Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Venue & Events Officer.

With the permission of the Chair, this item was moved up the agenda.

The Committee received and considered the report and a verbal update from the Venue & Events Officer concerning a proposal to introduce a minimum hire charge for use of the bar in the Council’s public halls.

Members thanked the Officer for presenting the proposal and acknowledged the potential to improve the profitability of the bars against the current level of social value.

Concerns were raised regarding how such a policy could be effectively enforced, and whether it would maintain affordability and accessibility for users, thereby deterring potential hirers. The Committee agreed that further work was required to address these matters and that, once implemented, the policy should be subject to appropriate monitoring, and a call-in process should issues arise.

Resolved:

1.      That, the report and verbal update be noted and,

2.      That, officers research the points above further and present an updated policy to the Halls, Cemeteries & Allotments Committee meeting on 19 January 2026.