How do we do it?
Step 1
Completely refute any demands for housing development upon the Meadow
Step 2
We propose the formation of a new Community Land Trust, the Corbett Meadows Community Land Trust that would involve all relevant stakeholders and be fully representative of the wishes of the local community
Our role at SCDT would be to help enable that CLT into being as a community benefit society with charitable aims that line up with the vision of the stakeholders.
Community Benefit Societies are ideal vehicles for this kind of action as any assets are held in perpetuity and cannot be sold off other than in exceptional circumstances to another charitable body.
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What are Community Land Trusts
Community land trusts – or CLTs – are democratic, non profit organisations that own and develop land for the benefit of the community.
They typically provide affordable homes, community gardens, civic buildings, pubs, shops, shared workspace, energy schemes and conservation landscapes.
Run by ordinary people.
They are community organisations run by ordinary people who want to make a difference to their local community, putting control of assets into the hands of local people. They can be set up by the community or a landowner, developer or council.
Protecting community assets forever.
CLTs act as long-term stewards of land and the assets on it. They ensure that it is put to the benefit of the local community, not just for now but for every future occupier.
A world wide movement.
Started in the USA, CLTs are now a worldwide movement. In both urban and rural areas, CLTs are a key part of the future of land, affordable housing and community facilities.
Step 3. The Board
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We are currently proposing a board made up of the following stakeholders that was agreed at the last CMAG meeting . This can change or be added to as we travel through the journey
Helen Cook ( founder member and representative of the local community)
Lance Cartwright ( representing CMAG )
Ellen Cobb ( CMAG)
SCDT board member
NHS Trust board member
NHS Primary Care Board member
Dudley CVS board member
DMBC Health and wellbeing member
DMBC councillor (s)
Amblecote Primary school Board member
Allotments Society Board Member
Brett Westwood/ Birmingham and Black Country wildlife or ANO ( environmental advocate )
Step 4. Funding
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We will pursue a range of funding options to build confidence with the NHS trust by purchase of the land under best consideration principles not best value in line with the recently produced West Midlands Land Charter.
This funding could include Heritage Lottery, social investment funds and a range of options. The CLT could also look for matched funding from some of the stakeholder organisations in line with projected social and community benefit.
The CLT will also look to engage with you the wider membership in decision making as anyone can join the Community benefit Society for £1.00 and have a stake and a voice in the future of the land.
We will also look at other potential funding such as Community Share issues which would give the wider public a genuine feeling of ownership leading us back to the original land gift of John Corbett
Step 5. Development
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The beauty of a social prescribing approach is that initial investment in the concept other than the land acquisition is minimal. There are already many local partners and practitioners who would be willing to deliver activities around the hospital site and this approach could also become a revenue base for the CLT leading to strong management finances .
Development of the ideas around a dedicated Health and Wellbeing Pavilion could follow organically, along with the aspiration to both retain and enhance the biodiversity and unique nature of the site aligned with a programme of environmental education and activity.
All of this can and would be pursued in sympathy with the demand for retention of the unique spirit of the Meadow but at the same time providing managed access for the community with all stakeholders working closely with each other and the community to ensure a successful outcome for everyone.
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Step 6. The Future
We would look for this project to grow organically , encompassing the management of the site for public access around the health and wellbeing agenda, the idea of an eco centre based around environmental development and education, and the wider inclusion of the area of Coalbourne Brook, the allotments and the school.
This Holistic approach could extend to the wider area leading to a synergy around issues of food production (allotments), renewable energy (school), education (environment) and health and Wellbeing (NHS). All of this activity would we believe improve social cohesion, enhance local democracy, and show proof of concept that building civic society from the Health and wellbeing perspective is the way to empower local communities addressing issues of climate change, sustainability and resilience that lead to a happy productive economy and a stable society.
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Step 3. The Board
We are currently proposing a board made up of the following stakeholders that was agreed at the last CMAG meeting . This can change or be added to as we travel through the journey
Helen Cook ( founder member and representative of the local community)
Lance Cartwright ( representing CMAG )
Ellen Cobb ( CMAG)
SCDT board member
NHS Trust board member
NHS Primary Care Board member
Dudley CVS board member
DMBC Health and wellbeing member
DMBC councillor (s)
Amblecote Primary school Board member
Allotments Society Board Member
Brett Westwood/ Birmingham and Black Country wildlife or ANO ( environmental advocate )
CONTACT
Vicarage Road
Amblecote
Stourbridge
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