The Council notes that there are nearly 7,000 independent co-operative businesses across the UK, each owned and democratically run by their customers, employees, suppliers or members of their local community.

Today, the co-operative movement is a significant part of the UK’s economy, growing by 21% to £33billion, and outperforming the economy as a whole during the recent recession.

The number of people who own and control the UK’s co-operatives has grown by to 17.5m - nearly a quarter of the UK's population. From credit unions to community allotments – the rise in co-operative ownership is a significant development for the UK’s business sector, meaning that the number of co-op members continues to outstrip the number of shareholders in the UK.

This Council believes:-

·                That the co-operative model provides a sustainable way of providing local government services that empower residents, service users and employees, giving them a fair share and an equal say.

·                Local Councils up and down the country have already put these values into practice in a number of ways, for example developing the co-operative sector, resident and employee owned companies and co-operative schools and colleges. Our social value and ethical procurement policies for all of our contracts has been the envy of many other local authorities and a clear co-operative policy. Not least this has been put into place in the contracts we have tendered for, not least the construction of the Coop Live where many local apprentices have been employed.

·                That the Council has the opportunity to “choose co-operative” when considering the future of local services, giving residents and communities more of a say in their area.

Therefore, we call on the Council to become a Co-operative Council by:-

(1)       Working to incorporate co-operative values and principles when planning services and in its engagement with local residents.

(2)       Ask the Council's scrutiny function to scrutinise the Council’s engagement with the co-operative and mutual sector in Manchester and in doing so look to make  further recommendations for its potential growth.

(3)       Requesting that Officers consider how to improve engagement with local cooperatives, for example through stakeholder events.

(4)       Requesting Officers to explore the setting up of a community asset transfer fund, so that local communities can own and protect their own assets.

(5)       Auditing our contractors and suppliers on how many meet the FairTax Mark standards, pay the Living Wage and continue with and expand our social value and ethical procurement policies and meet appropriate standards on apprenticeships.

(6)       Protecting residents by always working hard to connect residents to jobs and opportunities, and through support on help to work schemes and on tackling poverty and the crisis of the cost of living increases.

(7)       Requesting that Officers explore how the Council can support the possibility of supporting a great number of local Co-operatives, social enterprises and credit unions.

(8)       Supporting the announcement that across Greater Manchester £750,000 will be made available to grow the inclusive economy with more co-operatives and social enterprises.

(9)       Setting up a working group with the Executive Member to look at what more we can do.

Proposed by Councillor Hughes, seconded by Councillor Reid and supported by Councillors Brickell, Johns, Midgley, Shilton Godwin, Simcock, Rawlins, Whiston and Wills.

Councillor Hughes submitted the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Reid: -

The Council notes that there are nearly 7,000 independent cooperative businesses across the UK, each owned and democratically run by their customers, employees, suppliers or members of their local community. Today, the co-operative movement is a significant part of the UK’s economy, growing by 21% to £33billion, and outperforming the economy as a whole during the recent recession. The number of people who own and control the UK’s cooperatives has grown by to 17.5m - nearly a quarter of the UK's population. From credit unions to community allotments – the rise in co-operative ownership is a significant development for the UK’s business sector, meaning that the number of co-op members continues to outstrip the number of shareholders in the UK. This Council believes: -

· That the co-operative model provides a sustainable way of providing local government services that empower residents, service users and employees, giving them a fair share and an equal say.

· Local Councils up and down the country have already put these values into practice in a number of ways, for example developing the co-operative sector, resident and employee-owned companies and co-operative schools and colleges. Our social value and ethical procurement policies for all of our contracts has been the envy of many other local authorities and a clear co-operative policy. Not least this has been put into place in the contracts we have tendered for, not least the construction of the Coop Live where many local apprentices have been employed.

· That the Council has the opportunity to “choose cooperative” when considering the future of local services, giving residents and communities more of a say in their area.

Therefore, we call on the Council to become a Co-operative Council by: -

(1) Working to incorporate co-operative values and principles when planning services and in its engagement with local residents.

(2) Ask the Council's scrutiny function to scrutinise the Council’s engagement with the co-operative and mutual sector in Manchester and in doing so look to make further recommendations for its potential growth.

(3) Requesting that Officers consider how to improve engagement with local cooperatives, for example through stakeholder events.

(4) Requesting Officers to explore the setting up of a community asset transfer fund, so that local communities can own and protect their own assets.

(5) Auditing our contractors and suppliers on how many meet the FairTax Mark standards, pay the Living Wage and continue with and expand our social value and ethical procurement policies and meet appropriate standards on apprenticeships.

(6) Protecting residents by always working hard to connect residents to jobs and opportunities, and through support on help to work schemes and on tackling poverty and the crisis of the cost-of-living increases.

(7) Requesting that Officers explore how the Council can support the possibility of supporting a great number of local Co-operatives, social enterprises and credit unions.

(8) Supporting the announcement that across Greater Manchester £750,000 will be made available to grow the inclusive economy with more co-operatives and social enterprises.

(9) Setting up a working group with the Executive Member to look at what more we can do. 

On the motion being put to the vote, the Lord Mayor declared it carried.

Resolution

This Council resolves to become a Co-operative Council by: -

1. Working to incorporate co-operative values and principles when planning services and in its engagement with local residents.

2. Ask the Council's scrutiny function to scrutinise the Council’s engagement with the co-operative and mutual sector in Manchester and in doing so look to make further recommendations for its potential growth.

3. Requesting that Officers consider how to improve engagement with local cooperatives, for example through stakeholder events.

4. Requesting Officers to explore the setting up of a community asset transfer fund, so that local communities can own and protect their own assets.

5. Auditing our contractors and suppliers on how many meet the FairTax Mark standards, pay the Living Wage and continue with and expand our social value and ethical procurement policies and meet appropriate standards on apprenticeships.

6. Protecting residents by always working hard to connect residents to jobs and opportunities, and through support on help to work schemes and on tackling poverty and the crisis of the cost-of-living increases.

7. Requesting that Officers explore how the Council can support the possibility of supporting a great number of local Co-operatives, social enterprises and credit unions.

8. Supporting the announcement that across Greater Manchester £750,000 will be made available to grow the inclusive economy with more co-operatives and social enterprises.

9. Setting up a working group with the Executive Member to look at what more we can do.