We’re all sharing the co-op council benefit

BECOMING a “co-operative” council is benefiting residents, say Oldham’s civic leaders.


Oldham Council is at the forefront of the Co-operative Council agenda, it says, restructuring so residents are actively involved in shaping services.

Councillors are set to discuss the latest annual report on the new approach at a full council meeting tomorrow.

Oldham Council leader Jim McMahon is currently chairman of the National Co-operative Council network, which brings together like-minded local authorities from across the UK.

The authority also played a significant part in establishing the Co-operative Council innovation network, a forum for service delivery.

Council chiefs says a real difference is being made in residents’ day-to-day lives.

Last year Oldham successfully ran the country’s largest ever local authority-led energy switch with 8,500 people signing up, delivering potential savings to residents of £1.4 million.

The council also lobbied First Bus to reduce ticket prices and won a 28 per cent discount on daily and weekly bus tickets.

The Co-operative Oldham Fund was recently launched in partnership with Voluntary Action Oldham — a pot of cash for projects that are doing their bit in the borough. The first round of grants was awarded this summer.

First-time buyers also received help to get on the property ladder as Oldham became the first in Greater Manchester to set up a local authority mortgage scheme.

The local authority also switched policies to implement a “social value” contract framework — companies are chosen not only for their effectiveness but also for their usefulness to the borough — paying fair wages, creating jobs, caring for the environment and so on.

Councillor McMahon said: “What is clear is that Oldham is taking the journey from co-operative intent to co-operative delivery — the change is tangible and will continue at a pace over the coming months.”