Following his recent visit to Liverpool, our Head of Policy, Chris Cowcher shares an update on a range of engagements. Read Chris’ diary entries from his three days at the Labour Party Conference to find out more about his interactions and conversations.

You’ve only had to watch or listen to news this week to hear that the main stories being shared from the Labour Party Conference were not specifically related to our sector.

The ongoing negative press related to party donors and the decision to end pensioners’ winter fuel payments were most commonly being talked about, against a backdrop of a soaking wet Liverpool.

However, what I heard, in the fringe events, the speeches and in direct conversations with politicians, advisers and partners has left me feeling that our sector is widely supported by the new Government in power.

It was clear to me that the work of the community-owned business network will have so much relevance throughout Labour’s time in office – which of course, they are hoping, could extend to a full “decade of renewal”. Their mission-led approach to national leadership, coupled with a pledge to double the size of the cooperative economy, within which the community-owned business sector resides, means that Plunkett members should look forward with cautious optimism.

Whilst there will be far more erudite and intellectual write ups of Conference being shared in these coming days, I thought it would be simpler to share some insights from my diary and what we’re hoping will follow.

Having set off from my home in rural Warwickshire at 4am, I was delighted to join the Cooperative Party for their rural roundtable breakfast meeting. Chaired by Preet Gill, MP for Birmingham and Edgbaston and PPS to Business Secretary, Jonny Reynolds, and Daniel Zeichner, MP for Cambridge and the Rural Affairs Minister we had a great opportunity to champion the collective ambitions of the Rural Coalition, of which Plunkett is a member.

We, along with other partners such as Rural Services Network, the National Association of Local Councils and CPRE: The Countryside Charity shared the recent research published by the RC, and made the case that the rural economy is a ‘sleeping giant’ that this Government should prioritise. As part of this, I championed the community-owned businesses as a model which delivers for people, place and planet. Furthermore, our calls for a rural strategy were met with nods of approval, with the Rural Affairs Minister admitting that he still keeps a copy of Labour’s 2000 Rural White Paper on his desk – noting that nothing of such significance had been published since that time.

From here I headed to a fringe event hosted again by the Cooperative Party, working with our close partners, Power to Change. It felt wonderful to be in the same place where Plunkett had run our own event a year previous, calling for a Community to Right Buy, and now we have a Government in place that will enact such a right as part of their proposed English Devolution Bill.

The fringe highlight was listening to the brilliant Coalville CAN project, who gave such great insights from the grassroots and championed the We’re Right Here campaign, but also because we heard from Jim McMahon, Minister for Local Government & English Devolution about the future Community Ownership Fund.

There was full acceptance of the frustrating state of limbo that many projects currently find themselves in, as they still await an update from the round of applications that was paused (with no response) because of the General Election. However, it did sound like we might hear something more definitive soon. People in the room made clear how much this delay is impacting the volunteers at the heart of these projects, and the minister was left with no doubt that an update is needed urgently.

My last big takeaway from Monday came from a fringe ran by the independent think tank, Localis, who were publishing their latest research in partnership with the British Beer and Pub Association. The report, entitled ‘Inn-valuable’ (now in its second iteration) was unsurprisingly very relevant to the work of community-owned pubs, who often subscribe to the mantra of being ‘More than a Pub’. The insights in the report brought to life the social impact of these community institutions, which goes far beyond the food and drink they service.

The new chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Beer, Tonia Antoniazzi, MP for Gower, echoed that message with an acknowledgement of the challenges the sector currently facing. I was pleased to come away with an offer for a follow-up conversation about community businesses, knowing full well that Tonia has some great examples of community shops in her constituency which I can highlight when we meet.

The new chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Beer, Tonia Antoniazzi, MP for Gower, holding one of our leaflets

A fringe event hosted again by the Cooperative Party, working with our close partners, Power to Change

As part of our commitment to the ambitions of the Future Economy Alliance, I was delighted to join Social Enterprise UK and Power to Change in attending the Federation for Small Businesses breakfast reception. It was great for the community-owned businesses we represent to be included in the conversations we had with the first-ever Cooperative Party, Business Minister, Jonny Reynolds MP, as well as when we met with Rachel Reeves MP, the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

I was keen to impress on both of them the economic contribution that Plunkett members are making, alongside the demonstrable levels of social and environmental impact too. Whether it is through the creation of jobs and training opportunities, or through utilising the local supply chains this is a network worth supporting. I made the case for not only investing in new start-ups too, and asked that support for energy saving measures (something that we know is widely supported in our sector) could lead to business growth as well as lowering running costs.

