Members’ Update February 2024

• 31st Jan 2024

As a Special Interest Group of the Local Government Association, we are proud that both councillors and officers are engaged in our work. Our collective work is crucial in the face of the cost-of-living crisis and the financial challenges facing the public sector. Last summer, work began on a new Strategy for the Network, one built on cooperation and collaboration and owned by our members.

Councillor Louise Gittins

Chair of the CCIN
Leader of Cheshire West & Chester Council

• [email protected]

Early feedback is that members are keen to understand more about what it means to be a cooperative council and how those Cooperative Principles can percolate within their own organisation.  There will be more on this in the coming months.
 
We’re planning several webinars this year where we will invite Key Speakers to share their ideas and thoughts about subjects that matter to you.  Do let us know if there is someone you’d like to hear from.
 
Over the last decade, we have reinvested more than £340k of membership fees in member-led projects, and we are keen to ensure that the learning from these is reflected in the challenges members face.  If you are planning to submit a Policy Lab or Policy Prototype proposal this year – the deadline for submission is midnight Monday 5 February.
 
We have lots of news this month, including welcoming new members to our Values and Principles Board, there’s a FREE webinar on ‘AI in Public Services’ from Mutual Ventures, details of how you can contribute to the Government’s Review of Cooperative Law with Cooperatives UK, the launch of the World Coop Monitor, and the Confederation of Co-operative Housing shares their Manifesto for Change in the community-led housing sector. We begin with a spotlight on Westminster City Council celebrating its decision to become a Co-operative Council.
 
I hope you enjoy this edition of Update.

Best wishes

Louise