Community Centres - condition of hire

During the period of the hiring the hirer is to be responsible for the efficient:

1. Supervision of the centre including the effective control of children.
2. The orderly and safe admission and departure of persons to and from the centre including car parking arrangements avoiding undue noise on arrival and departure especially where the period of the hiring finishes after 9pm.
3. The orderly and safe evacuation of the centre in case of emergency including an effective evacuation plan that is inclusive of disabled people and identifies responsible persons.
4. The safety of the centre and fabric of the building.
5. The preservation of good order and decency in the centre.
6. Ensuring that all doors giving egress from the centre are left unfastened and unobstructed and immediately available for exit.
7. Hirer’s  delivering  activities  or  care  services  involving  children  or  vulnerable  adults  must ensure that:
   • no staff and volunteers have convictions or other entries revealed on a Disclosure and Barring Service check which gives rise to concerns about their suitability to come into contact with children or vulnerable adults (evidence of the Disclosure and Barring Service check of staff and volunteers to be supplied to the council when requested)
   • all staff and volunteers comply with the council’s Child Protection Policy.
   • the service has appropriate Ofsted clearance and approval.
   • evidence of DBS checks or a suitable ‘Safeguarding Policy’ has been shown to the council prior to any activity of hire period.
8. The hirer must provide an adequate number of competent stewards/attendants to ensure that they can meet all the above requirements and in the case of children’s groups, activities or party hire where the majority of those attending will be under 18 years of age, the hirer must ensure that there is a constant ratio of:
   • 1 adult per 8 children of 5 years and under
   • 1 adult per 10 children over 5 years of age.
   • failure to ensure the correct ratio will render the agreement invalid and the council will terminate the  use  of  the  centre  by  the  hirer  immediately  without  incurring  liability  for  any  loss  or inconvenience caused as a result of the cancellation.
9. Any accident or incident occurring at the centre must be recorded using an accident report form kept in the health and safety cupboard located in the kitchen. The completed accident form must be left with a member of staff.
10. Only  the hirer  is  allowed  into  storage  areas  with  exception  to  Chorley  Council  staff  and contractors working within community centres for the purpose of maintenance repairs and day to day duties. Hirers are required to lock all storage rooms once they have collected items/equipment to prevent unauthorised accessed.