| Briefing Paper | Manchester progressive enterprise network |
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Questions How many? For whom? Were the workers previously unemployed or disadvantaged in some way? Where do the workers live? Are the jobs p/t or full time? What commercial services
are provided locally? How effective are they? What services are provided Are wages and conditions good? What is the level of job satisfaction? What training opportunities are provided? Do workers have better job opportunities? What mechanisms are there for participation? Are they effective? How many members or shareholders?
What information is provided for them? Are they interested and involved?
How are new people encouraged to become involved? How many directors
are there? How active are they? What training is provided for them and
for members? In what ways is the business accountable through Its members
to the community? Cost to Community Business What training is provided? What are the implications for productivity in employing (especially) the long term unemployed? How long does it take for people to get accustomed to a working routine again? Does the CB need to subsidise any of these services? How much management time is devoted to social service provision? What is the cost of training provision in terms of staff time and any fees paid? Does worker participation make for more efficiency? Is it a cost to the company? How much staff time is taken up in “non-commercial” aspects? How much cost to make CB democracy work?
What savings are there in welfare benefits no longer paid? How much tax and NI is paid by those workers? How much additional money is circulating in the local economy from the payment of wages? How much money is spent in the local community that would be spent elsewhere? What rent and rates does the local authority gain? What “spin off” community benefits are there? What local improvements can be identified? How do levels of wages, conditions, job satisfaction and job creation compare to other local employers? Do members/directors get involved in other aspects of community life? Do they learn skills which are useful in other projects? Do individuals gain in experience and confidence? Objective
What community benefit projects/activities are undertaken? What services are offered in terms of: premises, equipment, secretarial services, transport? What other benefits have taken place (buildings improved, act as info centre)? What have been the “hidden” benefits (less vandalism, higher morale, sense of purpose, health, environment)? Do other groups visit to find out about Community Business? Are there profits? If so, how are they used?
Is the Community Business active in local community affairs? What has it done, how effectively and with what results? Have any new economic or community development activities been promoted? Is the CB a channel for new investment into the area? Cost to Community Business What does it cost the CB to provide these direct community benefits in terms of staff time and money? How commercially disruptive is it? How much is spent non-commercially (Galas, Christmas party etc)? How much time and other resources are devoted to community development activities rather than to running the business?
How many short term jobs and training opportunities have been provided? How many have moved onto full time jobs? What physical improvements have occurred? Are the “hidden” benefits noticeable? What new projects have been created because of the Community Businesses’ investment? How much new money has come into the community through the activities of the CB? Is the Community Business recognised and contracted by the local authority and other public bodies? |
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briefing index - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5a, b, c - 6 - 7 - 8a, b - 9 - 10 - top a network of community enterprises, workers co-op & not-for-profits working in progressive ways to make our city greener, healthier and more equitable
Grey progress..... |
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