village hall

Who runs the Village Hall?

Because the Village Hall is a charity, it has to be run according to the Charities Act 1960. In much detail, this sets out how the hail is to be managed. It states that there should be a management committee of 6 members who must be elected each year at the AGM. In addition 10 representative members can be appointed. They are selected by the hall user groups they represent, are appointed at the AGM and they too hold office for one year. The committee also has the power to appoint 3 Co-optative members for one year.

At present the Committee is

Six₄Elected Members

Chair Roger Evans Vice Chair Robert Frear

Treasurer Rosemary Frear Secretary Enid Cooper

Ian Clarke Tony Huson

10 Representative Members

Badminton - Andrew Parker Mothers and Toddlers - Debbie Ware

Bar - Leslie Greco Over 60’s - Bernard Clark

Bowls - Stuart Owen Village Show - Judith Wright

Cricket - John Richardson WI - Dorothy Shiers

Football - Andrew Gell Wine Club - Renee Presland.

Co-optative Members

Jean Clelland- Health and Safety Alison Keating - Drama Group.

All the members of the Management Committee become Trustees of the Charity.

Since the Parish Council is a custodian trustee, Ruth Clark as a Parish Councillor, attends meetings as an observer.

The Charities Act lays down strict rules about the constitution of the Village Hall and the responsibilities of the Trustees.

What are the responsibilities of the Trustees?

A trustee’s first responsibility is to the Village Hall not to any organisation they may represent. Their responsibility is to provide and maintain the Village Hail for the use of the inhabitants of Riseley and its neighbourhood.. In undertaking their responsibility they must:

-manage the building on behalf of the community: -act together:

-maintain accurate financial control (our audited accounts are available for viewing on the Charity Commission’s website)

-maintain the property:-ensure all Health and Safety Laws are in operation:- be unpaid and voluntary: -avoid conflict of interest.

They do this by earning income through hirings, by fund raising e.g.Village Show, Friday Bar, 150 Club and by applying for grants to improve the hall e.g. kitchen improvement, provision of disabled toilet. The Trustees must not only maintain the Hall for present use but must also try to plan for future changes of use.

The Charities Act states we should hold at least 2 ordinary meetings a year. In fact we meet every month and are always quorate. Minutes are sent out well in advance of the meeting. Minutes are also sent to all hail user groups to ensure they are aware of what is happening.

Much work also goes on apart from committee meetings. The Trustees bring a variety of skills and experiences to the committee and voluntarily use them for the good of the Village Hail. This voluntary work involves much time and energy. At present activities include — booking secretary, investigating improvements, grant application, maintenance, fund raising, decoration, Health and Safety. Who else is involved?

In addition to the committee members, there is a large network of voluntary helpers who support the Village Hall, as anyone attending the Village Show or Friday Bar will see. These are the people who offer help to set up the lining in the Hall for a wedding or dance, put out tables and chairs for a hiring or give their specialist skills free. Successful Village Hall activities depend on these volunteers.

You may wish to offer your skills and time to help us or if you belong to a hall user group, you may wish to represent it on committee. Why not attend our AGM on the last Monday in April, it is an open meeting and all interested parties are warmly welcomed.

Please contact any of the Committee members or Parish Councillor if you need further information.