BSSEC » Co-operatives

Help & support for co-operatives, mutuals and community-led enterprises

June 02, 2021

If you already are or are planning to set up a co-operative, mutual or other type of community-led enterprise, you may want to know more about specialist support provider, Co-operative Futures. The company works nationally but has a strong West Midlands focus. Some of its servi

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Co-operatives WM announces study visit to Robert Owen museum, Powys

July 24, 2019

Co-operatives WM has just announced that its Member Education Group is organising a study visit to the Robert Owen museum, Powys. There will be an introductory talk at the museum about Robert Owen and his links to Newtown, a detailed view of the museum, followed by a guided walk aroun

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Community Energy Birmingham launches new ethical share offer

December 19, 2018

Community Energy Birmingham (CEB) has some exciting news. It is looking to grow its existing portfolio of renewable energy generation on community energy buildings in Birmingham, and has recently launched a new share offer. CEB — which is a community renewables co-operative regi

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Robert Owen, social and co-operative entrepreneur

October 08, 2018

We promised more about co-operatives — and today’s informative guest blog comes from Phil Beardmore, the secretary of Co-operatives West Midlands, a sustainability consultant and social entrepreneur. Today he writes about the great co-operative and socialist pioneer, Rober

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Co-operative enterprise in Birmingham

October 04, 2018

Co-operatives — which are owned and controlled by their members — represent a particular sub-set within the broader social economy. Co-operatives operate in all sectors of the economy but the co-op model is especially suited to any kind of mutual, membership-bas

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‘The freedom of freelancing, the muscle of mutuality’

April 25, 2016

The number of self-employed people in the UK has risen to nearly five million, the highest level since records began, their ranks being swelled by people trying to avoid unemployment, those who have been made redundant, and especially public sector workers — such as music teache

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New law recognises co-ops and community benefit societies, does away with IPS

July 04, 2014

For many this will be a rather arcane debate; others will revel in it. Co-operative law seems to get people that way. Third Sector Online carries a story today about the passage into law of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. The new law recognises co-operative

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Community Energy Birmingham seeks experienced treasurer

May 28, 2014

Community Energy Birmingham is looking for someone to take over the role of volunteer Treasurer/Finance manager in the team of this renewable energy co-operative. CEB cannot pay for this role at present, but your reward will be helping to establish a very worthwhile venture. The time

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Government challenged on its ‘mutuals’ claims

August 21, 2013

Co-operativesUK and the TUC have just published new best practice guidance on the formation (or ‘spinning-out’) of public service mutuals. In doing so they challenge the government’s record on mutuals. The new report says that in some cases public sector staff have

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Birmingham & Solihull Together gives locals the chance to ‘Win Win’ on their Gas and Electricity Bills!

February 20, 2013

Electricity, Energy, Gas, Green Deal

Birmingham and Solihull Together is about buying together to get a better deal. With Birmingham and Solihull Together we’re aiming to make people aware there are alternative ways to buy energy – and that by getting together, they can save money on household bills. By joini

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Co-operativesUK is commissioning major research to reassess the business advice needs of co-ops

July 16, 2012

In 2010 Co-operativesUK published a ‘call to action’ for co-operative supporters. The report puts a particular emphasis on making the case for the co-operative option in the context of coalition government policy. It has also published a briefing note on co-operatives for

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Civil service pensions admin company becomes “joint venture mutual”

February 03, 2012

An announcement by the Cabinet office — dating back to last April — has just been brought to my attention (thanks to Chris Newis at BDRC). Apparently, My Civil Service Pension (MyCSP) is the first central government department to be spun-out as a mutual joint venture. The

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PM announces new Co-operatives Act

January 19, 2012

In this, the UN International Year of Co-operatives, it is fitting — but frankly unexpected — that David Cameron should take the occasion of his speech today on “moral capitalism” to announce a new Co-operatives Act which will streamline the existing seventeen

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2012 is the UN International Year of Co-operatives

January 12, 2012

The UN has declared 2012 the international year of co-operatives and throughout the year there will be events, promotions and publicity to spread the message of co-operation and raise the profile of co-ops right around the world. Events kick off today with a live webcast

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“Cutting the apron-strings”

December 07, 2011

Yesterday, Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude announced a £10m “mutuals programme” designed to enable public sector workers to access expertise and funding that will help them convert the public services they work in into employee-owned and led mutual businesses. A new

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Dragons’ Den…in a post-capitalism world

November 02, 2011

Educator and writer Dr Rory Ridley-Duff, course leader for the MSc Co-operative & Social Enterprise Management course at Sheffield Business School, has an interesting item on his blog, written as part of the launch of the UN International Year of Co-operative

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Government calls on EU to agree ‘protectionism’ for employee-ownerships and mutuals

September 21, 2011

Third Sector Online has an interesting and potentially important story amongst its coverage today. Apparently (I won’t pretend I already knew this!) there has been an EU Green Paper on modernising EU procurement rules. The government has responded to this and interestingly is ca

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Mutuality? No, listen to what the voices of neo-Conservatism are saying in their unguarded moments…

May 17, 2011

There can’t be many who haven’t heard something about Conservative-controlled Wandsworth council’s plans to charge children to play in Battersea Park adventure playground. What struck me as the most genuinely scandalous aspect of this story were the remarks attribute

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Work Together – Share Together: How Co-operative Working Can Help Deliver The Big Society

March 04, 2011

There are many benefits to working in partnership, whatever the format it takes: collaborations, partnerships, hubs, networking, consortia…even the Big Society, but perhaps in difficult economic times the most important benefit is that of increased income. It is sometimes hard t

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Visit the People’s History Museum Manchester with Midlands Co-operative Society

January 31, 2011

Thursday 10th February Depart Birmingham 8.30am, arriving back by 6pm Tickets £10 All Welcome! The Midlands Co-operative Society Member Relations Department is organising a visit to the Pumphouse People’s History Museum in Manchester on Thursday 10th February. Transport from Bir

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