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Tidy Town

TidyTown @ IPB

IPB are proud to support our Members by offering a holistic solution to protect both the Local Authorities and their volunteer Tidy Town Groups.

Who is Eligible

Who can be covered?

Any eligible voluntary group

  • Whose primary activity and purpose is to improve and enhance the appearance and sustainability of the public realm of a community and
  • Who is within the catchment area of the Local Authority and
  • Who is a registered member of the Public Participation Network (PPN Group)

You don’t need to be part of a group called “Tidy Towns.” Similar community groups — such as “Village Enhancement Groups” or others doing comparable local improvement work — may also be eligible.

 

Once your group is approved by IPB Insurance, your Local Authority will provide you with an evidence of cover letter and information pack.

Who cannot be covered?

This insurance does not apply to umbrella groups or standalone groups that focus on activities outside the scope of Tidy Towns work, such as:

  • Infrastructure development,
  • Lobbying or advocacy groups,
  • Resident’s Associations,
  • Graveyard or Burial Grounds committees,
  • Community Centres,
  • Tourism Groups,
  • Community Development Groups,
  • Group water schemes
  • Local hobby or socialising groups such as Men or Women’s sheds etc.

 

This is not an exhaustive list.  Voluntary groups are encouraged to contact IPB Insurance to confirm their eligibility for this facility.

Cover Summary

These Tidy Town insurance policies do not create contracts of insurance between IPB Insurance and any individual Tidy Towns group. However, once groups are approved by IPB Insurance, they are beneficiaries of the Local Authorities’ policies for Tidy Town covered activities

 

 

Activities Summary

Activities Summary

The Tidy Town Insurance policies are written on the understanding that activities undertaken by the eligible volunteer groups are appropriate activities for Tidy Town groups.

The policies automatically indemnify the Tidy Town in respect of

  • Organising, planning and administration of committee
  • All activities to improve and enhance the appearance and sustainability of the public realm of a community
  • Promotion and delivery of cleanliness, litter awareness, sustainability and waste prevention initiatives including clean-up events, green space maintenance and beautification projects in the local community
  • Education and promotion of local amenities and heritage
  • Organising small promotional and fundraising events (max 1,000 attendees at any one time)

 

To assist voluntary groups in understanding the extent of their existing covers with their Local Authority the following guidelines are being issued.   These are guidelines only and if you have any doubt, please contact tidytown@ipb.ie or 01-639 5511.

Restricted Activities

This insurance contains the following limitations as standard.

  • Activities primarily carried out on privately owned land or property other than fund raising or promotional events
  • Activities carried out on water
  • Events with over 1,000 attendees
  • Inflatable bouncy castles, inflatable slides or inflatable obstacle courses condition
  • Events on public roads unless officially closed
  • Any sport or adventure activities
  • Commercially operated attractions
  • Ownership of public or civic amenities
  • Ownership of play parks and playgrounds, skate parks, gyms and fitness centres
  • Explosives, firearms, fireworks, pyrotechnical devices or bonfires
  • Tree felling, lopping of branches and use of chainsaws
  • Demolition of walls, buildings and structures
  • Any process involving the application of heat (other than the preparation of food and drink), e.g. welding
  • Work carried out at heights greater than 5 metres or depth below 2 metres

 

This list relates to restricted activities and is not an exhaustive list of policy exclusions.

Download risk documents

Tidy Town Group - Standard Activities Guidelines

Community – Planning and Involvement

  • Preparing and submitting detailed annual entries to the Tidy Towns competition.
  • Keeping a project portfolio with before/after photos and supporting documents.
  • Seeking grants and funding.
  • Regularly reviewing progress and updating plans.

Green Spaces, Landscaping and Streetscape

  • Planting and maintaining flower beds, hanging baskets and window boxes.
  • Maintaining public parks, wildflower areas, and community gardens.
  • Organising tree planting or native hedgerow planting.
  • Promoting pollinator-friendly planting in line with the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.
  • Painting or maintaining street furniture, like benches and railings.
  • Enhancing the visual appearance of shopfronts through collaboration with business owners

Nature and Biodiversity

  • Creating or enhancing wildlife habitats (e.g. bee hotels, bird boxes, bat boxes).
  • Organising biodiversity surveys and nature walks.

Sustainability – Doing More with Less

  • Promoting waste reduction, composting, and recycling initiatives.
  • Hosting talks or workshops on energy efficiency, water conservation, or upcycling.
  • Installing rainwater harvesting systems, solar lighting, or other green infrastructure.

Tidiness and Litter control

  • Litter picks and clean up days
  • Reporting illegal dumping or graffiti and arranging its removal
  • Anti-litter campaigns

Community Involvement

  • Engaging with schools, youth groups, residents, and local businesses.
  • Running competitions like “tidy estate”.
  • Holding community meetings, awareness campaigns, and fundraising events with less than 1,000 attendees.

Built Environment and Heritage

  • Documenting and maintaining local heritage sites and historic buildings.
  • Erecting information signs or heritage trails.
  • Liaising with local heritage officers or historians.
Important: Know What’s Not Covered

If your group does anything outside of the standard Tidy Towns activities or consists of associated non-Tidy Town groups, you may not be insured for those actions under this policy. You should:

  • Review your planned activities to ensure they are within scope
  • Buy additional insurance if needed for higher-risk or non-standard activities or associated groups.
  • Seek independent insurance advice to ensure you have the right protection in place for your group’s activities.

Download risk documents

FAQ

What information does IPB need to confirm if our group is eligible?

