Forum
Update
Quote from Tony Loynes on December 7, 2024, 12:16 amOakamoor Community Benefit Society met recently and thought it would be useful to update the public on what is happening with regard to the bid for funding through the Community Ownership Fund (COF).
In early June this year, we received an invitation to bid for the funds and were informed that this would be the last opportunity to bid. This was a bit surprising, given that the scheme was supposed to run until April 2025 and called for some urgent action. We were not registered as an incorporated organisation and did not, therefore, qualify to make a successful application. Whilst on holiday in Noth Wales, I managed to resolve these issues and begin working on the necessary business plan etc..
Unfortunately, once the election was called, we received another email telling us that there would be no further communication regarding the scheme until after the election and all links for submission of bids were disabled. Since receiving this email, we have continued working on the necessary documentation and are pleased to say that we now have everything ready to submit. However, The opportunity to submit as not reopened and given the time that has elapsed since the election, we were starting to think that the scheme had been scrapped completely.
More recently, however, the following statement has appeared on the main COF website:
"Communities will rightly be seeking clarity regarding Round 4 and the future of the Community Ownership Fund.
This government was elected on a manifesto that stressed its commitment to the communities’ sector and community ownership through empowering communities to own and run those local assets which mean the most to them.
We recognise uncertainty is challenging for groups seeking to save vital community assets; the government is carefully considering all available options and will confirm plans in due course.
We encourage community groups to explore support which remains available through the Community Ownership Fund’s development support provider via the ‘My Community’ website. We have worked closely with them to produce guidance and tools that would help any organisation to save an asset important to them".
Perhaps, and we really do hope, the opportunity has not passed!
If we do get the opportunity to bid, we will very quickly be announcing the community share offer. We know it is a big ask but, we do still need to raise £150,000 for this to work. The minimum investment would be just £250 and we want as many people involved as we can get.
The Cricketer’s Arms is the only remaining business in the village and the village will miss out on a valuable opportunity to create a multifunctional village hub if this initiative fails!
Oakamoor Community Benefit Society met recently and thought it would be useful to update the public on what is happening with regard to the bid for funding through the Community Ownership Fund (COF).
In early June this year, we received an invitation to bid for the funds and were informed that this would be the last opportunity to bid. This was a bit surprising, given that the scheme was supposed to run until April 2025 and called for some urgent action. We were not registered as an incorporated organisation and did not, therefore, qualify to make a successful application. Whilst on holiday in Noth Wales, I managed to resolve these issues and begin working on the necessary business plan etc..
Unfortunately, once the election was called, we received another email telling us that there would be no further communication regarding the scheme until after the election and all links for submission of bids were disabled. Since receiving this email, we have continued working on the necessary documentation and are pleased to say that we now have everything ready to submit. However, The opportunity to submit as not reopened and given the time that has elapsed since the election, we were starting to think that the scheme had been scrapped completely.
More recently, however, the following statement has appeared on the main COF website:
"Communities will rightly be seeking clarity regarding Round 4 and the future of the Community Ownership Fund.
This government was elected on a manifesto that stressed its commitment to the communities’ sector and community ownership through empowering communities to own and run those local assets which mean the most to them.
We recognise uncertainty is challenging for groups seeking to save vital community assets; the government is carefully considering all available options and will confirm plans in due course.
We encourage community groups to explore support which remains available through the Community Ownership Fund’s development support provider via the ‘My Community’ website. We have worked closely with them to produce guidance and tools that would help any organisation to save an asset important to them".
Perhaps, and we really do hope, the opportunity has not passed!
If we do get the opportunity to bid, we will very quickly be announcing the community share offer. We know it is a big ask but, we do still need to raise £150,000 for this to work. The minimum investment would be just £250 and we want as many people involved as we can get.
The Cricketer’s Arms is the only remaining business in the village and the village will miss out on a valuable opportunity to create a multifunctional village hub if this initiative fails!