There are things the AONB Unit (as part of a local authority) is badly placed to achieve in terms of the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of the AONB.
The A/SAONB Landscape Trust is also constrained by the rules governing charitable status. The Company will be free to take on those areas of work neither existing organisation can tackle. Although it is a commercial body, the CIC is established as a social enterprise and any profits it generates are ploughed back into the company and the local community.
The Company's Objectives
- Support the conservation work of statutory and non-statutory partners working in the AONB.
- Promote, organise and deliver sustainable conservation grazing regimes on vulnerable sites.
- Promote, organise and deliver sustainable habitat management & conservation of all kinds.
- Develop and organise sustainable development and renewable energy initiatives with and in local communities.
- Provide opportunities for community participation in all conservation activities in the area.
- Co-operate with both social enterprises and local businesses to develop local economic activity, which benefits a wider community and nature conservation in and around the AONB.
- Set up, develop and support a shareholder membership group to support the Company.
- Encourage and promote social enterprise, co-operating with other complementary bodies and organisations working Locally, Regionally, Nationally and Internationally.
Bittern Countryside Community Interest Company
Registered in England - Company No: 6363720
Registered Office:- The Old Station Building, Arnside, LA5 0HG
BCCIC Partners
The Arnside and Silverdale AONB Landscape Trust is the designated Asset Locked Body of the CIC. Community Interest Companies are legal entities, established under UK legislation enacted in 2005. They have similar commercial freedoms and responsibilities as any other registered company in the UK, except that CICs are specifically established to deliver benefits to a particular community, fulfilling specific environmental or social objectives and most importantly, they are restricted in how they can dispose of their assets and funds.
A key requirement is that there must be an Asset Lock on the company, to receive any excess profits and assets that are generated in the course of trading, and in case of the company being wound up or sold. The proceeds of such activity cannot be distributed to the shareholders or directors (except in the form of modest and legally regulated dividends - designed to encourage investment in the company)
Instead a body with charitable status and complimentary aims is nominated in the Company's Memorandum and Articles of Association (the Company's Rule Book) as its Asset Locked body. The Company is free to sell at a discount or give assets only through the Asset Lock, unless the CIC Regulator gives them express permission to do otherwise. Importantly though there is no liability on the part of the Asset Locked Body for the Community Interest Company's activities or any losses it may make.
As well as having the Landscape Trust as its appointed Asset Locked Body, the CIC is established with the express intent of working closely with the A/SAONB Landscape Trust and the AONB Partnership. It also is bound through its Memorandum and Articles and its Business Plan to work with other social enterprises, local trusts and community groups to fulfil its principal objectives.
Bittern Countryside Community Interest Company
Registered in England - Company No: 6363720
Registered Office:- The Old Station Building, Arnside, LA5 0HG
CIC Links
The Social Enterprise Coalition is the UK's national body for social enterprise.
The Social Enterprise Coalition represents a wide range of social enterprises, regional and national support networks and other related organisations. We believe that social enterprise is the right way to do business.
Community Interest Companies (CICS) are limited companies, with special additional features, created for the use of people who want to conduct a business or other activity for community benefit, and not purely for private advantage. This is achieved by a "community interest test" and "asset lock", which ensure that the CIC is established for community purposes and the assets and profits are dedicated to these purposes. Registration of a company as a CIC has to be approved by the Regulator who also has a continuing monitoring and enforcement role
Social Firms UK is the national support organisation for the development of the Social Firm sector in the UK. We carry out lobbying and awareness-raising activities, research and practical initiatives to increase the number and ensure the quality of Social Firms in the UK. We have approximately 300 members
Our Mission: 'To support, strengthen and grow the Social Firm sector so that more people facing the most significant barriers to work can gain employment.'
The main functions of Companies House are to:
- incorporate and dissolve limited companies
- examine and store company information delivered under the Companies Act and related legislation
- make this information available to the public
Bittern Countryside Community Interest Company
Registered in England - Company No: 6363720
Registered Office:- The Old Station Building, Arnside, LA5 0HG
GRANTfinder
Whilst the CIC no longer holds a GRANTfinder licence locally, we can provide advice on making a funding bid to help you continue with your project, and have some local volunteers who have experience in using GRANTfinder and making funding bids. GRANTfinder is a web-based funding search engine. This resource can give access to over 6,000 different funding schemes, a national staff of 15 research specialists and assistance from professional advisors.
GRANTfinder contacts locally -
In the South Lakeland District area - contact South Lakeland Council Voluntary Service. South Lakeland CVS covers all and is based at Stricklandgate House, Stricklandgate, Kendal LA9 4PU tel 01539-742627 (South Lakeland CVS do not have a website)
In the Lancaster City Council area - contact Lancaster District CVS, who can offer a funding advice service to voluntary, community and faith groups. Lancaster CVS has access to the Grantfinder service as well as other resources, and can search for funding opportunities on your behalf. Telephone the Voluntary Sector Development Work team on (01524) 555900 or follow the weblink to www.lancastercvs.org.uk
If you have a project idea that may be eligible for SDF funding from the AONB, please follow the link to the SDF pages here or contact the AONB by email at: sdf@arnsidesilverdaleaonb.org.uk
Bittern Countryside Community Interest Company
Registered in England - Company No: 6363720
Registered Office:- The Old Station Building, Arnside, LA5 0HG
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