Cecops Information

CECOPS is a Community Interest Company, which is a type of social enterprise. Community Interest Companies (CICS) are halfway between a company and a charity. They carry out activities which fulfil a community purpose. A CIC has a "lock" on its assets, which prevents assets (including cash) from being distributed to its members or shareholders. Surpluses are instead reinvested in its business activities or otherwise used for the CIC's stated community purpose. CECOPS has been formed with a community benefit in mind, not for private advantage. For this reason, a CIC is the ideal business model for this initiative. It is also felt that operating CECOPS as a CIC, rather than a commercial company with a focus on shareholder return, is much more credible to public sector commissioners and providers, which will increase the level of take up for the Code of Practice. This will in turn help us deliver our aims, by increasing the number of users who benefit from the better quality service which will undoubtedly be delivered by applying our Codes of Practice.