The pilot will be run independently by the Community Foundation, which is part of the network of UK Community Foundations. The organisation is an independent registered charity experienced in engaging and consulting with communities in Lancashire, receiving and administering funding applications and evaluating their success. Since 2003, the Community Foundation has distributed funds of £9 million to over 1,900 community groups, charities and social businesses across Lancashire working in partnership with donors, funders and philanthropists.
A community benefit of £100,000 will be paid by Cuadrilla for each exploration wellhead where hydraulic fracturing takes place. This payment will be made into the community fund as drilling operations commence on each well that we intend to hydraulically fracture. The Community Foundation will be responsible for coordinating a consultation into how local residents and community groups would like to see that funding distributed for public benefit and will administer the scheme to ensure a transparent process that delivers benefit to the community.
The pilot is part of a scheme announced today by the industry’s representative body, the United Kingdom Onshore Operators Group (UKOOG) working in partnership with the UK Community Foundation.
Francis Egan, Cuadrilla’s chief executive, said, “Cuadrilla is delighted to be able to make this announcement today. The Community Foundation for Lancashire is an excellent partner with a strong track record of working with communities to help identify appropriate causes and means of disseminating these community funds. We are committed to being a good neighbour and it will be for local people to decide for themselves - with the help of the Community Foundation for Lancashire - how this money will be spent.”
Cathy Elliott, chief executive of the Community Foundation for Lancashire, said, “Community Foundation for Lancashire is an impartial and independent charity and will manage the funds independently of Cuadrilla and entirely for the benefit of the local communities for whom each fund is intended, within Charity Commission guidelines.Work on any fund will commence after the full planning and regulatory approval process has been completed and all necessary approvals have been given. We will work with and for local communities in a robust, effective and fully transparent process, supporting local people to define local priorities, including the appointment of a community panel to decide how the money will be spent. We will ensure that funds are effectively managed to deliver the greatest possible social benefit.”
Cuadrilla Resources Ltd
Cuadrilla House
Stowe Court
Stowe Street
Lichfield
Staffordshire
WS13 6AQ
United Kingdom
Tel: +44(0)1543266444
Fax: +44(0)15432664440
www.cuadrillaresources.com
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