Sustainable new communities are more than bricks and mortar - they require people to work together in the creation of new social networks. The Elsenham Co-operative Limited is proposed as a community-owned organisation funded initially by the Fairfield Partnership to oversee social and community development, and to take on the long-term maintenance and aftercare of new infrastructure such as the Green Ring and broader public realm.

Potential roles for ECL include:

• Supporting community development workers to welcome new residents
   and help establish social and other networks;

• Managing renewable energy infrastructure and other networks
   including the potential to retail services to customers;

• Managing sports and community facilities and also potentially some
   retail units to secure a stream of income for ECL;

• Promoting social and education programmes within the development;

• Delivering and co-ordinating transport programmes and travel plans; and

• Promoting entrepreneurial activity, business start-ups and local employment
   in the new community.

The scope of ECL’s activities will be decided by residents who will ultimately take on the running of the Co-operative. Elsenham Co-operative Limited will be funded by developer contributions and also through an Estate Charge levied on residential and commercial properties.

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