PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE ITEM 10
17TH MARCH, 1993
SAFETY AT SPORTS GROUNDS
REPORT OF THE COUNTY SECRETARY
1. This is the annual report requested by the Committee on safety
at the three football stadia in Hampshire to which the Safety of
Sports Grounds Act 1975 applies. It reviews the work of the
Southampton, Portsmouth and Aldershot Football Safety Advisory
Groups, which continue to meet regularly under the chairmanship
of the County Secretary. As before, the local inspector from
the Football Licensing Authority has been invited to the Safety
Groups' meetings and has expressed satisfaction at the progress
achieved. That authority has an increasingly important role
since they must be convinced that conditions attached to safety
certificates are being complied with before they license any
stadium. They are also concerned with proposals by premier and
first division football clubs to provide all-seater stadia by
1994, whether by adaptation of existing grounds or by the
development of new stadia.
2. Southampton Football Club
2.1 In March last year a fire evacuation exercise was held after an
evening match, in order to test the responses of the emergency
services and to ensure coordination between them and the club's
stewards in coping with "casualties" whilst at the same time
securing orderly evacuation of the ground. Valuable lessons
were learned by all concerned and another exercise is to be held
later this season. The Club's commitment to safety of its
spectators has been reflected by the appointment of a designated
safety officer - a former police superintendent - who is the
recognised contact for all safety works and for further
developing the contribution made by stewards. The total number
of stewards now available, and the effectiveness of their
training, means that it has been possible to make substantial
reductions in the numbers of police officers present at matches,
with resultant savings to the Club. Other minor matters of
repair, maintenance and replacement have been readily dealt with
by the Club and there is excellent cooperation between them and
the emergency services involved.
2.2 Last year the County Secretary made representations to Sky TV
because of potential dangers posed by pre-match entertainment at
The Dell, notably a pyrotechnic display and the installation of
cables, speakers and other equipment without prior warning.
These might have compromised emergency lighting, escape routes
and other facilities required for the safety of spectators at
the match. The Sky TV authorities were asked for prior notice
and consultation with the Club and safety authorities on any
equipment or other entertainment being provided at future
televised matches. The matter was also taken up by the Football
Licensing Authority and as a result there were no problems with
the televised match held at The Dell last month.
2.3 Southampton Football Club's plans to relocate to a new stadium
at Stoneham are the subject of a planning appeal with a public
inquiry being held this month. The outcome is uncertain and the
safety group will keep in close contact with the Club on any
safety works which need to be carried out at The Dell, on either
a short term or longer-term basis.
2.4 Southampton Football Club have just submitted plans for the
redevelopment of the Dell. The Safety Group will meet later
this month to review the safety implications of their proposals.
3. Portsmouth Football Club
3.1 During the year there has been encouraging progress in getting
various repair, alteration and replacement works carried out at
Fratton Park. The Club have appointed a Safety Officer, again a
former police superintendent, who is responsible for all safety
works, for developing the contribution of stewards and extending
their training to enable them to provide effective support to
the Police. The numbers of stewards have enabled substantial
reductions in police numbers, with consequent savings to the
Club. Agreement has been given to the Club's proposals to
provide sixteen covered spaces suitable for use by spectators in
wheelchairs. The attention of Meridian TV has been drawn to the
need for early consultation with the Club and safety authorities
on the installation of any equipment required to televise
matches, to ensure the safety of spectators at the ground is not
compromised. There is excellent cooperation between the Club
and the Emergency Services attending matches at Fratton Park,
and an emergency exercise is planned for later this season.
3.2 With regard to possible relocation, the Club are still pursuing
with Portsmouth City Council their proposals for a new stadium
at Farlington, and again the way ahead is uncertain. The Safety
Group will keep in close contact with the Club on any proposed
safety works at Fratton Park or at a new location if it is
agreed.
4. Recreation Ground, Aldershot
4.1 The former Aldershot Football Club ceased to exist in March,
1992 and, in accordance with the Committee's resolution last
year, the safety certificate was transferred to the Rushmoor
Borough Council - the owners of the Recreation Ground. There
was a considerable backlog of safety work outstanding - notably
the testing, repair and replacement of crush barriers; the
installation of emergency lighting; provision of first aid
accommodation; and electrical safety works. For the present
season a new club - Aldershot Town (1992) FC was formed and it
plays in the third division of the Diadora League. Although the
Recreation Ground is no longer home to a Football League Club,
it retains theoretical capacity for more than 10,000 spectators
and is therefore subject to the Safety of Sports Grounds Act and
requires a safety certificate. This status has been confirmed
by the Department of National Heritage, the government
department responsible for safety at sports grounds.
4.2 The new Club have been enjoying great success and have been
attracting crowds of between 2,000 and 3,000 spectators. The
Safety Group have therefore kept in close contact with the
Chairman of the new Club, and with the Rushmoor Borough Council
both as owners of the ground and holders of the Safety
Certificate. Agreement has been reached on a programme of works
which will help remedy defects and improve public safety at the
Recreation Ground. Most important of these is the provision of
emergency lighting, which has now been satisfactorily installed
and the County Secretary has therefore issued a revised safety
certificate with a limit of 3,000 spectators. The remaining
works required include improvements to the electrical system and
the issue of an electrical inspection certificate; replacement
of a defective safety barrier; agreement with the Police on a
statement of intent regarding police cover at matches; and other
matters of repair, maintenance and replacement.
4.3 Once this programme of works has been satisfactorily completed,
the Recreation Ground will meet safety standards and it will be
possible to reinstate the limit of 5,000 spectators and to
transfer the certificate to the Aldershot Town (1992) Football
Club. In the meantime the Safety Group at a special meeting
have agreed a temporary increase from 3000 to 5000 in the number
of spectators for a single match - the Hampshire Senior FA
semi-final between Aldershot and Farnborough scheduled for the
evening of Tuesday 16th March. The progress being made with
safety works is encouraging and the new Club's emblem - a
phoenix rising from the ashes - is appropriate.
5. In summary, 1992/93 has been a year of uncertainty - for
differing reasons - for all three football clubs and the
Committee can take some satisfaction in the progress which has
been achieved with safety works at the three football stadia as
they exist now.
RECOMMENDATION:
That this report be noted.
4pR31293
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