Pilotlight – says the report outlines “a long-term vision for the future of co-operative collaboration within the borough, applying a range of insights from experts in the sector”.
It was drawn up following a public call for evidence, with presentations from expert witnesses and meetings with a range of external organisations, and includes 12 recommendations to advance co-operative principles and practices in Greenwich.
The commission launched its report earlier this month at the annual conference of the Co-op Councils Innovation Network, hosted by Greenwich. It is one of a number of co-op council initiatives being developed in response to budgetary pressure, the cost-of-living crisis and global crises like Covid-19 and the Ukraine conflict.
