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Conditions of Hire

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1. Age

The Hirer, not being a person under 18 years of age, hereby accepts responsibility for being in charge of and on the premises at all times when the public are present and for ensuring that all conditions, under this agreement, relating to management and supervision of the premises are met.

 

2. Supervision

The Hirer shall, during the period of the hiring, be responsible for supervision of the premises, the fabric and contents; their care, safety from damage however slight or change of any sort; and the behaviour of all persons using the premises whatever their capacity, including proper supervision of the car parking arrangements so as to avoid obstruction of the highway. As directed by the hall secretary, the Hirer shall make good or pay for all damage (including accidental damage) to the premises or the fixtures, fittings or contents or for loss of contents.

 

3. Use of premises

The Hirer shall not use the premises (including the car park if any) for any purpose other than that described in the Hiring Agreement and shall not sub-hire or use the premises or allow the premises to be used in any unlawful or unsuitable purpose or in any unlawful way nor do anything or bring onto the premises anything which may endanger the same or render invalid any insurance policies in respect thereof nor allow the consumption of alcohol thereon without written permission.

 

4. Insurance and Indemnity

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a. The Hirer shall be liable for:

i. the cost of repair of any damage (including accidental or malicious damage) done to any part of the premises including the curtilage thereof or the contents of the premises

 

ii. any claims, losses, damages and costs made against or incurred by the village hall management committee, their employees, volunteers, agents or invitees in respect of damage or loss of property or injury to persons arising as a result of the use of the premises (including the storage of equipment by the Hirer, and

 

iii. all claims, losses, damages and costs made against or incurred by the Village Hall management committee, their employees, volunteers, agents or invitees as a result of any nuisance caused to a third party as the result of the use of the premises by the Hirer and

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subject to sub-clause (b), the Hirer shall indemnify and keep indemnified accordingly each member of the Village Hall management committee and the Village Hall employees, volunteers, agents and invitees against such liabilities.

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b. The Village Hall shall take out adequate insurance to insure the liabilities described in sub-clauses (a) (i) above and may, in its discretion and in case of non-commercial hirers insure the liabilities described in sub-clauses (a)(ii) and (iii) above. The Village Hall shall claim on its insurance for any liability of the Hirer hereunder, but the Hirer shall indemnify and keep indemnified each member of the village hall management committee and the Village Hall employees, volunteers, agents and invitees against (a) any insurance excess incurred (b) the difference between the amount of the liability and the monies received under the insurance policy.

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c. Where the Village Hall does not insure the liabilities described in sub-clauses (a) (ii) and (iii) above, the Hirer shall take out adequate insurance to insure such liability and on demand shall produce the policy and current receipt or other evidence of cover to the Village Hall secretary. Failure to produce such a policy and evidence of cover will render the hiring void and enable the hall secretary to rehire the premises to another Hirer.

 

The Village Hall is insured against any claims arising out of its own negligence.

 

5. Gaming Betting and Lotteries

The Hirer shall ensure that nothing is done on or in relation to the premises in contravention of the law relating to gaming, betting and lotteries.

 

6. Music copyright licensing

The Hirer shall ensure that the Village Hall holds relevant licences under Performing Rights Society (PRS) and the Phonographic Performance Licence (PPL) or, where appropriate, the Hirer holds a licence.

 

7. Film

Children shall be restricted from viewing age-restricted films classified according to the recommendations of the British Board of Film Classification. Hirers should ensure that they have they have the appropriate copyright licences for film.

 

8. Childcare Act 2006

The Hirer shall ensure that any activities for children under eight years of age comply with the provision of the Childcare Act 2006 and the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and only fit and proper persons who have passed the appropriate Disclosing and Disbarring Service checks should have access to the children. Checks may also apply where children are over eight years and vulnerable adults are taking part in activities. The Hirer shall provide the Village Hall management committee with a copy of their DBS certificate on request.

 

9. Public Safety Compliance

The Hirer shall comply with all conditions and regulations made in respect of the premises by the Local Authority, the Licensing Authority and the hall’s fire risk assessment or otherwise, particularly in connection with any event which constitutes regulated entertainment, at which alcohol is sold or provided or which is attended by children. The Hirer shall also comply with the hall’s health and safety policy.

 

The fire service shall be called to any outbreak of fire, however slight, and details shall be given to the secretary of the management committee.

a. The Hirer acknowledges that they have received instruction in the following matters:

  • The action to be taken in the event of a fire. This includes calling the fire brigade and evacuation the hall.

  • The location and use of the fire equipment. (Include diagram of equipment when handing over the keys.)

  • Escape routes and the need to keep them clear.

  • Method of operation of escape door fastenings.

  • Appreciation of the importance of any fire doors and of closing all fire doors at the time of a fire.

  • Location of the first aid box.

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b. In advance of any activity whether regulated entertainment or not the Hirer shall check the following items:

  • That all fire exits are unlocked and panic bolts in good working order.

  • That all escape routes are free of obstruction and can be safely used for instant free public exit.

  • That any fire doors are not wedged open.

  • The exit signs are illuminated.

  • That there are no obvious fire hazards on the premises.

  • That emergency lighting supply illuminating all exit signs and routes are turned on during the whole of the time the premises are occupied (if not operated by an automatic mains failure switching device)

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10. Noise

The Hirer shall ensure that the minimum of noise is made on arrival and departure, particularly late at night and early in the morning. The Hirer shall, if using sound amplification equipment, make use of any noise limitation device provided at the premises and comply with any other licensing condition for the premises.

