How co-operative service delivery can impact residents and communities?

How co-operative service delivery can impact residents and communities? Clare Oakley

Why co-operation?

Co-operative Values Co-operatives throughout the world share a set of values that give them their distinctive character. • Self-help - In co-operatives, people help each other whilst helping themselves by working together for mutual benefit. • Self-responsibility - Individuals within co-operatives act responsibly and play a full part in the organisation. • Democracy - A Co-operative will be structured so that members have control over the organisation – one member, one vote.

Co-operative Values • Equality - Each member will have equal rights and benefits (according to their contribution). • Equity - Members will be treated justly and fairly. • Solidarity - Members will support each other and other co-operatives. • Ethical Values - In the tradition of their founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of: • Honesty • Openness • Social responsibility • Caring for others

Co-operatives were born out of need

Why co-operatives and mutuals for public service?

Mutuals historic role in public services • Key providers pre-Welfare State • In decline 1940s to 1990s • Many of today’s mutual insurers have their roots in the early provision of support

What do we mean by mutual today? • Owned by and run for the benefit of their current and future members. • People with shared interests coming together • Members might be consumers, service users, employees or stakeholders from the whole community.

Purpose not profit Ownership shared amongst stakeholders Values Mutuals and Public Service

Our position • Multi - stakeholder models should be considered • A multi stakeholder model is one in which the membership is made up of a mix of employees and users/community

Multi stakeholder • It’s a model which is more reflective of public ownership • A greater sense of ownership can lead to more responsible use of services by users • It provides the potential for more great ideas to drive the business (listen to your customers)

Multi stakeholder • It can contribute to business success • Products and services are developed which are more closely linked to the needs of users and communities and therefore more marketable • The fact that service users own the business can in itself be an attractive USP for many service commissioners • As some services move to personal budgets the ability to create ownership for users and tie them to the business can be crucial to success • It can provide greater access to communities which in itself can be a saleable commodity • It can deliver wider social objectives which are important for councils and government i.e. citizenship, cohesive communities and the development of wider skills

For residents and communities

Potential Benefits • A sense of ownership and responsibility • A real influence over the services delivered and the organisation which delivers them • Great empowerment • Better involvement with and understanding of democracy • Personal development for individuals

Challenges • A new relationship between councils and citizens • Trust • Power • Engagement • Councils become strategists, commissioners and enablers

How co-operative service delivery can impact residents and communities?