Brentwood Safety Advisory Group
If you're planning a larger scale community event, such as a community fair, festival or charity fun run, you should contact the Brentwood Safety Advisory Group for advice. The Group consists of representatives of key services, such as the Police and Essex Fire and Rescue, who can advise you on health and safety matters concerning your event. The group meets on a regular basis and you will need to attend one of these meetings and submit your Event Management Plan, including a Risk Assessment.
For more information, visit Safety Advisory Group.
Health and safety
You can find useful guidance on running an event safely by visiting Health and Safety Executive.
Holding an event in a Brentwood park
You must get permission from us to hold events such as outdoor keep fit classes, boot camp, charity walks and family fun days in the parks in Brentwood. For more information and how to apply for permission, visit Parks Events.
For permission to hold an event in Thorndon or South Weald country parks, you should contact Essex County Council.
To hire land at the Brentwood Centre, email events@brentwoodleisure.co.uk.
Large events
If you think the event you're organizing will impact on local roads with possible traffic congestion due to the number of people expected to attend, the Brentwood Borough Council Safety Advisory Group can provide advice and guidance.
The panel is made up of Council Officers from a number of departments, Police, Essex Highways and will look at Health and Safety, Licensing, Noise, Food Safety and emergency procedures.
Licenses
The Licensing Act 2003 does not require a licence at a private event for entertainment, provided that no charge is being made other than to cover the cost of performers. You will only need a licence if you plan to sell alcohol, charge for music and dancing in order to make money or if you hold an event open to the public.
For more information on the types of licences and how to apply, visit Licensing.
Permissions
If you want to carry out activities on the Chapel Ruins site in the centre of Brentwood High Street, you must make a request in writing to:
Father Colin Hewitt
St Thomas’ Church
St Thomas’ Road
Brentwood
CM14 4DF
Street party
The Government publishes useful guidance on Organising a Street Party.
Streets Alive and The Big Lunch are websites that also provide information to help you plan your street party.
Road closures
You can go to the TraffWeb website to find out if your road is defined as a local road and can be considered for closure.
For more information or to apply for a road closure in Brentwood, visit Road Closures.
Road signs and bunting
Essex Highways does not need to give permission for ordinary lightweight bunting. It can be hung from windows, trees, lamp columns or guttering. However, you should consider your own health and safety risks when putting up bunting.
For advice on street signs and ideas, visit Streets Alive.
Public Liability insurance
For local roads, once all residents have been informed, it's not considered essential for public liability insurance to be taken out. If organisers are concerned about this, visit Streets Alive. Quotes for insurance can start from as little as £50.
Serving food
You don't need a Food Hygiene Certificate for an ordinary street party where food and drink isn't being sold. However, food safety is important, and you can get advice by visiting Food safety or Food Standards Agency (FSA). If you plan to sell food, you will need to email envhealth@brentwood.gov.uk to find out which documents and certification you may need to provide.
The NHS Choices website has practical tips on how to prepare and cook food safely.
Temporary Event Notices
Authorisation is required when you provide or offer licensable activities such as sale or supply of alcohol, provision of regulated entertainment or provision of late-night refreshment. For more information on Temporary Event Notices and how to apply, visit Temporary Event Notices.