Queen's Diamond Jubilee to see more street parties than Royal Wedding

Councils have already been inundated with inquiries from residents wanting to mark the Jubilee and are "pulling out the stops" to make organising events as straightforward as possible.

Many local authorities are launching initiatives to such as waiving road closures fees, offering cash grants and giving out party packs.

Newham Council is offering residents grants of between £250-£500 to put on their own street parties, while Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is arranging blanket insurance cover that protects activities on public land.

Basildon Council is planning a free party in a box scheme, including party hats, flags, balloons, bunting, posters, a disposable camera and suggestions for games on the day.

Last year councils across England and Wales received about 5,500 road closure applications for Royal Wedding street parties.

Countless other celebrations took place in gardens, on pavements, in pubs, parks and village greens, and many councils laid on their own parties for residents.
 
Chair of the Local Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Programme Board councillor Chris White said: "There was a lot of inertest last year for the Royal Wedding but it wasn’t until much nearer the event. It really seems as if Britain’s street party tradition has been well and truly resurrected and people are already planning to dust down their fold-out tables and unpack the bunting."

The LGA has been working with councils and communities to iron out any bureaucratic sticking points that may stop events from going ahead.

In March it will launch an on-line forum where councils can share experiences and ideas and community groups can raise any issues they’ve come across locally.

The Jubilee celebrations will centre around an extended weekend from 2 to 5 June.

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