Safety Certificates for Sports Stands - Applying for a Licence

Safety Certificates for Sports Stands - Applying for a Licence
Licence Summary

If you operate a sports ground in England, Scotland or Wales which is not designated as requiring a safety certificate, you will still require a safety certificate for any covered stand that holds 500 or more spectators.A safety certificate may be either:

 

  • a general safety certificate which covers the use of the stand for viewing an activity, or a number of activities, specified in the certificate for an indefinite period which starts on a specified date
  • a special safety certificate which covers the use of the stand for viewing a certain specified activity or activities on a certain specified occasion or occasions
One certificate may cover more than one stand. 

Certificates are obtained from your local authority.

 

You must comply with any conditions attached to a certificate.

Information and guidance on the law

Information on the sports grounds legislation can be found in the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987.

 

A list of legislation affecting sports grounds can be found here.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for a general safety certificate, you must be the person responsible for the management of the ground.

 

To be eligible for a special safety certificate, you must be the person responsible for the activity to be viewed from the stand on that occasion.

How to apply

If you wish to apply for a safety certificate or to change the details of an existing licence, download a copy of the application for a safety certificate - regulated stand form here.

Application fees

Download a copy of the Licence Fees

The application process

Applicants must provide requested information and plans to the local authority within the time specified. If it is not provided within the permitted time the application will be deemed to have been withdrawn.

 

The local authority will determine if any stand in their area is a regulated stand. If it is determined that it is, a notice will be served on the person who appears would qualify to be issued with a general safety certificate. The notice will give details of their determination and the effects of the determination.

 

When a local authority receives an application for a general safety certificate for a regulated stand at a sports ground they must determine if the stand is a regulated stand and if it if the applicant is the person who qualifies for the issue of the certificate. If they have already determined that the stand is a regulated stand and have not revoked this decision, they must decide if the applicant is the person who qualifies for the issue of the general safety certificate.

 

If the local authority receives an application for a special safety certificate for a regulated stand they must determine if the applicant qualifies for the issue of a certificate.

 

The local authority must send a copy of an application for a safety certificate to the chief police officer of the area, the fire and rescue authority if they are not that authority and the building authority if they are not that authority. Each of these bodies must be consulted about the terms and conditions to be included in a certificate.

 

If an application is made to transfer a certificate the local authority must determine if the person to whom the certificate is to be transferred, if they made an application, would qualify for the issue of a certificate. The applicant may be the current holder of the certificate or the person to whom the certificate is to be transferred.

 

The local authority will send a copy of the application to the chief police officer of the area, the fire and rescue authority if they are not that authority and the building authority if they are not that authority and shall consult them about any proposed amendment, replacement or transfer.

 

If there are any areas where improvement is needed, we will provide you with the information you need to comply with the licensing conditions.

 

The size and complexity of a sports ground or regulated stand, and the ability of the premises management to provide information and carry out any works required, will affect the time involved in the various actions needed to prepare, issue and monitor a General Safety Certificate. Please note that it can take some months for the process to be completed and a certificate issued.

 

Once your premises has a certificate, we will inspect as appropriate and when renewing your licence, and we may also carry out interim visits. As part of the certification process, you will need to update us with any changes to your business.

 

Please note that some details of your premises may be included on our web-site, and your details may also be shared with other statutory bodies as appropriate.

Does Tacit Approval apply?

Tacit approval does not apply to this licence, as it is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within 28 days, please contact us for an update on your application.

 

Please note that the overall approval process will take longer than 28 days, to allow for the necessary consultation processes.

Appeals and Complaints

If your application is refused, or if you do not accept any of the licence conditions imposed as part of the approval, you should contact the officer dealing with your licence in the first instance. We will always inform you of the appeal procedures when refusing a licence, or on request. We will also inform you of our complaints procedure, should you feel that your application has been improperly processed.

 

Any applicant who is refused a safety certificate because they are not considered to be an eligible person can appeal to the Magistrates court. An applicant who is refused a special safety certificate may also appeal to the Magistrates court against a refusal of his application based on grounds other than a decision that they are not an eligible person.

 

Any licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition attached to, or the omission of anything from, their safety certificate, or against the refusal to amend or replace a safety certificate, may appeal to the Magistrates court. They may also appeal to the county court against an order of the Magistrate's court.

 

Any person concerned in ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions of the safety certificate may appeal to the Magistrate's court against any condition attached to, or the omission of anything from, a safety certificate, or against the refusal to amend or replace a safety certificate.

Trade Associations

Federation of Sports and Play Associations (FSPA)

Please Note - Torfaen County Borough Council (The Council) is under a duty to protect the public funds which it administers and to this end may use the information you provide within Torfaen County Borough Council for the prevention and detection of fraud. The Council may also share this information with other bodies administering or in receipt of public funds solely for these purposes. For further information, visit the National Fraud Initiative area of the website.

Last Modified: 11/05/2022
For more information contact:

Commercial Services

Tel: 01633 647263

Email: commercial.services@torfaen.gov.uk

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