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Published on: 15/06/2017 07:29 AMReported by: roving-eye
At last nights area committee meeting a question was asked by a member of the public regarding health and safety issues at Southport FC.
The question asked was...
I would like to draw the Committee’s attention
to access and safety issues at Southport
Football Club. Whilst matches are in progress
the exit gates at the football ground are
routinely padlocked shut. This contravenes the
safety certificates issued to the club by the
Council. I also understand that the disabled
toilet facilities provided by the club are
inadequate. What checks are carried out by
the council to ensure the football club are
complying with the terms of the safety
certificates issued to them and also to ensure
the club are complying with any access
requirements for the disabled?
Sefton Councils response...
I write in reply to the question you submitted to the Public Forum of Southport Area Committee on 19th April 2017 concerning Southport FC’s Haig Avenue ground. It is understood that this question amalgamates two earlier questions that you submitted to the same Public Forum.
Your question makes reference to two separate issues and I would comment as follows:
In terms of ensuring the continued safety of spectators attending the Haig Avenue ground, the associated Safety Certificates currently in place, do indeed contain conditions requiring the Club to maintain suitable provision for emergency egress and to provide adequate stewarding etc.
I note your concerns about the Clubs alleged failure to meet these standards and in order to investigate the matter, I have written to Club requesting the attendance by Council Offices at Southport FC’s next home game, on 29th April 2017. Any breaches of the conditions set out in the Safety Certificates (for the Main grandstand and the Jack Carr Stand) will be brought to the Clubs attention and the Council will ensure full compliance.
I would confirm that under the terms of the current safety certificates, the Local Authority undertakes annual inspections of the certificated Main Grandstand and the Jack Carr Stand, but it is the Club and specifically, the named certificate holder, who is responsible for complying with the requirements of the safety certificates.
Turning to the issue of disabled (accessible) toilets at Haig Avenue, I would confirm that ‘safety at sports grounds’ legislation does not require the inclusion of such facilities.
In July 2016, Southport FC submitted a Building Regulation application for the formation of an internal accessible WC - within the Main Grandstand (adjacent to the bar area) and my records indicate that this building work is nearing completion. In addition, the Club have recently formed a new ‘ambulant disabled’ WC compartment, which is located within the Main Grandstand and accessed pitch-side.
Officers from the Building Control Team have been in informal discussions with the Club regarding the provision of accessible WC facilities within the Jack Carr Stand, however, the Club has yet to submit a formal Building Regulation application.
Notwithstanding the above, you may be aware that the Equality Act 2010, places a duty on businesses to make ‘reasonable provision / adjustments’ for people with mobility issues.
However, as this particular piece of legislation neither administered or enforced by local authorities, you may wish to seek specific advice from the ‘Equality Advisory Support Service who can be contacted on tel 0808 800 0082 or www.equalityadvisoryservice.com/app/ask
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Your Comments:
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They contacted the club and told them Council Officers were attending the next home match. So I suppose there were no padlocks on the gates then when they visited. It's like the Police ringing a prolific thief to tell him/her that they are nipping round to see if he/she has any stolen goods a week next Tuesday.
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Haig Avenue is a dump and has been for years due to underinvestment both on and off the pitch. The toilets at the Scarisbrick End are so awful I wouldn't let my dog crap in there. Unfortunately nothing will change under the new "regime" which is simply the old regime designed to look different. If you want to find out how not to run a football club then pop along to the joke outfit that is Southport FC.
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Originally Posted by
abbeyroad
If you want to find out how not to run a football club then pop along to the joke outfit that is Southport FC.
Visiting times are from 2.30pm every other Saturday during the forthcoming season,and the odd Tuesday,Wednesday or Thursday after 18.30pm,but please be advised,someone at the gate will charge you an extortionate entrance fee to get into the stadium for viewings.
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