Emerging Principles


Principles from deliberative workshops (2013)

A set of eight principles that should guide the development emerged from the workshops.

  1. Use the Somerleyton Road development as catalyst for a different approach to regenerating Brixton …that works in the best interests of everyone living in the town, especially those living in close proximity to the site.
  2. Maximize the number of new genuinely affordable homes …including looking at options like self-build to bring down costs.
  3. Create good quality, long-term jobs and training and support local businesses …for Brixton people of all ages.
  4. Ensure long-term resident control …with on-going involvement in shaping the development from now on.
  5. Make sure the new development is inclusive … of its neighbouring communities, and brings people together across divides of age, social background, income, faith, and ethnicity.
  6. Make Somerleyton Road green, safe and stress free … so it can underpin the development of a resilient and sustainable community.
  7. Make best use of what’s already here … building on existing strengths, assets, culture, heritage and character of the area.
  8. Only work with commercial interests that complement the community’s ambitions … keeping the value and benefits of what flows from the site local.

 

Cabinet paper (Nov 2013)

Objectives from Lambeth Council’s Cabinet paper (Nov 2013):

  1. to bring the Ovalhouse theatre to Brixton;
  2. to maximise the amount of housing which is affordable to local people;
  3. to achieve collaborative working with the local community and secure a long term stewardship role;
  4. to build high quality, sustainable buildings and support sustainable communities;
  5. to improve community safety;
  6. to retain heritage sites;
  7. to deliver a financially viable scheme which represents value for money for LBL and which repays upfront capital investment without limiting LBL’s ability to undertake other investment projects in the borough;

List provided to Pinsent Masons (Lambeth’s legal advisors) Jan 2015

Financial requirement is not listed as it is assumed this will be captured in the contract with Lambeth:

  1. to embed cooperative and mutual principles in all its functions, as a community-led enterprise, reflecting the aspirations for cooperation of residents, occupiers and neighbours;
  2. to be open, transparent, inclusive and responsive;
  3. to provide and support homes, training and employment to improve the quality of life for people in Brixton;
  4. to encourage the growth of a localised inclusive economy that enables Brixton based people of all incomes to acquire an economic interest in the success of their community;
  5. to provide excellent quality management and maintenance; and
  6. to support social cohesion and promote the rich cultural diversity and heritage of Brixton.

Cooperative Principles

The co-operative principles are guidelines by which co-operatives put their values into practice.

Voluntary and Open Membership

Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

Democratic Member Control

Co-operatives are democratic organisations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary co-operatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and co-operatives at other levels are also organised in a democratic manner.

Member Economic Participation

Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-operative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the co-operative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their co-operative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-operative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.

Autonomy and Independence

Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organisations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy.

Education, Training and Information

Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public - particularly young people and opinion leaders - about the nature and benefits of co-operation.

Co-operation among Co-operatives

Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

Concern for Community

Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.

Community & membership feedback (2015)

  • Secure homes
  • No poor doors
  • Cohesive community
  • Accountable landlord
  • Good quality service.
  • Good management/maintenance of the assets.
  • Mixed income community
  • No gated community: Interest in the wider community having a say.
  • Same rights & quality of service for all
  • Improved quality of life (Jobs, health, community safety, access to services)
  • Build on the synergies between uses and wider community/business assets