Holding an event on campus grounds

Event notification form

If your event satisfies the below criterion, you can complete the ‘event notification form’. Please note that these events require one weeks’ notice upon submission, which allows the team to confirm your booking space and raise any requests for electrical support or furniture (gazebos, tables and chairs).

This includes activities such as:

  1. up to 5 small gazebos (maximum size 3 metres x 3 metres) these must be supplied and erected UECS or the SU
  2. selling of small items (including food where there is a valid food hygiene certificate)
  3. distributing leaflets and/or providing information and advice
  4. traditional dancing excluding any acrobatic type of activity
  5. audio equipment (battery powered or where Estate Management organise the power supply)
  6. no heat sources or naked flames in use (with exception to use of the permanent equipment in the BBQ area)
  7. no more than 100 persons in attendance at any given point 8. the event is not ticketed and is free to attend

Health and safety statements

By submitting an event notification form you confirm as the event organiser that you understand and accept that you are responsible for ensuring that the appropriate health and safety precautions are in place, and that you will ensure that your event is compliant to the following statements. Where your event does not comply (complex events) you will provide an additional risk assessment.

  1. Fire, emergency and security
    • exits and signs will not be obscured or obstructed
    • the event has less than 100 attendees
    • event staff will check for suspicious items and know how to report to Security
    • event staff will be aware of emergency procedures and how to raise alarms and gain first aid assistance. The organiser confirms that Patrol staff can provide adequate support.
  2. Slips, trips and falls
    • furniture and equipment and cables will not cause a trip hazard
    • that the ground, on the squares, is suitable and level and not liable to become excessively slippery due to weather or other conditions (temporary surfaces may be needed), and report any issues to the Estates & Facilities helpdesk on 01206 87 2959
    • the organiser will inspect the site on the day of the event and prior to its use. If necessary, they will make suitable adjustments to ensure the activity can be carried out safely.
  3. Gazebos
    • will be provided by either UECS, the SU or in accordance with a suitable risk assessment and erected/dismantled by trained staff in line with the risk assessment
    • will be monitored by the Event Organiser to ensure stability during high winds.
  4. Manual handling
    • only those trained in safe manual handling techniques should consider moving heavy furniture and equipment
    • Operational Team porters to undertake heavy lifting activities.
  5. Working at height
    • There will be no working at height, for example use of stepladders, working platforms etc.
  6. Electrical equipment
    • confirm all equipment is Portable Appliance Tested. (PAT)
    • visual inspection of equipment for obvious damage should be made before use by the person responsible for the equipment
    • minimise use of extension leads and do not join several together.
    • will be protected from wet weather
    • if an extension reel is used, it will be fully unwound
  7. Food borne pathogens or contamination
    • event organiser to ensure that there is a current food hygiene certificate held by a person present during the activity
    • check whether attendees have special dietary needs or allergies, otherwise assume some might and cater for this eventuality
    • ensure that all allergen information is available during the activity.
  8. Behaviour / violence
    • ensure those supervising the event know how to contact the Patrol Staff- 01206 872125
    • agree with those supervising the event beforehand what action to take if attendees are behaving inappropriately
  9. Welfare
    • manage health hygiene and communicable illnesses in line with government guidance if appropriate.
  10. People especially at risk
    • ensure that you have considered accessibility to your event
    • if children are attending the event, consider potential hazards to them and ensure appropriate safeguarding measures are in place.

Event permission forms

Event permission form submissions refer to activities, equipment or substances not covered by the criteria above (i.e. notification forms). Event permission form activities may include:

  1. hiring of gazebos/marquees from an external business
  2. attendees of over 100 persons
  3. requires specific risk assessments related to the activities to be undertaken. Such activities include, but are not limited to, physical games, throwing items, use of flammable substances, use of tools/chemicals etc
  4. inviting or hiring in external parties to supply wares, services, or equipment for your event

Event permission forms must be submitted with a minimum of three weeks’ notice upon submission.

