FSO and the Safety of Sports Ground Act 1975

[Sarajayne]

Under Article 25 (d) (i) "the relevant local authority" has enforcing powers. When does this apply? I have knowledge that it has been amended so that the LA have the enforcing powers under the FSO 24/7 as oppose to 2 hours before the event and 1 hour after.

Can anyone confirm this please?

[jokar]

The Local Authority will only have powers for sports stadia.  How and where this applies is amaater for conjecture at this moment.  It seems that it was agreed at consultation stage that this would occur.  However, it may be that the local authority have lost site off the ball as in a number of cases this would mean that they would be totally responsible for a whole site.  For example, a number of football stadia, including Wembley. have a number of premises built in that would normally be the juristriction of the FRS.  Another example is that of a Hotel that is used as a viewing platform on match days.  I and other have asked a question of DCLG and are awaiting an answer to see what will occur afetr 1 October.  I hope that helps, but you like the rest of us wait in abeyance.  Hopefully, when the enforcers guidance document is published it will inform us more.

[MrH]

are we any further forward with this problem
despite emailing the old OPDM for a decision
no reply, out to lunch is the only answer.

Do I therefore walk away from sports stadia and the
safety advisory groups? or what

[jokar]

The only information I have confirmed at this time is that the Local Authority will deal with all aspects of the RR(FS)O where a safety certificate is in force.  This means that they have control at all times.  I would suggest that you speak to the Local Authority to ascertain what Policy they have to support this.

[wee brian]

Its not a problem

Fire Authorities will still be members of the safety group, just not the enforcer.

[black arts]

Jokar

A safety certificate is enforce for two hours before the event and up to one hour after.
who's enforces outside those time periods?

Wee Brian
Attending safety advisory groups with no powers, whats the point!!

[wtfdik]

The enforcing authority is
d) the relevant local authority in relation to premises which consist of—



(i) a sports ground designated as requiring a safety certificate under section 1 of the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975[23] (safety certificates for large sports stadia);

(ii) a regulated stand within the meaning of section 26(5) of the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987[24] (safety certificates for stands at sports grounds);

as you can see it says requiring not that it has to be in force. The LA will enforce the FSO at all times in these places.

[jokar]

Black Arts,  Just to reply to your query, it is as mentioned above.  LA at all times.  Will be interesting for ops crews requiring an enforcing authority during the wee small hours getting a LA Inspector out of bed to enforce the legislation.

[wee brian]

LA inspectors work out of hours too. You guys think you are the only people that work shifts!!!

The advisory group includes everybody with an interest in crowd safety - it works just fine for everything else what makes fire safety so different?

[jokar]

Not addressed to anyone in particular, just the FRS who need to have an awareness that they will need an LA enforcer not one of their own.  The LA ones will probably be better trained in enforcement anyway.