Venue for Annual Parish Meeting

Question

I proposed that the Annual Parish Meeting be held in our village church, being the only venue in the parish large enough to accommodate the entire village electorate. The Clerk has said that it can’t be held in a church or vestry. I’ve asked for the reference being relied upon. Anyone else heard of this or know the legislation reference?

Answer 1

I was the clerk to a parish council where every APM and every council meeting was held in the parish church.

Answer 2

LGA 1972, Schedule 12, Part III, Paragraph 14(5):

"A parish meeting shall not be held in premises which at the time of the meeting may, by virtue of a premises licence or temporary event notice under the Licensing Act 2003, be used for the supply of alcohol (within the meaning of section 14 of that Act), except in cases where no other suitable room is available for such a meeting either free of charge or at a reasonable cost."

This is the only legislative restriction. It is considered not to be best practice to hold meetings in a church, as this could be perceived as a barrier to attendance by some, but where no alternative exists, it is a legitimate option.