 

11. Drunk and disorderly behaviour

The Hirer shall ensure that in order to avoid disturbing neighbours to the hall or to avoid criminal behaviour, excessive consumption of alcohol should be avoided in or in the vicinity of the village hall. Drugs are not permitted on the premises or in its immediate vicinity. Any person suspected of being drunk, under influence of drugs or who is behaving in a violent or disorderly way shall be asked to leave the premises in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003.

 

12. Health and Hygiene

The Hirer shall, if preparing, serving or selling food, observe all relevant food health and hygiene legislation and regulations. In particular dairy products, vegetables and meat on the premises must be refrigerated and stored in compliance with Food Temperature Regulations. The premises are supplied with a refrigerator.

 

13. Electrical Appliance safety

The Hirer shall ensure that any electrical appliances brought by them to the premises, and used there shall be safe, in good working order, and used in a safe manner in accordance with the Electrical at Work Regulations 1989, where a residual circuit breaker is provided the Hirer must make use of it in the interests of public safety.

 

14. Storage Equipment

The Village Hall accepts no responsibility for any stored equipment or other property brought onto or left at the premises, and all liability for loss or damage is hereby excluded. All equipment and other property (other than stored equipment) must be removed at the end of each hiring or fees will be charged for each day or part of a day at the hire fee per hiring until the same is removed.

 

The Village Hall may use its discretion in any of the following circumstances:

 

a. Failure by the Hirer to pay any charges in respect of stored equipment due and payable or to remove the same within 7 days after the agreed storage period has ended.

 

b. Failure of the Hirer to dispose of any property brought onto the premises for the purposes of the hiring. This may result in the Village Hall management committee disposing of any such items by sale or otherwise on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit, and charge the Hirer any costs incurred in storing and selling or otherwise disposing of the same.

 

15. Smoking

The Hirer shall, and ensure that the Hirer’s invitees, comply with the prohibition of smoking in public places provisions of the health Act 2006 and regulations made thereunder.  Any person who breaches this provision shall be asked to leave the premises. The Hirer shall ensure that anyone wishing to smoke does so outside and disposes of cigarette ends, matches etc. in a tidy and responsible manner, so as not to cause a fire.

 

16. Accidents and dangerous occurrences

Any failure of equipment belonging to the village hall or brought in by the Hirer must be reported as soon as possible. The Hirer must report all accidents, involving injury to the public, to a member of the Village Hall management committee as soon as possible and complete the relevant section in the village hall accident book. Certain types of accident or injury must be reported on a special form to the Incident Contact Centre. The village hall secretary will give assistance in completing this form and can provide contact details.

 

17. Explosives and flammable substances.

The Hirer shall ensure that:

 

a. Highly flammable substances are not brought into, or used in any part of the premises and that

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b. No internal decorations of a combustible nature (eg polystyrene, cotton wool) shall be erected without consent of the management committee. No decorations are to be put up near light fittings or heaters.

 

18. Heating

The Hirer shall ensure that no unauthorised heating appliances shall be used on the premises when open to the public without the consent of the management committee. Portable liquid propane gas(LPG) heating appliances shall not be used.

 

19. Animals

The Hirer shall ensure that no animals (including birds) except guide dogs are brought into the premises, other than for a special event agreed by the Village Hall. No animals whatsoever are to enter the kitchen at any time.

 

20. Fly Posting

The Hirer shall not carry out or permit fly posting or any other form of unauthorised advertisements for any event taking place at the premises, and shall indemnify and keep indemnified each member of the Village Hall’s management committee accordingly against all actions, claims and proceedings arising from any breach of this condition. Failure to observe this condition may lead to prosecution by the local authority.

 

21. Sale of Goods

The Hirer shall, if selling goods on the premises, comply with fair trading laws and any code of practice used in connection with such sales. In Particular, the Hirer shall ensure that the total prices of all goods and services are prominently displayed, as shall the organisers name and address and that any discounts offered are based on Manufacturers’ Recommended Retail Prices.

 

22. Cancellation

If the Hirer wants to cancel the booking before the date of the event and the village hall is unable to conclude a replacement booking, the question of the payment or of the repayment of the fee shall be at the discretion of the Village Hall. The Village Hall reserves the right to cancel this Hiring by written notice to the Hirer in the event of:

a. The premises being required for use as a Polling Station for a Parliamentary or Local Government election or by-election

 

b. The Village Hall management committee reasonably consider that(i) such hiring will lead to a breach of the licensing conditions, if applicable, or other legal or statutory requirements or (ii)unlawful or unsuitable activities will take place at the premises as a result of the hiring

 

c. The premises become unfit for the use intended by the hirer

 

d. An emergency requiring use of the premises as a shelter for the victims of flooding, snowstorm, fire, explosion or those at risk of these or similar disasters.

 

In any such case the Hirer shall be entitled to a refund of any deposit already paid, but the Village Hall shall not be liable to the Hirer for any resulting direct or indirect loss or damages whatsoever.

 

23. End of Hire

The Hirer shall be responsible for leaving the premises and the surrounding area in a clean and tidy condition, properly locked and secured unless directed otherwise and any contents temporarily removed from their usual positions properly replaced, otherwise the Village Hall shall be at liberty to make an additional charge.

 

24. No Alterations

No alterations or additions shall be made to the premises nor may any fixtures be installed or placards, decorations or other articles be attached in any way to any part of the premises without the prior written approval of the Village Hall Secretary. Any alteration, fixture or fitting or attachment so approved shall be at the discretion of the Village Hall remain in the premises at the end of the hiring. It will become the property of the Village Hall unless removed by the Hirer who must make good to the satisfaction of the Village Hall any damage caused to the premises by such removal.

 

25. No Rights

The Hiring Agreement constitutes permission only to use the premises and confers no tenancy or other right of occupation on the Hirer.

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