Events safety information for organisers

Voluntary and community events are an important aspect of everyday life that help encourage people to play a more active part in society. They may celebrate a particular occasion, raise funds for a good cause or simply bring people in a community closer together. 

If you are planning to hold an event there are a number of things you may have to consider including finances, who will come, what activities you will offer and so on. You must also consider how you will keep people safe.

We provide a range of links to important advice and guidance and we strongly recommend you take the time to read and understand it. As an event organiser you could be legally responsible for the safety of anyone attending your event including staff, volunteers and visitors. You can also notify important agencies and organisations about your event so that they know what is happening, where and when and, if necessary, can be prepared for it.

We also coordinate the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) for County Durham. The SAG is a multi agency partnership that is interested in events that potentially pose a significant public safety risk.SAG's role is to promote and encourage high standards of public safety at such events. If you are proposing to hold an event that poses a significant public safety risk you may be contacted by the SAG. If your event does not pose a significant risk, you will not be contacted by the SAG.

Events on council land

If your event is to be held on council land you must Contact Corporate Property and Land who 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 £65 will be charged to cover some of the cost in producing this.

Risk assessment information

Health and safety risk assessment 

By law, you must protect workers and others you employ (including contractors, volunteers, customers and other users) from risks to their health and safety

The Health and Safety Executive has produced detailed information that will help you ensure that your event is safe for you, your staff and your customers: Health and Safety Executive (HSE): event safety

Useful links

The following links may help you make sure your event is as safe as possible:

• Health and Safety Executive (HSE): event safety
• Gov.uk: Organising a street party
• Gov.uk: Reducing the spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19, in the workplace
• Events Industry Forum
• Purple Guide

If you have any further questions on planning your event, please Contact Corporate Property and Land.

Tell us about your event

Tell us about your event and we will forward these details to other relevant council departments, Durham Police, Durham Fire Service, and the North East Ambulance Service. 

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:

ProtectUK