What is a Co-operative?
A Co-Operative is an organisation owned and democratically controlled by its members. There are many types of co-operatives in the UK, including:
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Consumer, including food retail, banking, travel agencies, funeral services
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Housing
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Worker, where enterprises are owned and managed by their employees, as an aternative to other legal forms of ownership
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Local Exchange Trading Systems, where people exchange skills or goods when lack of money would usually prevent it. Often, other skills or goods are given in return
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Community
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Care
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Service
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Food
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Agriculture
A Co-Operative is characterised by its satisfaction of mutual needs of its members (rather than simply profits), they are run democratically on a ‘one member, one vote’ basis, profits or ‘dividends’ are shared amongst the members, and shares are withdrawable.
Where can I find out more about Co-Operatives?
Suffolk Community Enterprise (SCE), operated by Suffolk ACRE is the Co-Operative Development Body for the County who produce a range of advice sheets.
Email - info@suffolkacre.org.uk
Tel - 01473 242500
More information on Co-Ops can be found at: http://www.cooponline.coop/about.html |