PLANS to host a fundraising summer fete to raise cash for a village community venue have been put on hold due to red tape.
Volunteers from Startforth Community Centre with the help of parish councillors had intended to host a summer fete at the former primary school, but have put plans on hold for this year after discovering they would need to give Durham County Council up to six months’ notice of the event.
Judith Rodwell, from Startforth Community Centre, reported that if the field behind the former primary school was to be used, the county council required at least three months’ notice if there were to be fewer than 500 people attending – and up to six months’ notice if there were more than 500 people.
The cost of a licence to stage the event would be £50 and the committee would have to provide a risk assessment and third party liability documents.
Cllr Doreen Thompson said: “The point was to make some money for the people but if we have to make £50 before we even start it’s worse.”
Cllr Peter Worley said he had tried to run a similar event at the community centre and said: “I had to jump through all the hoops and I gave up with it in the end.”
Members agreed to shelve plans to host a fete this year.
