The journey, challenges and possibilities
Journey so far
- 4 group meetings in Cambridge to:
- Agree vision
- Facebook page, online member Forum,Website work started
- Creating Network / connections
- Skills matrix creating
- Read books, Attended conferences, connection with Co-housing, CLT, Transition Network, identifying Potential partners, researched planning, building, energy and food options,
- Bank Account / Unincorporated group
- Exploring suitable legal structure
Possible Work areas in CLFC
- Well-being, Therapy and Complementary Health care
- Training – Mind, Body, Personal growth, Sustainability
- Bookstore, second hand shop, recycling – the possibilities are endless
- Community Supported Agriculture
- Permaculture Training – food, energy, building.
- Home Schooling, Childcare, Waldorf School
- Care of elderly within community
Possible Legal structures
Legal structures that may be appropriate are
- A Community benefit society (CBS)
- A Charitable company
- A CIC (Community Interest company)
The above are being explored with CLT.
Membership & Governance
- Community is open to all
- CLFC would be managed by its members
- an elected Board responsible for operations
- any CLFC member can serve in the board
- decision making -democratic, consensus based
- major different views would get ‘Mediated’
Challenges
- Maintaining cohesion in team / Partners
- Initial Funding requirements
- Land- A large investment is land – Options are to get the Land Free or discounted.
- Building, Planning permission
- Start-up investment for building and self-sustaining activities.
Current steps
- Visit similar Eco-villages for ideas / connections – Hockerton Housing Project.
- Establish Legal structure
- Address short-term funding – CLT application.
- Work with consultants to formulate a business plan – Setting up an Advisory Board.
- Attend programs / conferences – Transition Homes Totnes.
- Speaking with the first Community right to build project in the UK- Atmos in Devon.
- Meeting next month with Peter Guthrie – Centre of Sustainable Design at Cambridge University, to discuss partnership and land availability – department of Land Economy.
- Proactively look at some potential sites