You must complete an additional risk assessment and attach it within your submission. For advice and guidance on how to organise events safely follow this link for our webpage on event safety. You must ensure that your risk assessment and any associated documentation that may be required for your activity is suitable and sufficient. For advice and guidance on how to do a risk assessment please consult our webpage on carrying out a health and safety risk assessment.

Where external parties are being utilised, you will be required to provide (as applicable) their:

  1. risk assessments
  2. public liability insurance (£5m)
  3. food hygiene certificates
  4. COSHH information for any ink, dyes, chemicals, cleaners etc that will be used
  5. PAT testing certificates for electrical equipment over one year old
  6. Any other documentation as deemed necessary by the Infrastructure & Environment team

Associated documentation must be submitted with your event form or authorisation of your activity may be declined.

Conditions of authorisation for events on the grounds and squares 

By submitting an event notification or event permission form, the organiser confirms that they have read and accept the following conditions:

  1. Permission to use the Square/Parkland by University students of staff for society, social, or commercial events may only be given by the Chief Compliance Officer (Infrastructure & Environments) or their nominee. This will depend on the nature of the event, the timing, and the level of organisational commitment
  2. All activities and events must be sponsored by a suitable departmental or SU delegate. This sponsor is responsible for the safe and compliant running of the activity or event
  3. Events/activities on the west side of campus can be requested on the sports pitches and up to, and including, the BBQ area between the Lakes. No events or activities will be authorised in the immediate vicinity of Wivenhoe House Hotel or Lake House. Use of the sports pitches must be pre-booked through the Sports Centre Reception  ahead of submitting this form. Only activities that are not solely sport-related require submission of an event permission form
  4. No events can take place on Square 3 on a Thursday during term time due to the Student Union Market unless approved by the Student Union ahead of submission of this form
  5. The nominated Event Organiser will be responsible for completing the relevant form and will subsequently be the contact point for the event, and responsible for any costs that may be incurred
  6. Events should not create excessive noise or disturbance to other users of the Squares or to occupants of rooms adjoining the Squares. Music will only be permitted between 12.00noon and 2.00pm, and after 5.30pm on a traditional working day. If the music is causing an unacceptable disturbance, you will be advised to either turn the volume down or to cease playing the music
  7. A limited electrical supply is available and should be reserved at the time of the booking. Notice is especially drawn to the requirements for Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) of any electrical equipment provided by the event organisers / participants. Please be aware our Electrical Team can offer support until 7.00pm on weekdays only. If your request is outside of these times, then you will need to arrange overtime support
  8. All entrances to / from the Squares must be retained unobstructed for escape purposes throughout the event
  9. The area must be left clean and tidy at the end of the event. A charge will be made for any excess cleaning or rubbish removal required
  10. Car parking requirements linked to the event should be discussed in advance with the Travel team. There is no provision for parking under podia and normal parking fees will generally apply
  11. Gazebos etc. are available for use from Facilities Services and Students’ Union. Please be aware our Operational Team can offer support until 2.00pm on weekdays only. If your request is outside of these times, then you will need to arrange overtime support via the SoftFM team
  12. The University reserves the right to cancel any agreed event or closedown an event if circumstances change or the event creates an unacceptable risk or disruption
  13. Events that occur on university grounds which have not received approval are subject to being cancelled and closed down
  14. Events will not be approved if the organiser fails to complete the correct form / requested additional documentation within the timescales listed in this document and will be subject to point 13 above
  15. Events dealing with sensitive issues that are not managed via the Protest and Demonstration Management Protocol or the External Speaker Code of Practice will require assessment in relation to the University’s obligations under the Prevent Duty Guidance and will therefore be treated as a complex event in relation to this procedure.
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Contact us
Estates and Facilities Helpdesk
Telephone: 01206 872959
Out-of-hours support Security and Safety Team
Telephone: 01206 872125