SUMMER 2024 COMMUNITY BUILDINGS NEWSLETTER
Welcome to the Summer Newsletter. Now that the heating has finally been turned off(!)) many are busily planning the village fêtes and fairs that show off the capabilities and capacities of our Community Buildings.
Here at CCS we have been settling in to our new offices which may be only a few yards from the old ones but offer us a much more versatile working space. We are looking at ways of reducing our carbon footprint which is always challenging when you only rent the building.
In this newsletter we will be giving an update on the Terrorism Bill and what we can do to influence its progress through Parliament. We also have more details about the Community Buildings Conference and how to book a place. Not to mention an update on Charity Banking, a spotlight on Caryford Village Hall and CCS projects.
Happy Reading
RobertHornCCSCommunityBuildingsAdvisor robert@somersetrcc.org.uk
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The new government has indicated that it is committed tointroducing the Bill at the earliest opportunity, meaning it will receive a first reading soon into the autumn session. The new Opposition has also committed to not opposing the Government on the Bill which could mean that the Bill’s passage could be relatively short and opportunities to draw attention to its shortcomings are limited. MostVillageHallshavea
CCS shares the view of ACRE that the proposed Standard Tier requirements are primarily designed for premises run by commercial or public sector organisations and do not fit well with Community Buildings. These requirements could not be easily included in hiring agreements in the same way as fire and H&S provisions. Legal compliance would fall to Village Hall Trustees,and we believe it is unrealistic to expect them to comply as if they were the managers or owners of commercial premises which have staff on site when in use.
When the draft Bill was published in 2023 (but not introduced into Parliament) many members of the ACRE Network and Village Halls responded to the consultation and the pre- legislative inquiry carried out by Home Affairs Select Committee. These were very critical of the Standard Tier requirements. As a result, the Home Office reduced these requirements, but has not published a revised version of the Bill.
The Chief Executive of ACRE Corinne Pluchino has written to the new Home Secretary reiterating the recommendations that either small charitable premises and/or those operated by unincorporated associations (the majority of Village Halls) are taken out of scope of the legislation, or the lower size threshold for the Standard Tier is raised to 200. Whilst these are only partial solutions, they are probably the best compromise we believe we may be able to achieve.
What can we do now?
CCS is contacting the new MPs across the countyto register its concerns about the Bill and request their support to amend it at Committee Stage. We will need to manage any Parliamentary allies as efficiently as we can, up to and including providing the wording of amendments.
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Trustees of Community Buildings should do the same andalert their MPs of their concern. In the absence of a Select Committee inquiry or further consultation by the Home Office, this is likely to be our only opportunity to voice our concerns that the legislation is not suitable for our charities and will place an unfair burden on trustees. The recommendations listed above would be a sensible compromise.
Important points to note when considering action:
Both ACRE and its members shouldseek to avoid wider PRor social media debate on this issue.
We do not want to contribute to a polarised debate in which rural communities are perceived to be privileged and ‘not at risk’ and are therefore trying to prevent protection from being introduced for premises and communities that genuinely see this to be important. If you find yourselves drawn intowider media debate on the Bill, we urge you to take a ‘nuanced’ line!
ACRE’s line to the Home Office has always been “By pressing the concerns of small, volunteerrun, premises we would not want to ‘water-down’ legislation that could lead to city centre, commercial, premises not having the right preparations in place when a terrorism incident strikes. We urge you to avoid placing an unacceptable burden on the Trustees of small community buildings whilst also ensuring premises that may be a target for terrorists are properly prepared.”
Update
The knife attack on the public in a health clinic in Southport last week has obviously caused
Join our annual conference with the theme ‘Fit For Purpose’
19th October - Compton Dundon Village Hall
Provisional Agenda
9:30 Arrival, 10:00 Start
Morning
Hallmark Presentations to congratulate Halls that have met the quality standard and excellence awards for outstanding achievements. Presentations
National perspectives update on Community Buildings (ACRE) Fire Safety & Risk Assessment (Devon & Somerset Fire Service) Making changes to your building (Orme Architecture)
13:00 Lunch & Exhibition
Workshop topics include Changing governing documents
Consulting with your community
Food poverty and how Community Buildings can help
15:00 Event Close
Stall holders to be confirmed
Event sponsors:
Norris and Fisher Insurance Brokers Ltd specialise in charity and community based insurance. They have been insuring village halls for over 30 years.
Utility Aid is the largest energy broker for the not-for-profit sector in the UK, offering bespoke services for community buildings.
NB: Places are limited so book early.
Ifthereareanyothertopicsthatyouwouldlikeatrainingcourseabout,pleaseletusknow!
10th Sept
17 Sept
30 Sept
8 Oct
Parish Councils as Sole Trustee: Learn how local councils acting as Sole Trustee can effectively manage their responsibilities.
