Somerset Co-operative Services (SCS) a Somerset based Co-operative CIC announced at its recent AGM the launch of the Somerset Rules - a new and unique set of I&PS Model Rules for a multi-stakeholder co-operative, combining the accountability and democracy of co-ops with the social reporting and investment opportunities associated with social enterprise

About Co-operatives

"Co-operatives are more resilient to crisis than other forms of enterprise according to a recent study by the ILO (International Labour Office). .. People are increasingly choosing the co-operative form of enterprise to respond to the new economic realities"ICA (International Co-operative Alliance) message on the 15th UN International Day of Co-operatives 4th July 2009

This is a report that we prepared with funding from Co-operative Financial Services, looking at the feasibility of privately funded Housing Co-operatives. We updated it in 2009 for the Commission on Co-operative Housing. It will be of use to anyone trying to start a housing co-op in an area where house prices are more than 75 times the local housing allowance obtainable for that type of property.

SOURCES OF FINANCE

There are three sources of capital finance for social enterprises (including co-operatives). All have their advantages and disadvantages and are more or less appropriate according to the stage of development of your co-operative, its profitability and the scope for involving your community as owners as well as service users.

1. GRANTS, GIFTS & DONATIONS

Here are some notes that I took during the Community Investment seminar at Voice09 last week. They're a bit jumbled.

Community investment is investment into our own resources; total investment is £265m with a membership of 5.4m. Median investment is £135k.

Activities - pre-1990 was dominated by consumer co-ops 16, transport 11, but only 1 community finance project; post-1990 has a wider spread incl renew energy, fairtrade, community retail

Famous interactive DIY exercise developed by Charlie Cattell and updated by Co-operativesUK in 2008. Helps you choose the best legal structure for your social enterprise, and also provides much food for thought - legal structures - not just for nerds ..!