Regulation and Legislation

90% of halls responding to ACRE's 2009 survey are registered charities. 88% have volunteer management committees that include representatives of users. These volunteers, or charity trustees, have a duty to manage the property for the purposes set out in their governing documentation.

Accessibility of halls has improved but gaps in provision are widespread. ACRE's 2009 research showed that 77% of committees now have buildings that are fully accessible to wheelchair users, a significant increase on the 48% from 1988 but less than half have parking for disabled. Only 32% have a hearing loop and 12% have measures to assist the partially sighted.

ACRE has spent a considerable amount of time investigating these issues and making the case for rural community halls.

20% of halls responding to ACRE's 2009 survey reported problems meeting legislative requirements; however hall committes appear well aware of the need for compliance with health, safety and fire regulations.

The large majority of halls hold a Premises Licence for regulated entertainment according to ACRE's 2009 research. 5% recorded problems with the Licensing Act 2003 but these related to the cost and limit of Temporary Event Notices. 19% are registered as food businesses with their local authority, 49% had a Performing Right Society Licence and 7% a Phonographic Performance Licence with only 0.6% holding a licence for weddings.

ACRE continues to raise awareness of the need to address VAT issues for village halls; £7 million of investment was lost to irrecoverable VAT on work to village halls in the last five years and many halls are not aware that they are should be paying 5% VAT on their fuel and power bills instead of 20%