Proposal of co-operatives to run key Capital projects

Published on Monday 31 October 2011 12:10

After-school clubs, energy projects and housing estates would all be run by a series of new “co-operatives” set up by the city council under radical new proposals from the main opposition group in Edinburgh.

Labour is set to propose that the authority becomes a new “Co-operative council”, under proposals which will form a key part of its manifesto for next year’s local elections.

The party believes that following the lead of other councils that have used co-operatives, including Lambeth and Newcastle, could lead to better services for residents and more involvement in decision-making from people across the community.

But some of the initial up-front costs of the proposals are not yet known – and may prove a stumbling block in the current public spending climate.

A series of 17 Labour-run councils in England have already become members of the new “Co-operative Councils Network” but Edinburgh would become the first Scottish authority to get involved.

Councillor Andrew Burns, leader of the Labour group on the city council, said: “We believe that these ideas can help take Edinburgh forward, and give local people a much greater say in the way their services are run.

“While the current SNP/Lib-Dem administration wishes to privatise our services, Labour are determined to develop and improve public services

“We believe we need radical solutions and a clear vision to improve our services. In key areas like housing, childcare and energy Labour can play a key role facilitating change.”

Under the proposals, the council would become the majority shareholder in a new energy co-op that would attempt to push domestic renewable energy.

It would have to pay for the purchase of solar panels, and would then install them on the roofs of council-owned buildings, including homes and tenements. The buildings would then benefit from lower energy costs and any excess energy produced and not used would be sold to the National Grid – potentially bringing about a profit and a dividend for the council as main shareholder.

A childcare co-op would oversee all after-school and breakfast clubs run by schools – ensuring a more consistent service across all schools and better training for the staff.

The housing co-op would deliver affordable housing and give tenants a role in managing how the estates are run.

Councillor Paul Godzik, education spokesman for the Labour group, believes the childcare co-op would have a big impact on services. He said: “The feedback we have got is that, at the moment, service is patchy and there are issues with the training and development of staff.”

Comments

There are 4 comments to this article

Order by:

• Newest first
• |
• Oldest first

Page 1 of 1

• 1
• Show all

4

nickcgardner

Friday, November 4, 2011 at 01:41 AM

Could The Evening News bring back bylines?

• Report Unsuitable

3

judgedredd777

Monday, October 31, 2011 at 05:53 PM

This is just another City of Edinbugh Cop-out not a Co-operative. .........“We believe we need radical solutions and a clear vision to improve our services". That statement is easy to rectify, get rid of all the Missmanagement Management and get a management in place that will support the councilors to achieve clarity in running the city on best value terms.

• Report Unsuitable

2

toby

Monday, October 31, 2011 at 01:25 PM

Edinburgh already has its Neighbourhood Partnerships representing both residents and tenants. With more input from residents and tenants, they can be very effective and address both local and citywide issues. So far these groups have had success in environmental, encouraging community groups, liason with Community Police on Anti Social Behaviour etc.. Participation makes the difference....

• Report Unsuitable

1

Not Available

Monday, October 31, 2011 at 01:13 PM

The Labour Group have got to remember they are not, and hopefully, not likely to be, in charge in Edinburgh and this is the usual hot air from the.

• Report Unsuitable

Order by:

• Newest first
• |
• Oldest first

Page 1 of 1

• 1
• Show all

Logged in as:

Comment here. Start typing your comment here:

Post comment

Please adhere to our Community guidelines

Your view

Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.