4 Parish Councils & Village Halls Douglas Williams, Village and Community Halls Adviser Surrey Community Action ext 225

5 Setting the Scene Village Halls are a very important part of rural and urban life Nationally there are some 9,000 rural community halls turning over £45m p.a. ( (average income £4,000) Average management committee 8 people = 72,000 volunteers Surrey 212 Community buildings Annual turnover £848,000 1,700 Volunteers

6 Topics Governance Issues Help from Parish Councils Finance and Grants Day to day operational issues The Future

7 Governance Which hat are you wearing? Halls owned for PC’s statutory purposes – run according to local government law – Local Government Act /3rds of members must be Parish councillors VH as a trust run by a PC as sole trustee – PC holds title and responsible for running – Management committee could not run – insufficient volunteers – PC interest v Charities Custodian Trustee – Charitable trust run by independent MC – PC holds the property on behalf of the MC must act on lawful directions of the MC

8 Help from Parish Councils PCs play a key role in representing and meeting the needs of local people Help governance by appointing a councillor onto management committee – practical assistance – regular attendance PCs use hall for committee or public meetings and recognise need to pay full rent Help to identify local needs through village appraisals or parish plans

9 Help from PCs Finance Precept Grant aid Capital fund Loans Guaranteeing loans Borrowing approval Public Works loan Board Value added tax Planning Fees

10 Finance and Grants Surrey Community Buildings Grant Scheme – not in Epsom and Ewell BC, Surrey Heath BC, Waverley BC Surrey Community Action Funder Finder Village Halls Adviser’s own list Importance of PC support Importance of making a good application – clear project – identify need – accurate costs - outcomes

11 Day to Day Operational issues Legislation – Licensing Act, Gambling Act, Health and Safety, Environmental Health, Fire Safety Regulatory Reform Procedures – manuals Marketing Volunteers – Trustee liability SCA help and advice

12 The Future Greening – alternative energy – reduce carbon footprint hall and users Community Hub – new uses – shops – Post Office – cinemas – IT café – youth clubs – health visitor – elderly people services ACRE Hallmark Scheme

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