Making changes to your Governing Document – updated from previous in line with new legislation
Writing a Successful Funding Application – part 2 of 2: Using the evidence and understanding the fund to make a compelling case for your project
Safeguarding for Community Buildings – a guide for trustees about what you need to know and do. We strongly recommend that every hall has appointed a Safeguarding lead and that person has attended a session like this one
Tobookaplaceonanyofthesecoursespleasegotoourwebsite: https://ccslovesomerset.org/community-buildings-events-2024/
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We have two training events to support your journey to reducing your carbon footprint. You can apply for one of our 30 FREE energy audits worth over £700 if you have produced a DIY Energy Check and Carbon Reduction Plan. Join our events to get started or if you already have one, make sure you have it to hand. Applications open 30 September – 11 October 2024.
Sign up today!
DIY Energy Check
Date: 18th September from 19:00 - 21:00 Online via Zoom
Learn how to perform a DIY energy audit for your building
Identify areas to improve energy efficiency
Save on costs while reducing energy consumption
Step-by-Step Guide to Reducing Your Building’s Carbon Impact
Date: 25th September from 12:00 - 14:00 Online via Zoom
Discover practical steps to minimize your carbon footprint
Implement sustainable practices for longterm benefits
Get expert advice on eco-friendly solutions
Areyoulisted?
We have populated our Community Buildings Locator with all our member entries. Please check if you have a full listing on it. If you are showing with a blue pin please click the below link and complete our online form:
CLICKHERETOSUBMITYOURENTRY
There is a new guidance tool from UK Finance which details what is on offer from the different banks More parts of the Charities Act 2022 came into effect in March just before Village Halls week. One of the key changes likely to affect Community Buildings is the method for making changes to a governing document.
In the past anything which was not covered in a governing document or in section 280 of the 2011 Act, required the Charity Commission to write a scheme. This was becoming a lengthy process. The new statutory power allows Unincorporated Associations and Charitable Trusts to alter their governing documents by getting the Commission’s authority to make regulated alterations. This marks a significant change because it transfers the alteration work to the trustees with the commission merely granting permission.
Last call for nominations for Trustee of the Year 2024
Do you know an outstanding member of a Village Hall /Community Building management committee? Now’s your chance to give them the recognition they deserve!
We're looking for:
A long-serving member who has held an officer position and been very active in committee work.
Someone who has significantly turned around the fortunes of a village hall. A person who led a major Hall project that otherwise may not have happened.
To nominate, please provide a statement answering these questions: How long has the nominee been on the management committee? What position/officer role(s) has the nominee held on the management committee? What contributions has the nominee made to the management committee?
Any other outstanding qualities of the nominee which you would like to tell us about?
This statement should be no longer than 150 words and endorsed by at least two signatories / nominated Trustees either in writing or via email. A small panel from the CCS will shortlist from the entries received and will then make the final decision.
WE WILL BE PLEASED TO ACCEPT nominations for persons previously nominated. Please also note we cannot accept posthumous nominations.
Nominations for Trustee of the Year 2024 are open and the closing 30th August 2024
Email your nominations to communitybuildings@somersetrcc.org.uk or Post your nomination to: C it
Written by Jane Birch, Head of Programmes, CCS
On Saturday, 21st July, the community of Caryford came together to celebrate a significant milestone in the history of their village hall. After years of hard work and dedication, Stage 3 of the Caryford Village Hall development was officially opened, marking the completion of a long-held dream for the residents of Castle Cary and Ansford, who jointly share the hall.
The project’s journey has been a long one, with roots tracing back to the 1980s when the initial idea for the development first took shape. Among those present at the event was a remarkable lady Mrs Lee Mosley, who was part of the original group that envisioned the hall’s expansion decades ago. Her continued involvement symbolises the enduring commitment and passion that has driven this project forward through the years.
My connection with this project dates back to a decade ago when I first met the dedicated team behind it as a Community Officer. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing their unwavering dedication to turning this vision into reality. The new additions to Caryford Village Hall include a spacious, light-filled main hall, a lovely new room perfect for various activities, and a smaller meeting room. The facility also boasts a state-of-the-art kitchen and a large car park, making it a versatile and welcoming space for the community.
The Caryford team’s hard work and determination have paid off spectacularly. It was an honour to be invited to the opening, especially since CCS (Community Council for Somerset) has been fortunate enough to support this project with funding advice, governance guidance, and project development assistance along the way. Seeing the results of their dedication firsthand was truly inspiring.
Caryford Village Hall is a shining example of what a community can achieve with vision, perseverance, and a little bit of support. The newly completed development stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the lasting impact that determined individuals can have on their community.
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