Event Notification and the Safety Advisory Group (SAG)

Event Notification process.

Planning an event

If you're planning to organise and hold an event you'll have to consider:

• who will attend
• what you will offer
• what licences and permissions you may need
• what impact the event may have upon both those attending the event and the wider community

You must also consider how you will keep people safe. As an event organiser you could be legally responsible for the safety of:

• those attending
• volunteers
• staff working the event

Your event notification informs key agencies about the proposal, allowing them to assess any implications, necessary permissions, impacts, and support opportunities for organisers to prepare.

In all cases you should submit an event notification to the Safety Advisory Group (SAG). You may also need to make separate notification with regards to use of:

• Northumberland County Council land and open spaces
• alcohol and entertainment licences
• road closures for events on the public highway

The SAG for Northumberland is a multi-agency partnership coordinated and managed by Northumberland County Council. The goal is to:

• provide local assurance
• help event organisers in Northumberland understand
• fulfil their responsibilities for delivering safe events

The role and purpose of the SAG is to provide a quality assurance process for considering and advising on safety related aspects for any event. This might include:

• clarifying the roles of those responsible for safety
• encouraging a coordinated approach between the event and external agencies
• encouraging arrangements to minimise disruption to local communities and services

Following an event notification, you may be contacted by the SAG or separately by other key stakeholders and requested to provide further information about the event. This may not be necessary and in many cases the organiser may only receive a simple acknowledgement of the notification.

If there are issues, concerns, or potential risks identified from the event notification, you may be invited to provide further information. Following key stakeholder consultation, you may also be asked to attend a meeting with the SAG.

Fill in an event and SAG notification

We would ask that you email any event specific management plans and related supporting documentation and plans.
Email: sag@northumberland.gov.uk

Appropriate Northumberland County Council information and resources

The links will direct you to the appropriate Northumberland County Council information resources and relevant application submissions:

Apply to hold an event to be held on council land

Apply for alcohol and entertainment licences

Apply for road closures for events on the public highway

Apply for other licences and permits you may need from the council

Additional useful information and resources

The below links will signpost you to information, guidance and support resources to help in the planning and preparation to support you in making your event as safe as possible:

Health and Safety Executive (HSE): Event safety

GOV.UK: Organising a street party

Information about our environmental health services

Information regarding health and safety in general and at work

Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service Business Safety

The Purple Guide guidance for event organisers, suppliers, local authorities and others involved in the outdoor events industry

The Green Guide safety at sports grounds

Alternative uses of sports grounds  A good practice guide to hosting alternative events at sports grounds

Protect UK  Protective Security, Advice and Guidance

Event Planning and Counter Terrorism Considerations (PDF)

National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) Counter Terrorism Crime Prevention Toolkit

Event planning questions and further information

If you have any questions on planning your event and the correct process to follow, email the Northumberland SAG.

Email: sag@northumberland.gov.uk