Somerset Co-operative Community Land Trust

Alex Lawrie

Alex Lawrie is a founder member of two housing co-ops (Cornerstone and Stepping Stones), Footprint Workers Co-operative, the Ecological Land Co-op, GO-OP and Somerset Co-operative Services CIC. He led the team that developed the Somerset Rules, now used by 25 co-operatives including Somerset Co-operative CLT. Alex’s work for SCS CIC does sometimes give rise to conflicts of interest. These are recorded on our register of interests, and he does not take part in decisions that relate to SCS CIC. He studied politics at Leeds University, Fundraising and Training Skills at the DSC,  and Planning for Real at the Neighbourhood Initiatives Foundation. He is a SFEDI accredited social enterprise advisor. He is the author of ‘Empowering the Earth’ (Green Books, 2000) and ‘Simply Finance’ (Co-ops UK, 2011). In 2017 he completed a Masters Degree in Strategy, Change and Leadership at Bristol University.

Caitlyn Oakley

Caitlyn Oakley is new to the board, and a fairly new tenant at 10 East Reach. Her background is in the health food and eco friendly retail industry. She's also previously run her own business with a shop in environmentally friendly children's products and recycled products, and more recently in the book and music scene. She is a qualified holistic therapist and nutritionist - specialising in auto immune diseases. Providing support for a previous partner's psychology degree has also given her a good grounding in the world of psychology and statistics. She plans to finally get her sociology degree which will eventually lead to a masters in gender studies with a focus on feminist bias. As a tenant of the CLT, there is the potential for a conflict of interest where a matter for board discussion relating to her tenancy specifically. In that event, she would not take part in that discussion.

Alan Debenham

Alan is a Parish Councillor in Staplegrove, near Taunton, and was a Green Party Councillor on  Taunton Deane BC. He held the seat for 18 years, sitting mainly on the housing and planning committees. His career has included teaching maths and science, and being a senior officer working for Somerset County Council. He was a pioneer of communal living and social investment having been involved in the Ecological Land Bonds Scheme in the late 1970s and early 80s. In 1980 he lead the establishment of the Holme Place Community at Oakford in Devon, a housing co-operative with 20 members pursuing high self-sufficiency and a low environmental footprint.

Viv Turner

Viv moved to Taunton in 1971, where he joined Somerset County Council. He spent 13 years as a Quantity Surveying Technician in the Architects Department, and 24 years as an Area Building Surveyor in what became the Property Serviecs Department, before retiring. As both he and his wife are Christians, he is one of the Street Pastors in Taunton, in which he cares for people on the streets every Saturday night, handing out flip-flops, water and sweets. He grows his own organic fruit and vegetables, and was attracted to the CLT by its urban gardening project. He was appointed to be a director in April.

Duncan Francis

Duncan works for SCS CIC on the CLT service contract, administrative tasks that are required for new co-operatives, as well as liasing with clients and members. He is also interested in  the potential of urban greening, with grow sites run by the community for their own benefit. He has recently completed his First Class Honours degree in Mathematics and Physics at The Open University, and plans on applying his expertise in these areas, along with his contacts in Architecture, to activism within the realms of energy and housing, as well as soon coming on to study Computational Finance at Masters level so as to develop some skills in business and finance that are necessary in any form of entrepreneurial or activist projects. Duncan’s work for SCS CIC sometimes gives rise to a conflict of interest, which is managed as for Alex Lawrie, above.

Mel Reynolds

Melissa Reynolds is new to the board and also a fairly new tenant at 10 East Reach (with Caitlyn) Her background is a passion for architecture and town planning. She's finally starting her degree in town planning next year after her access course with the Open University this year. She has a keen eye for detail and is looking forward to having input in the exciting new projects ahead with the CLT. A keen photographer, she hopes she can put this to good use in some interesting before, during and after projects. As a tenant of the CLT, there is the potential for a conflict of interest where a matter for board discussion relating to her tenancy specifically. In that event, she would not take part in that discussion.

Sam Wiggins

 Sam lives in Taunton and is an active member of the Co-operative Group, acting as a ‘member pioneer’ at the local store. She runs a small business supplying specialist therapeutic tools, especially to support chaildren and adults with autism. She has been involved for some time as a volunteer at 10 East Reach, working with her husband on the urban farming project.