The Preston model of community wealth building is well known in the #Cooperative World - it broke new ground on ensuring local economies work for local people by turning the traditional economic approach on its head and putting people at the heart of decision making,

Community Wealth Building means doing procurement differently - whether it be embedding social value into commissioning decisions, or moving towards collaborative commissioning to widen the capacity for SMEs and Community Groups to engage with the process - its about maximising public benefit.

We're proud to have CLES as a member of the Cooperative Councils' Innovation Network. Working with government, the private sector and civil society organisations @clesthinkdo.bsky.social works to develop good solutions to make local areas and economies work for people, place and planet.

Starting Soon! We're looking forward to hearing from @clesthinkdo.bsky.social on how Community Wealth Building can be integrated into both strategic thinking and day-to-day operational decisions. Join us here meet.zoho.eu/haaw-ocn-vnl

Have you got both of our online events in your diary for today? There's still time to sign up 👇 @clesthinkdo.bsky.social Webinar: meeting.zoho.eu/meeting/regi... Annual General Meeting: meeting.zoho.eu/meeting/regi...

There's still time to join our AGM at 2pm. Join us using the link below 👇 🔗 meeting.zoho.eu/meeting/regi...

We're excited to be back for the final day of our #CooperativeInnovation Showcase. Today we're excited to be joined by @clesthinkdo.bsky.social who will be delivering a workshop on Community Wealth Building, and reflecting on the last year and plans for the future at our AGM

We're looking forward to discussing the opportunity for CCIN members to cooperate on creating innovative solutions to issues facing our communities. Want to find out more? You can find details of how to apply to our 2025/26 policy projects at: www.councils.coop/funded-proje...

We're excited to be underway on our 'Pride In Place' Webinar. With at least 20 CCIN Members receiving over 50 place-based funds from the #PrideInPlace programme, we're excited to explore how cooperative solutions can deliver a sense of ownership to local people through place-based work.

Thank you to the panellists and everyone who attended our two online sessions on Day One of our Celebration of Cooperative Innovation.

This morning, we were excited to bring together cooperators from across the country to discuss how the Cooperative Councils Development Toolkit (available at councils.coop) is helping councils implement cooperative solutions to improve outcomes for local residents

🚀 @coopcouncils.bsky.social’a online sessions run all this week — practical, action‑focused workshops on co‑operative policy, community wealth building, regeneration, care experience & more. 👉 www.councils.coop/event/confer...

Today's the day! Day 1 of our Online Conference celebrating Cooperative Innovation. Today we have two fantastic sessions - and it's not too late to join in the discussion. 10:00 - Councils' Cooperative Development Toolkit 14:00 - Care Experience as a Protected Characteristic

Yesterday at Labour Local Government Conference, we held a Breakout Session on why every council needs a Cooperative Strategy to help deliver better public services, greater control for local people, and a more inclusive local economy.

Opening Day 2 of Labour Local Government Conference is Leader of Medway Council @vincemaple.bsky.social - our newest full member of CCIN. It's great to see CCIN members leading the way in local government and pushing Cooperative values to the forefront of political discussion.

Are you at Day 2 of Labour Local Government Conference today? Come speak to us on our exhibition stall and join us for our breakout session at 1.15pm to hear from local government leaders about why every Labour group needs a Cooperative strategy.

We've had a great first day at Labour Local Government Conference. Ending with the Conference Meal and a chance to speak with people from across the country about how cooperation can deliver more efficient services and stronger local communities. We're looking forward to Day 2 - come and see us!

Heading to Labour Local Government Conference Keep an eye out for our Digital Officer @vbarrystanners.bsky.social (pictured on an early morning train) and our Strategy, Events & Membership Lead, Pete Vallance on our conference exhibition stand (and at our fringe event - full details on your guide)

Join us for the Annual General Meeting of the Cooperative Councils' Innovation Network. This is your chance to set the direction of the network for the following year and ensure you are getting the most out of your CCIN Membership. Sign up at coopcouncils.zohobackstage.eu/AGM26#/

How do Cooperative Councils turn Community Wealth Building from good intentions into real impact—local spend, fair jobs, and anchor institutions pulling in the same direction?

Calling CCIN Members! Our Policy Projects are open for applications and we need your ideas. Find out more and discuss with those who have already been at the forefront of the cooperative alternative at our annual conference Find out more & register at coopcouncils.zohobackstage.eu/AGM26#/?sele...

As part of the governments 'Pride In Place' programme 56 communities in 26 CCIN members will receive a collective investment of up to around £1bn over the next decade. At CCIN we want to make sure communities are at the heart of deciding how and where that money is spent.

Join the CCIN Policy Lab shaping tools for councils to treat Care Experience as a protected characteristic. Swindon Borough Council are hosting an interactive workshop exploring how to make this a reality — whether your council has adopted it or not.

The Coop Option sounds good — but is it right for your service? At #CCIN2026 we dig into the real questions: failing contracts, anxious staff, sceptical finance teams, procurement hurdles and what a sustainable model really takes to flourish. Register at coopcouncils.zohobackstage.eu/AGM26#/?day=1

Join us for CCIN’s AGM26 & Celebration of Cooperative Innovation! Three days of people‑powered ideas, practical sessions, and co‑operative leadership shaping the future of local government. Register now: coopcouncils.zohobackstage.eu/AGM26#/?lang...

