Communities in the UK have always been about people coming together to support one another to get the things they need whether food or housing, access to services, access to education or learning. There are real opportunities for local enterprises to take over assets, deliver services or develop new housing or facilities.
Some of the areas where we currently working include:
Governance
We have worked with a number of organisations nationally advising on and creating appropriate governance structures and/or ensuring that their organisations are or remain, fit for their specific purpose. We have recently set up a charitable organisation that is to take on the management of all of the properties of a registered provider within its area of benefit, ensuring that the community remains at the heart of the services provided to those who live there. We provide bespoke training for board members and company secretaries and have significant experience in navigating governance disputes including sensitive issues involving board member conduct.
Community assets
Whether it’s the process of community asset transfer or expressing an interest in the Assets of Community Value rules in the Localism Act, we can help. We’ve worked on transfers of community centres, health facilities, leisure facilities, libraries and school buildings, as well as advising on multiple transfers and working with Locality on model guidance and documents.
Tenant management
We work in close collaboration with the National Federation of Tenant Management Organisations (NFTMO), and we’ve supported them at their conference for the last five years. We support a number of individual TMOs nationally, including on governance and board training, employment matters, issues with tenants and residents, and dealing with matters arising with the local authority.
Housing and locally-led development
We are currently supporting a tenant management organisation, working in partnership with a developer and the local authority in acquiring sites for new affordable housing in their patch, using funding through the community right to build, which is about to start on site. We have helped set up a number of community land trusts (CLTs) in cities and rural areas, including supporting the long-term success of organisations like Witton Lodge Community Association in Birmingham. We have also worked with the National CLT Network for a number of years, providing tailored services to their membership for the various life stages of a CLT.
Social investment
With finance increasingly hard to come by, local organisations are looking for alternative ways of raising funds. We’ve advised on community share issues, community bonds, and other funding mechanisms.
Delivering public services
All sorts of social enterprises, including community organisations, are getting involved in delivering services. The obstacles can be significant, but if the will is there, we can help you find the way through issues like procurement rules, state aid, or TUPE.
Renewable energy
We have advised a number of co-operative and community-based schemes, from micro-generation to the implications of the Green Deal.
For further information
Please take a look at the social business part of our website for further information. You can download a copy of this information by clicking on the red download icon on the right-hand side of this page.
