Room bookings:

4.Paying for an external venue

On this page:

    Introduction

    If you have explored all the other options, and have not been able to find a suitable venue, you may be able to book an external venue.

    External venues explained

    An external venue is a meeting or event location that is not owned by the council.

    If you need to book an external venue, you will be charged for the booking, and this will need to be paid from your service area, or team, budget.

    External venues include:

    • community-run village halls
    • hotels
    • conference centres.

    Use our top tips to find a cost-effective venue that meets your needs.

    Please note:

    An external venue should be sourced as a last resort only. You will need approval from your director to book an external venue and must be able to demonstrate that you have explored all of the cost-effective options first.

    Tips to minimise the cost

    Making a cost-efficient room booking involves a strategic approach to maximise value without compromising on quality. Here are a few tips to help you achieve this:

    • Plan ahead
      Booking early usually means lower prices. Last-minute bookings can be more expensive because there might not be many rooms left.

    • Compare options
      Shop around to find the best deal. Sometimes, cheaper options have similar features to pricier ones.

    • Pick off-peak times
      Try not to hold your meeting when the venue is usually busy. By choosing a quieter time, you may be able to save money while still meeting your needs.

    • Negotiate
      Don't hesitate to negotiate with the venue. Many places are open to offering discounts or perks to secure the booking.

    • Extra costs
      Check for any added fees like equipment rental or catering. Make sure you understand the full cost before you book.

    Book an external venue

    Follow these steps to find and book an external venue.

    1
    Find a venue

    To find an external venue you can:

    • check if a community-run village hall is suitable. These are generally a low-cost external option. Find a village hall on the East Riding Village Hall Network website.
    • speak to colleagues to find out where they have booked before. They may also be able to advise on costs
    • check the internet for suitable budget-friendly venues in the East Riding.

    2
    Speak to the budget holder

    Make sure you discuss your booking with the budget holder and get their approval to use an external venue.

    3
    Gain approval

    Before you can use an external venue, you will need permission from your director.

    Email them directly with:

    • your name and job title
    • the reason you need to book an external venue
    • why you are unable to book a council-owned venue.

    4
    Director decision

    Your director will review your request and decide if it is viable to book an external venue for your event.

    Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis and you will be informed in writing of the outcome.

    5
    Contact the venue

    If you have received written approval from your director, you can make the booking.

    Contact the venue directly to make the arrangements.

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