Should Murieston Community Council form a Community Development Trust

Murieston Community Council has been exploring the possibility of setting up a Community Development Trust for our area and seeks the views of the residents within the Community Council area.

Community Development Trusts (CDTs) are set up, organised and run by members of the community as independent not-for-profit organisations.  Normally they are run by a board of volunteers elected by the members who in turn are drawn from the community. For an area such as Murieston they can take ownership of land or property and attract funding for local projects, all on behalf of the community.  Usually, they try to work in partnership with local and national government but are not controlled by them and although we feel they should be linked to the Community Council, they are not managed by them.

In West Lothian, Fauldhouse, Kirknewton, Whitburn and West Calder & Harburn all have formed their own CDTs and there are around 206 such trusts across Scotland.  Therefore, there is a great deal of experience and support for new Community Trusts especially from the Development Trust Association Scotland

The main thrust of a Community Development Trust for Murieston is to secure funding for community projects from Wind Farm community benefit schemes.  Wind farms which are within 5 kilometres of Murieston are Harburnhead and Camilty both to the south west.  Harburnhead is already underway and Developers have negotiated with West Calder & Harburn Development Trust and West Lothian Development Trust which is administered through West Lothian Council.  As Murieston does not have a Community Development Trust in place we will only be able to secure funding for projects via West Lothian Development Trust.

West Lothian Development Trust is the main negotiator with Wind Farms in West Lothian and as such always secures a proportion of community benefit.  Anywhere from 25% to 50% depending on the number of bodies the developer has agreed to negotiate with.  All funds secured by West Lothian Development Trust are distributed to communities within a specific distance from the Wind Farm, providing benefit zones of 70% of fund within 5Km and 30% within 10km.

Camilty presents a different situation where the developer Partnership for Renewables (PfR) who are a public service partner with the Forestry Commission have indicated to Murieston Community Council that they are prepared to negotiate community benefit.  If the Community Council were successful we would expect to share in an annual community benefit package of approximately £105,000, where our proportion of the community benefit would be administered by Murieston Community Development Trust for local projects within Murieston.

Wind Farm community benefit offers an opportunity to provide a source of funding for local projects and as such the Community Council would like to know your opinion on whether they should move forward and form a Community Development Trust.

Why set up a Development Trust?

A Development Trust would provide a vehicle to allow funding to be sought for projects within Murieston area. As austerity continues to grip government funding, access to alternative funds is essential to improve the lifestyle work balance of the residents of Murieston.

What are the advantages of a Community Development Trust?

Grant aid for community projects are easier to access if there is a properly structured development trust. They are owned and managed by the community, and aim to achieve the sustainable regeneration of the community or address a range of economic, social, environmental issues within the community. They are independent but seek to work in partnership with other private, public and third sector bodies.

How will a Development Trust be set up?

Murieston Community Council will seek initial funding to prepare an outline plan, consult with prospective trustees, draft a constitution and establish a board of trustees. After these actions have been completed, the Trust will seek charity status and form a charitable community company.

Who will run the Community Development Trust?

A board of trustees will be formed from any members of the community who are willing to serve in this role. Normally a Steering group is pulled together to manage the start-up process. Trustees will only be accepted from residents within Murieston Community Council Area and who are registered on the voters roll within this area.

What is the role of Murieston Community Council in a Community Development Trust?

Once it has been shown that there is a desire by the community to have a Community Development Trust the Community Council will facilitate the formation of the Trust? When the Trust is established, it will be expected that an elected member of the Trust will attends the monthly Community Council meeting and provide feedback.

Will Murieston Community Council have any control over a Development Trust?

No! Once it has been decided to form a development trust, a constitution drawn up and an initial development plan formulated, the Community Council will step back and allow the trustees of the development trust to run the organisation.

What types of projects could be considered by a development trust?

The Trustees of the Development Trust will define in their constitution what types of projects would be acceptable? For example, perhaps Tennis facilities, a Community Garden, Broadband for areas that appear to be neglected by commercial providers. In general, any type of project that enhances the community will normally fall within the constitution and remit of the Trust. Funding to individuals will not be allowed within the constitution.

How will the Community Development Trust disburse funds?

The board of trustees will decide based on the consultation, which community projects will be allocated funding.

Should the Trust seek Charitable Status?

Yes! It is essential that the Trust becomes a charitable organisation in order to participate in the management and distribution of community funds.

Should the Trust be registered as a Public Liability Company?

Yes! This is the best way to manage the Trust and provide the best protection for those involved.

If I am a trustee of the Development Trust will I be liable for any debt they create?

Yes, but if the Development Trust forms a community company i.e. a charitable company limited by guarantee this liability would be restricted to one pound (£1.00) per trustee and only to those persons who were trustees when the debt was created.