Community Building Resources
ACTion with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) provides practical resources and specialist guidance for village halls and community buildings because these spaces are often the vital heart of rural communities. Run entirely by volunteers, halls face a wide range of legal, financial, environmental and social challenges. ACT helps trustees and committee members manage these responsibilities with confidence.
Downloadable Resources
We have a range of downloadable resources below and if you’re looking for information on a specific topic; reviewing your hall’s policies; or newly joined your village hall committee, we’ve got a wide range of specialist ACRE Village Hall Information Sheets and model documents available free to halls in Cumbria.
Check the list and contact us with your request.
1 – Planning fees for village halls [Updated April 2026]
2 – Parish council help for village halls [Updated Jan 2026]
3 – Providing services in village halls [April 2021]
4 – Data Protection for village & community buildings [April 2021]
5 – Safeguarding [April 2021]
6 – Village halls and registration for VAT [Updated April 2026]
7 – Village hall insurance cover [Updated Jan 2026]
8 – Storage in village halls [Updated Jan 2026]
9 – Entertainment in village halls [Updated Jan 2026]
10 – Provision of alcohol in village halls [Updated July 2026]
11 – The Charities Act 2011 [Feb 2022]
12 – Village halls and car parks [Updated Mar 2026]
13 – Grant making and support for community groups [Updated Jan 2026]
14 – Asbestos [Updated Mar 2026]
15 – Health & safety legislation and village halls [Dec 2017]
16 – VAT on Accessibility works [Updated Jan 2026]
17 – Trustee’s roles and responsibilities [Feb 2022]
18 – Village halls & VAT on building work and other purchases [Nov 2017]
19 – Marketing your village hall [Jan 2016]
20 – Health & Hygiene in village halls [Updated Mar 2026]
21 – Accommodation in village halls [Updated April 2026]
22 – Managing employees and volunteers [Dec 2015]
22a – Self Employed Staff [April 2014]
23 – Planning an extension, refurb or new build hall [Feb 2022]
24 – Village halls rates, waste and water [May 2015]
25 – Making your village hall accessible [Feb 2018]
26 – Dealing with VAT on fuel and power [April 2022]
27 – Village halls and social clubs [Updated Aug 2026]
28 – Creating a business plan [Dec 2010]
29 – Bingo in village halls [Jan 2011]
30 – Not In Use
31 – Not In Use
32 – Recruiting and retaining volunteers [Jan 2016]
33 – Not In Use
34 – Children & Young People [April 2026]
35 – Trustee liability and trustee indemnity insurance [Sept 2013]
36 – Village halls run by parish councils as sole trustee [Feb 2015]
37 – Fire safety in village halls [Updated Jan 2025]
38 – Short guide to security in your village hall [Updated Mar 2026]
39 – Village halls and incorporation [Sept 2013]
40 – Village halls, governing documents and title deeds [July 2021]
41 – Accounting and village halls [May 2017]
42 – Equality in village halls [Jan 2018]
Each ACRE information sheet covers a wide range of information, with useful appendices and model documents, and the titles don’t always do them justice. Our Managing Risks Toolkit includes a helpful summary of each, so you know which to choose.
