Standard Conditions of Hire
These standard conditions apply to all hiring of the Village Hall. If the Hirer is in any doubt as to the meaning of the following, the Booking Secretary should immediately be consulted.

1. Supervision

The Hirer, not being a person under 18 years of age, shall, during the period of the hiring, be responsible for: supervision of the premises, the fabric and the contents; their care, safety from damage, however slight, or change of any sort; and the behaviour of all persons using the premises whatever their capacity, including proper supervision of car parking arrangements so as to avoid obstruction of the highway. They shall ensure observance of the No Smoking policy. As directed by the Management Committee, the Hirer shall make good or pay for all damage (including accidental damage) to the premises or to the fixtures, fittings or contents and for loss of contents.

2. Use of Premises

The Hirer shall not use the premises for any purpose other than that described in the Hiring Agreement and shall not sub-hire or use the premises or allow the premises to be used for any unlawful purpose or in any unlawful way nor do anything or bring onto the premises anything which may endanger the same or render invalid any insurance policies in respect thereof nor allow the consumption of alcohol thereon without written permission. The Hirer must be aware of the impact of their use of the hall on other users, if only hiring a part of the hall. If the intended use is for playing of music or activities which will generate noise, then the whole hall should be booked.

3. Gaming, Betting and Lotteries

The Hirer shall ensure that nothing is done on or in relation to the premises in contravention of the law relating to gaming, betting and lotteries.

4. Licences

The Hirer shall ensure that the Village Hall holds a Performing Rights Society Licence which permits the use of copyright music in any form e.g. record, compact disc, tapes, radio, and television or by performers in person. If other licences are required in respect of any activity in the Village Hall the Hirer should ensure that they hold the relevant licence or the Village Hall holds it.

5. Public Safety Compliance

The Hirer shall comply with all conditions and regulations made in respect of the premises by the Fire Authority, Local Authority, and the Licensing Authority or otherwise, particularly in connection with any event which constitutes regulated entertainment, at which alcohol is sold or provided or which is attended by children. Performances involving danger to the public or of a sexually explicit nature shall not take place.

(a) The Hirer must read the fire safety instructions below and information located at the main fire exits in the hall:
 The action to be taken in event of fire. This includes calling the Fire Brigade and evacuating the hall.
 The location and use of fire equipment. (See location diagram on wall in main foyer and on kitchen wall)
 Escape routes and the need to keep them clear.
 Method of operation of escape door fastenings.
 Appreciation of the importance of any fire doors and of closing all fire doors at the time of a fire.

(b) In advance of an entertainment, play, public show, film or concert the Hirer shall check the following items:
 That all fire exits are unlocked and push bars in good working order.
 That all escape routes are free of obstruction inside and out and can be safely used.
 That all fire doors are not wedged open.
 That exit signs are illuminated.
 That there are no obvious fire hazards on the premises.
 For plays, concerts and films the appropriate number of stewards are present and that chairs should be clipped together. (See below)
 Children shall be restricted from viewing age restricted classified films according to the recommendations of the British Board of Film Classification.
 There shall, in addition to the hirer, be a minimum number of competent attendants on duty on the premises to assist people entering and leaving, none of whom shall be less than 18years of age. See table below. If most of the audience is under 18, the number of attendants shall be not less than 1 adult to 10 young people.
(c) All persons on duty shall have been instructed as to their essential responsibilities in the event of fire or other emergencies, including attention to disabled persons, the location and use of the fire fighting equipment available, how to call the fire brigade and evacuation procedure.
 The number of people on the premises shall not exceed:
Closely seated audience 300 persons
Dancing and seating with tables 220 persons
Dining seating with tables 180 persons
 The number of attendants on duty must be as specified in the licence and not less than:
Two adult attendants for up to 100 persons
Three adult attendants for 100 to 249 persons
Four adult attendants for 250 to 499 persons
Additional attendants are required if the audience is mostly under 18 years or for those with additional needs.

6. Means of Escape

(a) All means of exit from the premises must be kept free from obstruction and immediately available for instant free public exit.

