Setting Up A Development Trust in Scotland

5. INCORPORATION

This is a two stage process, or at least it was for us: it began with submission of the Mem and Arts in draft form:

1. The Community Right to Buy Unit – this was a great first test for us as the CRtB was very generous with its time and expertise, helping us shore up weaknesses and giving us alternate phrasing where needed (no template it seems is perfect!).
2. OSCR – Contrary to popular opinion we found OSCR extremely helpful and timeous in their responses. In the brief period we were in contact we developed a good, frank relationship with our case officer and this stood us in good stead (it was at this point we dropped the most onerous of our aims).

Once OSCR approves your draft Mem and Arts you can move onto Incorporation

1. Companies House in Edinburgh provide a very clear and detailed literature about how to form companies, and we found it all very easy to follow. However we did miss a couple of things, and this delayed the process.
2. The incorporation certificate is then sent to OSCR with reference to the approval of the draft Memorandum and Articles.

Once incorporated the trust must meet for its first AGM within 18 months.

Charles Dixon-Spain is chair of the Colintraive & Glendaruel Development Trust Steering Group
The views expressed in this series of articles are Charles’ own and should not be construed as being the Steering Group’s or the Development Trust’s – though there may of course be a great deal of commonality between the two. For more information on The Colintraive & Glendaruel Development Trust, Colintraive & Glendaruel and its Community Council, please visit colglen.org.