The Council will be commissioning Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency (GCDA), one of London’s oldest co-operative development agencies to support the tenants to establish the project which is due to be launched in July.

Funding has come from the Council with £2,000 from a successful grant application to the Co-operative Councils Innovation Network (CCIN).

Councillor Ann-Marie Cousins, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement said:

“We’re incredibly proud of Royal Greenwich’s long and rich history of growing co-operatives and the role they play in creating a fairer, more inclusive economy. GCDA has been commissioned to ensure my vision of tenants taking more control of their safety, security and look of their estate, through a sustainable co-operative approach. The role of Greenwich Local Labour (GLLab), the Council's employment and skills service, will also be vital for the success of this project.

“We think neighbourhoods should be vibrant, safe and attractive with community services that meet the needs of local residents. That’s one of the aims of Our Greenwich, the Council's corporate plan, and by establishing a co-operative in Woolwich Common Estate we can empower local people to make a positive difference to their neighbourhood. If it’s successful and sustainable it will be a blue-print for community development elsewhere in the borough too. By the residents, for the residents!"

Claire Pritchard, Chief Executive of GCDA, said:

“Co-operatives embody a more sustainable and people led approach to inclusive economic growth. Woolwich Common Estate is the latest addition to this fantastic network – with real grass root co-operativeness at its heart.”

The Woolwich Common Estate co-operative project will engage local volunteers and residents, , employ a local coordinator and work with a range of partners to:

• Improve safety and security to reduce the fear of crime
• Encourage recycling whilst discouraging fly tipping and littering
• Reduce dog fouling through education, engagement and design
• Enhance the look and feel of the estate through community managed micro-spaces, including planting and food growth

Local residents will also have the opportunity to gain other employment through the project, as they raise further funds, as well as training through Greenwich Local Labour and Business (GLLaB) the Council’s employment and skills service.

This news comes as the borough nears the end of its annual Co-op Fortnight, a celebration of local co-operatives and the role they play in creating a fairer, more inclusive economy.

The celebration ran until 2 July, and showcased the co-operative movement in Royal Greenwich, promoting organisations that are owned, run and meet the needs of their members – whether that’s customers, employees or the wider community.