Policy on use of Council entertainment venues
This policy applies to all venues owned and or controlled by Newcastle City Council as entertainment venues, these are currently the Mansion House and Banqueting Suite. Entertainment venues are managed as a commercial operation and are distinctly separate from the day to day activities of the Council.
When accepting bookings or organising events we need to be sure that we act within the law. We have developed a policy that will allow us to make the best use of our venues without breaching our own equality policies or the law.
Our statutory equality responsibilities ensure that we are responsive to the needs of all members of the community irrespective of gender, transgender identity, relationship status, disability, age, race, religion and belief, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or any other factor upon which discrimination may be based.
We aim to act as a model of good equal opportunities practices. This includes our commitments under White Ribbon accreditation. We will not accept any booking that objectifies women or girls.
Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015
Section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a duty on certain bodies (including the local authority), in the exercise of their functions, to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. This is known as the Prevent Duty.
In complying with the Prevent Duty, there is an expectation that local authorities ensure that publicly owned venues and resources do not provide a platform for extremists and are not used to disseminate extremist views.
Therefore, Newcastle City Council will not permit its accommodation to be let:
i. For political rallies or demonstrations (this excludes all Local, National Assembly and Parliamentary election activities as outlined in s.95 and s.96 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 as amended or any other relevant legislation)
ii. For purposes which are illegal i.e. be they forbidden by law or unauthorised by official or accepted rules
iii. For functions attended by people whose presence may cause civil unrest or division within the community
iv. To an organisation or individual which has been banned by law
vi. To espouse violent and/or non-violent extremist views
vii. The Government have defined extremism as “vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces”
We aim to allow the widest possible use of our premises and enable freedom of expression.
There are terms of hire which we apply when we let a venue.
In addition, in deciding whether to let a venue we will consider the law and our duties in relations to civil liberties, equality, human rights and public order.
We will also remind all prospective hirers of their responsibilities relating to these laws.
Procedure
Anyone wanting to use a council venue for entertainment purposes is requested to contact hospitality.services@newcastle.gov.uk to discuss their requirements, to arrange a viewing and/or to make a formal booking.
- If the potential user, Council officer or any other person has concerns about a potential use they should raise this with the Service Manager, Civic Facilities. Most matters should be resolved and decided at this stage.
- If there are still concerns or the potential user wants to appeal a decision, the issue must be referred to the Head of Facility Services & Civic Management.
- If there are still concerns, or the potential uses wishes to appeal the decision of the Head of Facility Services & Civic Management, the matter must be referred to the relevant Director. The Director must consult the relevant Council Member or Portfolio Holder before making their final decision. There is no further appeal.
Advice
Advice and support is available to all staff involved in the decision making process outlined above from the Equality & Access Policy Advisor and/ or the Head of Facility Services & Civic Management.
Other Entertainment Venues
The council does have an ownership interest in other entertainment venues but their use is controlled by third parties. The council can only have control or influence over this by its statutory powers or under any leases or other legal agreements that are in place