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The bid to revive Wales' co-operative economy The bid to revive Wales' co-operative economy
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Wales, the birthplace of Robert Owen, has a rich co-operative history which stretches back to the 1840s, with early co-operative societies. The famous Rochdale Pioneers inspired a new wave of co-operation in Wales. From the 1860s onwards, larger co-operative societies developed, bringing with them greater stability and longevity. None more so that the Cwmbach Co-operative Society, which endured in South Wales for more than 80 years, before falling victim to the rocky employment relationships of the 1920s coal pits.Wales, the birthplace of Robert Owen, has a rich co-operative history which stretches back to the 1840s, with early co-operative societies. The famous Rochdale Pioneers inspired a new wave of co-operation in Wales. From the 1860s onwards, larger co-operative societies developed, bringing with them greater stability and longevity. None more so that the Cwmbach Co-operative Society, which endured in South Wales for more than 80 years, before falling victim to the rocky employment relationships of the 1920s coal pits.
Today, co-operative sentiments linger: one in five of us in Wales are members of a co-op; co-operatives generate more than £1bn in income a year in Wales and employ an estimated 7,000 people.Today, co-operative sentiments linger: one in five of us in Wales are members of a co-op; co-operatives generate more than £1bn in income a year in Wales and employ an estimated 7,000 people.
Successful examples of co-operative business can be found. The renewable energy firm Dulas ltd is employee owned, has rapidly increasing turnover and has been in the top 50 of Wales' fastest growing businesses for three years running.Successful examples of co-operative business can be found. The renewable energy firm Dulas ltd is employee owned, has rapidly increasing turnover and has been in the top 50 of Wales' fastest growing businesses for three years running.
Calon Wen Organic Milk Co-operative consists of 25 dairy farmers who market their milk under the Calon Wen brand. By working together to create a premium product before going to market, the farmers receive a price for their produce which is above the market rate.Calon Wen Organic Milk Co-operative consists of 25 dairy farmers who market their milk under the Calon Wen brand. By working together to create a premium product before going to market, the farmers receive a price for their produce which is above the market rate.
The Welsh Government has asked me to lead a commission to make recommendations as to how they can help co-operatives and mutuals thrive in Wales.The Welsh Government has asked me to lead a commission to make recommendations as to how they can help co-operatives and mutuals thrive in Wales.
This opportunity is huge. A nation with an ambitious, open minded and agile government is the perfect environment for new ideas to thrive. A step change for co-operatives and mutuals in Wales may be in gestation. Previous good ideas born in Wales have found their way over its borders, so these recommendations, over time may have implications for the rest of the UK. A major difference could be made. Provided we can get this right.This opportunity is huge. A nation with an ambitious, open minded and agile government is the perfect environment for new ideas to thrive. A step change for co-operatives and mutuals in Wales may be in gestation. Previous good ideas born in Wales have found their way over its borders, so these recommendations, over time may have implications for the rest of the UK. A major difference could be made. Provided we can get this right.
To find answers, I have been joined by the some of the best minds on co-operation from across the Wales and the rest of the UK. We will meet each month until September, not amongst ourselves, but bringing people in from the thick of the co-operative and mutual economy whether they are based in Wales, the rest of the UK or further afield. In September, cogitation will cease. I will provide a report, including practical recommendations to the Welsh government's minister for economy, science and transport, and the commission will be no more.To find answers, I have been joined by the some of the best minds on co-operation from across the Wales and the rest of the UK. We will meet each month until September, not amongst ourselves, but bringing people in from the thick of the co-operative and mutual economy whether they are based in Wales, the rest of the UK or further afield. In September, cogitation will cease. I will provide a report, including practical recommendations to the Welsh government's minister for economy, science and transport, and the commission will be no more.
It will fall to the minister to decide whether the recommendations can, or indeed should, be implemented but the opportunity is huge.It will fall to the minister to decide whether the recommendations can, or indeed should, be implemented but the opportunity is huge.
This is where members of the Guardian Social Enterprise Network can help. Let's network.This is where members of the Guardian Social Enterprise Network can help. Let's network.
What are the opportunities for developing and growing co-operatives and mutuals in Wales? Are there particular sectors of untapped potential? Is there something that could be done more, or done better?What are the opportunities for developing and growing co-operatives and mutuals in Wales? Are there particular sectors of untapped potential? Is there something that could be done more, or done better?
What role should co-operatives and mutuals take in the delivery of public services? What are the good reasons for public services to be delivered through co-operative and mutual approaches? What are the potential challenges and pitfalls? What is working well in the rest of the world and how can we make it work here?What role should co-operatives and mutuals take in the delivery of public services? What are the good reasons for public services to be delivered through co-operative and mutual approaches? What are the potential challenges and pitfalls? What is working well in the rest of the world and how can we make it work here?
How can the Welsh government support the formation and growth of co-operatives in Wales? Is there something that the government can do to help transform unrealised opportunities to model enterprises for the rest of the world to admire?How can the Welsh government support the formation and growth of co-operatives in Wales? Is there something that the government can do to help transform unrealised opportunities to model enterprises for the rest of the world to admire?
What are the challenges in establishing and expanding co-operatives and mutuals? How can we get round them? Many businesses struggle to get off the ground, is there something that makes it particularly hard for co-operatives and mutuals to start trading? Should co-operatives be expanding at a greater rate? What is stopping them?What are the challenges in establishing and expanding co-operatives and mutuals? How can we get round them? Many businesses struggle to get off the ground, is there something that makes it particularly hard for co-operatives and mutuals to start trading? Should co-operatives be expanding at a greater rate? What is stopping them?
Could information technology and social media be used to strengthen the co-operative and mutual economy?Could information technology and social media be used to strengthen the co-operative and mutual economy?
You can help by leaving your comments below. Or you can visit our call for evidence to get in touch directly. Diolch yn fawr or thank you very much, in advance.You can help by leaving your comments below. Or you can visit our call for evidence to get in touch directly. Diolch yn fawr or thank you very much, in advance.
Professor Andrew Davies is chair of the Welsh Co-operative and Mutual Commission. He is also chair of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board. Between 1999-2011, he was a member of the National Assembly for Wales and a Welsh Government cabinet minister for over ten years, including time as economic development minister.Professor Andrew Davies is chair of the Welsh Co-operative and Mutual Commission. He is also chair of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board. Between 1999-2011, he was a member of the National Assembly for Wales and a Welsh Government cabinet minister for over ten years, including time as economic development minister.
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