From Thursday June 2 until Sunday June 5, people across the country will celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee by hosting street and garden parties. For those of you wishing to throw your own street party, we dispel some of the most common myths.
It is too difficult and confusing
The first myth is that organising a street party is too difficult and confusing, but does it have to be? There are some great websites that help you plan your own street party such as Street Party and The Big Lunch. Make sure that tasks are delegated among residents, rather than laying the burden on one person's shoulders.
If commonsense precautions are used to ensure everyone's safety you will not need a risk assessment. You can find out more information on the GOV UK website.
You need a licence
You do not need a licence for your street party so long as you are not selling alcohol and the main purpose of your event is not amplified music. Should you wish to sell alcohol you can apply for a Temporary Events Notice which costs £21 and covers events of fewer than 500 people.
You have to fill in complex forms for a road closure
Closing your road for a street party does not require you to fill in complicated forms. If you wish to close your road, give the council six weeks' notice so they can put in place a temporary traffic regulation order.
You need to tell the council where and when the road closure will take place so they can plan around it. If your council needs more information, they will contact the organisers. But make sure to challenge them if they ask for excessive information as they are expected to take a 'light touch' approach.
You have to pay a fee for a road closure
Under the law, councils can charge a small fee but they are encouraged not to. Should they go ahead and charge a fee, you have every right to question what those charges will be used for and to check whether or not they are reasonable.
It is too late to ask for a road closure
There are no deadlines in law, but it is best to contact your council six weeks in advance to give them plenty of notice. If they cannot close your road or decide against it, you could plan a simpler street meet in a driveway or front garden.
You need to buy expensive road signs
This is not necessarily true as some local councils will lend you signs and cones, but should they be unwilling or unable to do this you may have to hire or buy signs.
You need insurance
While there is no requirement from central government to have public liability insurance many councils recommend it, but do not insist upon it. Should you still wish to get insurance make sure you shop around to find the best deals.
You need a food licence
According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), one-off events such as street parties are not usually considered food businesses, so you are not required to fill in any forms. However, you do need to make sure that all food served is safe to eat.
For advice on providing safe food at street parties head to the FSA website.
You need a licence to run a raffle or lottery
You do not need a licence for an incidental lottery (raffles, sweepstakes, tombola's), but there are some rules you need to follow:
- Tickets must be sold at the event
- Prizes cannot role over to the next event
- No more than £100 can be deducted from the proceeds to cover organising expenses
- No more than £500 can be spent on prizes (not including donated prizes)
More information on running a lottery can be found here.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
