It is a co-operative, because all the members have an equal say in how it is run, at regular general meetings. It is also described as 'fully mutual' - meaning that all the members are tenants, and all the tenants are members. In other words, Cornerstone allows tenants to manage their own property collectively.
As well as owning and managing property, Housing Co-ops can provide other services for the needs of their tenants. In our case, this includes resources for voluntary and campaigning work and materials for the gardens.
The Housing Co-operative was registered in 1989, by a group of private tenants living in Leeds to manage their property. Over the years, the membership changed; the present group started coming together around 1992, and adopted the name Cornerstone to describe the new project. In November 1993, we bought our first house - a seven bedroomed Victorian house in Chapeltown, Leeds.
Tools for Self Reliance were already using one room as a workshop, and we were keen to keep up this link with a very wortwhile charity. We moved them into a new room, and redecorated the old workshop, laying a carpet and bringing in furniture - all obtained for next to no cost.
By March, Cornerstone Resource Centre existed with files, a shared phone, a duplicator and two computers. As the year progressed, we added to this: a new phone line, a photocopier, an electrostencil, a fax/modem with access to Green Net, more files. As we did so, an increasing range of groups became involved.
In the large front room of the celler, we had a greater challenge: damp, effloressence and very little money left. We opted for 'tanking' - using cement based compounds to coat the walls. By the end of the year, it became clear it had worked - the damp had stopped. Now, we also had space available as a meeting room.
Over the course of the year, we had to radically overhaul our systems of accounting. Things that worked for a co-op with a turnover of a few pounds in a year were no longer adequate for an organisation with an annual income of £13,000. The first issue of loanstock was brought to a close, and a new issue made with new conditions drafted on good legal advice from Radical Routes.
Our committment to Radical Routes was mainly served by working on the layout of a booklet entitled "How to Set up a Workers' Cooperative". We also attended three of the four Radical Routes gatherings, and asked for a loan for a second house - a property needing extensive renovation nearby. Unfortunately, the house was sold to another group.
At the end of the year we had achieved a surplus of over £2000, and our assets exceeded our liabilities. We were well placed to take on new challenges and expand our scope.
We also decided to organise a major training event for Radical Routes - a 'Taking Control weekend'. We ran workshops not only on housing and workers' cooperatives, but also on self build, permaculture, credit unions, Radical Routes, LETs and other forms of community development. Our meeting room also started to see regular use by a local group, Black Direct Action, and the Green Party's Local Party Support Committee.
Our main project at this time was buying a second house. This was a challenge in several ways: the house needed conversion from separate flats back into a house and renovation - in particular, woodworm had significantly weakened the joists on the top floor.
A group of squatters moved in next door at No.38. This was a great relief to the smokers at No40 (a no smoking house) as they could just pop next door for a fag and watch TV.
The fifth birthday party theme was childrens TV and fiction characters. This year the party was at number 40 where different rooms had different themes including 'The magic roundabout' and 'Road Runner'. Our guests included Burgler Bill, a smurf, the sea at Portland Bill and Dorathy and Toto. Things were kept going this year by the making of Guarana, St Johns Wort and Ginseng truffles.
In an epic fund raising mission the office users decided to have a party to get money for a scanner (for the kids). We decorated the Resource Centre, drew a thermometer on the wipe board, made cakes and bought loads of alcohol. We then sold the alcohol and cakes back to ourselves for twice the price. After only 4 hours of hard fund raising we raised £50 and degenerated into a game of truth or dare
A rodent sanctuary opened up in the basement of Number 16 right at the end of the year. We take in rodents that are about to be put down by the animal welfare organisations and try and re-home them. Rodents can also be left with the sanctuary while people go on holiday.
More to follow once we can get some one who was around then to supply it.
