Co-operatives UK launches guide for public sector workers on forming social enterprise

Trade body Co-operatives UK has published a guide for public sector workers on how to spin off as a new co-operative enterprise.

The publication – Co-operative Business District – covers the various stages of setting up such a venture as well as a range of issues such as:

• The benefits and risks
• Getting a team together
• Deciding on the business form
• Defining services and resources
• Financial planning
• Navigating public sector procurement.

The move has been backed by Professor Julian Le Grand, chairman of the government’s Mutuals task Force.

Prof. Le Grand said: "The Task Force wants to see one million people working in public interest mutuals by 2015 - around 15% of the public sector workforce.

"We foresee considerable interest emerging in models such as co-operatives and this guide is an excellent introduction for people working in public services."

Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: "The government has ambitious targets for the number of public sector workers setting up co-operatives. We need to ensure that they get high quality information so that the new businesses they set up are sustainable, well run co-operatives that successfully unleash the talents and energies of their employees and users."

The guide can be downloaded here.