September 2024 Newsletter
Saxonvale Development Update
“We have had an initial positive meeting with Somerset Council. We look forward to continuing an open dialogue and moving forward with the sale of the Saxonvale site for our community.
Community-led development at scale is relatively new, and therefore our aim is that through these discussions the council will fully appreciate the resilience of the model we are putting forward. Compared to a conventional developer, we are lower risk. With one project we have only one focus, one which is not leveraged and we have more diverse sources of funding available.
Our aim is to transform Saxonvale as a mixed-use urban regeneration project in a way that puts Frome first at every stage. We are in it for the long term. The future impact on Frome is central to all our thinking, and our plan will enhance the future resilience of Frome through community ownership.
By retaining and reinvesting profits for the benefit of our town, we will generate social, economic, and community wealth to ensure Saxonvale contributes to the health and vitality of Frome and Somerset.” Mayday Saxonvale
Somerset Council said ““Following confirmation from Acorn that they were withdrawing their proposal for the Saxonvale site, we opened discussions with the alternative developer, Mayday Saxonvale Development Ltd.”
“We will work over the coming months with Mayday Saxonvale and their partners to discuss the benefits and risks of their proposal in more detail, with a view to taking a decision on the site later in the year.” https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c24pm1dn42zo
Read more about Saxonvale and our involvement.
Please help strengthen our position by asking your friends to become a member of FACLT, it costs a minimum of only £1
Join Our Team!
We are looking to recruit new Directors, with three important board members having stepped down in the past year, we are actively seeking individuals with the time, expertise, or both to get more involved. We are a passionate, supportive, and effective team. https://fromeareaclt.org/our-team/
Director: Tim Cutting
“I started doing voluntary community work as I want to give back something to the community I love. Being a director of the Frome Area Community Land Trust (FACLT) has given me a unique opportunity to work alongside a group of highly competent, intelligent, and committed individuals who share a passion for community-led housing. I’ve found it incredibly rewarding to reach beyond the trust, connecting with the wider Frome community and a growing national network. It’s not just about governance of an organisation; it’s about helping Frome become the best community it can be.”
Director: Delia Goddard
“As a director of the Frome Area Community Land Trust (FACLT), I’ve found it to be a truly fascinating and rewarding area of work. Over time, I’ve gained a lot of knowledge and have had the privilege of working with a delightful group of committed people, all focused on making a real difference in Frome. FACLT is part of a growing movement of Community Land Trusts, where communities like ours have a direct say in local development. Someone needs to take on this responsibility to ensure Frome’s future reflects our values and needs—and that could be you.”
If you share a similar commitment to seeing Frome thrive and want to play an active role in shaping its future, becoming a director is a powerful way to make a lasting impact.Come join us!
We are especially looking for people with these skills, and/or a clear passion to create positive change!
- Financial Management
- Legal Advice
- Social Media
The FACLT board of directors has responsibility for the governance and leadership of the organisation. Directors work as a team to determine FACLT’s direction, oversee its activities, monitor progress, and make sure it complies with its legal, regulatory and financial obligations. Directors, who are all volunteers, meet as a board on a regular basis (at present monthly) to carry out this role. In addition, most directors get involved in one or more working groups.
If you are interested in becoming a director, please don’t be put off by stereotypical images of what a ‘board of directors’ looks like. We are very keen that the board should reflect the diversity of people in our wider community. It’s important to us to have as much diversity as possible on the board of directors, in terms of age, gender and experience.
Time needed: Min. 5 hours per month, but can be more depending on your availability. Directors are expected to attend most board meetings.
Contact us for more information if you need it and download the application form here
Informal Drop In – to find out more…
On Thursday 31st October we will be holding an informal drop in, please do come find out more about FACLT, ask us any questions you may have about the organisation, governance, finance etc. and our current projects, and discuss what’s involved in becoming a director. Lunchtime 12.30- 1.30 at the Town Hall. Essential to RSVP to info@fromeareaclt.org if you would like to come.
Deadline for Applications for new Directors by 7th November
Members will be voting on the appointment of the new Directors at the AGM which will be held at 6.30pm on the 21st November (more info to follow).
Other ways to get involved
Frome Area Community Land Trust is a friendly, practical organisation, led almost entirely by volunteers. We welcome any help that our members can offer, recognising that different people have very different time constraints, priorities, interests and skills. There are a range of ways that you can be involved as a member – some require minimal time and commitment, others are more demanding.
Visit https://fromeareaclt.org/share-your-skills/ to find out other ways you can get involved. We will be holding a members meet up after the AGM at 7pm on the 21st November and will intruduce the team, our currrent projects and ways you can get involved (more info to follow) .Hope to see you there.
