Milton Keynes Council has become the first local authority under no overall control to declare itself co-operative. The council became “a co-operative council, improving services and citizen empowerment” at its full meeting on 10 September.

It agreed to adopt co-operative values and principles and to “re-think the role of councillors as community connectors, brokers and leaders”.

Forwarding the motion, Cllr Sarah Betteley (Labour and Co-op Party), cabinet member responsible for community engagement and empowerment, said ongoing financial pressure meant the council must continue to make savings. She highlighted “the changing nature of the relationship between council, councillors, citizens and partners,” and “the role that co-operative and mutual principles can play in shaping a new dynamic”.

“We will strengthen the co-operative partnership between citizens, communities, enterprises and councils, based on a shared sense of responsibility for well-being and mutual benefit,” she said.

The council resolved to adopt co-operative values and principles including social partnership, democratic engagement, co-production, enterprise and social economy and maximising social value. Central to the agreement are the principles of community leadership and a new role for councillors, with the council agreeing to explore ways it could help the community contribute to local outcomes. The aim is to enable citizens to be equal partners in designing and commissioning services and determining the use of resources.

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