Gloucestershire County Council has statutory duty for the safety certification of sports grounds under Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 (as amended) and the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987, and recognises its responsibilities for spectators' safety at all sports grounds within its boundary. The legislation covers the designated sports grounds and grounds with regulated stands in Gloucestershire listed below, as well as giving powers to delegated officers to inspect any sports grounds and to issue a notice on any sports ground if the admission of spectators involves or will involve a risk to them so serious, that, until steps have been taken to reduce it to a reasonable level, admission of spectators to the sports ground or that part of the sports ground needs to be prohibited or restricted.
The following sports grounds have been issued with a safety certificate:
- Cheltenham Town Football Club
- Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury Park
- Forest Green Rovers Football Club
- Gloucester Rugby Club
- Hartpury University RFC
A Safety Certificate is public documents and may be examined by contacting Safety, Health and Environment at Shire Hall, Westgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 2TG, or email she@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
The County Council will convene a regular Safety Advisory Group for each certificated sports ground, whose membership will include representatives of the police, fire service, ambulance service, building control, the district council, the Sports Grounds Safety Authority where applicable, and invited representatives of the sports ground.
The County Council has put in place policies and procedures for discharging its functions. A copy of which can be downloaded here.
Application forms for a Safety Certificate under either the 1975 Act or 1987 Act can be found here:
- GCC Application for Safety Certificate - Designated Ground (1975 Act)
- GCC Application for Safety Certificate - Regulated Stands (1987 Act)
An application is required for the transfer of a certificate to a new holder and, where the sports ground is to be used for purposes other than the Specified Activities, this may only occur after the Holder has applied for a Special Safety Certificate.
The responsibility for the safety at the sports ground lies at all times with the Holder, so if you have any concerns about safety at sports grounds in Gloucestershire, then please contact the relevant sports ground operator in the first instance.