What is a Community Benefit Society?
A Community Benefit Society (CBS) is a type of legal organisation that is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). It is a not-for-profit business model which makes it very attractive to funders who offer grants and set aside land and assets for not-for-profit bodies. A CBS must operate for the benefit of the community and can do anything it likes to achieve this.
What is a Community Land Trust?
A Community Land Trust (CLT) is a non-profit, community-based organisation that owns land and property for public benefit. Land is taken out of the market and is only leased or rented, never sold, so that the land value is captured for all time for the benefit of the community. Looe Community Land Trust is a registered Community Benefits Society and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Our Aims
Looe Community Land Trust Aims are:
– Increase affordable housing availability
– Create common space
– Create a Community presence
WHO WE ARE
Robert Bowden
Director Looe CLT.
Robert has 21 years experience in mechanical and electrical sales and project management from design, specification, installation and maintenance through to end of life recycling and replacement. Particularly interested in energy efficiency and cost reduction. Retired but highly active.
Kathryn Cobb
Chair Looe CLT.
Kathryn’s first degree is in Social Policy and Administration and she has an MSc in Social Research. She has worked for 20+ years as an advocate for local vulnerable people in the Southwest. Now retired, she volunteers for a mental health crisis support service. She has lived in Looe for nearly 40 years and has been active in the community through the Looe Academy, Looe Tennis Club and Churches Together.
Samantha Kilty
Director Looe CLT.
Samantha heads up UK Policy Governance for a global bank and has worked in Governance & Control roles in banking for many years. She also ran her own Interior Design business and has experience in the renovation of period properties including listed and those in conservation areas.
Michelle Irvine
Director Looe CLT.
Michelle was an Underwriter on behalf of of Lloyds of London Syndicates dealing with Financial Failure Insurance for the Travel Industry within the UK and Internationally for over 25 years. Now a small business owner with her husband in Cornwall.
Sue Bennett
Director Looe CLT.
Sue and her husband moved to Looe in 2023, and volunteered on the Three Seas project supporting the fundraising scheme. She is a trained commercial interior designer, as well as an artist and glass artist, and loves running art classes for children and elderly participants. Sue also works part time in a (seaweed art) shop in Fowey in her spare time.