Want To Celebrate The Royal Wedding With Your Friends & Neighbours?

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Wandsworth announces no charge for royal street parties

It will also be free for people organising street parties for next year’s Golden Jubilee.

The cost for other street parties, such as for the Big Lunch on June 5, has been reduced to just £50. Big Lunch is a national day of street parties aimed at bringing people together.

The council has announced that it  is also cutting red tape to make it easier for people to organise and manage their own street parties with the council getting involved as little as possible. It has simplified procedures and has produced clear guidelines for organisers giving advice on issues such as health and safety. 

There is still time to organise a road closure for a Royal Wedding street party. Council engineers only require one month’s notice.

Organisers need to send in a form along with a street plan of the event and a copy of the invitation letter. They do not have to buy public liability insurance, although it’s recommended, and they can put barriers and signs up themselves. Signs can be provided at cost price by the council, or obtained elsewhere.

Not all streets can be closed – only those that will not have an impact on the wider road network. The council also has no authority to close red routes.

Council leader Edward Lister said the changes were part of the council’s Wandsworth Challenge agenda. The council aims to make the borough a better place to live by working more effectively with local people.

He said:
"Street parties are a great way of bringing communities together and helping people get to know their neighbours. We want to encourage as many people as possible to celebrate this April’s Royal Wedding by holding a street party. That is why we will not be charging for road closures.

 “People should be able to just get on and organise events themselves without the council tying them up in yards of red tape. We’re happy to advise, and get involved if asked, but we won’t be forcing people to following bewildering and unnecessary rules and regulations.

“This is what Wandsworth Challenge is all about – treating people like adults and freeing them to do what’s best for their community.”

To get a copy of the form and new guidelines, call (020) 8871 6712, email  dtsstreetworks@wandsworth.gov.uk or visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/streetparties

Residents are also advised to alert their local police safer neighbourhood team. Find your local team at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/snt

 

February 21, 2011