Recommendations and vision to support community and village halls
Consultation closed: Tuesday, 1 March 2022
Consultation opened: Tuesday, 16 November 2021
We used our review to produce recommendations for further investment and improvement of community buildings and village halls. We welcome your thoughts on these recommendations and our draft vision for local community facilities.
Our recommendations
Continue to update and maintain the Central Bedfordshire community buildings and village halls database as an important evidence base for community infrastructure
The database that has been refreshed by the review survey exercise should continue to be updated and maintained by Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity, with particular attention given to capacity, usage levels and condition / investment needs. This will ensure there is an up-to-date evidence base to inform the need for investment in community facilities when new housing developments are considered. Ward councillors and town or parish councils should be asked to assist in providing data where there are gaps.
Ensure that hall committees (and town or parish councils) are aware of Section 106 funds available to support investment and expansion needs of community buildings and village halls impacted by new development
As the survey has indicated, investment is required to ensure all local communities in Central Bedfordshire have reasonable access to a building available for hire. Where funds towards community facilities have been secured from developments across Central Bedfordshire, those managing existing facilities with investment needs will need to be made aware. Fully costed proposals will be required to inform requests for Section 106 funding towards refurbishment or new build projects.
Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity to work with halls that are unincorporated associations to review their legal status where required and ensure title/ownership is correctly registered
The unincorporated association model has served community and village halls perfectly adequately over the years. However, where significant contracts or other financial risks are required (e.g. in connection with major building works), it may be advisable to convert to the charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) model to minimise the personal risk to trustees.
Raise awareness of the local advice and support services available for community buildings and widen support to include church halls
Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity and other infrastructure support organisations can provide a range of advice and support to hall management committees. This is not always well known due to funding reductions and turnover of committee members. Opportunities should be taken to promote these services more actively.
Increase Wi-Fi connectivity at community buildings and village halls
Only 50% of the community buildings and village halls that responded to the survey, said they had Wi-Fi. Increasing Wi-Fi capacity across the community buildings and village hall network will impact positively on their viability and demand for hirable space. There are currently a number of projects in Central Bedfordshire aimed at increasing digital inclusion, either by increasing the availability of good connectivity to rural areas, or providing more suitable hardware (laptops, computers etc.) and/or providing adequate training to users by local champions.
Ensure the survey supports planning obligations considerations
This survey provides evidence of local need for either the improvement of existing halls or the requirement for a new hall. The main design principle is that where possible halls should provide modern flexible space which can be used for a variety of activities by hall users, in a safe and secure environment.
Where possible hall capacity should be future proofed to allow for an expanding community who have different needs.
For existing halls, where there is clear evidence of need from established users, the design issues are fairly clear and the local engagement process with residents could be undertaken to shape proposals.
For new community buildings, arising from new housing developments, the survey contains guidance on the number and type of rooms, the overall hall size, parking capacity and storage but ultimately this will be negotiated as part of the planning process.
Providing support for church halls
Church halls that provide hirable space to the community are included in this survey. Those that only permit use by church members are excluded. Of the 40 church halls polled, 17 responded. It is not within the current Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity remit to support church halls. To our knowledge, this sector does not receive government or any other guidance in the running of the hall, unless it comes from the diocese. This lack of support needs to be addressed, as these halls can play a vital part in their communities.
Based on the survey develop a vision and action plan for supporting community buildings and village halls
Following on from the survey and recommendations, an action plan should be created together with a vision for community buildings and village halls to ensure progress against each of the actions.
Draft vision
Based on the findings from the review, our proposed draft vision for community buildings and village halls is:
All residents of all ages will have reasonable access to a multi-purpose community hub and focal point for community activities and service delivery, meeting the needs of the local community it serves. Each facility will be clean, warm, safe, accessible and well maintained, and will include as a minimum a main hall, a meeting room, a kitchen, toilets, storage space, sufficient equipment, garden / play facility, recycling facilities and appropriate car and cycle parking facilities, and will be fully serviced including broadband provision and secure.