Special Interest Group annual report to LGA Board
Contact information
- Lead Member: Cllr. Jim Robbins, Leader of Swindon Borough Council and Chair of the CCIN
- Lead Officer: Jonathan Downs, Corporate Policy Lead, Oldham Council
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Oldham Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1UL
- Telephone: 0161 770 5691
- Website: www.councils.coop
Membership
A full list of CCIN members is available.
Aims
The CCIN is a collaboration between local authorities who are committed to finding better ways of working for, and with, local people for the benefit of their local community.
Our work recognises the need to define a new model for local government built on civic leadership, with councils working in equal partnership with local people to shape and strengthen communities.
This means a new role for local authorities that replaces traditional models of top down governance and service delivery with local leadership, genuine co-operation, and a new approach built on the founding traditions of the co-operative movement: collective action, co-operation, empowerment and enterprise. We provide a national voice for cooperative councils, informed by real experience and practice, with the aim of drawing on, influencing and framing national policy and political debates about the future of public services, local democracy, and communities across the country.
Priorities
The Co-operative Councils’ Innovation Network aligns closely with the priorities set out in the LGA Business Plan by promoting collaboration, innovation, and community power in local government. As a Special Interest Group within the LGA, CCIN champions co-operative approaches to public service reform—supporting councils to work more closely with residents, share best practice, and develop inclusive, place-based solutions. This aligns directly with the LGA’s ambition to be the national voice of local government, helping councils improve outcomes through partnership and peer support.
Key activities / outcomes of work undertaken
By the end of July 2024, there were 48 Full Council Members, 22 Associate Members (including thirteen Town, Parish, and Community Councils), and 49 Affiliate Members. Members (excluding GMCA and those transitioning from Opposition Groups into Full Council membership) represent 12.1 million citizens and control a budget of £19.8 billion. There are also 23 Supporters, both individuals and organisations.
CCIN’s profile has continued to grow. There has been a steady increase in interest from across the Network in participating in Policy Labs, leading to a broader contribution from Network Members in municipal policy development.
Highlights include:
- Approved funding for three Policy Labs
- Cooperative Values driven AI – led by Wigan Council
- BEING Cooperative: towards a model of brave and inclusive governance in local govt – led by Rochdale Council
- Taking a Cooperative approach to tackling health inequalities – led by Westminster City Council
- Approved funding for five Policy Prototypes
- Employability and Skills Project – Hackney Council
- Empowering communities through crowdfunding – Cheshire West & Chester Council
- Employability and Skills Project – Brent Council
- Improving Accessibility – Lewisham Council
- Empowering residents within housing estates to adopt sustainable behaviours – Westminster City Council
- Published 534 Case Studies on our website: www.councils.coop
- Organised a Study Visit to Emilia-Romagna for 25 Councillors, Officers and Affiliate members
- Launched two Policy Lab Reports at the Annual Conference
- – Arts and Culture for Social Cohesion
- – This is not a Manual on Coproduction
- Published a Case Study Pack of 53 new Case Studies.
- Published a Welcome Pack, updated the Introduction to the Network and funded projects.
- Three Opposition Groups took control of their council in May 2024 and are transitioning to Full Council membership.
- New Full Members: Hounslow Council, Manchester City Council, Warrington Council and Oxfordshire County Council, the first county council to join the Network.
- New Associate Members: Central Swindon North Parish Council, Kidsgrove Labour Group, Loggerheads Parish Council.
- New Affiliate Members: Cooperative Heritage Trust, Plinth, Refernet and Social adVentures.