Killjoy councils risk ruining coronation street parties with ‘mythical’ restrictions
FOR people around the country, the Coronation weekend should be a chance to toast the new King with their neighbours at street parties and community events. But councils have been criticised for imposing unnecessary rules that risk ruining celebrations.
The Daily Telegraph has identified 10 local authorities enforcing regulations that go against government advice.
Some declare that parties can only go ahead if everyone in the street agrees to them, while others are charging residents to close their roads.
Whitehall has become so alarmed that bureaucracy could put people off celebrating on May 6 that it has issued “mythbusting” guidance encouraging residents to challenge council edicts. It emphasises that local officials should take a “light-touch approach”.
In the New Forest, party organisers must consult everyone who might be affected by the road closure, on the understanding that “the closure will not be approved if there are unresolved objections from any of the consultees”.
In a similar vein, Guildford borough council states: “[We] reserve the right to refuse an application if there are objections which the council considers to be valid and cannot be resolved.”
Richmond-upon-thames requires a statement to say if most residents have agreed to the event or not. Medway council asks for a list of names of everyone in the street who objects to the party and who back it – although it is waiving its £100 street closure fee.
Swindon council would rather not have any street parties on what it classes as highways, saying it would prefer them to be in parks and gardens to avoid traffic disruption, while Bexley, in south-east London, will only allow part of a road to be shut.
Some councils are planning to charge significant amounts for licences allowing street parties to be held over the Coronation weekend.
In the New Forest, organisers are required to obtain public liability insurance with cover of “a minimum amount of £5 million” for their events. Guildford has waived its normal £154.50 for a street closure licence, but the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the King’s own back garden, is charging £147 for the closure of classified A and B roads for parties – on top of the cost for advertising and signage.
In apparently contradictory advice, several councils say that full risk and safety assessments need to be carried out well ahead of any event, while others say it is not necessary.
Epping Forest district council warns that “public spaces can provide opportunity for criminal and terrorist activity”, while Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead tells organisers: “You are strongly advised to do a risk assessment for your event, so you are well prepared for any possible eventuality.”
The guidance and restrictions threatens to prompt a repeat of last year, when Boris Johnson, the prime minister at the time, was forced to urge council jobsworths to grant last-minute requests for street parties to celebrate the jubilee.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, has urged residents to challenge a series of council “myths” about party restrictions. In its guidance, it states: “If councils really need more information, they will contact organisers, but they are expected to take a light-touch approach. If your council asks for excessive information, you should challenge them.”