FONTMELL MAGNA COMMUNITY LAND TRUST
Minutes of a Public Meeting in the Village Hall on the 20 May 2019
| Present: | Dick Stainer, Chairman Robin East, Roger Thomas, Robert McCurrach | |
| Simon Parker – (Community-led Housing Enabler, DCC | ||
| Stephen Watson – Affordable Housing Adviser – WCA | ||
| And 60 members of the public |
1. Introduction
Dick Stainer introduced the two visitors, who had come to help answer any queries on CLT’s in general and affordable housing in particular.
Dick then explained the Steering Group had set about creating the CLT in response to concerns among Fontmell residents over the future of the Village Shop. Pen Hadow had already held a meeting to explain the circumstances of the shop, which had been on the market for a while.
Dick talked through the background to CLT’s in general and explained how the CLT/CBS legal structure would be suitable for Fontmell Magna as a vehicle which could provide affordable housing, get involved with the shop or the pub, or engage in other activities for the benefit of the community.
He stressed that it is a not-for-profit undertaking: it exits solely for the benefit of the community, and any assets it holds can only be sold for the benefit of the community.
The Steering Group had completed the registration of the Fontmell Magna Community Land Trust Limited, as a Community Benefit Society. They had applied for a bank account with Triodos Bank, for which the formalities should be completed shortly.
He urged residents to become members of the CBS.
1. Discussion and Questions
Simon Parker talked about his experience at Sixpenny Handley, where a CLT is building affordable housing, and is also looking at the acquisition of the pub.
Stephen Watson talked about some the WCA housing projects, and about ways that WCA could assist the development of the FMCBS. He emphasised the need for the community to get involved.
There were questions about how a CBS would be funded. For housing, grants are available and a housing association would undertake a lot of the work. For acquisition of a shop or pub, there would be a greater need for funding to be provided by a share issue, but some grants are also available.
Membership of the Society is open to all, not just residents, and it was stressed that each member has one vote, regardless of the size of their shareholding,
At the end of the meeting, application forms and copies of the Rules were handed out. It was stressed that this was just the beginning of the process. There would be a lot of work to do, and all were urged to join the Society, and to get involved.
RJMcC
21/5/2019
RJMcC
14/5/19