Information

The Council and Police view events held on the Public Highway as potential road safety hazards and road closures during special events fall under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847. Therefore we do not encourage events on the Public Highway, but we recognise that there are occasions when this is unavoidable. For information on applying for road closures for events such as street parties head to the road closure guidance page.

There is an eight week notice period needed to organise the closure.

Depending on the circumstances the Council may or may not grant a closure order. Clearly it's very important therefore to know well in advance. The appropriate forms can be obtained from the Democratic Services.

The notice supplied by Erewash Borough Council is displayed solely on the street to inform people locally of the reasons for closure. The organiser is responsible for erecting and removing all signs and barriers. It should be noted that advertising on the Public Highway is illegal and is therefore not permitted. The organiser will have to provide, maintain and remove road closure signs.

A charge of either £50.00 to £150.00 may be payable on application please view the road closure guidance page for further information. 

Safety Advisory Group

It is recommended that a Safety Advisory Group (SAG) is formed for Events attracting in excess of 1,000 people, (especially if they are to occur on an annual basis). Safety Advisory Groups are usually chaired by the event organiser and should include representatives of:

  • Licensing authority (Erewash Borough Council)
  • Events Officer (Erewash Borough Council)
  • Police service
  • Ambulance service
  • Fire & Rescue service
  • Experts as necessary at the discretion of the group.

Where relevant the Safety Advisory Group may also include: 

  • Emergency planning officers, property owners, security and marshalls, military, voluntary groups, press officers and other service providers.

If the event is on the highway or road, the responsibility for public safety rests with the organiser.

A Safety Advisory Group's main objectives are:

  • To promote high levels of safety and welfare at events by giving advice to promote good practice in safety and welfare planning for events.
  • To ensure events cause minimal adverse impact.

A Safety Advisory Group’s terms of reference may include:

  • To ensure that each member of the group is aware of their individual role within the group.
  • To ensure that the organiser has taken such measures as may be necessary or expedient to ensure the reasonable safety of the public.
  • To offer advice on risk assessments and safety measures.
  • To keep a written record of all formal meetings and note actions arising from those meetings.
  • A major event will require a major incident contingency plan.
  • To ensure that a safety officer and first aid/medical providers are appointed.
  • Where applicable to hold a de-brief and make recommendations for future safety improvements
  • The group needs to regularly consider the event and to give advice to the organisers.

The following if applicable should be made available at the meeting:

  • Approx numbers attending the event
  • A copy of the events public liability
  • A map showing the parade route
  • A copy of the Road Closure Order
  • Arrange and show that ‘Diversion Signs’ will be Inplace in applicable
  • An alternative route, should there be a problem or a need to divert the parade
  • Contingency plan should a vehicle break down during the parade
  • All Risk Assessments and Fire Risk Assessments
  • Details of security and or marshalls, who will be assisting the parades
  • What the parade consists of (floats, walkers, animals etc)
  • Document/evidence that bus companies have been contacted to inform them of any delays and how long the parade will be
  • Litter pick arrangements including collection
  • Toilet facilities

All comments and observation made by the SAG are always advisory. It has no statutory compulsion and organiser’s are under no obligation to submit information, attend SAG meetings, or follow SAG’s advice. However, SAG’s are considered best practice and each of the constituent members has their own regulatory role and may exercise their powers independently. If it is decided by the group that the correct event planning is not in place, it can recommend that the event does not go ahead and then the application to Erewash Borough Council will be refused. SAG is not a licensing panel. For any major or annual event that may benefit from the formation of a Safety Advisory Group, Erewash Borough Council will do all it can to help facilitate meetings with all the required parties.