News story

The new, simple, easy-to-use form to organise street parties has arrived!

Organising a street party or summer fete has never been easier thanks to a new, simple, easy-to-use form.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Bunting

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 1 simple form.

Previously, some small community groups were asked to apply for up to 5 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 the Department for 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.”

Summer fetes - a great British tradition

Seasonal fetes and street parties are a great British tradition. It gives people the opportunity to get to know their neighbours and meet members of their community by holding an event on their doorstep.

Street party

A crowded street with bunting at the Battersea High Street Big Lunch in 2010.

Events such as The Big Lunch had almost 1,000,000 attend. The appetite for street parties and fetes is likely to continue with events such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics in 2012. The new form will make organising a street party or fete much easier.

Published 27 August 2010