Edwina Hart, Minister for Economy, Science and Transport
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
On 7 October I announced that I had asked Professor Andrew Davies to reconvene the Welsh Commission on co-operatives and mutuals in six months time to review the steps that have been taken to implement its recommendations.
I have re-appointed Professor Davies and five of the original members of the Commission. These are:
- Dame Pauline Green, President of International Co-operative Alliance.
- David Jenkins OBE, Chair of the Aneurin Bevan Health Board and Chair of Wales Co-operative Centre.
- Robin Murray, Industrial and environmental economist.
- Dr Ben Reynolds, Director of Trilein.
- Sir Paul Williams OBE, CStJ, DL, Former Chief Executive NHS Wales.
The two remaining members of the original Commission are not resuming their roles due to their other commitments.
The Commission will reconvene on 27 February. Its report on progress is expected early summer.
In addition, and jointly with the Minister for Public Services, I have commissioned work to explore how we can support local authorities that wish to develop mutual or cooperative models for the delivery of services in certain areas. This work will start to map out the opportunities identified in the Commission’s report and builds on the themes set out in Reforming Local Government: Power to Local People White Paper.
The Wales Cooperative Centre is leading on this, with the work being carried out by Keith Edwards, former Director of the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru and the Tenant Participation Advisory Services. Keith is establishing the views of key stakeholders, determining the potential scope for mutualisation of services and identifying any specific ideas for taking this forward locally. The findings will be presented in a report to the Welsh Government later this year.