Cooperatives NorthWest

Local Economic Partnerships: co-op information packs
Local Economic Partnerships (LEPs) are starting to take shape across the North West. Co-operatives NW is gathering together a package of information as a resource on its website. The packs will include information on how co-ops can strengthen LEPs, and for each LEP a list co-ops and case studies in the LEP area.

The packs will be excellent for anyone to use to lobby key players in the region, particularly Local Authority councillors, senior managers in Local Authorities, MPs and Chambers of Commerce.

Please consider using these information packs to approach your contacts in these positions. Co-operatives North West will also be distributing these information packs to key decision makers. For more information, please contact jo@cooperatives-nw.coop

Meeting: The Big Society Network
Thursday 9 September, 17.00-20.00, Stockport College, Town Centre Campus, Wellington Road South SK1 3UQ

Local Economic Partnerships (LEPs) are starting to take shape across the North West. Co-operatives NW is gathering together a package of information as a resource on its website. The packs will include information on how co-ops strengthen LEPs, and for each LEP a list co-ops and case studies in the LEP area.

The Big Society Network is an organisation that exists to help people achieve change in their local area. It aims to benefit people who help community groups and social enterprises from existing and new legislation that supports The Big Society.

This meeting will provide the first opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas with the Big Society Network team. The event will be facilitated using open space technology which will enable all participants to shape the agenda. http://bigsociety-nw.eventbrite.com  

Conference: Social enterprise and public service reform
Thursday 23 September, Manchester Conference Centre, Weston Building, Sackford Street, Manchester M1 3BB

This one-day conference looks at the opportunities and implications of the “right to request” and the “right to bid” out different business and delivery models being adapted and implemented by local authorities and health service providers. Providing key international insights the conference explores methods to ensure that operations are well-managed and scalable and how social enterprise models can and will benefit existing public services.

Speakers include representatives from Social Enterprise Coalition and Co-operatives UK, among others. Email: sarah.spencer@neilstewartassociates.co.uk  Tel: 020 7324 4330. www.neilstewartassociates.com/se242

Fringe Meetings: Co-operatives UK, future for local jobs and economies
Monday 27 September 8 to 9am and 6-7.30pm

This year Co-operatives UK has teamed up with the Centre for Local Economic Strategies, a ‘think and do’ tank, for a series of party conference fringe events on the future of our local jobs and economies. All events are free of charge.

There will be two fringe meetings held on 27 September. The morning session will discuss the future of local jobs. The evening event will discuss the future of local economies. Please follow the links below for further information.
• ‘The future for local jobs’ – Monday 27 September, 08:00 – 09:00 www.uk.coop/event/2010/labour-party-conference-fringe-event-future-local-jobs  
• ‘The future for local economies’ – Monday 27 September, 18:00 – 19:30 www.uk.coop/event/2010/labour-party-conference-fringe-event-future-local-economies 

Co-operatives North West is funded by trading income, the Co-operative Enterprise Hub and Social Enterprise North West