News
Your guide to organising a street party or fete
30th August 2010
Organising a street party or summer fete has never been easier according to the Department for Communities & Local Government, thanks to a new, simple, easy-to-use form.
Instead of reams of forms, high costs and red tape getting in the way of organising small scale local events, if you and your neighbours want to hold a small street party or a small local fete - councils can ask street party organisers to complete one simple form.
Previously, some small community groups were asked to apply for up to five separate licences and found it tricky to get upfront advice on what to do. They also found out about hidden costs right at the last minute, causing delays or cancellations to community events.
The new approach follows a cross government meeting held by Communities and Local Government, with the Department for Transport, Department of Culture Media and Sport as well as local government and community groups such as the Big Lunch and Streets Alive.
The Secretary of State, Eric Pickles, was also keen to expel the myth that councils are required by law to advertise and charge extortionate fees for small road closures.
Mr Pickles, said:
"Fetes, street parties and fairs should be fun, and everyone's energy needs to go into the fun part - not trawling through endless reams of guidance and dusty rules.
"I want to banish the myths around laws preventing people from putting on events.
"So there is still time for you to get together with your neighbours this summer. Your council may be able to help you close a road for a proper street party. If not, you can hold something in a garden or even the park. It's your community, so celebrate it."
You can download a simple step by step guide to how to hold a community event in your local area from the DCLG website at www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/streetpartyguide
