Crail 2020 CIC – a Briefing Note
Presented to the Crail Community Council -
Background to Crail 2020
The Crail 2020 Community Interest Company has been formally incorporated since October 2009. The period has seen the appointment of the initial Directors and engagement with Scottish Enterprise, who facilitated two strategic planning workshops with attendance from a broad mix of people and organisations in Crail. The last few months have also seen an ongoing dialogue with representatives of the Community Council, the Community Trust and our local Fife Councillor, Donald MacGregor, as to the way forward and how Crail’s local groups can best maximise our collective energy, ideas, skills, resources and input.
The group has also started looking at potential project ideas and how they can be linked into some of the existing projects already initiated through the Community Council and others. Together with exciting new projects currently being considered by the Community Council and Community Trust, like the proposals for exploring the feasibility of renewable energy, these are all ideas that will have an ongoing impact on Crail, its residents and visitors.
Where 2020 came from and why it is now incorporated as a Community Interest Company
Crail 2020 was established in 2007 as an ideas and facilitation group of interested parties in Crail. It was initiated as an informal structure, involving a variety of groups and interested people within the village. One of its first inclusive projects was the running of the Crail Household Survey in 2008, which involved a broad cross section of community members.
Since then, the group has been involved in a variety of project ideas and issues relevant to Crail, proposals for development of some of the community building assets and the looking at potential for obtaining grant aid funds. It was felt that 2020 needed a formal structure to be more effective and active. The idea of a Community Interest Company was first presented at a public 2020 meeting in February 2009. Open debate on the issue continued until a decision was made in September 2009 to formally incorporate Crail 2020 into a CIC.
The CIC sits as an independent and representative body within the village community, to produce ideas, source funding and make available resources in support of existing and new initiatives for the benefit of Crail and the community as a whole. Its role is to provide a resource for the Crail community as a whole, through support and supplementing the work and objectives of the Community Council and the recently formed Community Trust (March 2009), other Crail organisations and through developing ideas and initiatives and raising funds
It is worth emphasising at this stage that the Crail 2020 Articles of Association (below) clearly state that the CIC is solely for community benefit and cannot be used for any means of personal or political gain, but only for support to the Community as a whole. Serving Board members do so voluntarily, for a fixed term and cannot receive remuneration of any kind. In this respect the principles underpinning the CIC are structured in much the same way as the Community Council and Community Trust.
An overview of our Purpose
Our purpose & statement of activities are as detailed in the Articles of Association (below) and it is against this background that 2020 used Scottish Enterprise support for the two facilitated workshops in late October and mid December 2009. The agenda and direction for these was developed through a series of meetings and discussions with interested individuals and representatives from local groups, including members of the Community Council and Community Trust. The invited participants were drawn from all major community groups in Crail, local businesses and interested individuals. A wide representation from the community as a whole was encouraged to attend the sessions.
The workshops have helped 2020 produce a set of broad strategic objectives for Crail, from which to develop proposals for support, raising finance and ongoing development in a number of areas. These are now being considered and developed into a “concept note” for discussion with the wider Crail community and include a number of ideas and projects, raised and initiated by other groups, including the Community Council, the Community Trust and the Crail Preservation Society. Many of these ideas and initiatives are intrinsically linked and through close coordination, the intention is to maximise the potential for funding and sustainability of these projects for the benefit of all sections of the Crail community.
There is a clear potential for substantial funding (through a variety of grant aid funds) in support of a “joined up” approach to existing and new initiatives within Crail.
How 2020 fits into the Crail “mix” -
As clearly stated within our Articles of Association and articulated and reinforced through all our wider discussions with other groups and individuals, the CIC’s role is to provide ideas, support, facilitate and look to maximise funding and income for the support of the Crail Community. The diagram below (developed and agreed with representatives from the Community Council and Community Trust), shows how relationships between the groups will work:
Who is on the Board and how will 2020 engage with the wider community and village groups?
The initial Crail 2020 CIC management Board is comprised of six Directors:
Chris Walker -
Ian Ramsay -
Ian Robertson -
Helen Armitage
David Jerdan
David Mann
The management Board has been drawn from active members of the 2020 group and brings together a range of professional and technical skills and experience to the Company. These positions are fixed term for a maximum of 3 years to ensure maintaining a vibrancy and continuing energy and new ideas.
A wider consultative Board of 20-
In addition, 2020 is working with and supported by a number of interested individuals within the community interested in developing ideas, offering their professional skills, experience, energy and enthusiasm. Crail 2020 is open to contribution and involvement from anyone with an interest in developing a positive and vibrant future for our community.
