SAFETY of SPORTS GROUNDS - CERTIFICATION ARRANGEMENTS 1 From: DIRECTOR of ADMINISTRATION I Date: 11 November 1997 I Ref: JMIKH I

I To: GENERAL PURPOSES COMMllTEE Subject: SAFETY OF SPORTS GROUNDS - CERTIFICATION ARRANGEMENTS 1 From: DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION I Date: 11 November 1997 I Ref: JMIKH I

1 Introduction

1.1 The Committee at its meeting of 16 October 1996 considered a report dated 1 October 1996 by the Director of Administration (1 ) advising that in terms of the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 and the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 and associated Statutory Instruments, this Council is the regulatory body for the certification of sports grounds in the area, and (2) setting out proposals in relation to the operation and procedure for certification and recommending that a Working Party of Officers from a variety of disciplines be established to assist in the process.

1.2 The Committee also agreed to adopt a programme of annual inspections, establish a Working Party and adopt a charging regime for work associated with the issue, amendment, replacement or transfer of certificates.

1.3 The Committee at its meeting on 23 April 1997 agreed further that (1) the Director of Administration be authorised, following consultation with the Convener, to make the necessary arrangements for the certification of sports grounds in North Lanarkshire, these being:- (1) Cliftonhill Stadium, Coatbridge; (2) Fir Park, Motherwell, and (3) Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld.

2 Current Position

2.1 During the summer a series of meetings of the Officer's Working Group on Safety of Sports Grounds were held in relation to the certification of the aforementioned stadia and inspections were carried out as part of this process. The undernoted is provided as an update for Members relative to the certification process.

2.2 At its meeting on 7 July 1997, the General Purposes (Licensing) Sub-Committee inspected the Stadia and approved the renewal of the General Safety Certificates, subject to a number of works being completed to Fir Park and Cliftonhill Stadium by 1 October 1997 and to Broadwood Stadium by 1 August 1997.

2.3 On 8 September, a letter was received from the Chairman, Albion Rovers Football Club confirming that all necessary works would be completed by 1 October 1997, with the exception of the submission of a certificate of inspection of the wiring and lighting system as the Club were awaiting notification of a grant from the Football Trust/Lottery Sports Fund.

2.4 To date this certificate of inspection has not been received and a reminder has been issued to the Club. It is understood that all other outstanding works have been undertaken. 2

2.5 In relation to the renewal of the General Safety Certificate for Fir Park, Motherwell all outstanding matters which were identified as requiring attention have been dealt with.

2.6 With regard to the renewal of the General Safety Certificate for Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld, the General Manager of the Stadium has advised that all works were either complete or were in the process of being implemented with the exception of the provision of a mobile telephone in the medical room on match days, the need for the provision of which is still under discussion.

2.7 A letter has been issued to the Stadium Manager seeking confirmation that the outstanding works have now been completed and requesting a copy of the Engineer's report on the heat/smoke alarms in the food stalls.

3 Recommendah'on

3.1 The Committee are asked to note the report.

Should any Member require further information, please contact T. Gaffney, Ext. 2342.

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