The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has today launched The Good Councillor's guide to community business, in partnership with the Plunkett Foundation and Power to Change.
The guide for parish, town and community councillors will set out the principles of what a community business is and help local (parish and town) councils to consider whether this form of business could be appropriate in their community.
This publication contains 12 sections and aims to help councillors learn about the development stages of a community business, consider their role and that of the local council and also learn from examples of where collaboration has succeeded in other areas. Furthermore, seven case studies of local councils are included along with a resource list of useful websites, to facilitate further learning about this form of business.
Community businesses are locally rooted, community-led, trade for community benefit and make life better for local people. There are 9,000 community businesses across England employing 33,600 people with assets of £890m. From pubs to libraries; shops to bakeries; swimming pools to solar farms; community businesses are creating great products and services, providing employment and training and transforming lives.
NALC chairman, Cllr Sue Baxter, said: "I'm delighted for the launch of The Good Councillor's guide to community business. Local councils play a significant role as service deliverers for their communities, through supporting local economy and business. It is encouraging that the sector already engages with community businesses and hope this latest publication will empower councillors with information to support community businesses and extend their take-up across the country".
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