Local Government Act 1972

134 Use of schoolroom, etc. in parish or community. E+W

(1) If in a parish there is no suitable public room vested in the parish council or the parish trustees, as the case may be, which can be used free of charge, a suitable room in premises of a school maintained by the [F1 local authority] F2 . . . or a suitable room the expenditure of maintaining which is payable out of any rate may, subject to subsection (3) below, be used free of charge at all reasonable times and after reasonable notice for any of the following purposes, that is to say, for the purpose of—

(a) a parish meeting or any meeting of the parish council, where there is one; or

(b) meetings convened by the chairman of the parish meeting or by the parish council, where there is one; or

(c) the administration of public funds within or for the purposes of the parish where those funds are administered by any committee or officer appointed by the parish council or parish meeting or by the county council or district council.

(2) If in a community there is no suitable public room vested in the community council which can be used free of charge or there is no community council, a suitable room in premises of a school maintained by the [F1 local authority] F2 . . . or a suitable room the expenditure of maintaining which is payable out of any rate may, subject to subsection (3) below, be used free of charge at all reasonable times and after reasonable notice for any of the following purposes, that is to say, for the purpose of—

(a) a community meeting or any meeting of the community council, where there is one; or

(b) meetings convened by the community council, where there is one; or

(c) the administration of public funds within or for the purposes of the community where those funds are administered by any committee or officer appointed by the community council, where there is one, or by the [F3 principal council].

(3) Nothing in this section shall authorise—

(a) the use of a room used as part of a private dwelling; or

(b) any interference with the hours during which a room in the premises of a school is used for educational purposes; or

(c) any interference with the hours during which a room used for the purposes of the administration of justice, or for the purposes of the police, is used for those purposes.

(4) If, by reason of the use of a room for any of the purposes mentioned in subsection (1) or (2) above, any expense is incurred by persons having control of the room, or any damage is done to the room or the building of which it is part or to its appurtenances, or to the furniture of the room or any teaching aids, the expense or the cost of making good the damage shall be defrayed as an expense of the parish or community council or parish or community meeting.

(5) If any question arises under this section as to what is reasonable or suitable, it may be determined by the Secretary of State.

[F4 (6) In subsections (1) and (2) “local authority” has the meaning given by section 579(1) of the Education Act 1996.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 134(1)(2) substituted (5.5.2010) by The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1158), art. 1, Sch. 2 para. 26(3)(a)

F2 Words in s. 134(1)(2) repealed (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(3), Sch. 31 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F3 Words in s. 134(2)(c) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5), Sch. 15 para. 29 (with ss. 54(5)(7), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2

F4 S. 134(6) inserted (5.5.2010) by The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1158), art. 1, Sch. 2 para. 26(3)(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 134(1) applied (1.4.1994) by S.I. 1994/653, reg. 42(1), Sch. Pt. I

S. 134(1) applied (9.5.1994) by S.I. 1994/1084, reg. 8(1), Sch. 2 Pt. I

C2 S. 134(2) applied (1.4.1994) by S.I. 1994/653, reg. 42(1), Sch. Pt. I

S. 134(2) applied (9.5.1994) by S.I. 1994/1084, reg. 8(1), Sch. 2 Pt. I