Dorset Evening Echo February 5
By Naomi Wright

Communities across Dorset are celebrating today as licensing fees for village halls are set to be scrapped.

Concerns were raised by South Dorset MP Jim Knight and community leaders about the effects the Government's new Licensing Bill could have on local venues including places of worship.

Many people feared the new rules would increase the cost of these venues holding local events but now the Government has moved to exempt village halls and community groups from licensing fees when the new Bill come into force later this year.

Mr Knight said: "I took the message directly to the Government and the minister gave me his assurance that the Government will amend the Bill to make places of worship effectively exempt." This has now been done and they have gone further in extending this exemption to village halls, parish or community halls and similar buildings."
He said the exemption will be a huge relief to local communities. "It will mean these groups will not have to pay the fees associated with the provision of entertainment or entertainment facilities." The Government will also make it easier for village and community halls to host events at short notice by making use of the easy notification procedure the Bill provides for temporary events." He added.

Mr Knight said he hopes the new moves will help clarify the Bill's aims, which is to provide a straightforward scheme with less bureaucracy and more accountability for local people.