Cooperative Commissions
Taking understanding context to another level, some places have pursued cooperative commissions. The purpose of such commissions is to understand the local operating context for cooperatives, the barriers to the development, particularly important opportunities and recommendations to move things forward. They can be thought of as a particularly robust way of working through Doing Your Homework.
Greater Manchester Cooperative Commission
Greater Manchester is recognised as the birthplace of the international cooperative movement. In 1844, the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers was founded by 28 local individuals who opened a store to sell food and household items at fair prices during a time when the Industrial Revolution was pushing many working people into poverty. They developed a set of principles that laid the foundation for today’s global cooperative principles. Presently, Greater Manchester boasts nearly 300 cooperative organizations across various industries, including the UK’s largest consumer cooperative, the Co-operative Group.
The Commission’s work aimed to build on this heritage. It focused on supporting and developing cooperative organisations within the region, based on the understanding that cooperatives play a significant role in creating a more equitable and democratic economy. The Commission’s efforts form part of a broader movement to foster cooperative development and to address the challenges faced by cooperatives in the UK.
The commission whose report was published early in 2020 had nine commissioners. Their work was informed by a formal call for evidence, a desktop review of data and research and evidence presented by nine experts. One expert presented at the inaugural meeting with two each speaking at meetings themed around the identified opportunity areas of housing, transport, digital and business support. The report contains a total of 42 recommendations.
GM Cooperative Commission website and report
Greenwich Cooperative Commission
The Royal Borough of Greenwich launched its Co-operative Commission early in 2024 with the aim of shaping the future of co-operative collaboration within the borough. The commission is formed of 13 commissioners and has identified three areas of focus: community energy, cooperative development, and social care.
The borough has a rich history of co-operation, dating back to the mid-19th century with the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society.
The Commission aims to foster more community-driven solutions to address challenges faced by both residents and businesses. The Council will explore how the cooperative sector can respond to key challenges, encouraging the sector to grow. As part of this work, the Council will ask people across the borough to reflect on best practices and help build a long-term strategy for working together to achieve more.
By working cooperatively, the Council aims to give ownership and control back to residents, inviting them to suggest new initiatives that can empower them and create environmentally friendly and sustainable projects. In the realm of social care, the Council is working to tackle health inequalities and improve outcomes for care recipients, families, and care workers alike.
