City of York Council is to charge just £20 for residents wishing to close their streets for parties celebrating the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

And officers have also negotiated a special insurance deal for residents to cover liability at their events.

The council is issuing letters today to everyone who has contacted the council about the possibility of staging a street party to celebrate the Queen's 50 year reign over the Jubilee bank holiday in June.

The council's letter also gives residents advice on how to stage a street party and, importantly, about the need to get insurance cover.

The council has decided to charge a nominal fee for anyone wanting to close a street for a party. The fee will cover administration costs but will be increased to the standard charge of £240 for applications received after May 1.

Peter Evely, the council's head of highway regulation, said, "There will be all sorts of ways to celebrate the Golden Jubilee over the coming months but especially over the bank holiday period around June 1 and June 4.

"However, we recognise that some residents will want to celebrate in the traditional way and we want to help any residents wanting to stage street parties to do so."

Mr Evely said 11 inquiries and five applications for street parties had been received so far but more were expected.

"We want to issue closure notices altogether in batches which is a much cheaper way of doing things than if we have to deal with applications individually - this is why we want to get all applications in before May 1."

The council is advising all residents wishing to hold a street party that they must have public liability insurance by law with cover up to £5m.

Mr Evely said insurance would cost around £150 and street closure licences would not be issued without cover. Police consent is also needed for any closure. However, the council has negotiated a deal with insurance firm Zurich to provide cover for just £105.

Mr Evely said, "We are aware that there has been some controversy nationally about the cost of street parties which is why we have slashed the normal closure fee. With the insurance deal we have secured we are now talking about less than £130 to hold a street party in York which we hope is a reasonable figure shared between a streetful of residents."

Application forms for insurance cover are being included in this week's mailing to prospective street party organisers.

The council is directing residents to the official Golden Jubilee website - www.goldenjubilee.gov.uk - for advice on organising a street party while added advice - for example on fire works safety - is available from the Department of Trade and Industry website at www.dti.gov.uk/homesafetynetwork.

Anyone seeking more information from the council should contact Glen Donaldson on 01904 551607.

Last month the council unveiled a range of activities it is staging or supporting to help residents in York celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. The events include a street market featuring fare from right across the Commonwealth, a special BBC 'Music Live' event and a unique international rugby league festival in a 'something for everybody' approach to the celebrations.

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