Ardross Community Development Trust
Find out more about the proposal to establish a Community Development Trust for the purpose of Ardross residents.
Over recent years, residents have identified a range of ambitions for Ardross through consultation work and the development of the Local Place Plan. These ambitions include improving local facilities, supporting infrastructure improvements, exploring community assets and creating opportunities for long-term sustainability within the community.
The challenge now is not identifying ideas, it is ensuring Ardross has the right structure in place to responsibly manage funding, protect community assets and deliver future projects.
The current Community Council structure was never designed to manage significant levels of funding, oversee major development projects or provide the long-term legal and financial framework increasingly expected of modern community organisations. As community responsibilities, funding opportunities and expectations continue to increase, remaining within a structure not designed for these purposes may increasingly limit what Ardross is able to deliver in future.
For this reason, residents are being consulted on the possible creation of a Community Development Trust, likely established as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO).
The future direction of this proposal will be decided by the community through consultation and a formal vote. Residents will be asked to vote in person at the Ardross Hall either between 5-7pm 25th September or 2-6pm 26th September 2026. If you may have difficulty attending the Ardross Hall during the voting periods, please contact Alison Gordon alisongordon56@icloud.com or 07770325507 to arrange a postal vote.
Whether residents support or oppose the proposal, participation in the community vote is important to ensure the final outcome reflects the wishes of the wider community.
Useful Information:
Template Constitution
To view the template SCIO constitution Template Constitution
Similar Organisations
To view documentation from similar SCIOs Example Documentation
Frequently Asked Questions
We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions about the concept of a Community Development Trust.
If you have a question that is not answered here please email: website@ardross.org
What Is a Community Development Trust?
A Community Development Trust is an independent, community-led organisation set up specifically to deliver projects for community benefit. In Scotland, these are commonly formed as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). This structure:
- Has its own legal identity (separate from the Community Council)
- Can apply for significant grant funding
- Can own property or assets
- Can enter contracts and, if required, employ staff
- Provides limited liability protection for its trustees
It is a structure designed for delivering projects and managing community assets responsibly.
Why Is This Being Considered?
The current Community Council structure was not designed to:
- Deliver major capital projects
- Purchase or manage property
- Employ staff
- Hold significant funds
- Take on long-term development responsibilities
It also places personal financial liability on individual community council members.
If Ardross wishes to progress some of the ambitions set out in the Local Place Plan, a Community Development Trust could:
- Provide a clear corporate framework
- Reduce personal liability for volunteers
- Separate community project governance from statutory council duties
- Enable access to funding streams currently unavailable
- Strengthen transparency and accountability
This is about ensuring the right vehicle exists if the community wishes to move forward with larger projects.
How Can We Get Involved?
There are several ways residents can take part in the process:
- Vote in the community decision in September
The community vote will determine whether Ardross proceeds with establishing a Community Development Trust. - Consider becoming a Charity Trustee
A Development Trust would require volunteer Trustees to help oversee the organisation, ensure good governance and support community projects. No final decisions have been made regarding Trustee positions at this stage. - Join the working group
If the proposal is supported through the community vote, volunteers will be needed to help establish the organisation, develop governance arrangements and support the setup process.
Residents do not need specialist knowledge to get involved. Local knowledge, practical skills and community interest are all valuable.
Would the Community Development Trust replace Ardross Community Council?
No.
The proposed Development Trust would be a completely separate organisation with its own governance and responsibilities.
The Community Council would continue to exist and carry out its statutory role representing the community.
The purpose of a Development Trust would be to provide a structure better suited to managing community projects, funding and long-term development opportunities.
Who Would Control the Community Development Trust?
If established, the organisation would be community-led and accountable to its members.
Residents who choose to become members would have voting rights in relation to matters set out in the Constitution, including trustee appointments and key constitutional decisions.
Day-to-day management and operational decisions would be carried out by Trustees acting on behalf of the organisation and regulated under OSCR requirements.
Why Can’t the Community Council Deliver These Projects?
Community Councils are designed primarily to represent local views and act as a link between communities and public bodies.
They are not generally structured to:
- manage significant assets or property
- employ staff
- oversee major development projects
- hold large levels of funding
- operate as long-term delivery organisations
A Community Development Trust would provide a structure specifically designed for those purposes.
Why Is a Community Vote Being Held?
There is no legal requirement to hold a public vote before establishing this type of organisation.
However, it was considered important that a proposal of this significance should only move forward following consultation and a direct community decision.
The intention is to ensure the process is transparent, fair and community-led.
What Could a Community Development Trust Help Deliver?
The Local Place Plan identified a range of ambitions and priorities for Ardross through resident consultation.
While no projects have been approved or funded at this stage, a Community Development Trust could provide a structure capable of supporting future initiatives identified by the community.
Depending on funding availability, community support and volunteer involvement, this could potentially include:
- Supporting childcare or wraparound care initiatives
- Exploring services to support older residents
- Managing or developing community facilities or assets
- Supporting affordable housing or accommodation initiatives
- Delivering community projects identified through consultation
- Applying for funding not normally available to Community Councils
- Coordinating larger or longer-term development projects
These examples are illustrative only and would continue to require community support, funding and appropriate governance.
The purpose of the consultation is to decide whether Ardross wishes to create the structure capable of pursuing these opportunities in future.