Here's a step by step guide to how we set up SDCE, we thought it might be helpful to share if you're planning to set up your own company. We don't promise its the best way, and certainly not the only way, but its working for us! (still ongoing, updated 24th June 2016)
1. Katie and Peter from PL:21 Transition Initiative found out about an opportunity to get involved in a community PV array
2. They sought advice from Jodie Giles at RegenSW, who suggested they apply to the RegenSW Community Energy Accelerator Devon County Council Fund. This is a great fund offering financial support to community groups to get set up, including staff costs, consultancy costs, venue hire, marketing etc. They are also an excellent source of information and support to fledgling community energy companies.
3. Then began the PR campaign to search for directors: Katie visited all the local parish council meetings, local business meetings, employed Sophie to run an Energy Fair and get articles in local press. We were delighted to find the great team of directors!
3. We then appointed Jake Burnyeat and Rosie Gillam at Communities for Renewables to guide us through the formal registration process. They were really great and made the whole process manageable. Jake came to a couple of the early director meetings to help us develop the rules and the company Objects.
4. Once the Rules were signed by our three founder members, the registration was sent through Cooperatives UK to the FCA.
5. A few weeks later, the FCA registered SDCE - Hooray!
6. At the next board meeting, the three founder members formally appointed a further three directors to the board. We were advised by Coops UK to only put three directors on the FCA registration form, and to add the others later.
7. Next steps are to set up a bank account, get PL and PI insurance, directors insurance, register as data controllers with the Information Commissioner's Office.
8. More to come...
1. Katie and Peter from PL:21 Transition Initiative found out about an opportunity to get involved in a community PV array
2. They sought advice from Jodie Giles at RegenSW, who suggested they apply to the RegenSW Community Energy Accelerator Devon County Council Fund. This is a great fund offering financial support to community groups to get set up, including staff costs, consultancy costs, venue hire, marketing etc. They are also an excellent source of information and support to fledgling community energy companies.
3. Then began the PR campaign to search for directors: Katie visited all the local parish council meetings, local business meetings, employed Sophie to run an Energy Fair and get articles in local press. We were delighted to find the great team of directors!
3. We then appointed Jake Burnyeat and Rosie Gillam at Communities for Renewables to guide us through the formal registration process. They were really great and made the whole process manageable. Jake came to a couple of the early director meetings to help us develop the rules and the company Objects.
4. Once the Rules were signed by our three founder members, the registration was sent through Cooperatives UK to the FCA.
5. A few weeks later, the FCA registered SDCE - Hooray!
6. At the next board meeting, the three founder members formally appointed a further three directors to the board. We were advised by Coops UK to only put three directors on the FCA registration form, and to add the others later.
7. Next steps are to set up a bank account, get PL and PI insurance, directors insurance, register as data controllers with the Information Commissioner's Office.
8. More to come...
