VILLAGE HALLS AND COMMUNITY CENTRES

Early day motion 211, tabled 25 May 2005 by Baroness May of Maidenhead (Conservative). Signed by 137 members.

That this House notes the considerable and burdensome increase in licence fees faced by village halls and community centres as a result of the Licensing Act 2003; regrets the extra burden of red tape and bureaucracy forced on village hall committees; believes that a maximum of just 12 temporary event notices each year is woefully inadequate for the range and variety of events at the majority of village halls; believes a doubling of such temporary event notices to 24 per annum would give a more realistic and practical figure; further believes that few people in the voluntary sector will take on the onerous responsibilities of personal licences and designated premises supervisors; is concerned therefore that as a result of the Act many village halls and community centres will be forced dramatically to reduce the range of facilities they offer to their communities, to the possible detriment of social cohesion in those communities; recognises the vital role that such centres play in the social life of many communities; and urges the Government to ensure that village halls and community centres are not unfairly and disproportionately affected in these ways.

Signatures by party: Conservative 104, Liberal Democrat 21, Labour 9, DUP 2, Plaid Cymru 1.