(b) The emergency lighting supply illuminating all exit signs and routes must be turned on during the whole of the time the premises are occupied (if not operated by an automatic mains failure switching device).

7. Outbreaks of Fire

The Fire Brigade shall be called to any outbreak of fire, however slight, and details thereof shall be given to the secretary of the management committee.

8. Health and Hygiene

The Hirer shall, if preparing, serving or selling food, observe all relevant food health and hygiene legislation and regulations. In particular dairy products, vegetables and meat on the premises must be refrigerated and stored in compliance with the Food Temperature Regulations. The premises are provided with a refrigerator and thermometer.

9. Electrical Appliance Safety

The Hirer shall ensure that any electrical appliances brought by them to the premises and used there shall be safe, in good working order, and used in a safe manner in accordance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. Where a residual circuit breaker is provided the hirer must make use of it in the interests of public safety.

10. Indemnity/Insurance

(a) The Hirer shall indemnify and keep indemnified each member of the Village Hall management committee and the Village Hall’s employees, volunteers, agents and invitees against:

(i) the cost of repair of any damage done to any part of the premises including the curtilage thereof or the contents of the premises

(ii) all claims, losses, damages and costs in respect of damage or loss of property or injury to persons arising as a result of the use of the premises (including the storage of equipment) by the Hirer, and

(iii) all claims, losses, damages and costs suffered or incurred as a result of any nuisance caused to a third party as a result of the use of the premises by the Hirer.

(b) The Hirer shall take out adequate insurance to insure the Hirer and members of the Hirer’s organisation and invitees against the Hirer’s liability under paragraph 10(a) and all claims arising as a result of the hire The Village Hall is insured against any claims arising out of its own negligence.

11. Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences

The Hirer must report all accidents involving injury to the public to a member of the Village Hall management committee as soon as possible and complete the relevant section in the Village Hall’s accident book (located in Kitchen). Any failure of equipment belonging to the Village Hall or brought in by the Hirer must also be reported as soon as possible. Certain types of accident or injury must be reported on a special form to the local authority. The Hall Secretary will give assistance in completing this form. This is in accordance with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR).

12. Explosives and Flammable Substances

The hirer shall ensure that:

(a) Highly flammable substances are not brought into, or used in any part of the premises and that

(b) No internal decorations of a combustible nature (e.g. polystyrene, cotton wool) shall be erected without the consent of the management committee. No decorations are to be put up near light fittings or heaters.

(c) It is the responsibility of the hirer to ensure that any portable gas appliances taken to the hall are safe and in good working order and that they are only used outdoors. Barbecues, pig roasts etc (only to be used with the permission of the management committee) must be a minimum of 6 metres from the hall building.

(d) Any naked flames eg. candles, must be approved by the hall committee before the event.

13. Heating

The Hirer shall ensure that no unauthorised heating appliances shall be used on the premises when open to the public without the consent of the management committee. Portable Liquefied Propane Gas (LPG) heating appliances shall not be used.

14. Drunk and Disorderly Behaviour and Supply of Illegal Drugs

The Hirer shall ensure that in order to avoid disturbing neighbours to the hall and avoid violent or criminal behaviour; care shall be taken to avoid excessive consumption of alcohol. Drunk and disorderly behaviour shall not be permitted either on the premises or in its immediate vicinity. Alcohol shall not be served to any person suspected of being drunk nor to any person suspected of being under the age of 18. Any person suspected of being drunk, under the influence of drugs or who is behaving in a violent or disorderly way shall be asked to leave the premises. No illegal drugs may be brought onto the premises.

15. Animals

The Hirer shall ensure that no animals (including birds) except guide dogs are brought into the premises, other than for a special event agreed to by the Village Hall Committee. No animals whatsoever are to enter the kitchen at any time.

16. Compliance with The Children Act 1989

The Hirer shall ensure that any activities for children under eight years of age comply with the provisions of The Children Act of 1989 and that only fit and proper persons who have passed the appropriate DBS checks have access to the children (checks may also apply where children over eight and vulnerable adults are taking part in activities). The Hirer shall provide the Village Hall committee with a copy of their Child Protection Policy on request.

