Application and insurance

We welcome opportunities for local community groups and other partner organisations to host events across the borough. Safety is highly important so you will be expected to make sure they are well organised and managed appropriately.

Applications should be made to the Council within the below timescales according to the type of event along with an Event Management Plan, including:

• Public Liability Insurance
• risk assessments
• where appropriate, additional documentation that is suitable to the size and nature of your event i.e. Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme (ADIPS), food hygiene ratings.

Event classifications

Small event

If the total capacity for your event is less than 499 people, including, staff, spectators, visitors, and participants etc, you should apply as a small event.

Major event

Your event will be considered a major event if it meets one or more of the following criteria:

• the event has not previously been held in the borough
• has either a capacity of over 500 people or one or more risk elements associated with it
• it takes place annually, has a capacity of over 500 people with associated risk elements and there has been a change of event manager
• it is an existing major event, and the organisers wish to introduce one or more risk elements which have not been covered by previous safety advisory group (SAG) meetings
• there have been past issues with the event which mean that a SAG meeting needs to take place for future events
• the event has on-going high-risk content (e.g. pyrotechnics)

Deadline to apply

Type of event	Application deadline	Late booking fee	Event management plan deadline
Major event	24 weeks	16 weeks	12 weeks
Small event	12 weeks	8 weeks	6 weeks

How we assess events

All events on Council land are subject to the approval of the Events Officer to ensure they meet the policies and practices of the Council.

We will consider:

• the suitability of the venue
• booking conflicts
• its infrastructure
• local impact
• where applicable, your history of compliance

You are required to demonstrate how the event will add short and long term value to the local community, in line with the Council’s vision.  

You should not consider your event has been approved until we provide written confirmation. Publicising your event before it has been approved may result in the refusal of your current and any future applications. 

Applying on behalf of a third party

You must tell us if you are applying on behalf of a third party. As well as the:

• identity of the client
• nature of the event

If we find you have been untruthful, withheld information or have misrepresented your event, your application will be refused.

Public Liability Insurance

You will need public liability insurance for any event that is held in the borough. It will protect you should any of your event activities cause harm, injury or damage to someone.

The minimum level of cover is:

• £5 million
• £10 million for larger events

Apply for an event

Tell us about an event

Visit Solihull

Once your event is confirmed, you can ask Visit Solihull to add it to their events list.