'Is Brixton property worth investment?' asks business website. Brixton Green offer their plans

1. What are the possible proposals?
We have a short film on the site which outlines the current proposal:
http://www.brixtongreen.org/

We are adding more pages so the current proposals can be more easily viewed.

2. How does the membership of Brixton Green work? Is it 1 member 1 vote for example?
One share per person. One vote per person.

3. Is there a maximum number of shareholders you are looking for? If there is do people who cannot join then not get a say
The current cap is 5,000 shareholders. Anyone who lives in Brixton can contribute to the proposal whether they are a shareholder or not.

4. If you do acquire the site what will the timelines be for this work?
That's dependent on a number of factors(planning etc), but it will be a couple years plus.


5. Whether you consider that the organisation is independent of the council, particularly as our local MP is your patron?
Yes we are owned by our shareholders and independent from Lambeth Council.

6. Also I note you also have the Cabinet Office and Department of Communities and Local Government logos on your site. Perhaps you could outline what support they have given you?
The Cabinet Office and DCLG's support came as part of us being one of ten national pilots on community shares. Cooperatives UK and Locality(then the Development Trust) were also part of this support. It was a two year programme where we able to develop our governance structure and community shares.
http://www.communityshares.org.uk/

Why do they want to destroy the barrier block?
idjeets
anyway, it's from a site to woo businesses to London, and the article in this particular case is aimed at BTL landlords, pile of dung IYAM; which you don't.

As a minor aside, is this actually legal from a mutuals perspective:
From your Q&A, which seems to contradict your I&P Constitution (clause 7) here:
Can I withdraw my share?
If you no longer wish to be a member of Brixton Green you can withdraw your share. However we are unable to return your £1 as the costs involved in processing your application exceeds £1. Even though it is only £1, the law requires we take a lot of trouble over looking after our members and so we cannot afford to return the one pound if you leave.

I agree this is awkwardly written and should be re-done. Basically if you buy the share online Paypal take a commission. If you buy one of our cards, there is obviously a cost in producing these. Plus all our volunteer time.

just skimmed this - brad, are you proposing that the barrier block gets demolished? i love that building!

nice username btw.

Brad has not said he is proposing it. The council (as an option for discussion, by the looks of things) is.

We speak with the local shop owners. If they find it difficult to get trade it is not good for the residents in the area. Local shops are more than just retail outlets.

Absolutely not.

Sounds like the residents ought to be asking some hard questions of the council to find out exactly what is being discussed.

E2a - written before seeing Ed's post above ^

Lambeth being less than open?
surprising

on this forum? or the one on your website?

The Brixton Green proposal is just for Somerleyton Road - It does not include Southwyck House.

Editor, you know our plans are just for Somerleyton Road. There is nothing in the proposal regarding Southwyck House or the land in front of Southwyck House.
http://www.brixtongreen.org/

Also as a local resident you know where the local shops are.

We go to great effort to ensure people understand what they are buying a share in.

Mrs Magpie, you have repeatedly been negative about this proposal. It is clear that Brixton Green is inclusive, democratic, and has enagaged with a wide section of the community. It is also clear that we are continuing to work to engage and involve more of the community.

Our event at Dexter's Playground brought together over 850 people from a wide section of the Brixton community
http://www.brixtongreen.org/over-850-come-to-brixton-green-family-event/

Our work with the schools and other local groups:
http://www.brixtongreen.org/brixton-greenhill-mead-event/

What is the motivation for your continued negative comments?

http://www.brixtongreen.org/

are you going to personally meet with every single Brixton resident? or are all those who are not on Urban 75 expected to psychically know about it. Until this thread the only thing i'd heard about Brixton Green was a poster in a neighbour's window which stated that Only Brixton People Know What Brixton Wants. I assumed it was for the local Green Party. This is important stuff and if you want people onside you have to stop acting like a politician.

Please make your comments on this forum. Although it is helpful if you send messages directly to us on the Brixton Green site:
http://www.brixtongreen.org

I agree with El-ah. A lot of local people get information on what is happening in Brixton from this and other Internet sites. I haven't seen any physical posters or leaflets for Brixton Green in the community. Your website seems very limited in details and with no discussion forum how are local people meant to engage with your project?

It is difficult for a voluntary organisation to get a message out to so many different communities. Over the next few weeks we aim to get leaflets to every home in Brixton.

This is an important proposal for Brixton people. We need constructive debate.

I suggest Urban75 is used as the discussion forum. We will work to get more info online.

If you wonder why two very long term residents of this area are concerned about the motives and actions of yet another group purporting to speak for Brixton residents then really, you don't have the experience necessary to lead this project.

Can you explain why Southwyck House residents have been told to keep the proposals confidential and why the same wasn't asked of you, and why you've known for at least two months about the proposals for Southwyck House? Just curious

Yes, it is. It is tricky. Do you set up stalls in the centre ever? Have any of your hundreds of supporters knocked door to door or delivered leaflets at the very least to those residents most directly affected by this? If the patron is the local MP, does that mean that Tessa Jowell will support any collective decision made? Also, are you a member of any political party or economic organisation that stands to profit from any particular outcome?

To re-iterate: I discussed only Brixton Green with the journalist. Southwyck House is not part of the Brixton Green proposal. The Brixton Green proposal is just for Somerleyton Road.

So the journalist/London Loves Business knows all about the proposal, but he never mentioned it to you?