Council Calls For Evidence On Village Hall And Charity Financial Hardship

Monmouthshire County Council offers an 80% business rates rebate to village halls and charities with premises in the county, but understands that despite this aid some of these vital community organisations still face financial pressures. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Phil Murphy, Cabinet Member for Finance commented: “Extending business rates relief to 100% would add a further notable cost to our budget – money that would have to be disinvested elsewhere. The council is therefore asking village hall and charity managements to submit evidence of hardship so that we might give further consideration on how best to protect our valued community assets.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Murphy added: “We are keen that village halls and local charities remain sustainable as the maintenance of locally accessible services is one of the council’s main four priorities.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​