What is a Co-operative?

Co-operatives are businesses owned and run by and for their members. Whether the members are the customers, employees or residents they have an equal say in what the business does and a share in the profits.

As businesses are driven by values, not just profit, co-operatives share internationally agreed principles and act together to build a better world through cooperation.

In acknowledging that Councils are not in themselves registered co-operatives, we and our members have developed Principles that have grown from those of the International Co-operative Alliance and are relevant within the context of local government.