Managing your event safely

Organising a community celebration shouldn’t be a complicated process. For most small parties or events taking place in private spaces you should not need insurance or licenses, just apply common sense.

By lawGoes to different website there is no requirement from central government to have Public Liability Insurance for small residential celebrations in England and many councils do not insist on it. If you are asked to take out insurance or pay a charge, make sure to check what it is for.

If you are planning a street party and will be closing a public road, your council may require that you take out Public Liability Insurance as you are closing public ground and will be responsible for what happens there.

Public liability insurance covers against:

•Accidental injuries to third parties (other people) and your volunteers

•Damage to other people’s property

•Legal or other costs arising from any of the above.

It doesn’t usually cover against:

•Your employees if you run a legally recognised organisation (CIC, limited company or charity).

•Accidental injury which isn’t due to negligence on the part of your organisation.

Costs of public liability insurance are likely to vary depending on the activity covered, the number of people and other factors. An insurance company will be able to advise you on coverage.

If your community group has legal status – in other words it is a limited company, CIC, charity, or other form of legally recognised entity, with employees (not just volunteers) then you may need employers’ liability insurance as well. Get in touch with an insurance company for more information.