Analysis: What does membership of CCLT entail?

Since CCLT was launched, residents of Chilbolton have had the opportunity to sign up as members. But what rights and responsibilities do the official rules confer?

As explained before, Chilbolton Community Land Trust has been registered with the Financial Conduct Authority. As part of the registration, CCLT has submitted its rules as an “Exempt Charity”.

These rules are derived from a standard template drawn up by the National CLT Network, of which CCLT is a member, and are part of the incorporation service they offer. CCLT seems to have followed the template without making any substantive alterations to it

The obligations of members are clearly explained:

All members agree to be bound by the obligations on them as set out in these rules. When acting as members they shall act, at all times in the interests of the CLT and for the benefit of the community, as guardians of the objects of the CLT.

The “interests of the CLT” in this case are “providing and managing housing” but also helping people not only to be housed, but also more generally relieving “financial hardship”, and helping the unemployed with training and work experience.

Full interests of CCLT

• The relief of financial hardship (other than the provision of housing) in such ways as may be thought fit;
• The advancement of education, training or retraining, particularly amongst unemployed people, and providing unemployed people with work experience;
• The provision of workspace buildings and/or land on favourable terms, financial assistance, technical assistance, or business advice or consultancy in order to provide training and employment opportunities for unemployed people in cases of financial or other charitable need through help in setting up their own business or to existing businesses.

Each member receives a “Membership Share”, which carries no right to a dividend or bonus. In other CLTs this share has a nominal value of £1, which is paid by the member. If you cease to be a member, the Membership Share is cancelled and you don’t get your £1 back.

The Board of the CLT considers applications for membership and only admits members in accordance with its policies. Technically in applying to be a member, you might have to explain why you want to be one, although so far the input form on CCLT’s website hasn’t required this beyond a tick box saying “I agree to support [CCLT’s] charitable objectives”.

Members can cease to be a member for a variety of technical matters, but also if “they do not participate in, nor deliver written apologies in advance for, two consecutive annual General Meetings of the CLT”. A member can also be expelled, but only if the Board calls a special General Meeting and three quarters of voters agree.

Each member has a single vote at General Meetings, but you can appoint someone else to vote on your behalf. A quorum for a meeting is one-tenth of all members, with a minimum number of five and a maximum number of 25. When there are votes, the chair of the meeting can ask for a show of hands, although a ballot can be taken if that is inconclusive.

Board Members serve for three years at a time, with re-election being permitted twice before the have to step aside for three years. There should be between five and twelve Board Members, but that can include co-opted Members. They have to meet at least three times a year. Board Members can be removed by a special resolution at a General Meeting.

You can register your interest in being a Member, Board Member or Trustee by using the form at the CCLT website.