ABOUT WESTBOURNE COMMUNITY TRUST

The Trust

Westbourne Community Trust is a  Community Land Trust operating on a not for profit basis run by volunteers that was formed by a group of local residents in November 2018. The main purpose of the Trust is to provide social rented affordable housing for those who have local connections by living or working in the Parish, but cannot afford to rent or purchase a house on the open market.  The Trust also delivers and supports other community projects that will make the Parish a better place to live.

The Trust is a member of the National Community Land Trust Network, which is the national body to promote and support community land trusts in every community that wants to establish one.

The Trust was incorporated as a legal entity in November 2018 by registering as a Community Benefit Society with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA is the regulatory body for the Trust and its annual accounts must be submitted to the FCA for scrutiny.  The Trust is also registered as an exempt charity with His Majesty’s Revenues and Customs

In order to provide social rented homes, it is necessary to become a Registered Provider of social housing.  To qualify as a registered provider an organisation must demonstrate to the Regulator of Social Housing that it has established the necessary standards of governance, financial stability and that it has appropriate policies and standards of service for its tenants.  The Trust has achieved these standards and is approved as a Registered Provider.  It must also demonstrate regulatory compliance on an ongoing basis by submissions to the Regulator as may be required.  Part of this regulatory compliance is that the Trust be registered with the Housing Ombudsman Service so that any complaints about the housing services it provides which cannot be resolved locally by Trust in the first instance, can be referred to an independent body for resolution.

Members

The Trust currently has a membership of 145 persons drawn from the local community. This is over 6% of the adult population of Westbourne.  Anyone who is interested and supports the work of the Trust can become a member.  Members are required to purchase a non-redeemable share in the trust with a minimum value of £1.00 for which the Trust issues a share certificate. 

The Trust convenes an Annual General Meeting normally in the Autumn each year to which all members are invited together with tenants and the wider public.