Co-operatives and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014

*This page has been updated since it was originally published on 23 October 2024.

The Law Commission has now circulated a provisional policy position based on responses to its consultation. Details of this can be found at the bottom of this page. 

The Law Commission has been asked by HM Treasury to review the Co-operatives and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (CCBS Act). The Law Commission is the statutory independent body that keeps the law of England and Wales under review and recommends reform where it is needed. In September 2024, it published a consultation explaining the current legal framework and its proposed changes.

We anticipate that a significant proportion of NHF members could be affected by this review. The review is relevant for housing associations and co-operatives incorporated as Registered Societies under the CCBS Act. That is organisations that are:

• Registered Societies
• Community Benefit Societies
• Co-operative Societies
• Industrial and Provident Societies
• Exempt charities

Briefing and consultation response

We have produced a briefing for NHF members highlighting areas we consider significant and that members registered under the act should be aware of, especially around open membership and exempt charity status. It also outlines the likely process for reform. Our response to this consultation has been shaped by members, who can read it in full below.  

The Law Commission's provisional policy position

The Law Commission has shared a provisional policy position following its consultation on proposed changes to the Co-operatives and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (CCBS 2014).

This position is not a formal second consultation, it’s a chance to seek informal feedback. It includes four key shifts in the Law Commission’s thinking following the initial consultation, which members can view below.