Halls future

Based on their review of best practice, the Working Group identified the following key principles in relation to the community halls, which it is recommended are endorsed by Cabinet:The community halls are a resource for the residents of the area or estate in which they are located and should be used to host a variety of activities for the benefit of all sections of the community. These activities should be a balance between commercial hiring and subsidised community use in order to ensure the sustainability of the halls.The halls should playa key role in strengthening and developing local communities.

The long-term aim is for each of the community halls to be managed by a separate halls management committee consisting of tenants, leaseholders, local residents and other stakeholders such as representatives from the Voluntary & Community Sector. The management committee will need to produce a viable business plan.

The Council's role will be to provide practical, relevant support to the management committees including training and skills development such as strategic planning, marketing and communication. Halls with bars must demonstrate an acceptable balance between the times that the hall is used for the sale of alcoholic drinks and the time that it is used for other activities. All of the halls with bars have given a commitment that they will be non-smoking by 31st March 1007, starting with Kettering Hall, which becomes non-smoking from 1st January 1007.

Income generated from community halls must be reinvested into the upkeep of the halls or the development of the community. This will be checked through regular audits arranged by the Community Halls Manager.