New guidance will break down barriers to staging community performances

The Government is due to publish new, clearer guidelines for community events following a review which found a lack of advice and inconsistency in current guidance, leading to a perception that events are harder to put on than is actually the case. The ‘Focus on Enforcement’ review, which examined how regulation is delivered,  looked at compliance barriers faced by volunteer organisers of events such as fetes, street parties and  the staging of performances involving sale of tickets to raise money, such as choral events, plays and poetry-readings. The new document will cover planning, health and safety, access issues, budgeting, booking and licensing, insurance and use of public land. Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd said: “Organising successful community events is a lot easier to do than people think. The new ‘Can Do’ guidance from the Office for Civil Society will make it clear when licences and other permissions are needed and where to go for specialist guidance. It will set out in plain English how to plan successful and safe events and break the myths that discourage running them.”