Oldham’s bid to join the United Nations!

OLDHAM is set to become a Co-operative Council on an historic day for the international movement.

The United Nations today hosts the global launch of its “International Year of Co-operatives (IYC) 2012” in New York.

And tonight, Oldham Council’s Cabinet will consider two new reports setting it formally on the path towards becoming a Co-operative Council.

Subject to approval, the reports will put the first foundations of the Co-operative Council in place with the adoption of two landmark policies:

n An Ethical Framework which will be the future basis for doing business with the council.

n A Co-operative Charter which will enable people, organisations and businesses to work together for the benefit of their communities.

The council says it is already implementing practical policies in the spirit of co-operative working, including the introductions of a new staff volunteer scheme and a living wage for employees, plus the removal of barriers to local involvement in decision-making.

The employee volunteering scheme encourages staff to take three days paid leave to “give something back” to communities by sharing their experience and skills with grass-roots activities.

Parks staff, for example, can help a local group with new community gardens or clean-ups to improve their area, while finance employees can help a credit union with bookkeeping.

The authority is also handing back more money and powers to ward members, District Partnerships and residents.

Council leader Councillor Jim McMahon said: “With the UN launching its campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of Co-operatives we couldn’t be considering these matters on a more appropriate day.

“In 2011, with the financial challenges everyone is facing, it is clear that delivering services in the same way is no longer an option and a new approach is needed.

“We are developing our own ‘Oldham model’ which promotes our belief in public sector delivery of services and of closer mutually-beneficial working with our partners, communities and residents. Our model holds true to Co-operative values about fairness, openness, responsibility, working together, accountability, and respect — and our new Ethical Framework will guide who and how we work with in future service delivery.

“Communities will become central to our decision making and tailored service delivery. By devolving powers and budgets down to six new district Town Halls we’re going to be working closer than ever before with residents and giving them greater influence and empowerment to shape their services.

“To support this we’re also rolling out a Local Leaders programme to enable ward members to become more effective, responsive and valued community champions that can make localism work.

“Our new Ethical Framework will guide how we invest or commission services and ensure we are operating with partners that share our values to deliver schemes that improve the borough and serve the greater good — rather than maximise profit or benefit for the few.

“In the coming months we’ll be continuing to take this conversation out to local communities and encouraging partners and residents to sign up to the Co-operative Charter and values.

“We’re keen to hear what people think about our Co-operative vision for Oldham and also want ideas about what the council can to do to translate this into action and make it easier for you to make a difference in your area.”