Co-operatives and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014

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

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.

The NHF will be responding to the consultation, and to inform our response, I would be grateful if you would review the briefing and send us your feedback by Monday 18 November 2024.