Preparing for your street party
For anyone proposing to organise a small-scale community event it is crucial to plan early. You should think about what your community wants to achieve from such an event. You should get in touch with the Council’s Events Team using the following email address events@northtyneside.gov.uk as early as possible, and at least 6 weeks in advance of the event.
The Council will then be able to determine whether or not the event does qualify as a small-scale community event, whether or not the event requires some form of insurance policy to be in place, and they will be able to liaise with officers within the Council’s Highways Department, Licensing and Environmental Health Teams.
Consultation with neighbours and residents
It is the responsibility of the street party organisers to consult with all residents in the street who will be affected by the event. The organisers should consider any objections or comments raised by those persons who feel that they may be adversely affected by the event and should attempt to remediate any fears or concerns raised.
It is recommended that street parties should finish at a reasonable time 9pm at the latest.
Grants available to celebrate important national events (England)
The National Lottery has announced that this year, funding will also be available through the Awards for All England scheme to help communities celebrate important national events such as the Coronation of His Majesty the King, the Eurovision Song Contest and the 75th anniversary of Windrush. Awards for All will also continue to make grants of between £300 and £10,000 for up to one year to local community and voluntary organisations for existing or new projects, events, and activities that aim to build strong relationships, improve community spaces, support personal potential, and assist with challenges caused by the cost-of-living crisis and the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Applications can be submitted at any time.
Street Party application form
Larger events
The street party application form does not extend to larger public events that include activities that need a licence, such as selling alcohol or providing certain types of regulated entertainment.
If you want to have a pay bar or intend to provide entertainment to the wider public or charge a fee to raise money for your event, you will need a Temporary Event Notice (TEN). A TEN is a type of temporary licence and costs £21 from your local authority Licensing Team.
If raffle tickets are sold prior to the event with prizes worth more than £500 additional consent will also be required. Similarly, large scale events attracting more than 499 people will require an entirely different process.
If an organiser needs a TEN or would like to hold a large-scale public event, they should contact the Council’s Licensing Team for further information and advice.
The main differences between a small street party and larger public events are:
| Street parties and fetes | Larger public events |
|---|---|
| For residents/neighbours only | Anyone can attend |
| Publicity only to residents | External publicity (newspapers etc) |
|
No licences normally necessary if |
Licence usually needed |
| No formal risk assessment needed | Insurance needed |
| Insurance not usually required | Risk assessment common |
| Self-organised | Professional / skilled organisers |