Q: Do you know what a Social enterprise is, and what it does. Are any successful ?

A: A social enterprise is a business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.  For more information : 

If you want to see what a really successful local Social Enterprise does, watch this film about the Sunlight Centre in Rochester by looking at this YouTube video:

  
 
..... And also check out their website: http://www.sunlighttrust.org.uk/ 

If you are interested in further successful Social Enterprises, take a look at the last 10 years winners from the Social Enterprise Coalition please read this document at this link:

 
Q: I have heard that the CWC group is a CIC, what is this exactly ?

A: Community Interest Companies (CICs) are limited companies that exist to provide benefits to a community, or a specific section of a community.  The CIC has the flexibility of the familiar company form, and access to a range of financing options, so may be appropriate for those working for a social purpose.  Its key features include an asset lock and a community interest statement.  For more information :

Q: Where do the Cranbrook & Sissinghurst Council fit in with the CWC

A: At the Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Meeting 13th August 2009 the whole Parish Council voted, except one, in favour of Peter North's resolution, (Chairman of the PC),  to support the CWC (Cranbrook Weald Centre Group) and also to withdraw the previous resolution that was in favour of having a community centre on the old council offices site.  It was also announced at this meeting, on behalf of the CWC, that we are now in discussions with the CO-OP for the brown field site at the back of the CO-OP and this is now our preferred option.

The response was massively in favour of this exciting opportunity.. It makes total common sense! Since the announcement and press release in the local papers, we have been inundated with positive feedback and considerable support for this new opportunity. The Whole Parish Council is behind and supportive of working with the CO-OP for the benefit of the community.

Q: What are the Memorandum of Articles of Association for the CWC CIC

A:These are the exact objectives in the Memorandum & Articles of Association for the new CIC. 
 
"The Company's object is to carry on activities which benefit the community and in particular (without Limitation) to raise funds for the building of a new 21st Century Community Centre within the Parish of Cranbrook, Kent and to foster a community spirit among, and to promote social educational and recreational activities for the benefit of, children and adults being residents of Cranbrook and surrounding villages; to operate a community centre, to furnish, equip, and maintain the same and to permit the same to be used by local residents, their families, and friends and voluntary groups within the ' Weald areas on such terms as may be thought fit and to co-operate with any local or statutory authority in the maintenance of the Centre for activities so promoted, to provide premises for the operating of retail and small business units enabling rental income to be used for the operation of the community centre."