U-turn on street party charge plan
CARDIFF council has backed down on plans to charge residents £150 to hold street parties for the Queen’s 90th birthday.
Letters had been sent to residents telling them they would need to make a contribution of £150 to the road closures.
Now a council spokesman has said there was a “misunderstanding” and those letters would be recalled.
Charges will only be made for “commercial ventures” – where an organiser is charging for profit.
If the events are for a community, the council will meet the cost.
A letter had already been sent to those who had made enquiries, which said the £415 cost would be reduced to £150.
But organisers said four years ago at the Diamond Jubilee there was no charge.
They also said the charge was too high for the delivery of signs and cones – which they would have to lay out themselves.
Jo Wells is one of the organisers of a street party in Heath.
They want to close St Helen’s Road and St George’s Road for their event.
“They really do bring the community together. It brings young and old and there is something for everybody,” she said. “I am sure the Queen would have been quite upset.”
She said the cost was “unrealistic” and “too steep”.
Sarah Simon is part of the group organising an event for Sherborne Avenue in Cyncoed, Cardiff
She said the U-turn was “brilliant news”.
“Everyone had said they would chip in begrudgingly but we’re absolutely thrilled.”
A council spokesman said: “It isn’t right that the taxpayer should bear the cost for a commercial venture. In local authorities in England the UK Government is subsidising local authorities for community events related to the Queen’s birthday.”
He said the council would work with the Welsh Government to find alternative funding options.
”Failing this, the council will pay the entire traffic management costs for these not-for-profit community events.”