Regeneration Through Business Development'

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Regeneration Through Business Development.
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Worksop
Sheffield
M1
Derbyshire
Bolsover
Chesterfield
Warsop
The Meden Valley
Nottinghamshire
Mansfield
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Big issues for the Meden Valley

• High Unemployment 12,000 mining jobs lost
  between 84 and 96 20,000 jobs lost in total
• Poor condition of housing stock 3600 unfit
  homes - 85M investment needed
• High levels of poor health
• A shrinking and aging population 1000 young
  people leave p.a
• High scores in national deprivation indices
• Lack of skills for new industries
• Poor infrastructure
• Poor public transport
• Lack of confidence

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• VILLAGE COMPANIES
• Suggested in the Coalfields Taskforce Report 1997
  following consultation with LHA Chief Exec David
  Seviour et. al. that community owned businesses
  could start to bridge the gap left behind by
  mining.

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• Scope
• Can trade
• Can own assets
• Can negotiate partnerships with stat bodies
• Address local needs more precisely
• Access wide range of funding

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• Company Form
• Company Limited by Guarantee (not having a share
  capital)
• Industrial and Provident Society
• Workers Co-operative

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• Typical Organisation
• 11 Board members
• At least 6 community directors (elected by Board
  or nominated by parent organisation)
• 3 stat reps (LA, HA, CC)
• 2 co-opted or elected business reps

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• Whaley Thorns and Langwith
• (2 employees, 20 volunteers)
• Langwith Community Press
• Fish and Chip Shop
• Coppicing and Land Reclamation
• Gasification

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• Elmton Creswell
• (1 employee 12 volunteers)
• The old bank offices
• The old schools project
• Links with Creswell crags and tourism

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• Shirebrook
• (1 employee 12 volunteers)
• Nearly new shop
• Cyber café
• Community farm
• Model Village EMB (?)
• Promotional Goods

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Warsop and Villages Enterprise Society

• 20 Volunteers
• 4 Communities coming together for the first time
• A variety of groups already

• Nearly new shop
• Town centre renewal
• Community resource centre
• New health centre
• Craft workshops

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• Forest Town
• 12 Volunteers
• Motor project
• Grounds maintenance services

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Meden Valley wide social enterprise

• Meden Valley Community Produce
• Community Consultancy
• Recycling
• Renewable Energy Generation Scheme

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Strengths, weaknesses etc

• Varying levels of commitment and enthusiasm
• Differing agendas- local, regional, sub regional
• Asset and service transfer opportunities
• Political priority for social enterprise
• Land and buildings available for new business
  uses