Crail 2020 proposals – A Vision for Community Buildings in Crail
The strategic workshops have provided an opportunity for focus on developing a range of actions and ideas. Over the last few months, several working groups have been looking at a broad range of existing initiatives and new projects and how these could be linked to provide a working, viable and structured approach, towards ongoing development of community assets/buildings and developing new proposals.
There are significant grant aid funds available to rural communities such as ours in Crail. These can be accessed in partnership with a number of national and local bodies and organisations. The key criteria are; demonstrating community need, development for the benefit of a variety of groups, solid and viable business plans and proposals, sustainability and long term, ongoing benefits to the community.
Scottish Enterprise in particular, have been very encouraging in helping us look forward towards developing a wider community initiative and will help us in identifying potential funding streams and in developing viable business proposals for projects. They have also been very proactive in introducing us to other funding groups and mechanisms. As part of this process, various potential sources of support and funding are being identified to add value to our existing community financial and physical assets.
Outline of proposed projects
The overriding principle in developing these projects will be to:
· Link benefits to the community as a whole,
· To maximise use of existing and potential resources (locally generated funding, grant aid, etc.),
· To best utilise local expertise and experience,
· Fully assess existing use and potential use of community buildings, and
· Provide viable and sustainable projects for all sectors of Crail’s resident, business and visitor communities.
Town Hall, Toll Booth, Museum & Heritage Centre
These are central and significant historical buildings in Crail and are at the “heart” of the town. They should be an active hub of the community and a visitor focus for Crail. We propose a review of existing use, facilities, condition of site etc. and potential options for these buildings, detailing how they can be best utilised, refurbished and subsequently managed to increase and maximise community use, visitor potential and benefit of these historic sites to the local business and wider community. This should include developing this site as a Community Heritage and Cultural centre, incorporating the Library as an enlarged central community resource and increasing the potential for a viable all year round visitor facility. The review should also look at the costed best options for access (including a “fit for purpose” lift), improved toilets and kitchen facilities etc. and best use of the current rooms and space for maximum benefit. Review of options for a linkage of the Museum site to the Town Hall, the opening up of potential space for an improved Visitor Centre providing a focal point for visitors and a referral point for local businesses and tourism providers etc.
Initial action: in consultation with all interested and affected organisations, users and groups, review usage, options, costs, constraints, risks etc. Develop a set of costed business and feasibility plans for wider discussion and fund raising purposes.
Community Hall, MUGA Courts & Beechwalk Park Site
This is a major community site and the Community Council’s proposed development of MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) “all weather” courts on Beechwalk Park, adjacent to the Community Hall, and the Community Trust’s proposal to take over the management of the Hall from Fife Council, provide an ideal opportunity to review the potential for a linked development, supporting both initiatives and enhancing use and long term viability of the Hall.
A review is proposed to look at how these two initiatives could impact positively on potential refurbishment of the rear small hall, changing facilities, toilets and kitchen and how these could be linked with the development of the proposed MUGA courts. This would have the potential benefit of both enhancing the Hall facility, but also providing changing and “pavilion” type facilities for the sports courts as well as general improvement to the surrounding public area including possible hard standing parking, a purpose built recycling area and the possible incorporation of much needed secure and purpose built storage for the hall itself.
Initial Action: in consultation with all interested and affected groups and users, review existing and potential usage, explore options for how the funds from the Common Good land sale could be maximised to generate potential extra grant funding in addition to providing the proposed MUGA courts. Develop a feasibility report and viable, costed business plan for the ongoing use, upkeep and management of the Hall and MUGA site, including options based on current initiatives ongoing with the Community Council and Community Trust.
Crail Harbour Area
This is a central, historic and iconic facility within Crail. It is a major draw for visitors and continues to be a vibrant working harbour and residential area. There have been some recent initiatives and commitment from the Community and Fife Councils to refurbish the crane at the entrance to the harbour, together with other projects. It is also understood that the Crail Preservation Society are reviewing potential areas for support within the harbour area.
We propose a review and consultation process to look at the wider and longer term needs of the Harbour area and facilities, balancing the needs of those using the harbour for work and pleasure, for both residents and visitors and looking at how the facility can be developed for maximum benefit and sustained benefit to all groups, including local businesses.
Initial Action: as a component of the proposals for redevelopment options for the other community building sites, carry out a review of strategic options for the ongoing development of the harbour area, with the purpose of increasing the tourist potential, while maintaining and improving facilities and infrastructure for both residents and businesses.