In addition to your voluntary group name and contact details, please provide

  • name of your local authority
  • confirmation that your group is a registered member of the Public Participation Network
  • brief details of your typical activities

IPB will endeavour to respond to your query with 3 business days.

 

These Tidy Town insurance policies do not create contracts of insurance between IPB Insurance and any individual Tidy Towns group. However, once groups are approved by IPB Insurance, they are beneficiaries of the Local Authorities’ policies for Tidy Town covered activities

 

How do we know our group is covered?

An Evidence of Cover Letter, providing details of your policy numbers, has been issued to your chairperson.

If you have not received an evidence of cover letter and your group has met the eligibility criteria, please contact IPB Underwriting by email: tidytown@ipb.ie or phone 01 639 5511.

If your group’s eligibility is impacted by its activities or PPN membership status, we will notify you of the decision.

Our Group is a Tidy Town, but we also have additional purposes, can we be included?

This insurance does not apply to umbrella groups or standalone groups that focus on activities outside the scope of Tidy Towns work, such as:

  • infrastructure development,
  • lobbying or advocacy groups,
  • Resident’s Associations,
  • Graveyard or Burial Grounds committees,
  • Community Centres,
  • Tourism Groups,
  • Community Development Groups,
  • Group water schemes
  • Local hobby or socialising groups such as Men or Women’s sheds etc.

This is an illustrative list and not an exhaustive list. The policy will only cover groups for Tidy Town “Covered activities”.

You can contact IPB Underwriting by email: tidytown@ipb.ie or phone 01 639 5511.

 

Can the policy be extended to include a ride on lawn mower?
By law motor insurance is required for ride on lawn mowers utilised in areas accessible to the public. We do not offer motor insurance on this Tidy Town insurance.

Why have I received an indemnity letter for Department of Social Protection?
On occasion the Department of Social Protection seek evidence of indemnity should a Tidy Town utilise TUS/CE Workers. These letters are produced as a matter of course to all Tidy Towns to assist with applications.

I need to evidence my insurance to be able to use a third-party premises.
Please contact tidytown@ipb.ie with name of third party and address of premises and we can issue a specific letter of indemnity.

Some of our committee members participate in a residents’ association or other community groups. Can these also be included in cover?
No. This product is specifically designed for groups established with a primary activity and purpose to improve and enhance the appearance and sustainability of the public realm of a community. The primary activity and purpose of the other associations or groups is likely to differ, or the activities may be conducted on privately owned lands.
These associations or groups should seek specific insurance packages to adequately protect themselves. Members of a Tidy Town group who are also members of other groups are covered for their Tidy Town activity only.

 

 

Can we extend this policy to include our fundraising event?
Automatic cover applies for organising small promotional and fundraising events in connection with Tidy Town Covered Activities provided there is a maximum of 1,000 attendees at any one time.
Cover does not apply automatically for the above list of restricted activities. You can contact IPB Underwriting by email: tidytown@ipb.ie or phone 01 639 5511 or request approval.

Are there any specific conditions we must comply with?
If you are hosting an event with inflatable play equipment, please be aware of the following condition:

Bouncy Castle and Inflatables Condition
It is a condition to the Insurer’s liability to indemnify the Tidy Town for liability arising out of or in connection with inflatable bouncy castles or other inflatable play equipment that such equipment is erected and dismantled by bona fide sub-contractors who have provided the Tidy Town with evidence of current Public Liability insurance which covers the activity, indemnifies the Tidy Town as principal and contains limit of indemnity of at least €6.5m per occurrence.
If you intend to erect a temporary stage or viewing platform a prior inspection of the stage or platform must be completed and approved by a qualified engineer.

Temporary Stages and Platforms It is a condition to the Insurer’s liability to indemnify the Tidy Town for liability arising out of or in connection with the erection or dismantling of temporary stages or viewing platforms that a prior inspection of any stage and/or viewing platform is completed by and approval is received from a qualified engineer

Why have I received an indemnity letter for Department of Rural and Community Development.
On occasion the Department of Rural and Community Development seek evidence of indemnity from Tidy Towns as part of grant application process. These letters are produced as a matter of course to all Tidy Towns to assist with applications.

Incidents and claims – What to do if something happens?
We recommend you have an incident log in place
to record all the circumstances of a potential claim when your event is happening. A senior or adequately experienced person should complete an incident log and if necessary, record statements from individuals involved,
including first aider and any other third parties directly involved. Incidents which are likely to give rise to a claim or incidents for which you receive a solicitor’s letter or other indication that someone is intending to hold the Tidy Town responsible should be reported to IPB as soon as reasonably possible.

If your property is damaged:
• Notify IPB Insurance immediately if you think the damage is covered by the policy.
• Take any reasonable emergency steps to avoid further loss. This may include, where necessary, contacting a reputable builder immediately to arrange emergency repairs or boarding-up or taking emergency remedial action.
• Ensure the property and its contents are secured at all times.

Contact IPB Claims by email: claims@ipb.ie or phone 01 639 5500.

What to do in the event of an accident:
• Do not accept responsibility or admit liability without consulting IPB Insurance.
• Call the Gardaí or emergency services if necessary.
• Record the name, contact details of anyone involved in the accident.
• Record the name and contact details of any witnesses.
• Take pictures if you have a camera or draw a sketch of the scene.

Contact IPB Claims by email: claims@ipb.ie or phone 01 639 5500.

Contact Us

To expediate your enquiry please confirm:
1) Your local authority
2) You are a PPN member
3) Your primary purpose and activities