Author Archives: David Smith

Tom Lloyd Goodwin’s article, “A National Care Service” https://cles.org.uk/a-national-care-service-must-start-with-reforming-the-care-market/ makes an essential contribution to care reform. His argument that market reform must accompany investment deserves attention across the UK. Co-operatives Wales agrees additional funding must improve people’s lives, strengthen the … Continue reading →

8:1§1:26 coproduction must put community power into practice Paul Stepczak’s challenge to organisations claiming to coproduce their services deserves attention. Surveys, consultation events and partnerships between providers can serve useful purposes. Whether they constitute coproduction depends on the power communities … Continue reading →

8:11:26 WG procuremnt initial response Welsh Government are seeking views on the draft WPPS and draft Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA). Co-operatives Wales supports strengthening the Welsh economy through public procurement. What will change in how public bodies buy, and who … Continue reading →

8:11:26 Southern Co-op merger with the Co-op Group approved following financial difficulties The approval of Southern Co-op’s merger with Co-op Group represents progress towards the organisations’ stated objective of combining financial strength and operational scale. It also records the loss … Continue reading →

8:11:26 cm community-led to community-owned- putting co-operative principles into practice Do we need to be clear about what the fashionable term ‘community led’ actually means in practice? Chris Mundy’s discussion of Australia’s neighbourhood centres raises a question relevant to Wales. … Continue reading →

8:11:26 national social care service  ” Social care all too often becomes a “David V Goliath” struggle with a local authority care provider, where “one size fits all” really isn’t the best outcome for the recipient. In Wales the 2014 … Continue reading →

 With: Mark Turner, Head of Social Care, Unison Cymru; Geraint Jenkins, CEO, Cartrefi Cymru Co-operative; Cheryl Barrott, Ex-Coops UK Chair, current chair Sheffield Coop Development Group; and Cllr Sue Morgan, Torfaen County Borough Council Meeting ID 883 4233 1414 Passcode … Continue reading →

Andrew Pakes, Labour & Co-operative MP for Peterborough, elected in July 2024. He was appointed the Government’s Co-operatives and Mutuals Champion on 28 October 2026. His terms of reference are set out in summary as follows: Area Remit Purpose Connect the … Continue reading →

Interlink’s discussion about Community Interest Companies raises legitimate concerns about concentrated control, related-party payments and conflicts of interest. Its commitment to consultation and reciprocal questioning is welcome. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/simon-james-71b55913_hot-topic-community-interest-companies-share-7518710708541407233-nsrX/ However, some accompanying comments risk turning specific governance concerns into blanket suspicion. … Continue reading →

Chris Bolton’s reflection on raising standing stones offers a powerful image of co-operation: people combining effort, knowledge and determination to achieve something beyond their individual capabilities. The stone remains visible afterwards, but another achievement matters just as much: the relationships … Continue reading →

cw20:10:26 A partnership for growth must be a partnership with the people of Wales The First Minister’s proposed economic partnership with the UK Government opens an important debate about Wales’s future. Greater co-operation, respect for devolved responsibilities and less duplication … Continue reading →

Matthew Reardon’s account of architecture students working with communities in Bargoed, Maerdy and Tredegar offers an encouraging vision: regeneration shaped through relationships, learning and sustained involvement https://lnkd.in/p/ecDjmYTE From a Welsh co-operative perspective, its success will depend on whether community voice … Continue reading →

Neil Duncan-Jordan’s cw:+19:10:26 Duncan-Jordan resoonse Article  identifies the injustice in social care: people’s financial security can depend on whether their needs are classified as healthcare or social support. His call for collective funding deserves support. Another review will achieve little … Continue reading →

Pride in Place, Co-operation & the Risk of Community Power Being Displaced:Are we putting Place before Party? Although dated worth a reminder. Prepared by: Co-operatives Wales and Sheffield Co-operative Development Group Purpose of this Briefing In addition to our 18 … Continue reading →

For lots of refreshing practical case studies with experience and ideas, including, Nudge (Plymouth), Dewsbury Archade, Two Up Two Down (Anfield), Co-operative Student Homes, Music Venue Properties, Co-operative Place Making & Pride in Place, The Portland Inn (Stoke on Trent), … Continue reading →

In response to the Prime Ministers statement https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-andy-burnham-sets-out-plans-for-a-new-national-care-service Co-operatives Wales asks the Casey Commission to make democratic ownership, prevention and retention of public value central to social care reform. Although its remit concerns adult social care in England, Welsh experience … Continue reading →

Our central concern is the protection of community value. cw Community Ownership : Right to Buy 13:10:26 Public investment, volunteer effort and locally generated wealth should remain dedicated to community benefit. Effective asset locks must prevent these gains being diverted … Continue reading →

….and its ambition to create an open space for serious discussion about the policies Wales will need over the coming decade. We would welcome opportunities for the Substack to explore: co-operative and community ownership as part of Wales’s economic future; … Continue reading →

In response to the Prime Ministers statement this week we’ve asked the Casey Commission to make democratic ownership, prevention and retention of public value central to social care reform. cw:Casey Review Submission- Co-operatives UK Although its remit concerns adult social … Continue reading →

Submitted by Coops Wales on behalf of Welsh & Yorkshire Young Co-operator. SEP – Nothing About Us Without Us – Report cwyc:3:10:26Young Co-operators Casey Submission. Following the Prime Minsters statement this week https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-andy-burnham-sets-out-plans-for-a-new-national-care-service The Casey Commission have been asked to … Continue reading →