Memberships

HOW WE CAN HELP

Becoming a member of NACRE is an effective and rewarding route to build connections, accessing information and support and ensuring that rural communities like yours are strong, successful and well represented. In these uncertain times, it is now more important than ever that the voice of rural communities is heard at all levels of government. By joining one of our two membership schemes: Parish Council membership and Community Facilities membership, we can help your voice to be heard and you will help us to sustain the charity to continue working on your behalf. Together we can ensure that rural communities matter.

PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP

Our Parish Council membership offers excellent value at only £42 (incl VAT) a year and runs from 1st April to 31st March. As a member, Parish Councils can benefit from:

• Free telephone and email advice
• Discounts on visits from our Rural Officer or other staff
• Regular e-bulletins containing latest funding news and other relevant issues
• Discount on our charged for services such as
• Training, workshops and masterclasses with special guests
• Assistance with planning consultations and Housing Needs Surveys
• Preparation of business and project plans e.g. for Neighbourhood Plans
• Development and facilitation of community engagement events
• Advice and support on setting up a rural social enterprise
• Free access to additional resources and support through our national ACRE Network

To join, please contact: [email protected]

COMMUNITY FACILITIES MEMBERSHIP

Community Facilities Membership, which runs from 1 April to 31 March, costs just £48 (incl VAT) per year and represents great value for money. Membership is open to any organisation which runs a community facility such as a village hall, community centre, church hall, playing field, recreation ground or park. As a Community Facilities Member you enjoy the following benefits:

• FREE telephone and email advice (up to 5 hours)
• FREE electronic copies of National ACRE’s invaluable Information Sheets for community buildings (charged to non-members)
• FREE electronic copies of the bi-monthly Community Facilities Newsletter (with all the latest news affecting community halls and open spaces)
• DISCOUNT on the cost of purchasing National ACRE’s model legal documents including Model CIO Constitution, Model Trust Deed and Model Hire Agreement
• Regular e-bulletins containing the latest funding news, legal and regulatory changes and other issues of immediate relevance to community facilities
• Access to specialist legal advice from National ACRE’s legal advisers
• Periodic updates about the benefits and services provided by Northamptonshire ACRE and The Barns at Hunsbury Hill (our trading arm)

In addition our trained Community Facilities Adviser can provide help in connection with all aspects of managing community buildings and open spaces on matters including:

• Compliance with legal and regulatory obligations such as charity law, Charity Commission regulations, licensing, insurance, risk assessments and policies
• Governance including charity trustee responsibilities and governing documents
• Funding and grant applications
• Training on topics such as trustee roles, data protection, understanding governing documents, safeguarding, grant applications, PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) and incorporation

To join, you just need to complete our online membership form and pay the membership fee (payment details are set out in the form): Community Facilities Membership Form 2024-25

For further information, please contact: [email protected]

Good Neighbours Schemes - These are a great way for local groups to support residents with low level needs. We can help your group set up and can offer free training, support and advice with policies, safety information and more. If you are interested in starting a scheme, please contact our Rural Fieldworkers, Claire and Jo, on 01604 765888 or email [email protected].

Community Transport Schemes – Are you keen to help your rural community combat isolation and enable access to essential services? We can assist you with setting up and promoting your Community Transport scheme, which can be included in our detailed directory of community transport providers that our Rural Officer has produced.

Networks & Representation – Building stronger connections between rural communities and representing their needs and priorities to policy makers. We also have regular free Parish Council Network events for our members. These are held about 3 times a year, bringing together Parish Councillors and providing them with an opportunity to hear from exteral speakers talking on a range of topics, find out what other parishes are doing and share ideas with them.

Rural Consultancy services - including project planning, community engagement projects, assisting in setting up community shops or pubs and other rural services. Discount on our charged for services, such as training events, assistance with housing needs surveys, development and facilitation of community engagement events.

Northamptonshire Village Awards – our annual awards celebrate the achievements of Northamptonshire villages. 

Neighbourhood Planning – advice on practical support to help with the development of neighbourhood planning. Discount on OCSI profile reports highlighting key statistics in your area and assistance with housing needs surveys.  Please see below for a list of Neighbourhood Plan rates.

Bulk Oil Buying Scheme –helping residents in villages who are off gas to get the best possible price for their heating oil in order to save them money.

CONSULTANCY RATES:

Consultancy rates:

Our daily consultancy cost is £300 (+VAT) for members and £350 (+VAT) for non-members. The table below gives details of the consultancy costs for the various stages of doing a Community Led Plan such as a Parish Plan or Village Design Statement and apply from 1st April 2024. Details of consultancy charges for a Neighbourhood Plan are shown below this table. All costs shown are excluding VAT. Our VAT registration number is 444 8166 78.

Community Led Planning:

Neighbourhood Plan Rates

Is your village or group thinking of doing a Neighbourhood Plan? If so we can help. Below is a breakdown of our charges for the various aspects of delivering the Plan. If you would like more information please contact our Rural Officer on 01604 765888 or email [email protected]. The rates below apply from 1st April 2024 and exclude VAT.