A council policy which limits the availability of county school halls for public events has been criticised.

Halls at Musselburgh and Dunbar Grammar Schools, Knox Academy, Preston Lodge, Ross and North Berwick High Schools are all managed by facilities management company FES as part of a PPP contract.

Community groups are required to book use of the venues via FES, in line with council licensing rules.

But a policy recently put in place by East Lothian Council states there must be no smoking or alcohol consumption on school premises – at any time.

The policy, in operation since the start of the current academic year, has forced a group of local parents and musicians to look elsewhere for a venue for their annual ‘Bandioke’ live band karaoke fundraiser, previously held in North Berwick High School.

Caroline Bysh, singer and fundraiser, said: “There’s a pretty big thing at play which is preventing community groups getting what they need.

“More and more groups are saying they need access to big spaces – and North Berwick just doesn’t have venues big enough for these events. We have asked the council if we could see the no-alcohol policy but they haven’t been able to produce it – all they say is that it is a new policy incoming – not implemented just incoming.

“They have permitted us to have an alcohol licence the last four times and refused this time. We’ve asked to see the new policy but haven’t been supplied it.”

This year’s Bandioke event – the band’s fifth – has been forced to move to the Marine Hotel, which has half the capacity of the high school hall. With organiser now unable to sell alcohol at the event, Caroline said up to £5,000 of funding would be lost.

Previously held as a fundraiser for Law Primary School, and having raised about £20,000 for the school, this year’s event, in November, is set to raise funds for blood cancer charities.

Caroline added: “We’re worried that what has quickly become a local institution will be killed through thoughtless policy – we’d love to keep raising money and bring the community together.”

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “Across East Lothian there are a wide range of community venues that are available for let, as well as private spaces operated by businesses.

“While we maximise the use of education premises for community and other groups, all events must meet the terms of our council letting guidance. This guidance states that smoking and the consumption of alcohol are not permitted on the premises and makes other requirements on event organisers. All of the points in the guidance are to ensure that the event meets all safety requirements and to protect the school and its facilities for its core purpose – accommodating learners and delivery of the curriculum.

“Our facilities teams will work with event organisers to accommodate lets across our entire community estate wherever possible.”

Kenny MacAskill, East Lothian MP, said: “The legacy of PPP/PFI is not just inflated cost but restricted access. At the pinnacle there’s the Edinburgh Royal infirmary, with its massive cost to run yet rights such as parking then need paid for by the public purse.

“Schools are similar. I recall a teacher at a PFI school having to meet in her car outside as the cost of opening up late was prohibitive.

“It’s absurd. Schools and other public facilities require to be maximised in their community use not beyond the price or even right of locals to access them.”