17. Fly Posting

The Hirer shall not carry out or permit fly posting or any other form of unauthorised advertisements for any event taking place at the premises, and shall indemnify and keep indemnified each member of the Village Hall’s management committee accordingly against all actions, claims and proceedings arising from any breach of this condition. Failure to observe this condition may lead to prosecution by the local authority.

18. Sale of Goods

The Hirer shall, if selling goods on the premises, comply with Fair Trading Laws and any code of practice used in connection with such sales. In particular, the Hirer shall ensure that the total prices of all goods and services are prominently displayed, as shall be the organiser’s name and address and that any discounts offered are based only on Manufacturers’ Recommended Retail Prices.

19.1 Cancellation

If the Hirer wishes to cancel the booking before the date of the event and the Village Hall is unable to conclude a replacement booking, the question of the payment or the repayment of the fee shall be at the discretion of the Village Hall, and will be subject to a small administration charge. The Village Hall reserves the right to cancel a hiring by written notice to the Hirer in the event of:

(a) the premises being required for use as a Polling Station for a Parliamentary or Local Government election or by-election

(b) the Village Hall management committee reasonably considering that:

(i) such hiring will lead to a breach of licensing conditions, if applicable, or other legal or statutory requirements, or

(ii) unlawful or unsuitable activities will take place at the premises as a result of this hiring

(c) the premises becoming unfit for the use intended by the Hirer

(d) an emergency requiring use of the premises as a shelter for the victims of flooding, snowstorm, fire, explosion or those at risk of these or similar disasters. In any such case the Hirer shall be entitled to a refund of any deposit already paid, but the Village Hall shall not be liable to the Hirer for any resulting direct or indirect loss or damages whatsoever.

19.2 Refusal of Booking

The Committee reserves the right to refuse a booking without notice or to cancel this Hiring Agreement at any time either before or during the term of the agreement.

20. End of Hire

The Hirer shall be responsible for leaving the premises and surrounding area in a clean and tidy condition, properly locked and secured unless directed otherwise and any contents temporarily removed from their usual positions properly replaced. The Hirer must ensure that all waste from their hiring (except cloakrooms) especially food is taken away, otherwise the Village Hall shall be at liberty to make an additional charge. The Hirer must return the keys immediately after the hire period unless a prior agreement has been made with the authorised Representative of the Village Hall Management Committee.

21. Noise
The Hirer shall ensure that the minimum of noise is made on arrival and departure, particularly late at night and early in the morning. The Hirer shall, if using sound amplification equipment, make use of any noise limitation device provided at the premises and comply with any other licensing condition for the premises. The Hirer is responsible for ensuring that the noise level of their function is such that it does not cause interference with other activities within the building or nearby residents. STRICTLY NO FIREWORKS OR CHINESE LANTERNS.

22. Stored Equipment

The Village Hall accepts no responsibility for any agreed stored equipment or other property brought on to or left at the premises, and all liability for loss or damage is hereby excluded. Regular users should obtain permission from the management committee before storing any equipment on the premises. All equipment and other property (other than stored equipment) must be removed at the end of each hiring or fees will be charged for each day or part of a day at the hire fee per hiring until the same is removed. The Village Hall may, in its discretion in any of the following circumstances, namely:

(a) in respect of agreed stored equipment, failure by the Hirer either to pay any storage charges due and payable or to remove the same within 4 days after the agreed storage period has ended

(b) in respect of any other property brought on to the premises for the purposes of the hiring, failure by the Hirer to remove the same by the day following the hiring, dispose of any such items by sale or otherwise on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit, and charge the Hirer any costs incurred in storing and selling or otherwise disposing of the same.

23. No Alterations

No alterations or additions may be made to the premises nor may any fixtures be installed or placards, decorations or other articles be attached in any way to any part of the premises without the prior approval of the Booking Secretary. Any alteration, fixture or fitting or attachment will become the property of the Village Hall unless removed by the hirer at the end of the hiring period. The hirer must make good to the satisfaction of the hall committee any damage caused to the premises by such removal.

24. No Rights

The Hiring Agreement constitutes permission only to use the premises and confers no tenancy or other right of occupation on the Hirer.