General Rules Governing the use of the Community Centre Hall

Preamble

The management of the Langford Village Community Centre is vested in the General Committee (GC) of the Langford Village Community Association (LVCA) and the Community Centre Management sub-Committee (CCMsC) whose powers and composition are defined in the LVCA Constitution. Under the provisions of the Constitution, the LVCA GC is empowered to make rules, and to withdraw or amend them. The Constitution is displayed in the Community Centre or may be consulted via a member of the LVCA GC.

1 Use of the Community Centre

Use of the Community Centre and its facilities is subject to the following rules and, in the case of hirers, to certain standard conditions incorporated in the hiring agreement.

2 Cleaning and Security

All use of the Community Centre premises and facilities is subject to the users or hirers accepting responsibility for returning furniture and equipment to their original position, and for securing doors and windows and the security system of the premises as directed by the CCMsC. All users shall also leave the premises and surrounds in a clean and tidy condition and remove resulting rubbish, as may be directed by the CCMsC.

3 Penalty Charges

(a) The CCMsC reserve the right to pass on any repair costs as a result of damage incurred by Community Centre hirers or their event.
(b) The CCMsC reserve the right to pass on any additional cleaning costs to return the Community Centre to a fit state and any costs relating to the removal and disposal of rubbish.

4 Applying to Use the Community Centre

(a) Applications for use of the Community Centre shall be made to the Booking Secretary, via the Community Centre answering service.
(b) The right to refuse any application for use of the Community Centre is reserved to the CCMsC.
(c) All arrangements for the use of the Community Centre are subject to the LVCA reserving the right to cancel bookings when the premises are required for use as a Polling Station or are rendered unfit for the intended use.
(d) Sections and affiliated groups of the LVCA shall normally have priority use of its facilities, but all arrangements to hire facilities made with outside bodies and with individuals shall be honoured by the LVCA, except as provided for in (c) above.

5 Hours of Opening

Facilities at the Village Community Centre are normally available for use between the hours of 9.00 am and 11.00 pm. In exceptional cases these hours may be extended on application.

6 Maximum Capacity

The Community Centre has a maximum capacity of 100 seated or dancing - these figures to include both performers and helpers. On no account shall these figures be exceeded.

7 Safety Requirements

All conditions attached to the grant of the Community Centre entertainment licence, stage play or other licenses shall be strictly observed. Nothing shall be done which shall endanger the users of the building, and the policies and insurance relating to it and to its contents. In particular:-
(a) Obstructions must not be placed in gangways or exits, nor in front of emergency exits, which must be immediately available for free public egress;
(b) The emergency lighting supply must be active during the whole time premises are in occupation and must illuminate all exit signs and routes;
(c) Fire fighting apparatus shall be kept in its proper place and only used for its intended purpose;
(d) The fire brigade shall be called to any outbreak of fire, however slight and details of the occurrence shall be given to the Community Centre Manager;
(e) Performances involving danger to the public are not permitted;
(f) Highly flammable substances shall not be brought into or used on any part of the premises. No internal decoration of a combustible nature shall be undertaken without prior consent.
(g) No unauthorised heating appliances shall be brought onto or used on the premises;
(h) The first aid box shall be readily available to all users. It is located in the kitchen. The Community Centre Manager must be informed of any accident or injury occurring on the premises;
(i) All electrical equipment brought into the building shall comply with the Electricity at Work Regulations (1989 and amendments). The CCMsC disclaims all responsibility for claims and costs arising out of any equipment that does not so comply.

8 Supervision

(a) The hirer or person in charge of any activity must be over the age of 18 years, and shall remain on the premises for the entire period of hire or duration of the activity. The person in charge shall not engage in any duties that prevent him/her from exercising general supervision.
(b) When the premises or any part of them are used for the purpose of public entertainment, there shall be a minimum of two persons over the age of 18 on duty at all times.
(c) All persons in charge or on duty shall be familiar with the procedure for evacuation, location of exits and shall be familiar with the fire fighting equipment.

9 Intoxicating Liquor

(a) No intoxicating liquors are permitted to be bought, sold or consumed on any part of the premises, including gardens, without the express permission in writing of the CCMsC. This consent must be obtained prior to seeking any occasional license or permission for the sale of alcohol.
(b) The individual named on an occasional licence must be present throughout the time when alcohol is on sale.

10 Betting, Gaming and Lotteries

Nothing shall be done in contravention of the law relating to betting, gaming and lotteries. Persons or organisations responsible for functions held in the Community Centre shall insure that requirements of the relevant legislation are strictly observed by them.

11 Stage Plays

The Community Centre Manager must be given at least six weeks notice of any stage play or production, so the appropriate licence may be obtained from the local authority, which itself requires a period of notice.

12 Licences for Live and Recorded Music

It is the responsibility of any user group or individual, who uses music in their activities to check if they require a licence from Performing Rights Society (PRS) - for the copyright of the original material or Phonographic Performances Limited (PPL) - for recorded performances, and take the necessary steps to obtain one.

13 Storage

Storage facilities at the Community Centre remain the exclusive domain of LVCA. At its discretion, the CCMsC may permit user groups to store goods and equipment at and within areas designated to them. Any other users requiring temporary storage must first seek permission from the CCMsC via the Community Centre Manager.

14 Loss or Damage of Property

The Association cannot accept responsibility for damage to, or the loss or theft of, Community Centre users' property and effects.

15 Car Parking

Cars shall not be parked so as to cause an obstruction at the entrance to, or exits from the Community Centre. Where parking space is provided and is available, this must be used, and in any case users of the Community Centre should avoid undue noise on arrival and departure.

16 Nuisance

(a) Litter shall not be left in or about the Community Centre premises.
(b) Except in the case of trained assistance dogs, dogs shall not be permitted on the Community Centre premises. In exceptional cases, dogs may be allowed on the Community Centre premises on application to the CCMsC.
(c) Hirers or organisers of events in the Community Centre are responsible for ensuring that the noise level of their functions is not such as to interfere with other activities within the building nor to cause inconvenience for the occupiers of nearby houses and property.

17 Equal Opportunities

The Community Centre shall be open to all members of the community regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious or political beliefs, and marital status. Activities in the Community Centre shall not undermine the LVCA's stance to be non-party in politics and non-sectarian in religion.