Havant Safety Advisory Group

The Safety Advisory Group deals with public events that are planned to take place in the Havant Borough Council area.

The members of the Havant Safety Advisory Group (SAG) comprise senior officers from all the emergency services (Police, Fire and Rescue Service, Maritime Coastguard Agency, and the Ambulance NHS Trust). Hampshire County Council Emergency Planning and Havant Borough Council Services (Highways, Traffic Management, Building Control, Environmental Health, Legal, Licensing and Emergency Planning) working in the Borough of Havant. The Group is chaired by the Deputy Environmental Manager. The terms of reference for the group and a summary of the individual roles of its members is published in the Havant SAG Protocol.

When dealing with operational issues the Chair of the Group may also invite persons who can contribute to the discussion e.g. event organiser, licence holder, Civil Contingencies Unit, public transport providers, town centre manager, Primary Care Trust.

What sort of events does Havant SAG consider?

In general, "large scale public event" will be treated as being an event where 500 people or more are expected to attend, although smaller events may require the involvement of the SAG depending on the event.

When planning an event involving more than 10,000 people a minimum of 6 months notice should be sought. For an event involving between 500 - 10,000 people a minimum of 3 months notice should be sought.

Usually an event held outdoors, possibly with marquees or other temporary buildings. Typical examples of events would include:

• Fetes, fairs etc.
• Open air concerts and music festivals.
• Trade shows.
• Sporting events.
• Horse shows, agricultural shows, dog shows car, caravan shows and similar.
• Open air entertainment including theatre, opera and historic re-enactments.
• Firework displays.
• Large scale company parties.
• Processions, marches and carnivals.
• Street parties.
• Religious events.

In exceptional circumstances Havant SAG may consider an event with unusual hazards or risks held inside a building. If you need further information about the work of Havant SAG please telephone (023) 9244 6592.

Information on how to apply to hold an event can be found through this link >>

Objectives

Havant SAG 's main objectives are:

• To promote high levels of safety and welfare at events by giving advice;
• To promote good practice in safety and welfare planning for events; and
• To ensure events cause minimal adverse impact.

The Group meets regularly to jointly consider forthcoming events and to give advice to organisers. In this way, all the agencies can consider the implications and ensure that there are sufficient resources available should there be an incident for which they are required.

Local events in around the Havant area can be found elsehwere on the web site >>

In the event of an emergency occurring during the course of the event, the Emergency Services should be contacted immediately as for any other incident, which might involve damage or injury to life or property.

SPECIAL NOTE: Havant SAG is not responsible for giving permission to use Council land or granting licenses for events . If any organisation or community group wishes to use any park or open space that is managed by the Council they should request permission from Havant Borough Council, Civic Offices, Civic Centre Road, Havant PO9 2AX, email customer.services@havant.gov.uk

Where a licence is required an application must be submitted separately to the licensing authority licensing@havant.gov.uk.