RFCCBS 1.1 Overview

1This chapter gives an introduction to this guidance.

1The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is the registering authority for ‘registered societies’ under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (the Act). Registered societies are:

1. (1)

   co-operative societies;

2. (2)

   community benefit societies;

3. (3)

   pre-commencement societies (societies previously known as ‘industrial and provident societies’). In this document we refer to all registered societies simply as ‘societies’.

1This guidance explains:

1. (1)

   how we approach our role as registering authority;

2. (2)

   our policy;

3. (3)

   certain processes under the Act;

4. (4)

   how we apply society law in our role as registering authority.

1This guidance may help people:

1. (1)

   setting up a society;

2. (2)

   on the board of a society;

3. (3)

   advising a society.

1Members of societies may also find this guidance useful.