Today marked the launch of Lambeth Council's
Co-operative Council model, a brave and trailblazing effort to define a new model for local government.
ResPublica was amongst a range of organisations and individuals consulted by the Co-operative Council Citizens' Commission, whose
report draws on the findings of recent ResPublica publications
The Ownership State and
The Venture Society.
The report advocates that the Council approach civil society as a partner, and offer public services "planned together and delivered through a variety of organisations" with "citizens incentivised to take part in the provision of public services," especially by use of a time credit system based on
the Spice model advocated in ResPublica's
Asset-Building for Children report.
In order to realise this vision, Lambeth will build on existing examples of public service co-operatives such as
Community Freshview, and new ownership models such as the Lambeth Resource Centre - which is set to become a user- or employee-led mutual.
Readers of
the Disraeli Room blog can expect further debate about the initiative in the coming months, including contributions from Lambeth Council.