By Jonathan Isaby
Another day and another initiative from Eric Pickles, the Communities and Local Government Secretary, who has by all accounts had a very busy August.
As the BBC reports:
People wanting to hold street parties or summer fetes will find it easier to do so, ministers say, after councils agreed to cut the red tape involved. Organisers will have to fill out one form to get approval by the authorities rather than several, as happens now.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said he wanted to dispel "the myth" would-be revellers had to pay big sums for road closures and notification of events. Holding events should be "fun" and not an energy-consuming ordeal, he said. Mr Pickles said the process of holding an outdoor community event in England would be simplified after councils and relevant government departments agreed to changes in the way such gatherings are licensed.
The full story is here.