CDS Co-operatives' mission is:

To be the UK's leading co-operative housing service agency promoting, developing and providing quality assured services to housing co-operatives and other forms of resident community controlled housing.

We are a member of Co-operatives UK the national umbrella organisation for the wider co-operative movement. We are also a member of the Confederation of Co-operative Housing, the national representative organisation for housing co-operatives.

CDS Co-operatives identity, principles and core values are those which accepted by co-operatives that are affiliated to the International Co-operative Alliance. The International Co-operative Alliance is recognised by the United Nations as the representative organisation for the world-wide co-operative movement.

The Co-operative Principles

Our core co-operative values and principles are those defined by resolution of the Centennial Congress of the International Co-operative Alliance on 23 September 1995.

definition

A co-operative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically controlled enterprise.

values

Co-operatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.

principles

The co-operative principles are guidelines by which co-operatives put their values into practice.

1. Voluntary and Open Membership: Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.
2. Democratic Member Control: Co-operatives are democratic organisations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Women and men serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary co-operatives members have equal voting rights [one member, one vote] and co-operatives at other levels are also organised in a democratic manner.
3. Member Economic Participation: Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-operative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the co-operative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any of the following purposes: developing their co-operative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-operative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
4. Autonomy and Independence: Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organisations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensures democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy.
5. Education, Training and Information: Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public - particularly young people and opinion leaders - about the nature and benefits of co-operation.
6. Co-operation among Co-operatives: Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
7. Concern for Community: Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.