Community groups to be charged for playing music!

NOT-FOR-PROFIT organisations, such as charities, churches and community halls are to face new charges in order to play music at events. A licence is required and fees will be payable for any use of recorded music for public performance.

Community groups were previously exempt from paying public performance fees for recorded music, but PPL the music licensing company introduced new charges at the beginning of this year which will take effect (in most cases) from 1st January 2012. This will mean that public venues, including those used by charities and not-for-profit groups, will need licences in order to play music from records, CDs, the radio or television.

PPL say that they hope to be able to bring the cost of a licence, to cover uses by charities and not-for-profit groups, down in most cases to approximately £1 a week, but have announced that organisations with an income above £10,000 will have to pay 1 per cent of their “defined income” in order to play music at licensed events. Those with an income below the £10,000 threshold will pay a flat year annual fee of £42. 

Any third party hire of a community building by an individual or organisation that is earning a commercial income from their use of the building (e.g.Weight Watchers, self employed aerobics instructors, and antiques fairs) will need a relevant licence in place. But it is the responsibility of the operator of the hall to ensure that the person/organisation has a relevant licence in place as they can be held liable under law for any unlicensed usage in their building.

If you only run live music events, you will only need a PRS for Music licence. A PPL licence is only required when recorded music is used.

For specific information relating to your community building or use of a community building where recorded music is played - then read the information contained in the PPL media statement.

Source: CivilSociety.co.uk

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Village Hall and Community Building Website to be launched

"What happens here?"

A NEW WEBSITE is to be launched to advertise the facilities and activities available in Village Halls and other Community Buildings.

The new website, Rural Community Buildings, will be launched at the end of the year and will provide instant information about your community building; the facilities available, the rooms that can be booked, the events taking place, etc. It will aim to provide the most comprehensive database of community buildings in the East Yorkshire and Humber area.

The Rural Community Buildings website will benefit from having a marketing programme attached to it. The website will be promoted to local authorities, other voluntary and community groups, and private companies. The idea is to encourage other organisations to link to the website so that it becomes the main source of information on community buildings in the area. 

The new website will be promoted prior to its launch and continuously afterwards to ensure that it generates visitors and regular new traffic. Management Committees of Village Halls and Community Buildings will be able to ensure that their entry on the website is updated regularly with the latest information.

The website is being published by the HWRCC (Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council) who stress that the website will be independent but will benefit from links with them and other partner organisations.

There will be a cost for the service of £52 per year which will ensure the sustainability of the website and its continual development and maintenance.

The website, which is currently under development, will be at www.ruralcommunitybuildings.org.uk and further information and an opportunity to register your building for the new site is available at the HWRCC website.

Further information is available from Margaret Kirk, Village Halls Advisor, E-mail: margaret.kirk@hwrcc.org.uk Telephone: 01430 434046.

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