Licence flagged up as 'ridiculous' red tape (From Romsey Advertiser)

Licence flagged up as 'ridiculous' red tape

8:50am Friday 30th March 2012 in Basingstoke By Helen Morton

Buy this photo » Linden Avenue, Old Basing hosts a street party for last year's Royal Wedding

RESIDENTS planning to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a street party will be able to do so with less red tape for small gatherings- – but they will have to ask for a licence to hang bunting from lamp-posts.

The need for such a bunting licence has been slammed as ‘ridiculous’ by some.

Silchester Parish Council chairman Steve Spillane said he was glad that he and his fellow parish councillors had organised a celebration on the common on Monday June 4, where they will not need such a licence.

He said: “I can’t believe it, it’s absolutely ridiculous. I’m glad that we won’t have to go through any of that with our party.”

Tadley Central borough councillor Stephen West said that he would be dissuaded from putting up bunting.

He said: “There was bunting put up across the streets all around the UK to celebrate VE day and I don’t think anyone died or was sued because of it.

“I can’t blame the county council. It’s more to do with the risk-averse health and safety culture in which we now live.”

Thousands of people across the county are expected to get together with their neighbours and hold street parties on the extended June bank holiday weekend, from Saturday June 2 until Tuesday June 5.

For parties of no more than 500 people on a street that is not a through-road, organisers will have to ask Hampshire County Council for a licence to hang bunting from lamp-posts, so someone can be relied on to remove the bunting after the event.

Larger-scale events with more than 500 people, or those taking place on a through-road or bus route will have to make more complex arrangements.

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: “We have built on the arrangements put in place for last year’s Royal Wedding.

“I know that many people got into the celebratory spirit to hold street parties with neighbours, friends and relatives and we want to make sure they can do so all over again for the Diamond Jubilee with the minimum of bureaucracy.”

To find out what Diamond Jubilee events are in your area visit hants.gov.uk/diamondjubilee/jubilee-event.htm.