By Richard
Johnstone
17 May 2011
The Co-operative Group has launched a ‘one-stop
shop’ to help local government set up mutuals to run services.
Public Service Mutuals, launched today, is aimed at
directors of services in local government and public sector bodies. It will
offer practical assistance and examine the potential for mutualised services in
six stages.
The move follows theModernising commissioning
green paper, published last year, which attempted
to provide a level playing field for charities, voluntary groups
and social enterprises bidding for public service contracts.
The Co-op, the UK’s biggest mutual organisation, will
run the service in conjunction with law firm Cobbetts and consultancy Westminster
Bridge.
Peter Marks, chief executive of the Co-operative
Group, said: ‘We have heard a great deal from all the mainstream political
parties about the co-operative model delivering public sector services but up
until now we’ve lacked a one-stop shop where people can get the advice and
assistance necessary to turn great ideas into practical solutions. Public
Service Mutuals fills that gap
‘We have a purpose beyond profit, with a vision of
creating a better society and we believe this new venture will enable us to
help communities across the UK deliver important services in an alternative
way.’
Earlier this year, Cabinet Office minister Francis
Maude told Public Finance
that he would like to see 1 million – one in six – public sector workers
employed in mutuals by 2015.
