Co-operative councils brace for Covid-19 recession

• 12th Jun 2020
• Community, Social Outcomes

After 10 years of austerity, councils across England fear the worst is yet to come. Covid-19 has torn holes in their budgets and some warn that further cuts would make it impossible for them to finance their expenditure, potentially resulting in section 114 orders, which impose spending restrictions.

It’s a grim picture – but authorities in the Co-op Councils Innovation Network (CCIN) think the pandemic also shows the benefits of the co-operative, community-led approach to services.

South Tyneside Council – which kept all its libraries and community centres open despite austerity halving its budget in 10 years – has used community ownership to safeguard assets. Its leader Iain Malcolm says the approach brought in community groups and volunteers who have proven invaluable during the Covid-19 crisis. 

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