What can I do ? |
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Leaflet and talk to neighbours
Because B4RN is a community organisation it is up to us to get enough people interested and onboard. One thing we can all do is talk to neighbours and friends and leaflet so people have something to read and think about.
We have produced a simple but informative A4 that can start as an introduction. Download and print.
We have produced a simple but informative A4 that can start as an introduction. Download and print.
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Invest in shares or make a loan
Our sister organisation B4YS ( B4RN for Yealand, Silverdale and Storth) have produced an excellent guide which they have kindly let me reproduce
B4RN shares, how do they work?
Posted by Chris on May 15, 2014 on B4YS website.
The material costs of building the B4RN network for our parishes will be met by selling shares in the broadband company, to members of the local community. This funds the ducting, fibre, cabinets etc. Share purchases are the way we will make our community network happen.
As a community benefit society, B4RN must operate for the benefit the rural community rather than its shareholders, so surplus funds are reinvested. B4RN shares are structured in such a way that there is no potential for capital gains, instead B4RN aims to pay a dividend return of 5% per annum from year 4 onward of share ownership.
For taxpayers, share purchases up to £20,000 are eligible for 30% EIS relief.
Businesses (and those who don’t pay tax) should consider lending money to the project.
Looking at the returns on the B4RN shares:
You could think of the share purchase as if it were a loan to the community company, in return for an interest payment. The returns are many times better than that in a high street bank savings account, and whilst they won’t buy you a yacht, they will buy your community one of the fastest fibre broadband connections in the world!
B4RN has raised over £1m in shares through Lancashire to date. The model works and has provided hyperfast connections in Wray, Quernmore, Abbeystead, Arkholme, Dolphinholme, Docker & Gressingham.
You won’t need to buy shares to receive a B4RN connection, but network will be built sooner if more people invest.
B4RN shares, how do they work?
Posted by Chris on May 15, 2014 on B4YS website.
The material costs of building the B4RN network for our parishes will be met by selling shares in the broadband company, to members of the local community. This funds the ducting, fibre, cabinets etc. Share purchases are the way we will make our community network happen.
As a community benefit society, B4RN must operate for the benefit the rural community rather than its shareholders, so surplus funds are reinvested. B4RN shares are structured in such a way that there is no potential for capital gains, instead B4RN aims to pay a dividend return of 5% per annum from year 4 onward of share ownership.
For taxpayers, share purchases up to £20,000 are eligible for 30% EIS relief.
Businesses (and those who don’t pay tax) should consider lending money to the project.
Looking at the returns on the B4RN shares:
- Years 1, 2 & 3: A combined return of 30% is available to taxpayers via EIS. This amounts to an annual ROI of 16% gross for a higher rate taxpayer.
- Years 4 and onwards: B4RN proposes to pay interest at a rate of 5% per annum.
- Years 4 and onwards: Subject to available funds, investors can cash in their shares by selling them back to B4RN for their original value. B4RN aims to have repaid all shareholders in 10 years’ time:
You could think of the share purchase as if it were a loan to the community company, in return for an interest payment. The returns are many times better than that in a high street bank savings account, and whilst they won’t buy you a yacht, they will buy your community one of the fastest fibre broadband connections in the world!
B4RN has raised over £1m in shares through Lancashire to date. The model works and has provided hyperfast connections in Wray, Quernmore, Abbeystead, Arkholme, Dolphinholme, Docker & Gressingham.
- More info in the B4RN launch presentation (video),
- The B4RN Business Plan
- The B4RN prospectus, the share offer document: Invitation to subscribe for shares V4
- B4RN Rules Final
- and in the FAQ and on the B4RN site.
You won’t need to buy shares to receive a B4RN connection, but network will be built sooner if more people invest.