WNSC Ltd = Worcester Norton Sports Club Limited1, the landowner, with its members drawn from Worcester Norton Shooting Club (WNSC) and Worcester Norton Cricket Club (WNCC).
WNCIC = Worcester Norton Community Interest Company2.
WDC = Wychavon District Council.
1 A limited company is a company ‘limited by shares’ (have shareholders and share profit) or ‘limited by guarantee’ (have guarantors and usually invest profit back into the company). WNSC is a company limited by guarantee.
2 A CIC is a special type of limited company which exists to benefit the community rather than guarantors or private shareholders.
Why was WNCIC formed?
Discussions with WDC over a number of years identified potential sources of funding to improve the facilities at the Sports Club grounds. As a private company, WNSC Ltd could not benefit from public money and WNCIC was formed in order to access this public money.
Why can’t the board of WNCIC be the same board as WNSC Ltd?
WNCIC needs to be a distinct and proper entity with a clearly identified relationship with WNSC Ltd as landlord and lessee, while at the same time paying due regard to the current users. To have the same board would be seen as a conflict of interest3.
Directors in their role on the board of WNCIC must work in the best interest of the CIC while being mindful of the other onsite organisations and consistent with the duties and responsibilities of a company director.
Any actions or opinions placing the aspirations of the existing membership ahead of the future users that the new facilities will attract from the wider community, or by treating WNCIC as ‘subservient’ to WNSC Ltd, only serve to reinforce the negative view of the current WNSC Ltd held in some quarters.
3 A conflict of interest occurs when an individual’s personal interests could compromise his or her judgment, decisions, or actions with respect to another entity. Government bodies e.g. WDC, take conflicts of interest so seriously that they are regulated.
Who are the current directors of WNCIC?
A full profile of all the current directors is available as a separate document. WNCIC will seek to add new directors and members to work in the best interest of WNCIC and add any additional skills that are needed. Company membership is open to all on application and as outlined in our Articles, which can be found on the Company Documents page of this website.
What has WNCIC done so far and planning to do in the future?
The project was planned in different phases, the first was to renovate the clubhouse (now renamed The Sergeants’ Mess) along with the adjacent changing rooms and the provision of a new tarmaced Multi-use games area. The next phase was to renovate the remaining part of the changing room building for use as a young persons facility and renamed the Cadets’ Mess. Future developments as funds allow will be to improve the buildings amenities and surrounding areas, access roads and provide expanded sports areas. The WNCIC will run the new facilities to generate profits which must then be reinvested into the site or community.
Where has the money come from?
As part of the planning process developers building in the area negotiate with WDC an amount to be provided for expenditure on local infrastructure. This called S106 funding4 and has to be spent on specific elements of infrastructure agreed as part of the negotiation. Additional money has also come from Wychavon’s Community Legacy Grant and their share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Severn Trent provided funding for PV panels, building insulation, EV chargers and solar battery. The National Lottery provided operational support in the first 2 years of operation to August 2026.
4 Section 106 funding is paid by developers and is used on community infrastructure projects but is limited in the time in which it can be utilised before being returned to the developer.
How much public money is involved?
The project had a budget of £1.7 million over 90% of which is public money which must be spent on specific types of infrastructure.
Why does WNCIC need a lease?
Without security of tenure, WDC and all other potential investors would not agree to provide funding.
Why does it need to be a long lease, e.g. 40 years?
For the very large sums of money needed most if not all funding providers need to be assured of a long term community based return on their investment. It may also be some years before we can obtain all the necessary funding, so to meet investor requirements shorter leases would need to be continually renewed.
What happens at the end of the lease?
The WNCIC will seek to renegotiate a new lease. If this is not possible all leased property will revert to the ownership of WNSC Ltd.
What if WNCIC goes bust?
All assets of any CIC registered company are subject to what is called an “Asset Lock” which means that cannot be transferred to other than another “asset locked body” or “otherwise for the benefit of the community” and this must be approved by the CIC Regulator. For example, WDC could take over if the CIC Regulator ruled that this was for the benefit of the community.
Why were the buildings in such a poor state?
For many years insufficient funding has been provided by WNSC Ltd to carry out the necessary maintenance.
Why did the shooting club continually needed to “bail out” the cricketers?
