The report before Members considered the proposal for a scheme of charges for the hire of meeting rooms within the Town Hall by commercial organisations.

The Town Hall meeting rooms were used for a range of purposes for Council business and a variety of external organisations, from the commercial and voluntary sectors but the Council did not have clear guidance on charging for their use.

External bookings had exceeded 100 per quarter and it was proposed that the Council should introduce a charging regime for commercial organisations to bring it into line with other providers.

Cllr Russell  MOVED and Cllr Hossack  SECONDED the recommendation in the report and following a dull discussion a vote was taken on a show of hands and it was

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY

1.         That a charging regime be introduced to charge commercial organisations and wedding parties in accordance with the charging regime as set out in the appendix to the report, agreement of details regarding deposits etc. being delegated  to the Head of Paid Service.

2.         That no charge be introduced for community groups directly benefiting the Borough of Brentwood in accordance with  the appendix to this report but that details be published of community room bookings and use and the fee that could have been charged to ensure transparency for the benefits given to community groups using the Town Hall meeting rooms.

3.         Charges will come into effect from 1^st November 2015.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

To create a scheme of charges for the hire of meeting rooms within the Town Hall by commercial organisations.