Local council clerks' body runs Martyn's Law roadshows to help small venues prepare

The Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) has announced a series of roadshow events covering the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, better known as Martyn's Law. The SLCC represents the clerks who run parish and town councils across the country. The roadshows are designed to walk local councils through what the new law involves and how to start preparing.

Many local councils own or manage spaces that the public uses: village halls, community centres, recreation grounds and meeting rooms. Where these places might see 200 or more people at the same time, they could fall within the standard tier of the Act once the duties begin. The fact that the SLCC is putting on dedicated sessions shows that smaller, community-run venues are part of the conversation, not just large arenas and stadiums.

The Act received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025, but its duties are not yet in force. Commencement is expected in spring 2027, and the exact date is still to be confirmed. The Security Industry Authority will be the regulator, and its notification process is not yet live. There is time to learn and prepare calmly.

If you help run a council-owned hall or community space, it is worth seeing whether your clerk or council is attending one of these sessions, or sharing what they learn. Start by estimating how many people your venue holds at busy times, including staff, so you have a sense of which tier might apply. Treat events like these as a chance to familiarise yourself, not as a sign that action is required today.