The Economic Impact of Community Buildings in Rural Communities

The Economic Impact of Community Buildings in Rural Communities

ACRE have just published a short report based on the 2009 National Village Halls Survey which shows that investment in village halls and similar community buildings has a multiplier effect:  Building works create local employment, new or renovated halls generate community activity and development of services, which have important social benefits and create further employment, eg cleaning and caretaking, running Pre-Schools, classes, catering firms.  The report calls for measures to make more efficient use of limited investment to help halls weather the economic downturn, including:

• a reduced VAT rate of 5% on improvement work,
• grants for energy efficiency and renewable energy installations,
• relaxation of the rules which prevent successful halls from repaying parish councils which borrow funds to grant aid hall improvements,
• an increase in the capital in the Rural Community Buildings Loan Fund.