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3 Types of Co-operative
eg
eg
eg
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Industrial and Provident SocietiesTraditionally Democratic and
Socially Philanthropic!
Retail Societies! Housing Associations! Leisure Trusts!
Agricultural Co-operatives! Working Mens Clubs! Football Supporters
Trusts
! Royal British Legion
Two types:! Bona fide co-operative (Co-operative Society)!
Society for the benefit of the community (Community Benefit
Society)
! Registered with Financial Services Authority! Governing
documents Rule Book! Much recent interest in use for Community
Investment! Key feature one member one vote irrespective of
shareholding
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Carbon Co-op members are householders
industrial and provident society asset lock charitable aims
BenCom (a society for the benefit of the community)
Limited by guarantee members agree to pay 1 if the company is
wound up
Some are exempt charities (future status is uncertain) Cannot
distribute dividends to members
Examples: Fordhall Farm, Totnes Renewable Energy Co-op
Links between two organisations shared board members business
plans submitted annually
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How will the co-ops operate?to register we need to make some
decisions Objects of each?
Membership and elected board? How big, co-optees to fill skills
gaps?
Board for day to day management/General Meeting for strategic
planning?
General Meeting can instruct the board? Can board be
recalled?
Working groups? Advisory or able to make decisions?
Does each co-op have members on the board of the other?
Eligibility for the board, frequency of board and general
meetings, quorum
conflicts of interest, declaration of interests, participation
in decisions?
Good Governance - eg agendas made available in advance?
