The Royal Borough of Greenwich Cabinet agreed to the recommendations made in the 'Together for Greenwich: Co-operation for the Future' report, including the allocation of £1 million to establish a Community Energy Fund. The fund will offer grants to community groups for projects that support the shift to net zero in the borough. The meeting also saw confirmation that the Council would host the Co-operative Councils Innovation Network (CCIN) conference in Woolwich on the 12th and 13th of February 2025.

Royal Borough of Greenwich Co-operative Commission

Councillor Lolavar introduced the 'Together for Greenwich: Co-operation for the Future' report, highlighting the year-long effort that went into its development. The report, guided by the principles set out in the Labour Party's cooperative agenda and the Council's own corporate strategy, 'Our Greenwich', focuses on three key areas:

• Supporting new and existing co-operative start-ups and businesses
• Adult social care
• Community energy

Councillor Lolavar underscored the borough's rich history of cooperation, dating back to the 18th century and evident today in organisations like the Woolwich Arsenal and GCDA.

We have a long history of cooperation within Greenwich, kind of one of the highest number of labour and cooperative councils elected at previous elections, and a long history dating back, I think, to the 1700s, 1800s, with the establishment of very early co-ops in the Woolwich Arsenal.

The report, informed by over ten evidence-gathering sessions with experts and 63 responses to a public call for evidence, outlines 12 recommendations to foster the growth of worker-owned businesses, particularly in social care and community energy.

Councillor Lolavar pointed out the national context, specifically the Labour government's pledge to bolster the cooperative economy and the launch of GB Energy, which aligns with the Commission's work.

We now have a Labour government that has made a commitment to double the mutual and cooperative economy, and so it really feels, and with the introduction of GB Energy, it feels like this Commission and the recommendations are coming at a really key time that we can support the government in the delivery of their missions.

Councillor Okereke echoed Councillor Lolavar's sentiments, praising the Commission for its work. He also announced that Greenwich would host the Co-operative Councils Innovation Network conference at Woolwich Works, an event Councillor Lolavar hopes will further showcase the borough's commitment to the cooperative movement.

The Cabinet unanimously agreed to the recommendations outlined in the report.