Events - Safety Advisory Group

Where and how to seek advice on safety issues relating to public events

The Eastleigh Safety Advisory Group (SAG) advises on safety aspects for public events that are planned to take place in the Eastleigh Borough Council area.

The role of a local authority Safety Advisory Group 
SAGs do not have legal powers or responsibilities and are not empowered to approve or prohibit events from taking place. They provide independent advice to event organisers, who retain the legal responsibility for ensuring a safe event. The SAG will advise the event organiser of the outcome of their assessment of the event application. It is the event organiser’s responsibility to take any appropriate action.

Membership
The membership of the SAG comprises senior officers from various agencies operating in the Borough, including the emergency services, Hampshire County Council and Eastleigh Borough Council. The group is chaired by the Eastleigh Borough Council's Safety and Resilience Manager.


What type of events does the SAG consider?
In general, "large scale public event" will be treated as being an event where more than 1000 people are expected to attend, although smaller events may require the involvement of the SAG depending on the event.

Notice is required when planning a large scale event.  For events  attracting under  1000  people 6 weeks’ notice should be given,  for larger events  of 1000-5000  people 3 months’ notice and for events over 5000 people 6 months.

Examples of events would include: 

  • 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 historical re-enactments
  • Firework displays
  • Large scale company parties
  • Processions, marches and carnivals
  • Street parties
  • Religious events

It can be difficult to strike the right balance in deciding which events should be considered by SAG. The guiding principle is that events presenting a significant public safety risk (whether in terms of numbers of people attending or the nature of the event and/or the challenge of the environment) should be considered. However, small events such as village fetes, where large numbers are not expected and/or the event is routine in relation to the activity normally carried out, need not go to SAG.

For more information on emergency planning please email [email protected]