Dobbin is introducing the ‘Co-operative and Social Enterprise (Development) Bill’ into Parliament on Tuesday. The private member’s bill will require local enterprise partnerships (LEPs), responsible for supporting regional economic growth, to have at least one board member who is a social enterprise business specialist, and for them to make specific reference to the development of community co-ops and social enterprises in their plans.

The bill responds to concerns that LEPs, which were introduced 3 years ago following the Coalitions’ abolition of regional development agencies, lack the resources and expertise to support the specific needs socially-led businesses, and are therefore failing to provide a level playing field.

In 2013, the Business Innovation and Skills Select Committee raised concerns about the balance and diversity of businesses represented on the boards of LEPs, which it said were too often skewed against community-owned businesses. This view is supported by Dobbin’s own contact with small and large co-operatives around the country, which say they need more support.

In his speech introducing the bill, Jim Dobbin said:

“I have contacted many large and small co-operatives around the country during the development of my bill, and many have told me that they are currently struggling to engage with or understand the LEP process.

As co-operators we passionately believe that the values and principles which underpin co-operatives and mutuals offer an alternative more ethical and democratic way for businesses to operate. We believe that all must be done to ensure a level playing field for their establishment and development.”

Supporting plans to make it easier for social businesses to engage with LEPs, Mark Sesnan, CEO of Greenwich Leisure, a co-operative which runs over 115 leisure facilities across the country said:

“I fully support the concept of embedding Social Enterprise/Coop expertise and experience into LEPs. When I was on the Board of the now defunct Business Link for London, I was amazed at how little understanding there was of alternative business models, and these were professional business advisers!”