What next?
These outline proposals and ideas need now to be taken to the next step which involves carrying out feasibility studies, reviews, costings, analysing risks, detailing options, looking at funding, a consultation process, reviewing the management implications, detailing benefits etc.
We need to develop a structured action plan and identify potential sources of funding. We need to look seriously at how we can best maximise funding potential, both from within the community and externally. There are significant grants available if the ideas are professionally expanded into viable business proposals, which meet the needs of both our community and our targeted potential funders.
In Summary
The review and feasibility process would begin these actions in a structured and systematic way:
· by involving all the community and community groups within Crail,
· by looking at the whole picture, for the linked development of our major buildings and assets,
· through detailing all the component projects under an “umbrella” vision, and
· by looking at making the best use of existing and potential Crail community resources to attract more funding from potential partners and grant agencies, and
· to deliver the best possible options for development of Crail’s key facilities to the highest standard possible.
CRAIL 2020 COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY LIMITED
MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION & DECLARATION OF ACTIVITIES
(Extracted from the Company’s Incorporation Statement – October 2009)
Crail 2020 CIC -
1. The Company is to be a community interest company
2. The name of the Company is Crail 2020 CIC Limited
3. The Company’s registered office is situated in Scotland (Company No: SC 366964)
4.1 The Company’s object is to carry on activities which benefit the community and in particular:
(a) To provide a facilitation and support role to the Crail Community Council, the Crail Community Trust and other community focused groups in the village of Crail and surrounding villages.
(b) To support the Crail Community Council and Crail Community Trust (and other community organisations) in exploring and developing strategic activities for the benefit of the Crail and surrounding villages, utilising and facilitating local resources in planning and developing concepts and activities and helping with fundraising support.
(c) Of specific interest will be the development and management of community buildings, specifically for the provision of viable and accessible community resources and promotion of tourism activities within Crail and along the East Neuk of Fife costal villages, specifically with regard establishing and developing a local tourism partnership and tourism potential.
(d) The Crail 2020 CIC will promote the interests of the Crail community and development of community resources through fund raising support to the Crail Community Trust.
(e) The Company will be able to represent the interests of Crail and the Community Trust with regard the stated objectives and in all other matters as directed and in dealings with official, government, council, grant, funding and other public and private bodies.
(f) The Company shall also promote social, community and economic events for the benefit of the Crail community and related associations, the surrounding villages and within the communities of the East Neuk of Fife.
(g) To be involved in such things as are in the opinion of the Directors and Members incidental to or conducive to the attainment of any or all of the above items.
and in addition to the stated objectives of the Company, the Company shall have the following powers:
4.2 To provide, operate and manage whether by purchase, lease, gift or otherwise on such terms and conditions as the Company may deem appropriate suitable premises, buildings or parts thereof.
4.3 To liaise with, form connections with and enter into joint ventures with other organisations and/or associations based in Scotland or abroad which have similar Objects to the Company and with such organisations and/or associations as the Directors may from time to time determine would be beneficial to promote, directly or indirectly, the Objects of the Company or any of them.
Declarations of Activities
1. In particular, the Company’s activities will be carried on for the benefit of the residents and community of Crail in relation to support for various Crail community organisations and buildings, through the Crail Community Council and the Crail Community Trust.
2. Company Name: Crail 2020 CIC Limited
3. Company Activities
Activities How will the activity benefit the community?
General: To support the Crail Community Council, the Crail Community Trust , and Crail as a whole in providing resources, funding mechanisms, income generation etc. to promote the development and best use of Crail community facilities, tourism and local business.
Crail has a number of active volunteer Trusts and Associations, including the Crail Community Trust.
There is an opportunity for the proposed CIC to help support and coordinate the activities of the various existing community interest groups to the benefit of Crail as a whole and with specific relevance to a structure development plan, attracting and raising funding and income and providing support for tourism and development of community resources. This may include the acquisition and/or development of property.
For the benefit of Crail as a whole engage in promoting tourism and community development activities, linking with other local communities where appropriate.
By providing a mechanism for raising funds, generating income to support community initiatives and collating local resources for development, improvement and management of community buildings and initiatives.
If the Company makes any surplus it will be used for:
The profits of the Company will be applied towards any equipment and capital required for the running the Company in the first instance. Any further profits will be paid into the Crail Community Trust for the benefit of the Crail Community as a whole. The Company is not for the commercial benefit of any of its Directors or Members.
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