Community Benefit Society
Charitable Community Benefit Society (CBS)
What is a Community Benefit Society?
Hengistbury Head Outdoors (HHO) is a registered Charitable Community Benefit Society. (CBS)
It has been created for and on behalf of the community to take over and run the old activity centre (HHOEC), and bring this wonderful facility back to life.
HHO Community Benefit Society has been established to include creating a wide society membership (member shares) from the local community and local organisations who support the objects of the Society. We manage the member society, through the issuance of member shares.
Society Member Share
Become a Society member
As a Community Benefit Society we can include members of the society, through issuing a lifetime member share.
Member shares can be purchased for £10, which allows you as a member to be directly involved with the society and gives you one individual member share and one individual member vote on the resolutions put to the society's members at the Annual General Meeting. It is a simple way of joining the society and showing your support. Members Shares are non-withdrawable and non-transferable.
Members who hold a member share agree to abide by the society's Objects and Rules, which can be found HERE
NOTE: This is a membership of the Community Benefit Society only NOT a full centre membership
Member Shareholder Benefits
ABOUT MEMBERSHIP OF HHO COMMUNITY BENEFIT SOCIETY (CBS)
1. A Community Benefit Society (CBS)
HHO is Community Benefit Society which has been established to include a wide membership from the local community and local organisations who support the objects of the Society.
2. The Rules of the Society with reference to Community Benefit Society Membership
The Society shall be owned and controlled by its CBS Members on a fair and equitable basis.
The Board may at its discretion admit to membership any individual, corporate body or nominee of an unincorporated body, firm or partnership who supports the objects of the Society and who has paid or agreed to pay any subscription or other sum due in respect of membership for the time being in force.
3. Adherence to Co-operative values and Principles
CBS Members are required to adhere to the Co-operative Values and Principals as laid out in the governing documents
4. Involvement and Commitment of Members in control of the Society
HHO Community Benefit Society is required to hold an Annual General Meeting to which all shareholding members are invited. CBS Members are therefore involved in the governance of the Society by participating in the Annual General Meeting and exercising a vote on the key, strategic issues affecting the Society.
Items for discussion and decision at the Annual General Meeting include the following:
• Annual Report to the Members from Directors (Trustees)
• Annual Accounts: the receipt of the accounts and balance sheet (including Auditor’s report as necessary)
• The appointment of an Auditor or agreement that the Audit requirement has been dis-applied
• The Election of the Board (or the results of the election if held previously by ballot)
• The transaction of any other business included in the notice convening the meeting.
4. Shares with reference to Shareholding Membership
The shares of the Society shall be of the nominal value of £10 paid for and issued to persons and organisations on admission to membership of the Society.
Each CBS Member shall hold at least one share in the Society. Additional Shares will be available for purchase. Specific share offers will be made for larger projects requiring capital funding.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Notice
HHO Community Benefit Society (HHO) is the "Data Controller" of your personal information. We take your privacy seriously and will process your data in accordance with UK data protection legislation.
Why we collect your data: We process your personal data (name, address, and email) because it is a legal requirement under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 to maintain a Register of Members. We also process it to fulfill our contractual obligations to you as a shareholder (e.g., managing your shares and financial reporting).
Governance Communications: We will use your email address to send formal notices of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and other essential governance updates. This is necessary for the legitimate interest of managing the Society.
Marketing & News: With your consent, we would like to keep you informed of HHO news, events, and activities. You can withdraw this consent at any time by clicking "unsubscribe" in our emails.
Data Sharing: We will not sell your data or share it with third parties for marketing purposes. We only share information where legally required (e.g., statutory inspections of the member register or with regulatory bodies like the FCA) or with trusted service providers (e.g., secure email platforms) strictly for Society business.
Your Rights: You have the right to access your data, request corrections, or object to certain types of processing. For more information, please see our full Privacy Policy
We will not share your data without your prior permission.
Society Member - Member Share - Printable Application
As an alternative, If you'd prefer not to complete a purchase of your Member Share online, we have added a printable version, which you can complete and send back to us by post (with a cheque) or by email (with BACS transfer).
The link below will allow you to download the form, complete it and return it to us along with your method of payment.
- A member share costs £10, and grants you as a lifetime member of HHO, a Community Benefit Society.
- These member shares are a non-withdrawable & non-transferable share. They allow you to have a proactive part in the society and to vote at the AGM.
- Members agree to abide by the society's Objects and Rules, which can be found HERE
Community Benefit Society - Rules
All members, officers, and users of HHO, must read, understand and agree to abide by the following FCA approved rules of the Community Benefit Society. Please download a PDF copy for your records using the link below.
The Objects of Hengistbury Head Outdoors
The objects of the Society shall be for the public benefit:
- To provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation and other leisure time occupation for the general public in the interests of social welfare and the with the object of improving the conditions of life;
- To promote community participation in healthy recreation, in particular, by the provision of facilities for the learning, teaching and practicing activities which promote physical and mental wellbeing;
- To advance education in water-sports and other health and well-being activities, in particular but not exclusively, by the provision of training and information for health or fitness professionals, coaches, instructors and the general public. Activities include but are not limited to sailing, canoeing, paddle-boarding, safety boat handling, water safety, dragon boating, Yoga and Pilates;
- The advancement and protection of the environment providing education and conservation programmes;
- The creation of training and employment opportunities by the provision of workspace, buildings and land for use on favourable terms for providers of activities that promote community physical and mental wellbeing;
- To cooperate with other charities, voluntary bodies and statutory authorities operating in the furtherance of the objects or similar charitable purposes and to exchange information and advice with them;
- To pursue such other charitable purposes consistent with the above as the Directors, in their absolute discretion, shall determine.