Events safety information for organisers

Tell us about your event

If you notify us of your proposed event, SAG will provide relevant guidance and feedback. For large events (more than 500 people), please contact us with your event details at least six months before the event takes place. For smaller events (less than 500 people), this should be at least three months before the event takes place. 

About SAG

SAG is made up of members from Durham County Council, the police, the fire and rescue service and the ambulance service. SAG's role is to promote and encourage high standards of public safety and wellbeing at events held in County Durham.

SAG has an additional duty on our behalf to ensure that any event which is to be held on our land has all appropriate safety measures and legal certification in place before permission is granted to use the land for the event. A minimum of £5million public liability insurance is required for all events, except for fireworks events which require a minimum of £10million.

Events on council land

If your event is to be held on council land you must contact us at Asset Management - events and we will assist you in gaining permission. A minimum of six weeks advance notice is required to arrange a Licence to Occupy and a minimum fee of £50 will be charged to cover some of the cost in producing this. The Licence to Occupy application can only be processed following Health and Safety approval. 

National Counter Terrorism Security Office guidance

As part of organising your event it's important to consider security. To help event/ security managers, the National Counter Terrorism Security Office have issued guidance on increasing the protection of crowded places from a terrorist attack:

• Gov.uk: national counter terrorism security office
• Gov.uk: crowded places guidance
• Gov.uk: travel industry training staff to deal with terrorist incidents

COVID-19 

Outdoor events

All event plans must now include consideration of COVID-19 and include any associated restrictions. If the event is to take place on Durham County Council land, you need to take into account Government guidance to allow discussions on whether your event can take place. You should also follow this guidance for any events taking place on private land.

Government guidance states that some events can not take place at this time. Durham County Council will continue to follow Government guidance and put into place any changes they ask for. Applications to use Durham County Council land will not be considered until we are sure this guidance has been followed.

You must carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment and operate a Test and Trace scheme for your event.

Information and guidance

The following links may help you make sure your event is COVID secure:

National Government guidance

• Gov.uk: Government guidance for outdoor events
• Gov.uk: Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can't do
• Gov.uk: Staying alert and safe (social distancing) after 4 July
• Gov.uk: Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) - shops and branches
• Gov.uk: Working safely during coronavirus - Food service
• Gov.uk: Working safely during coronavirus - Performing-arts
• HSE: Working safely during the coronavirus outbreak
• NHS: Test and trace guidance

Guidance from National Bodies 

• Local Government Association
• Events Industry Forum
• Health and Safety Executive (HSE): event safety
• Purple Guide