Village events may be hit by law on royalties
PROPOSALS to make village groups pay royalties for playing music could spell the end of small-scale events in Teesdale.
The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) proposes to end exemptions on the requirement of charitable and not-for-profit groups to pay some royalties.
There are concerns that it would stop groups, such as the Scouts or Guides, from holding a disco.
The Teesdale Village Halls Consortium, a charity that promotes community organisations, is worried about the impact of change to the law.
Helen Thistlethwaite, from the consortium, said: “If these proposals were to be implemented, it would have a serious financial impact on the halls in Teesdale.
“It may mean it is not feasible financially for them to run small-scale events, which are vital to the sustainability of the halls.”
Currently, charitable groups that play recorded music only have to pay royalties to the Performing Right Society (PRS). They are exempt from paying a second royalty to PPL.
After the IPO review, the exemptions could be altered so that they apply only to smaller charities, they could also be replaced by a charity-specific payment scheme – or they could be scrapped.
If they were abolished, it would mean village groups must have to pay the PPL fee. That has led to concerns in Teesdale.
Ms Thistlethwaite said: “It would further increase the burden on volunteers who are having to deal with an increasingly complex amount of legislation just to open the doors to village halls and community centres. The impact of these proposals for smaller community organisations needs to be considered very carefully.”
Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, said: “It could spell the end for the charity tea dance in a village hall or a fundraising disco in aid of a local charity.
“It would also affect children’s groups from having a television on in after school clubs just in case music was being played on the TV.”
A statement from IPO said: “The Government is aware that some exemptions in the act may not be working well in maintaining correct balance between the interests of music rights holders and users.”
The IPO hopes to present draft legislation in the summer.
Protests have been made about village groups having to pay for traffic management if roads are closed for community events.
Teesdale councillors have been worried about how the cost is affecting local events.
But Cllr Richard Betton, leader of the council, said: “It is having a severe effect on fundraising and on fun-days for many residents and local groups.
“If you are having to spend half of the money raised to pay for traffic management, it takes its toll.”
Cllr Betton said the Local Strategic Partnership had spoken to the police, who said it was Durham County Council’s highways policy to make sure event organisers were charged for policing.
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