This year will offer a fantastic series of opportunities for local celebration with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee taking place over an extended weekend from the 2nd to the 5th of June 2012, and the Olympics and associated events in August and September.
Essex County Council welcomes holding a street party for these events and we intend to make it as easy as possible for residents to celebrate.
It is easy to arrange a well managed and safe street party on a residential road (local road). The main involvement of Councils is to help you close the road legally and safely.
Residents can visit www.goodforessex.org/streetparties which contains information to help people promote their parties, such as the ‘post your party’ facility and the opportunity to request a free pack of information including posters, invites and a bunting template.
The pack also includes a recipe from Essex resident Jo Wheatley, the 2011 winner of BBC’s Great British Bake Off.
As well as the Good for Essex website, if residents are stuck for ideas and want to share top tips or stories or want to ask a question about street parties they can also visit
www.facebook.com/StreetPartiesInEssex
Useful guidance to read before applying for a road closure:
Who do we contact to close the road?
In Essex, most borough councils and district councils deal with applications to close local roads. If you need to find out who your local council is, visit
Directgov.
The following local councils can't provide this assistance:
Street party applications for these districts need to be made to Essex County Council by:
Or by sending the application form to:
Essex County Council,
Street Party Application,
1 Endeavour Drive,
Festival Leisure Park,
Basildon, Essex SS14 3WF
Is our road a local road?
Ring Contact Essex on 0845 603 7631 to find out if your road is defined as a local road and can be considered for closure.
Will a road closure application cost money?
Road closure applications for Brentwood, Harlow and Epping are being processed by Essex County Council and there will be no charge. For other districts and boroughs your local council will be able to advise.
Will we need an 'entertainments licence'?
The Licensing Act 2003 does not require a licence at a private event for entertainment, provided that no charge is being made, other than to cover the cost of performers etc. You will only need a licence if you plan to sell alcohol, charge for music and dancing in order to make money, or if you hold an event open to the public.
What if we are late with the application?
For applications being dealt with by Essex County Council, we ask that they are made before 1st May 2012. After this date, please contact us on 0845 603 7631 or email us on
Do we need Public Liability Insurance?
For local roads once all residents have been informed it is not considered essential for public liability insurance to be taken out. If organisers are concerned about this, the
Streets Alive and
Big Lunch web sites have some really good tips. Quotes for insurance start from as little as £50.
Do we need a license if we are serving food?
There is no requirement for a license at an ordinary street party where food and drink is not being sold. However, food safety is important and your local Council will be able to advise you on this aspect.
Do I need to permission to put up bunting?
A street party isn’t a street party without bunting and Essex County Council doesn’t need to give permission for ordinary lightweight bunting. It can be put up from windows, trees, lamp columns and guttering. For ideas and guidance, go to
Street Party site.
Who can advise us on road signs?
If you have any queries’ please contact us on 0845 603 7631 as we want to ensure that Essex residents enjoy their street parties.