Today is Holocaust Memorial Day. Today, we pause to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of others killed under Nazi persecution and in subsequent genocides. #HolocaustMemorialDay #HMD2026 #LightTheDarkness #NeverForget

One of the strengths of our network is the opportunity to share ideas and best practice. That's why we're proud to share some of the work our members Trueman Change are doing to support councils going through local government reorganisation.

If the UK is to reach carbon‑neutrality by 2050, local authorities and community organisations must be front and centre. They make the transition real on the ground and ensure communities benefit from it. Cooperation can be at the core of this transition 👇

Don't miss out on your chance to get your councils' work showcased in our 2026 Case Work Pack. Find out more and share your case study today at www.councils.coop/case-studies...

Got a cooperative innovation or success story to share? CCIN members have until Saturday at 12pm to submit content for next month’s newsletter. We’re looking for events, local impact, and examples of co‑operative values in action. Send yours to [email protected].

Tackling inequality isn’t just policy — it’s a moral imperative. This afternoon, @citywestminster.bsky.social hosts a webinar exploring how co‑operative principles can drive fairer outcomes. Register to attend at: www.councils.coop/event/health...

At CCIN we're proud of the work our members do year-round to bring cooperative values and principles into the heart of local government and the communities they serve. That's why we were thrilled to see some of our members receive recognition in the New Year's Honours List:

Social value too often gets stuck as a tick‑box exercise. Our Social Value Toolkit helps change that. If you want commissioning that’s mission‑driven, community‑powered and genuinely transformative, start here: www.councils.coop/project/soci...

#Cooperatives are showing how collaboration can revitalise high streets, strengthen local ownership and tackle inequality. With Government aiming to double the co‑op economy by 2030, our new report explores the barriers and opportunities ahead. Read more: www.councils.coop/project/barr...

What progress did the International Year of #Cooperatives make? We speak to Mattie Milliken from Copac #coops #IYC2025 @icacoop.bsky.social

Supporting Young People is one of a council's most vital roles — but too often, they feel disconnected from the services meant to help them. @mancitycouncil.bsky.social shows there is a different path. Read more at councils.coop/case-study/creating-the-environment-for-children/

Cooperation builds communities - and we've got the receipts to prove it! In 2023 North Hertfordshire Council led a project which catalogued best practice and provides councils with practical advice and guidance. Find out more and read the report 👇🏼 www.councils.coop/project/art-...

📢 Policy Projects 2025/26 now open! CCIN members can start submitting ideas to help shape the future of cooperative policy. 🌐 Full timetable + guidance: councils.coop/funded-projects/application-process/ 💬 Want to chat through an idea? Contact: [email protected]

🎆Reflections on 2025. Hopes for 2026 A year of growth, confidence and impact for CCIN — more members, new toolkits, bold policy work and cooperators leading change locally and nationally. Read our Chairs full reflections at: thenews.coop/2025-in-review…

🎄Merry Christmas from CCIN🎄 As we approach the end of the year we'd like to thank our network members for their leadership in delivering innovative, people-focused, cooperative solutions to the challenges facing their communities. Wishing you all #MerryChristmas and a #HappyNewYear

🎄 Christmas is about communities coming together - and across the country councils are helping communities achieve more. Want to find out more about how your council can empower your communities? Check out our Crowdfunding Toolkit today at 👇🏼 www.councils.coop/resources/to...

Over 1 in 4 women face domestic abuse. 97% of young women report harassment. Councils are acting: our report shows how co‑operative values can tackle VAWG & make communities safer. Read more at www.councils.coop/publication/...

On Thursday we partnered with @coophousinguk.bsky.social to deliver a webinar on how local authorities could use cooperative solutions to tackle the housing crisis and build stronger communities. Missed it? Watch a full recording of the session on our website 👇🏻 www.councils.coop/event/cooper...

Here's a quick round-up of our achievements in 2024-25 🤩 Our member councils represent 12.52 million citizens and control a budget of £20.6 billion. To find out more, do come along to Stand K1 at the @teamlabouruk.bsky.social Conference in Liverpool next week! See you there.

It's a special moment when a co-operator, as a Minister of State, gets to introduce new legislation that fulfils such an important priority of our movement. Here's our Chair, Jim McMahon, on why today's English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill is so crucial. It's why we're in politics.

Out now! The 2025 Case Studies Pack is available to pick up on Stand C10 at #LGAConf25 Or download here ⬇️ councils.coop/case-studies/d… @jimrobbins.bsky.social

Congratulations, Tony - this is excellent news 🤩 We look forward to catching up with you at the LGA Conference.

Do encourage others to join this lively debate. @cwmpas.bsky.social @coopnews.bsky.social @coopelaine.bsky.social @coopcouncils.bsky.social @coopstudiesjournal.bsky.social @unioncoops-uk.bsky.social @coopsworth.live @tomlaing14.bsky.social @neilmcinroy.bsky.social @mickantoniw.bsky.social

🚨 SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT We're excited to announce Jim McMahon MP as a keynote speaker at our Local Government Conference 2025. Jim is the Minster of State for Local Government and English Devolution and Chair of the Co-operative Party.

We’ve had a fabulous day at #UKREiiF25 Speaking to investors, councils, property & infrastructure gurus about #coophousing - a better way to live, build & invest. Thanks to Cllr Mili Patel Brent) for flying the #coopcouncil flag. See us on Stand E54, New Dock Hall