There is a misunderstanding that the clubhouse was the responsibility of the cricketers. Although for some years it was agreed that the shooting club and cricket club finances were separated, the maintenance of the whole site including the clubhouse had remained the responsibility of WNSC Ltd. It was clear that the cricket club finances alone were not sufficient to maintain WNSC Ltd’s property, hence the need for the shooting club to contribute to what was WNSC Ltd’s problem, not just the cricketers.
How are the new facilities used?
The Sergeants Mess is used for multi-functional community purposes. Some initial activities and ideas include: Holiday Clubs/Childcare, Cubs Scouts, Rainbows, Youth Club, Short Mat bowls, Health and Fitness Classes, Mother and Baby Groups, Adult Learning and Arts and Crafts. The individual rooms are available for hire for private functions like Business Meetings, Exhibitions, Birthday Parties, Weddings, etc. The CIC also organise and run occasional events ourselves. The multi-use games area can be freely and casually by the community and can also be used for organised games such as netball, basketball, mini soccer, pickle ball etc. The CIC will listen to the needs of the community and try to offer as many activities as possible.
Won’t there just be more complaints about shooting club noise from the new users?
More users does bring the possibility that this could happen. However, WNCIC believes that increased community involvement in the site as a whole will improve both the understanding of the benefits of having such a facility and help to improve relationships with near neighbours. The argument of precedence has always been a strong point for the shooting club and this will continue to be the case. Neither WDC or WNCIC have any desire to remove shooting activity from the site.
Are the WNCIC opposed to Worcester Norton Shooting Club (WNSC) purchasing the ranges and not being part of the project?
WNCIC are disappointed that WNSC did not want to be part of the project but are entirely content to support the wishes of their members without prejudice.
What is the status of the bottom pitch not part of the CIC and still owned by WNSCL?
The cricket pitches, both upper and lower are fundamental to the whole site’s operation. Furthermore, these are protected as pitches in national legislation through Sport England’s role in the planning process.
The pitches are also designated as ‘Greenspace’ in the current version of the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDPR) and the Norton-juxta-Kempsey Parish Council Neighbourhood Plan.
In short, the bottom pitch cannot be used for a different purpose unless a usable pitch is provided elsewhere (prior to any development) and the relevant policies are successfully challenged through the planning process.
Who will maintain the access to the WNSC?
WNCIC will be jointly responsible for maintenance of the roads on the site.
Can the WNCIC block access to WNSC?
Access rights for WNSC via what is called a “way leave” will be part of the lease agreement with WNSC Ltd.
What are the benefits from the proposed project for WNSCL members?
There are no immediate direct benefits. However, WNSCL members will benefit indirectly from all the new sports and activities available for use either by themselves or their families. WNCIC also firmly believes that new younger users attracted to the site will be a potential ready made audience to encourage them to try out the current cricket, croquet and shooting sports.
Are there any disadvantages from being part of the WNCIC?
WNCIC cannot see any disadvantages for WNSC Ltd or its members clubs other than perceived fear of WNCIC going into liquidation leading to WNSC Ltd being thrown off the site. While this is theoretically possible it would need a chain of unlikely events to happen before this were the case. However, this is less likely to happen under the CIC than if WNSC Ltd. went into liquidation. Government legislation regarding how CICs operate offer more protection to the site than a private company has.
What is the Croquet Club’s position regarding a CIC lease?
Worcester Norton Croquet Club are entirely satisfied with the proposed arrangements of the CIC and wish to retain their existing agreement moving forward.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the lease granted to WNCIC?
Advantages
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- All estate liabilities will sit with the CIC (and not Shooting/Cricket Sections as part of WNSC Ltd)
- £1.7 M+ of public money has been spent on the new buildings.
- WNCIC will be able to access additional funding streams to invest in the site infrastructure, which reduces the financial obligations of WNSC Ltd (Shooting & Cricket Sections).
- The profit & loss of bar/club house will not impact the sporting sections.
- New revenue streams will be established via the community hall for the good of the site
- All resident sports clubs will be able to use the indoor spaces for events/activities throughout the year.
- The financial arrangement between sections was not sustainable.
- Insufficient money historically generated to run the estate to the standard needed.
Disadvantages
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- If the CIC fails (no data to show they do/have nationally) there is a theoretical £1.7M debt to be repaid for the work undertaken, but the failed CIC will be replaced by a similar body, the ultimate debt held by WDC.
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- WNSC Ltd will lose control of the areas in the lease for the length of the lease (40years).
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- WNSC Ltd loses the potential to generate revenue from the areas within the lease.