Co-op principles on Labour's agenda for the city

Co-operative principles and policies will be put at the heart of Labour's manifesto for the General Election. And Labour councillors are pushing for a co-operative ‘John Lewis’ model to be chosen for the City Council.

Simon Burgess, who is Labour and Co-operative Party candidate, welcomed the emphasis on Co-op values in Labour's manifesto preparation. He says: "Now more than ever the not-for-profit, mutual principles of the Co-operative movement are needed as we move out of recession. Whether it is a credit union, co-operative retail business, mutual building society or co-op run football club, examples of successful mutual organisations are everywhere."

Gill Mitchell, Leader of the Labour Group at the City council, is asking the Council's Chief Executive to consider a co-operative service delivery model where appropriate, similar to that of Lambeth's ‘John Lewis' model.

"A co-operative or mutual model would, by its very nature, directly involve local people who would be able to shape the services they receive along with the staff providing them.  More services should be focussed on what people actually want from their councils; led from the grassroots of our communities.

Brighton and Hove already has a ‘co-operative tradition' in addition to many social enterprise businesses operating in the city.  It would be logical for a council that has long supported these organisations to consider whether it could use them itself.  Schools, Sure-start Centres and social housing management could be among services that would lend themselves to becoming co-operatives."

Read the Co-op Party manifesto for a 4th term here: http://party.coop/info_news.php?id=70

For more on the news from the Prime Minister see this report from the Guardian.