Cabinet Office publishes Can Do guide for organising community events

The guidance comes following research by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills which found that existing guidance lacked clarity and focused too much on what organisers could not do when organising charity fund-raisers, street parties or school fêtes.

The ‘Can Do’ guide was developed with the input from a range of civil society and government organisations and aims to help people plan and run successful events.

This guide has seven parts:

• What do I need to think about when planning an event?
• Do I need any licences or other sort of permission?
• How do I keep organisers, volunteers and participants safe?
• How do I make sure that food and drink is safe?
• Can I close a road?
• Do I need insurance?
• Am I planning an event for which there is specialist guidance elsewhere?

Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd said: “The idea that it is somehow impossible to run an event or throw a street party without getting through masses of red-tape is simply inaccurate. It is sad to think that events that can bring communities together don’t happen because of concerns around something as simple as a home baked cake needing a food certificate and this guide busts these myths.”

Michael Fallon, Minister for Business and Enterprise, added: “Nobody should be discouraged from participating in the life of their community by needless bureaucracy. This new, clear and concise guidance responds directly to issues and concerns raised by the public. It is an important part of the government’s drive to cut red tape and promote individual freedom, enterprise and responsibility.”