Continuing on my whistle-stop tour of the Conference, I was so very pleased to see that Power to Change were platforming some of the amazing community businesses that operate in the Liverpool City region. At an event at the amazing Baltic Creative CIC, we heard from Kindred LCR and Make CIC, but my genuine highlight was listening to Sally-Anne Watkiss from Homebaked Bakery. I’m a Liverpool FC fan and visit the bakery whenever I manage to get to Anfield, but their story brings to life the term ‘Community Wealth Building’.

Sally-Anne delivered some brilliant asks to the MHCLG Minister, Alex Norris, who was also in attendance, calling on him to empower communities with assets (a nod to the community right to buy pledged by this Government) and also make sure that advice and support is accessible and obtainable. I was chuffed that Alex was already aware of the work of Plunkett members and came away with an offer to host him on a visit to show how the rural parts of our sector are flourishing. He also mentioned that as part of the Community Right to Buy policy development to keep an eye out for the High Street Rental Auctions, a legacy of the last government, which may well be back on the table in an attempt to strengthen the hand of communities in community buy out negotiations.

Wrapping up my Tuesday, we attended one of the many Labour YIMBY (‘Yes, in my back yard’) movement events taking place throughout conference. With wide support from across the party, Labour’s house-building pledge is very clearly one of their number of priorities. People will still debate how realistic the delivery numbers are (to build 1.5m homes in the next 5 years) but the Government in its earliest days in office are clear that the housing crisis cannot continue to be deprioritised.

Alongside new homes, Plunkett will be making the case for community assets that promote integration and inclusion and we believe that the community-owned business model could be a power resource in helping to achieve this in some areas. Our partners, Thakeham, with whom we have piloting the ambition to open a community-owned business at the heart of a new community were present at the Conference, and it was great to once again be promoting our White Paper to a receptive audience of new MPs.

Chris Cowcher with Jonny Reynolds, the first-ever Cooperative Party Secretary of State for Business and Trade

Whilst Wednesday is the ‘wrap up’ morning, we were absolutely delighted to be invited by our partners the Association of Convenience Stores to join them on their stand in the Conference market place. Whilst community-owned shops only make up a very small part of the wider convenience stores sector, we have a long track record of working with ACS in matters related to policy, staff safety and wholesale supply.

Despite being the final day before delegates left Liverpool, we had some great conversations with other organisations also exhibiting but also with elected members including PPS to Kier Starmer, Liz Twist (a community share investor in the Ryton Cross community-owned pub) and Deputy PM, Angela Rayner.

ACS raised points related to the proposed Fair Deal for Workers, and I was able to make the case for supporting rural businesses more widely. Given that Angela Rayner’s remit also includes MHCLG, sounding like a broken record I also took the opportunity to once again talk Community Ownership Fund and Right to Buy.

Chris Cowcher with Angela Rayner MP, Deputy Prime Minister, and our partners ACS

In summary, the placemaking sector and the role of community assets alongside the delivery of new homes presents an opportunity for growth in the community business sector.

Whilst there appears to be no new money just yet, this Government’s pledge to double the Cooperative Sector may mean they are supportive of investment in future years once the state of public finances are reported to be in a better state.

The known policy ambition for a Community Right to Buy is progressing, with grassroots insights required to influence the legislation. The High Street Rental Auctions may be used to strengthen community ambitions ahead of the full CRTB coming into effect.

Finally, we’re hoping for an end as soon as possible to the lack of updates about the Community Ownership Fund – and will share more as soon as we hear anything.

Pictured left: Chris Cowcher with Rachel Reeves MP, the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Get involved

Ever considered hosting an MP at your community business, or invited them to your project committee meeting? Let us know and Plunkett can help you in engaging with MPs and Ministers, to get visits set up.

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