Regulations All community halls will need to ensure that they have up to date information about the regulations that affect them. Help can be obtained from your village hall adviser (find adviser) and from the relevant authorities. ACRE works with Government departments to ensure that they are aware of the impact of changes to legislation on halls. This is achieved through membership of a number of advisory groups and by responding to consultations on behalf of the Rural Community Action Network. Current consultations: Consultation on Legislative Reform Order (LRO) This consultation looks at the LRO, the proposed application form and the guidance that will be issued to local authorities. For more information speak to your village hall adviser. Consultation closes 1st September 2008. consultation document Consultation on changes to exemptions from public performance rights in sound recordings and performers’ rights Department for Culture Media and Sport - Legislative Reform Order proposal to introduce a simplified process for minor variations to Premises Licences and Club Premises Certificates. We are pleased that village hall issues have been taken into account following input to a DCMS sub-group on the issue. Deadline: 20 February 2008 view Land Registry - Comprehensive land register – this looks at compulsory registration of land. Deadline: 29 February 2008 view Office of the Third Sector/Cabinet Office - Review of the Thresholds - looks at proposals to raise the threshold for independent examination to £25,000 or £50,000 from the current £10,000. Deadline: 31 March 2008 view Further sources of information: |
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Charity StatusThe Charity Commission is the government organisation responsible for regulating and registering charities in England and Wales. The Commission assists charities to use their resources more effectively by providing the best possible regulations and advice. You should contact the Commission direct for support and advice that you need. Telephone 0845 300 0218 or visit the website Fire Regulations - The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005New fire safety rules affecting all non-domestic premises in England and Wales came into force on 1 October 2006. All community buildings management committees will need to carry out a fire risk assessment of their premises, identifying any possible dangers and risks. A set of guidance notes, available here have been developed to tell you what you have to do to comply with the fire safety law, help you to carry out a fire risk assessment and identify the general fire precautions you need to have in place. The guides are designed so that a responsible person, with limited formal training or experience, should be able to carry out a fire risk assessment. If you read the guide and decide you are unable to apply the guidance then you should seek expert advice from your Fire and Rescue Service. Licensing RegulationsThe Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is the lead Government Department on all licensing policies. The new licensing laws under the Licensing Act 2003 came into effect on 24 November 2005. There are implications for community buildings and village halls that have public entertainment or sell alcohol on the premises. Village halls and premises like them are exempt from fees for public entertainment but fees are still charged for licensing for alcohol sale. For more detailed information visit the DCMS website or contact your local authority. Health and SafetyEvery public building, including community buildings and village halls, has to comply to health and safety regulations. These regulations cover a wide range of topics, activities and projects for the protection of people using the hall, and managers who run them. It is the responsibility of the committee to ensure that health and safety regulations are being complied with. The Health and Safety Commission and the Health and Safety Executive are responsible for almost all the risks related to health and safety. Information, access to expert advice and guidance is available from the HSE Infoline on 0845 345 0055 or you can visit the HSE website. Disability Discrimination ActVillage halls are central to community life, therefore it is important that the services they provide are inclusive of all within the community. Since October 2004 service providers are required to make reasonable adjustments to the physical features of their premises to overcome physical barriers to access. The legislation has implications for all public buildings - community buildings and village halls included - without disability access or similar provisions. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is the government body set up to protect the rights of disabled people. The Commission's helpline provides advice and information on the Disability Discrimination Act. Call the helpline on 08457 622 633. Further information is available on the EHRC website. Tax RegulationsCommunity buildings and village halls with charity status could benefit from tax exemptions or from certain tax schemes, such as Gift Aid and VAT. These could help reduce costs or generate some much needed funds. Managers are advised to check with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) department to find if and how they can benefit. The HMRC website has detailed information. If you have any further queries or want to ask for advice you can call the Charities helpline on 0845 302 0203. |
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