This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Launch of Co-operative Development Agency
21/05/2005
A new agency - the Co-operative Development Agency for
Scotland - will be established to act as a one stop shop to
deliver advice and information to new and growing
co-operative businesses.
It will help co-operatives reach their full commercial
potential and will be backed by up to £3 million from the
Executive.
Co-operatives can make a vital contribution to
Scotland's continued economic growth, Minister for Justice
Cathy Jamieson said today.
Speaking ahead of the Annual Co-operative Congress in
Glasgow, Ms Jamieson said:
"We made a commitment in our Partnership Agreement to
improve the promotion and provision of advice on
co-operative development and to establish a Co-operative
Development Agency. I am delighted to announce that we are
now delivering on this.
"Co-operative enterprises, with their values of
self-help, self responsibility and social responsibility,
have a vital contribution to make, both to Scotland's
economy and to the social regeneration of our
communities.
"The new Agency will have an overarching enterprise
focus to help in the promotion, creation and development of
dynamic and sustainable co-operatives, and to help maximise
the contribution they can make to our economy.
"It will provide a means to promote the co-operative
business model as a real alternative to other business
structures and - at a practical level - deliver advice and
information to new and growing businesses.
"Co-operation has the potential for an exciting and
dynamic future, building sustainable businesses that will
bring jobs and wealth to all of our communities."
The new Co-operative Development Agency (CDA) will be a
subsidiary of Scottish Enterprise and operate with an
advisory board, incorporating representatives from the
co-operative sector. The £3 million funding for the CDA has
come from the existing Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong
Learning Budget.
Co-operatives are businesses who share common values and
principles. Profits will usually be primarily reinvested in
the business, but with additional provision for some
distribution to members and/or for community and social
purposes. The co-operative model is used by many different
types of business to engage with one or more stakeholder
groups.
The Partnership Agreement (2003) states: "We will
improve the promotion and provision on co-operative
development and will establish a Co-operative Development
Agency following consultation."