West Berkshire Community Municipal Investment (CMI)

 

As the first council in the UK to launch a climate change bond, we're excited to sign a pledge with Green Finance Institute to run a second one to help fund brilliant environmental projects and tackle climate change.

 

Watch our video to hear more about the benefits of the scheme

 

In summer 2020, we launched the UK's first Community Municipal Investment (CMI) offering our residents and community groups a unique way to invest in West Berkshire, funding green projects to help the district become carbon neutral by 2030. In October 2020, we achieved our goal of raising £1 million.

Overall, 640 investors contributed nationwide, with 23% of total investment coming from West Berkshire residents. In April 2021, 1 in 6 investors donated their returns back to us to be further invested into our Wildflower Verge project.
 

Where has your money gone?

Since the launch, we have successfully begun implementing schemes from our Environment Strategy. This includes £520k for six Solar PV roof-based projects on council facilities, including a school, leisure centre, care facility, and council offices. The remaining £0.5m has been used for a variety of schemes, including:

• Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust Capital Improvements
• Urban Tree Planting
• New footpaths and rural access schemes
• Active travel infrastructure improvements
• Tree planting and habitat creation as part of flood alleviation projects
• Energy efficiency upgrades for traffic signals and street lighting

Investing directly with us provides us with a cheaper alternative to conventional sources of funds and reduces the overall cost of borrowing to taxpayers.

Watch a video of solar panel installation with Councillor Ross Mackinnon at the Phoenix Centre, Newbury and Councillor Steve Ardagh-Walter at Greenham Common.
 

How does it work?

A CMI is a bond or loan mechanism issued by a council directly to the public. It is being provided in partnership with the online crowdfunding platform Abundance Investment, which is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

CMIs can be used to supplement, diversify or replace sources of borrowing to fund-specific infrastructure projects, or to refinance existing debt.

To find out more about the CMI visit the West Berkshire page on the Abundance website.
 

Risk warning

As with any investment product there are risks. Part or all of your original invested capital may be at risk. You should be prepared to hold investments for their full term and investments may not be readily realisable. Consider all risks before investing and read the Offer Document for each investment.

Any financial promotion contained herein has been approved by Abundance Investment; a firm authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.