BOLLINGTON INITIATIVE TRUST

Taking control of our assets

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This paper has been prepared for the Bollington Town Council, Macclesfield Borough Council and other organisations with whom the newly formed Bollington Initiative Trust (BIT) wishes to work. It is designed to explain the origins of the Trust and its objectives and to seek support for the Trust from the Councils and other partners.

Origins

Bollington is a small and attractive former cotton mill town of some 7,200 people which has undergone significant regeneration and re-development in the past 20 years, but retains a stone built character at its core and has three conservation areas. It is located adjacent to the Peak District National Park some 3 miles from Macclesfield. Bollington is renowned for its community activity.

Land and property values are very high and safeguarding and securing property and open space for community uses and benefits is becoming increasingly difficult. There are a number of buildings and areas of land in Bollington which could be developed, enhanced or protected for a range of community benefits. Using a locally based trust mechanism and working with the statutory authorities will help to achieve real benefits for the community. The recently produced Bollington Parish Plan also indicates a key role for the new Trust.

Mission Statement

The Trust is a local company with charitable status, established to assist in the social, economic and environmental development of Bollington and its surrounding area. It has some of the characteristics of a Local Development Trust and a Community Interest Company, a concept being promoted by the government to complement local charitable trusts and to encourage social enterprises.

Objectives

The Bollington Initiative Trust has been launched with the following objectives:

To promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the town and its surrounding countryside
To assist in the development of facilities and services that benefit the population of the town, the quality of life of the inhabitants and its economic development
To advance the education of the public in heritage and environmental matters, for both local residents and visitors to Bollington

Activities

In achieving its stated objectives the trust will:

Work closely with Bollington Town Council, the local authorities and relevant voluntary organisations
Own or manage important land and buildings for the benefit of the local community
Renovate and regenerate appropriate land and buildings in the Bollington area
Lease appropriate land and buildings to other organisations where this furthers the objectives of the trust and of those organisations
Make funding applications and receive income from all sources relevant to the work of the trust
Encourage partnerships between public, private and voluntary organisations, to advance projects in the town
Publicise the work of the trust, produce education and interpretation materials and encourage public access to land and buildings where appropriate

BIT will work closely with the Bollington Arts Centre, the Bollington Civic Society, the Bollington Bridgend Centre, the Bollington Youth Club, the Bollington Leisure Centre, the Parish Plan Implementation Committee and other voluntary organisations and groups in the town, assisting them where appropriate and helping them to achieve new developments if required.

Projects

The type of projects which the Trust will tackle include:

The restoration of derelict or redundant buildings, for uses that benefit the community
The protection and management of open spaces, woodlands and watercourses
The creation and management of recreation and leisure facilities for the local population
The provision of training and educational activities in the town
The promotion of the town, to assist with its economic development, including tourism development
The publishing of educational and promotional materials

The Management of the Trust

The Bollington Initiative Trust is managed by a group of trustees, all of whom live in the town or its immediate surroundings. They are:

Graham Barrow (Chairman) – a heritage and environmental consultant and chairman of the Bollington Civic Society

Will Spinks – a senior property manager, University of Loughborough

Edwin Clunn – a property developer with a special interest in the re-use of heritage buildings and mills

David Haddleton (Secretary) - a retired bank officer and training manager

Sylvia Roberts – one of the three Bollington elected members on Macclesfield Borough Council and the ward councillor for Cheshire County Council

John Kershaw – a furniture restorer and ex mayor of Bollington Town Council

Sandra Edwards – a member of Bollington Town Council and former Town Mayor

The trustees are also assisted by:

Jon Weston – an independent financial adviser

Geoff Claughton – a qualified accountant

Joe Wall – Finance Director of the Bollington Insurance Group

The Trust employs a part time Director - Michael King, an experienced development consultant.

Bollington Initiative Trust
November 2007

Contacts

Director: Michael King on 07787 15426 or email

Chairman: Graham Barrow on 01625−573807 or email