Category Archives: Uncategorised

We wrote to English and Welsh Ministers to see what could be done to capitalise on the English Ministerial Commitment to support a Community Right to Buy, in a Welsh context. The Welsh response did not raise implementation or interim … Continue reading →

How would this model achieve the common good and greater democratic accountability without wider public and active member engagement? https://lnkd.in/eTKAm429 We strongly welcome the move towards relational commissioning, community wealth building and greater use of co-operative approaches. However, at Coops … Continue reading →

Following our May 16 Robert Owen Day, our Stage Two online event is planned for 12 September 2026. As requested in feedback, this will include several deep dive – nuts and bolts sessions. Further details to follow. Note: seven short … Continue reading →

Urgent Interim Funding Vital to Save Welsh Assets Before Landmark Community Right to Buy Bill Takes Effect To stop this asset loss, funding availability must be decoupled from the time it takes to pass the legislation. Sector leaders urge the … Continue reading →

The General Medical Council Order 2026 presents a complex legal, technical maze that effectively marginalises the patient’s voice on critical safety issues. A mere numerical majority cannot validate policy when patient safety is at stake. Our framework establishes transparent patient expectations … Continue reading →

23626:ds The NHS workforce crisis The draft GMC Order is therefore not just a technical regulatory change. It is a patient safety issue. The danger is that the public may see “GMC registered” and assume equivalence with a doctor, even … Continue reading →

Pride in Place, Co-operation and the Risk of Community Power Being Displaced: Are we putting Place before Party? The Pride in Place Prospectus makes important and welcome references to community-led delivery, co-operatives, community benefit societies, charities, community institutions and the … Continue reading →

NHS Patient Safety recommendations 2026 The Co-op Movement has always championed quality public services, including patient safety. We appeal directly to the UK Government  because the GMC consultation, deadline 23/6/2026, is designed to prevent patient input! The argument is not … Continue reading →

As Wales enters a new political chapter following the Senedd elections of 7 May, there is a growing sense that incremental change is no longer enough, writes the team from Co-op Wales. https://www.thenews.coop/comment-a-new-era-for-wales/ Communities are tired of seeing wealth leave … Continue reading →

Seven short videos from our 2026 Robert Owen Day event on Transforming a Declining High Street. Includes the Centre for Local Economies presentation, three grassroots case studies. Plus a Co-operative Perspective on Urban Renewal and UK Government’s Pride in Place … Continue reading →

Pride in Place – Hand Out A4 V1.1  Across the UK, the Government’s £5bn Pride in Place (PiP) programme represents one of the most significant place-based regeneration and community renewal initiatives in recent decades. The programme aims to provide long-term … Continue reading →

This nomination aligns directly with the International Co-operative Alliance’s Cooperative Cultural Heritage commitment to recognising co-operation as part of the cultural heritage of humanity, positioning Owens letters not only as historical artefacts, but as an enduring intellectual infrastructure for collective … Continue reading →

At our fifth Robert Owen Day, we explore Community Wealth Building through 3 real-world case studies. Learning how we move from decline to renewal and revitalise our communities. Registration here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-transformation-of-a-declining-high-street-co-operative-solutions-tickets-1985667971355 A theme prompted by https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jan/11/uk-high-streets-reform-shops-closing-hope  which argues the emptying … Continue reading →

Over 100 food businesses, NGOs and academics call for ‘Good Food Bill’ as failing food system threatens national security and public healthCoops Wales joins major UK food businesses, NGOs and academics in calling for new law as failing food system … Continue reading →

Properly resourced education and learning networks, with adequate time to develop and embed would: enable meaningful resident participation rather than symbolic consultation; support Neighbourhood Boards to evolve into robust, community-led legal entities; strengthen trust, transparency, and democratic practice; reduce risk … Continue reading →

We strongly welcome the Pride in Place (PiP) programme, which represents a vital shift from top-down renewal to localised empowerment. By delegating authority to a ‘Neighbourhood Board’—not the Council—residents will dictate how £2m p.a. (over 10 years) is spent to … Continue reading →

‘Pride in Place’£214m new funding for Welsh communities to improve neighbourhoods and restore pride – GOV.UK is a rare opportunity to rebuild local civic and economic infrastructure with long-term financial support. Successful delivery of the programme’s ambitions will depend as … Continue reading →

We have recently launched our Manifesto on Co-operative Education in Wales in time for the upcoming Senedd elections. However, this is not just a document for those elections, it is the result of a process of policy development over many … Continue reading →

Putting Co-operation at the Heart of Education in Wales Wales needs to adopt a bold, new approach to education that would make co-operation a defining feature of national life, from early years to apprenticeships, FE and business schools. Making a ‘Co-operative Wales: A … Continue reading →