Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill - Impact for village halls
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15th June 2023
5 July Update:
ACRE's evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee has now been published and is available here
27 June Update:
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Draft Bill, also known as Martyn's Law is attracting some sensationalist media attention. But behind the headlines ACRE is working with policy makers to ensure proposals are proportionate for village halls. Read ACRE's statement here
15 June News Item:
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Draft Bill is intended to put into effect 'Martyn's Law' by which all 'public premises' must be prepared for the effects of a terrorist attack. It will impact on all premises, such as Village Halls, with a capacity of more than 100 people.
The ACRE Network has considerable knowledge of the ways in which legislation and regulation can have unintended consequences on Village Halls if transferred without proper consideration from that intended solely for larger public or commercial premises.
Here is a summary of the key points in the Bill as they appear to affect Village and Community Halls (VCHs) prepared for us by ACRE Board member Louise Beaton OBE.
While we have endeavoured to draw out possible implications the Bill refers to Regulations to follow the Bill which are yet to be published, so the position is not yet clear in a number of areas. We are liaising with Defra, the Home Office and other voluntary sector representatives. ACRE will be endeavouring to raise the issues for VCHs with the Home Affairs Select Committee with a view to obtaining amendments which make it more practicable for volunteer-run and unstaffed halls. The Committee will be reviewing the Bill before it proceeds to the Commons and the Lords. It would therefore be helpful to know your thoughts on the points below.
- Whether the issues we have raised in the summary of key points are appropriate or correct?
- What you feel the priority issues are (if any)?
- Which of the alternative approaches suggested would be preferable?
- Whether we have missed anything?
Please speak with your local MP about any concerns you have; you might explain that ACRE will be endeavouring to ensure that the measures required of charitable and parish council – run halls are indeed proportionate and do not adversely affect the voluntary sector. Stay in touch with your local hall adviser to keep up to date with progress.
In preparing this document we are of course respectful of the effect on the families and the circumstances around the Manchester Arena Bombing and other terrorist attacks which have led to this Bill. Consequently in addressing potential issues for VCHs it is important that the Bill is not delayed. The Minister’s speech introducing the Bill is here: Draft Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill - Hansard - UK Parliament.
Work on the Bill for ACRE is being led by Jeremy Leggett, ACRE's Policy Adviser.
Please email Deborah Clarke at ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) with any comments: d.clarke@acre.org.uk
ACTion with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) is the ACRE Network member for Cumbria