Hirer’s Responsibility

Payment Terms

Payment is required at least 4 weeks before your booking date, or if this is less than 4 weeks ahead, then immediately. Payment will only be refundable in exceptional circumstances – please contact the hall. For weekend events booked more than 6 months in advance, regular hirers excepted, a deposit of 50% is required, which is refundable up to 4 weeks before the event.

Start of Hire

Please refer to the checklist provided on the website and displayed on the Village Hall Notice Board.

During Hire

  • The Hirer will during the period of hire, be responsible for:
  • The supervision of the Hall, the fabric and contents, their care and safety from damage.
  • Ensuring that the permitted number of people in the Hall does not exceed 60 people seated or 100 standing.
  • Ensuring that the behaviour of all persons using the premises is appropriate
  • The Hirer shall indemnify the Committee for the cost of repair for any damage done to any part of the Hall including the surrounding or the contents of the buildings during, or as a result of, the Hire.
  • The Hirer shall not sub-let, or use the Hall for any unlawful purpose or in any unlawful way, nor do anything or bring onto the premises anything which may endanger the Hall, or its users.
  • All electrical equipment brought on to the premises, e.g. music speakers, computers etc. must be in good condition and safe to use.
  • Fused trailing sockets must be used in preference to multi adaptors. Trailing electrical cables walkways. Where not possible, cables are to be taped over or otherwise made safe.

Children’s parties

  • There must be adult supervision for all children’s parties: at least 1 adult: 10 children.
  • Walton Playground is managed by Walton Parish Council and is primarily for the use of children from the village and local area. Children may use the adjoining playground for their party, but do not have exclusive access unless agreed in advance with the Village Hall and the Parish Council
  • If a bouncy castle or other such play equipment is to be erected, the hirer must ensure that adequate public liability insurance is provided either by themselves or the provider of the equipment. The Village Hall Committee will accept no responsibility for accident or injury arising from the use of such equipment

Children’s holiday clubs

  • The maximum number of children attending a holiday club will be 35.
  • The staff to children ratio will be a minimum of 1:10
  • Children attending a holiday club may use the playground, but do not have exclusive access.
  • Children will wear ‘high vis’ jackets when outside the hall and will be supervised at all times.
  • The playground and surrounding areas will be inspected regularly to make sure that they are clean and tidy and free of litter.
  • The club supervisors will ensure there is a ‘kids free’ period from 10.00 – 12.00 daily when the children will be inside the hall and the playground will be free.
  • The Village Hall will place a notice on the Hall notice board stating that at any other time any local residents that wish to use the playground should seek the attention of a member of club staff. The staff will then move the children either inside the hall or to one end of the playground as appropriate for an agreed period.

Parking

  • Please ensure all hall users park either on the gravelled parking area within the gates to the Hall or on the road subject to due care and attention. Please note cars are parked at the owner’s risk and the Village Hall accepts no responsibility for damage to vehicles.
  • Vehicles must not be parked on the pavement or grass verges adjoining the road
  • No overnight camping (including motorhomes and caravans) is allowed in the village hall car park.

Fire

  • The Hirer must note position of the fire extinguishers and fire exits.
  • Fire exits must be kept clear and a one metre gangway must be left leading to the fire exits.
  • Do not prop any doors open, except to aid transportation of equipment into or out of the Hall, as a temporary measure.
  • In the event of a fire it is the Hirer’s responsibility to check that all rooms have been vacated, all Hall users are accounted for and the emergency services are contacted.
  • It is the Hirers responsibility to be familiar with the Fire Evacuation Plan detailed on the notice board and in the Hirers Pack provided when the hall is booked.

First Aid

  • The First Aid kit, which is situated on the kitchen wall, is only to be used for minor injuries.
  • For major injuries the emergency services must be contacted, and Village Hall contact as detailed on the notice board informed of the incident.

Alcohol, Food and Entertainment

  • The hirer must ensure that all necessary licences have been obtained for the sale of alcohol and the performance of regulated entertainment, and abide by the times stated therein.
  • The Hirer must also ensure that any Caterers or Entertainers engaged are suitably licensed and insured.
  • All crockery, cutlery and pans used during the period of the hire must be washed, dried and put away at the end of the hire. Please notify the Village Hall contact as detailed on the notice board of any breakages.
  • All rubbish must be removed from the premises at the end of the hire period.
  • No fireworks are allowed inside or within the grounds of the village hall without written consent from the Village Hall Chairperson.
  • No candles are allowed in the hall except those on a birthday cake.
  • No one is allowed to sit on the kitchen work surfaces for health and safety reasons.

Noise and Disturbance

  • Do not disturb those living close to the Hall and do not permit guests to cause any sort of disturbance in the area, either during or after functions.
  • It is the Hirer’s responsibility to call the police if there is a disturbance.
  • Keep music volumes moderate. All windows and doors must be kept closed during the playing of live or recorded music in the Village Hall. Music should not be audible outside the Village Hall
  • The number of outdoor events is strictly limited and advance notice is given to residents. However, noise must be kept to a reasonable level, live or recorded music must finish by 11pm and the event must end by midnight.
  • Offenders will not be allowed to rehire the Hall.

Smoking

  • A strict No Smoking policy applies within the Hall.

End of Hire

  • Please adhere to the checklist on the website and displayed on the Village Hall Notice Board.

Click here to download a copy of our terms and conditions.