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Liverpool City Council is
getting ready to issue a License to (street) party
LIVERPOOL City Council is boosting
community spirit with plans to waive the legal costs of staging street parties.
Currently, any individual/group who wants to host a street party needs to apply
for a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) which can cost in excess of ₤2,000.
The recommendation, which will be presented at a Cabinet Meeting, on Friday, 21
July 2017, looks to establish a Community Events Order which would allow
residents to apply to hold community events in their neighbourhoods, with the
Council covering the cost of a TRO, which would cover a 12 month period.
The order would allow the City Council to close roads so that community events
or street parties could take place. It also has the benefit of allowing children
to play safely in traffic free areas, creating safer zones and encouraging young
people to get active outdoors, improving their health and well being.
If approved, it would come in to force from April 2018 for 12 months, renewing
each year. This means residents will have until 31 December 2017 to submit an
application for a street party which will be assessed in the New Year, and if
it's successful they could hold their event from April 2018. Initially,
closures in the same area would only be permitted once a month to ensure minimum
disruption to the road network.
The City Council's Highways Team will provide a full guidance note for anyone
thinking of applying, which includes:-
► Events are to be organised and funded by the
applicant, not by the City council.
► The
applicant must consult with all residents in the area. If any objections are
raised, the council will work with the person who has submitted the request to
identify a solution. Ward members will make the ultimate decision.
► Not all roads can be closed, so alternative
options should be considered; major roads and bus routes are exempt from the
scheme.
► Road closures can't exceed 3 hours.
► Applicant must be able to demonstrate they have the
appropriate Public Liability Insurance to cover the event.
► All signs and barriers would need to be organised
and paid for by the organiser. If it's going to be a regular event it is
recommended the applicant purchase the traffic management equipment.
► If applications for events in 2018 are made after 31
December 2017, residents will have to pay for the TRO which could be around
₤2,400.
► The initiative forms part of Play Streets; a
nationwide drive for local authorities to develop a scheme that will encourage
young people to play safely on the streets.
Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Highways and City Services,
Councillor Steve Munby, said:- "We often receive requests from residents
who wish to close their road to host a street party, but the costs associated
are prohibitive for both Council and the individual. This Community Events Order
would enable the City Council to cover the costs of a 1 off, annual Traffic
Regulation Order which would then give communities the freedom to put on an
event in their area. Not only is it a simple and effective way to encourage
children to play out on traffic free streets, but in turn, it gives neighbours
the chance to socialise, growing the community spirit and engendering pride in
where people live. I'm sure residents will be thrilled with the prospect and I
look forward to seeing a whole host of events taking place in communities across
the City in 2018."
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