Welcome to the South East Rural Community Councils Community Buildings Database

What Role for Community Halls in the Climate Change agenda?

The South East Rural Community Councils (SERCC) is the Regional Organisation for the 8 Rural Community Councils (RCCs) in the South East. There are 38 RCCs across England and Action for Communities in Rural England is the National organisation (ACRE). This site contains information about Community Buildings across the whole of the South East of England.  A community building is a valuable asset, providing facilities for social, educational and recreational activities for all ages. The SERCC members of the Rural Action Network working with communities to ensure that  community buildings are part of the community climate change efforts, offering working models of good practice in energy efficiency or renewables for householders as well as creating sustainable communities through providing activities and services locally and saving car journeys.
If you would like a copy of the SERCC DVD "Community Buildings the heart of Community Life" contact rdm@sercc.org.uk

Mitigating the impact of rising energy costs on voluntary organisations

For small voluntary organisations rising energy prices are a serious problem: fuel accounts for a substantial part of the running costs of any community building, as vulnerable users need warmth, well in excess of the 10% fuel poverty level for householders.  Hire charges have to keep pace with costs, unless parish councils provide revenue support.
The SERCC Community Buildings Advisers have undertaken energy efficiency training for community buildings with National Energy Action in partnership with ACRE and energy efficiency surveys are being undertaken in Community Buildings across the SE.
You can download the "Your Community Building Counts" publication, which is part of the Every Action Counts programme funded by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, at the ACRE website.
Click here to visit the ACRE website (opens new window in browser) >>
Free advice is also available to members who are managers of all types of community buildings both individually and through workshops and conferences on issues such as:-

• Legal requirements   
• Grant aid applications
• Insurance & Maintenance
• Constitution of Management Committees
• Licensing
• Hire charges
• Marketing and widening the use of buildings
• Fund Raising & Loans

Further Reading

Community Building Information Sheets can be obtained from your County Adviser on a whole raft of topics including:-

• Environmental Policies
• Fire Safety
• Security
• The Roles and Responsibilities of Trustees
• Accessibility
• Funding
• Marketing
• Using your Community Building as a Cinema

For advice and support in your area click on the County Links on the navigation bar above.
The SERCC Community Buildings Advisory Service is part of a national advisory network for community buildings provided by Action with Communities in Rural England and the 38 Rural Community Action Network members in the country. For more information visit:   www.acre.org.uk