If you are holding a gathering such as a street party on the public highway, you must apply to get permission from us. Be clear about the distinction between a street party and a public event. If you are going to publicise what you are doing to attract the general public then the implications are very different. If you aren’t sure if you require permission then seek advice from the events team by emailing events@basingstoke.gov.uk before you make any plans.
The Street Party guidance on this page will give you an idea of things you need to consider when planning a street party. Visit the Street Party site for more information.
Organisers will need to complete a risk assessment for the street party.
Talk to everybody in your street to find out if they want to hold a party:
Once you have agreed what you are going to do, when and where it is going to be and have permission to do so:
Some very informal gatherings will not require any permission at all, such as a few people going to a local park or open space for a picnic together then that is casual use and does not require permission.
Parties in the street will require permission from the council and certainly any events that for example involve the erecting of structures and closing the road will certainly require permission. If you aren’t sure then seek advice from the events team before you make any plans.
To encourage street parties, the council has simplified its application form for organising street parties on its land. The application will give the council some basic information about what you are planning and the details of any roads you may need to close. If any further information is needed, either the events team or highways team will give you a call to discuss your plans. Once all the information is in place you will receive a letter of agreement granting permission for your party which will need to be signed by you and returned to the council by the due date before full permission is in place.
This letter will contain some terms and conditions that must be adhered to but the events team will already have explained these to you so there shouldn’t be anything unexpected. If you need to close the road, your road closure order will be sent to you shortly before your event.
In many cases the street is the best place to bring communities together as it is on everybody’s doorstep but it depends on the nature of your street. If it is a cul-de-sac or quiet street with easy alternative routes then that is ideal but if it is a busy road, possibly with bus routes then it will be more difficult and you could consider alternatives such a local park or open green space.
Things to consider:
Find a few people that are keen to help you out to make planning easier and more enjoyable. You could get the whole street to get together so you can find out what people actually want to happen at their party. The more they are engaged the more successful your party will be.
Think about activities that will:
Ideas for activities:
Think about what sort of music you intend playing:
Think about whether:
Whatever you do, you need to think about:
Your street can be brought to life by the use of bunting, banners and fags, consider getting the community to make their own.
Think about where you will put them and how you will fasten them. It is very easy to fall off a ladder so consider a safe way of doing it. You don’t want people getting hurt.
Hampshire County Council is responsible for granting permission to hang bunting. To encourage street parties, the county council has removed the need to apply for a licence and obtain the necessary insurance as long as it is a small scale street party and that the road is closed. The county council does request that you complete a form online to give information on what you are doing.
If your event involves any licensable activities such as selling alcohol, putting on musical entertainment (live or recorded music), or selling hot food or drinks between 11pm and 5am you will need to apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN).
Please contact Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Licensing Team by emailing licensing@basingstoke.gov.uk for more detailed information regarding licensing criteria and requirements.
Public Liability Insurance is not covered by the council but the council believes that you should have some public liability insurance cover just in case anything unthinkable happens at your party and somebody is seriously injured resulting in claims against you. This will come at a small cost to you and is available through many different insurers if you decide to take out a policy. Hampshire Highways may request the organiser to have Public Liability Insurance to close the road
If you plan on hiring in facilities such as caterers or bouncy castles, you will also need to send across copies of their Public and Product Liability Insurance and risk assessment to events@basingstoke.gov.uk.
If you are closing the road then you will need to consider how to do that and what signage or barriers you will need. Guidance can be found on the street party website.
Do consider:
Guidance for organising a street party (Streetparty.org.uk)
Guidance for Neighbours’ picnics on parks, playing fields and other green spaces (Streetparty.org.uk)
Guidance for organising a street party (GOV.UK)
Your guide to organising a street party (GOV.UK)
Find out more about Eden Project Communities The Big Lunch
Apply for a banner consent
Events on, or impacting the highway, traffic advice for street parties and other public events
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