CICs & Co-operative Values and Principles

1. CICs & Co-operative Values and Principles

2. Who we are and what we do: • Co-operatives UK is owned by the co-operative organisations it supports from across the UK, working together to put co-operative enterprise at the very heart of modern society and the economy. • Co-operatives UK works to promote, develop and unite co-operative enterprises. It has a unique role as a trade association for co-operatives and its campaigns for co-operation, such as Co-operatives Fortnight, bring together all those with a passion and interest in co-operative action.

3. Fact or Fiction

4. What is a co-operative? • Significance in 19th Century • Based on the values of self-help, self responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. • Guided by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) V&Ps • Members as owners • Different types of co-operative • Rely on the content of the governing document to determine whether an organisation is a co-operative.

5. Co-operative Legal Forms • No separate Co-operatives Act • 6 legal forms to choose from • Industrial and Provident Society • Private Limited Company (Shares or Guarantee) • Community Interest Company (Shares or Guarantee) • Limited Liability Partnership • Partnership • Unincorporated Association

6. Co-operative CIC • First and foremost a CIC • “Legal form for social enterprises” • Just a company with added “bolt-ons” • Criteria for membership but should benefit community rather than members • Allows for some return on investment/shareholding • Asset lock • CIC governing document incorporates V&Ps

7. Co-op CICs Examples

8. Questions

9. Linda BarlowLegal Officer0161 246 2900legal@uk.coop Useful Links www.uk.coop/simplyseries www.cicregulator.gov.uk