Standard Conditions of Hire

For the purposes of these conditions, the term HIRER (male or female) shall mean an individual hirer or, where the hirer is an organisation, the authorised representative. (If the HIRER is in any doubt as to the meaning of the following, the Booking Secretary should immediately be consulted):

1.   Supervision   THE HIRER will, during the period of the hiring, be responsible for the supervision of the premises, the fabric and the conte nts; their care, safety from damage however slight or change of any sort and the behaviour of all persons using the premises whatever their capa city, including proper supervision of car-parking arrangements so as to avoid obstruction of the highway.

2.   Use of Premises   THE HIRER shall not use the premises 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 for any unlawful 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 alcoholic liquor t hereon without written permission.

3.   Licences   THE HIRER shall be responsible for obtaining such licences as may be needed, for the sale of intoxicating liquor, from the Performing Rights Society, from Phonographic Performance Ltd or otherwise and for the observance of the same.

4.   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.

5.   Public Safety Compliance   THE HIRER shall comply with all conditions and regulations made in respect of the premises by the Fire Authority, Local Authority, the Local Magistrates' Court or otherwise, particularly in connection with any event which includes public dancing or music or other similar public entertainment or stage plays.

6.   Health and Hygiene   THE HIRER shall, if preparing, serving or selling food observe all relevant food health and hygiene regulations.

7.   Electrical Appliance Safety   THE HIRER shall ensure that any electrical appliances brought to the premises and used there shall be safe and in good working order, and used in a safe manner.

8.   Indemnity   THE HIRER shall indemnify the Management Committee for the cost of repair of any damage done to any part of the property including the curtilage thereof or the contents of the building which may occur during the period of the hiring as a result of the hiring. THE HIRER shall be responsible for making arrangements to insure against any third party claims which may lie against him or her (or the organisation if acting as a representative) whilst using the Village Hall. (The Village Hall is insured against any claims arising out of its own negligence).

9.   Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences   THE HIRER must report all accidents involving injury to a member of the Management Committee as soon as possible and record details in the Accident Book. Any failure of equipment either that belonging to the hall or brought in by the hir er must also be reported as soon as possible. Certain types of accident or injury must be reported on a special form to the local authority. The Booking Secretary will give assistance in completing this form. This is in accordance with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995.

10.   Animals   THE HIRER shall ensure that no animals (including birds) except guide dogs are brought into the hall, other than for a special event agreed by the Committee. No animals whatsoever are to enter the kitchen at any time.

11.   Compliance With The Children Act   THE HIRER shall ensure that any activities for children under eight years of age comply with the provisions of The Children Act of 1989 and that only fit and proper persons have access to the children.

12.   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 Hall and shall indemnify the Committee accordingly against all action, claims and proceedings arising from any breach of this condition. Failure to observe this condition may lead to prosecution by the local authority.

13.   Sale of Goods   THE HIRER shall, if selling goods on the premises, comply with the 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 be the organiser's name and address and that any discounts offered are based only on Manufacturers' Recommended Retail Prices.

14.   Cancellation   If THE HIRER wishes to cancel the booking before the date of the event and the Committee is unable to conclude a replacement booking, the question of the payment or the repayment of the fee shall be at the discretion of the Committee. THE COMMITTEE reserves the right to cancel any hiring in the event of the hall being required for use as a Polling Station for a Parliamentary or Local Government election or bye-election, in which case the Hirer shall be entitled to a refund of any deposit already paid.

15.   Unfit for Use   In the event of the hall or any part thereof being rendered unfit for the use for which it has been hired, the Committee shall not be liable to THE HIRER for any resulting loss or damage whatsoever.

16.   Refusal of Booking   THE COMMITTEE reserves the right to refuse a booking without notice or to cancel this hiring agreement at any time either before or during the term of the agreement upon giving 7 days notice in writing to the hirer. THE HIRER shall be entitled upon such notice to reimbursement of such monies including the deposit or a proportion of the same as have been paid to the Committee but the Committee shall not be liable to make any furt her payment to the hirer.

17.   End of Hire   THE HIRER shall be responsible for leaving the premises and 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 Committee shall be at liberty to make an additional charge.

18.   Noise   THE HIRER shall ensure that the minimum of noise is made at all times.

19.   Smoking   THE HIRER shall ensure that smoking does not take place in the Hall.

20.   Footwear   THE HIRER shall ensure that stiletto heels are not worn in the Hall without protectors. THE HIRER shall ensure that non-marking sole shoes are worn in the Hall when playing sports (badminton, short tennis, table tennis, carpet bowls, keep fit, etc.).

21.   Gantry   No articles are to be suspended or otherwise attached to the gantry and/or stage without prior WRITTEN permission.