Councillor Richard Farnell elected national vice-chairman of Co-operative network

Councillor Richard Farnell, leader of Rochdale Borough Council

Councillor Richard Farnell has been elected as the national vice-chairman of the Co-operative Councils Innovation Network, which promotes co-operative values and supports investment in local community co-operatives across the country.

The council leader will play a key role in shaping the group’s future policy direction, helping to ensure Rochdale and other northern councils have a voice at the top table.

Councillor Farnell, who is also a member of the Co-operative Party, said: “Rochdale’s cooperative vision and timeless values helped shaped the town, so I am proud to be elected to serve on this pioneering group. Our proud past can help us shape a better tomorrow.

“As austerity bites, and we have to do more with less, it’s important to look at new ways of providing services based on cooperation, empowerment and enterprise which is why this network will have such an important role to play in the coming years.”