Rural Community Buildings in England 2009
This report provides early key findings from ACRE?s third comprehensive survey of the state of rural community buildings in England, updating data from surveys in 1988 and 1998. The findings only cover England but provide a useful context for Scottish village hall research, Summary of findings 1. The total value of assets in rural community owned halls is now estimated as over œ3 billion. 58% of halls reported being the only multi-purpose meeting place in the community. 2. Volunteers contributed 18.5 hours per week on average to running the hall. 3. 75% of halls cost less than œ10,000 p.a. to run, 51% cost less than œ5,000 p.a. 4. 75% of all halls provide a focus for local democratic engagement. 72% support local community group fundraising and 50% provide a venue for activity supporting health needs. 5. Hall use has trebled since 1988 but 10% of halls require urgent repairs to keep them in use. 6. 46% of halls usually earn sufficient income to make a surplus, 27% of halls receive some financial support from their parish council, and the remainder rely on fundraising effort to survive. 6. Only 3% of halls receive regular local authority funding. 46% receive no discretionary rate relief.
