Community Land Trust Meetings,Groups, Events

Sat May 14 07:50:02 BST 2011



The Somerset, Devon and Dorset Community Land Trust Project e-bulletin May & June 2011 Welcome to the Somerset, Devon and Dorset’s first bi-monthly e-bulletin!  This newsletter is designed to give you an update on our activities and let you know about forthcoming initiatives and events that you might be interested in. If you do not wish to receive these emails and remain on the mailing list for this e–bulletin, please accept our apologies and email to let us know (alison.ward at wessexca.co.uk). Upcoming Events________________________________________ Introduction to Community Land TrustsThe Somerset, Devon and Dorset Community Land Trust Project will be continuing to run the free ‘Introduction to Community Land Trusts’ seminar in Somerset and Dorset. .   The seminars are aimed at parish councillors, community members, and all those interested in communities getting involved in developing affordable housing, and also other community assets such as allotments, shops, pubs, etc. to contribute to the long term sustainability of their community.   The seminars are informal, with lots of time for discussion, and, although providing basic information, they would be of interest to those with different levels of experience and knowledge in Community Land Trusts.  So, if you are curious and would like to find out more please do contact me to book onto one of the forthcoming events or register your interest with me for future seminars that may be held in your area.•             Thursday 19 May 2011, 10.30am – 12.30pm: Introduction to Community Land Trusts Seminar – The Exchange, Old Market Hill, Sturminster Newton, Dorset DT10 1QU•             Tuesday 14 June 2011, 10.30am – 12.30pm: Introduction to Community Land Trusts Seminar – Blackawton Village Hall, Vicarage Road, Blackawton, near Totnes, TQ9 7AY•             Wednesday 15 June 2011, 10.30am – 12.30pm: Introduction to Community Land Trusts Seminar – Ashreigney Village Hall, Ashreigney, Chulmleigh, Devon EX18 7LS CLT Project Update________________________________________Coverage. From the CLT Project’s beginnings working only in Somerset and Dorset with funding from Carnegie UK Trust, the Project extended its coverage into Devon in November 2010 with investment by Devon County Council. This means that the Project now covers 21 local authority areas, including two national parks. There are growing signs of confidence from local authorities in our discussions with them regarding CLTs.Caseload. We’ve been talking to a lot of community groups and local authorities.  We are now working with 18 communities (inc self-builders) of which 6 have either constituted themselves as a CLT or they are planning to do so.  This at the moment could mean a total of up to 50 homes, although we have also received enquiries regarding CLT schemes of between 50 and 100 affordable homes.  Lots of the groups we are talking to are also thinking of taking on assets other than housing too, such as a village pub or allotments.Procurement Models. The Project is developing CLT and Housing Association partnerships which harness the benefits of each. In response to encouragement from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) for such partnerships to be formed as part of the affordable rent regime, the first bid has been made by Hastoe HA and Symene CLT in West Dorset. This is on land that would not otherwise have been made available for affordable housing. HCA Retained Funding for Community-led schemes. In its clarification of the Affordable Rent funding prospectus, the HCA confirmed the terms for accessing this ring-fenced budget: “We recognise that there will be small community led organisations such as community land trusts or small rural groups and others, who may not be in a position to bring forward proposals at the outset of the programme. Funding retained will be available to all such groups where proposals meet our criteria including value for money. As outlined elsewhere, such groups may chose and are encouraged to work in consortia with other organisations, to benefit from their expertise and reduce administration costs”.HCA. March 2011Legal Models. We are simplifying the options for choosing the best legal format for CLTs.  This means we are working with others to develop model documents and templates to hopefully save the groups we are working with from unnecessary work.  We’ve also been talking to legal professional about how we can standardise services to save community groups time and money, and ensure that legal advisors that we recommend understand what is special about CLTsAwareness Raising. We’ve also been busy talking to our colleagues around the Country and sharing good practice when we can.  Presentations have been made at CLT Conferences (jointly with Cornwall CLT) and advice provided to other CLT support projects.   In the Press________________________________________ Please follow the link for an article featuring an interview with Steve Watson of the Somerset, Devon and Dorset Community Land Trust Project.http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/analysis/in-depth/between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place/6514345.article  National CLT Network________________________________________ The Somerset, Devon and Dorset Community Land Trust Project is an associate member of the National CLT Network.  CLTs and their partners may be interested in joining this growing network and accessing the benefits on offer.  The National CLT Network now offers a range of membership options and benefits: Member cost·         Full membership with zero to 50 units: £550*·         Emerging CLT membership: £50* first 6 months free (normally £100)·         Associate membership: £200* (£30* for unwaged individual)* Cost per annum on a pro-rata basis. VAT not applicable.For details of benefits follow: http://www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk/ncltn/Join_the_NetworkTo join download the appropriate membership form and complete and return it to membership at housing.org.uk.Download the membership forms:Full membership
Emerging CLT membership
Associate membershipContact membership at housing.org.uk or 020 7067 1035 for more information. About Us________________________________________ Community Land Trusts are community led organisations which are set up by local people, for local people to develop and take ownership of assets (affordable housing, pubs, allotments, shops, etc.) to solve local problems (such as housing need amongst local people, or bring decaying buildings back into life again), and to help communities to become more sustainable in the long term.  Community Land Trusts own assets, hold those assets so that they are available and affordable for future generations, and are accountable to the local community.  The Somerset Dorset and Devon Community Land Trust works with community groups to help them to establish CLTs, working with the right partners for them, finding the finance they need, and setting the right plans for the future of their community.  Please do get in contact with Steve or Alison if you would like to arrange a meeting or have an initial discussion about how we could support your community to develop a CLT. A short video is available on the work of CLT Umbrella Bodies, featuring an interview with Steve and information on the Somerset, Devon and Dorset Community Land Trust Project, find it here: http://vimeo.com/23309576 Follow us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/#!/WessexCLT Contact: Alison Ward: alison.ward at wessexca.co.uk Steve Watson: steve.watson.cltproject at gmail.com _____________________________________ Please let me know what you think of this e-bulletin, and suggestions for future content are welcomed  Funded by                   This email has been sent by Wessex Community Assets Ltd. www.wessexca.co.uk  Wessex Community Assets Limited: an industrial and provident society registered number 30175Rand is associated with: -Wessex Reinvestment Trust; a company limited by guarantee, registered in England, company number 4580767 and registered charity number 1105000;Registered Address for both entities is Great Bow Wharf, Bow Street, Langport, Somerset TA10 9PN.andWRT Core Company Limited; a company limited by guarantee, registered in England, company number 4512225;Registered Address Heatherton Park Studios, Bradford-on-Tone, Taunton, Somerset TA4 1EU.  		 	   		  
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