Volunteer efforts on halls are celebrated

A report outlining the success of volunteers managing community centres has been welcomed by a Staffordshire group –

but

there is a warning for the future.

Use of England's rural community-owned buildings has trebled since 1988.

Figures from a national survey, by Action with Communities in Rural England, outline the success of volunteers and the buildings they manage. The 9,000 halls represent the largest network of community-owned facilities in the country with a total asset value of over £3 billion.

But the report warns the future for most is quite fragile with advice and support from local authorities needed to keep them viable.

The survey responses from 2,355 rural community buildings show that volunteers contributed 18.5 hours per week on average to run their halls and that this volunteer support was the most significant factor in whether the halls were able to sustain themselves financially.

But only three per cent of halls received regular funding from their local authority, the remainder generating their income through hire charges, services and fundraising support from the local community and parish councils.

The Community Council of Staffordshire's chief executive, Chris Welch, said: "Here in Staffordshire, supporting and advising village halls' management committees is an integral part of the work of the community council.

"In Staffordshire, village halls and community centres are fortunate in that funding is available to improve their facilities through Staffordshire County Council's capital grants scheme for village halls and community centres and many of the district and borough councils also provide grant aid.

"For over 15 years the Community Council of Staffordshire has been responsible for administering the SCC scheme and anyone wishing to apply for a grant should contact Cathy Russell on 01785 242525."