This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Safety Advisory Group Meeting Minutes - Norwich City Football Club'.



3.   
SGSA WIDER DEFINITION OF SAFETY CONSULTATION RESPONSE 
 
Personal D
The Group had  received  the  response to the consultation issued by SSGA. 
 
updated the Group. The consequences of the widening of the definition was that all 
people present should be protected against dangers,  not just the spectators. Also 
that anti-social behaviour, crowd disorder and counter-terrorism should all be subject 
to the General Safety Certificate. The consequence was that these risks should be 
documented  with mitigating policies and procedures and formalised in the Safety 
Certificate. Some elements of employee safety that  came under  the  Health and 
Safety at Work Act provisions could now come within the Safety Certificate. There 
could  be  a crossover with District Council responsibilities and it was therefore 
important to establish close liaison. There might be crossover where it is legitimate 
to include H&S matters in the Safety Certificate, such as protective equipment on 
matchdays for stewards and fire stewards. It was important however to avoid getting 
Personal Data
drawn into everyday H&S issues. 
 advice was to review the certification process 
and documentation (SGSA would be  providing a checklist) and review the 
membership and terms of reference of the SAG. Guidance had been issued and more 
would follow together with templates. It was accepted by SGSA that this would take 
some time to work through. 
 
Personal D suggested that it might be necessary to build working relationships with the City 
council regarding who enforces H&S at work. RIDDOR would report to the District 
Council but the SAG may need to be aware of it. 
 
Personal D said that SGSA was willing to act as an arbiter where there was disagreement 
and that it would be holding regional presentations to support safety authorities. 
 
The Chairman proposed (and it was agreed) that a core sub group be established as 
set out below (other stakeholders to be invited as appropriate) to work through the 
requirements and review the documentation for Carrow Road and then the regulated 
stands: 
 
•  Police 
•  Fire 
•  NPS 
•  Club 
 
The Chairman said that he would try to convene an initial meeting of the sub-group 
in the new year. 
 
4. 
PERSISTENT STANDING/CHILDREN STANDING ON SEATS/MATCH DAY AUDIT 
REPORTS  
 
The Chairman set out the background to this item and referred to the detailed reports 
submitted as part of the match-day audits of the  fixtures against Derby County, 
Barnsley and Preston North End. This followed a complaint by a supporter which had 
been copied to the SAG Chairman. The issue was in the Lower Barclay Block A. The 
complainant had said he was unable to view matches without standing up, due to 
those in front of him standing. He was seeking action by the Club to stop the persistent 
standing. However, the complainant had also alleged that due to the persistent 
standing, some children were unable to see and had taken to standing on the back 
of seats. This was clearly dangerous and unacceptable.  

 
Personal Data
The Chairman said that having become aware of the allegation, he and 
 
 had met with the Club to discuss the situation and to make clear that action 
had to be taken to prevent the standing on seats. The Club shared the concerns and 
indicated that it would be looking to introduce firmer stewarding to try to get 
supporters to sit. The Chairman had said that the SAG would monitor the situation 
over coming fixtures to establish whether the Club are able to manage the area safely 
and prevent children standing on seats. 
 
The reports presented showed the outcome of the three monitoring inspections, 
which was that the Club had not been able to manage the area safely, despite 
concerted efforts by the stewards, who had received considerable personal abuse 
from spectators. This meant that the SAG now needed to consider possible 
enforcement action, including a reduction in the ‘S’ Factor for the area in question to 
a capacity level that would enable the Club to manage the area safely. Alternatively, 
the Club would need to propose acceptable additional measures to resolve the issue. 
 
 
Personal  explained the measures the club had taken – both in term of stewarding and also 
offering to relocate those children who were prepared to move to other seats in the 
stadium. The Club was determined to deal with the issue, but needed the support of 
the SAG. He asked for the SAG’s agreement to the Club’s proposal that before the 
next home game  (Sheffield Wednesday), the club would send a letter to  all the 
season-ticket holders in Block A, appealing to them to remain seated, and setting out 
in clear terms the implications of not complying with the ground regulations around 
persistent standing. In addition, there would be more robust stewarding of children 
standing on seats and pro-active policing of the area. He hoped that this would 
eliminate the danger to children but also make supporters realise the serious nature 
of the problem. The Club said that if this was unsuccessful, it would look to close 15 
rows in Block A, with the spectators affected being relocated elsewhere in the ground. 
 
The SAG unanimously agreed that the Club should have a final opportunity to 
address this issue and supported its proposed approach. (i.e. the letter to supporters 
and a proactive approach to preventing children standing on seats).  The SAG would 
be represented at the forthcoming fixture to observe the situation and then consider 
next steps should there be no improvement. 
 
 
 
5. 
POLICE POSITION STATEMENTS 
 
a. 
Late Kick-Offs 
 
SAG considered the letter from ACC Megicks to the Club concerning policing late 
kick offs. Effectively the Constabulary was reserving the right to require notice of 
changes to policed match start times for TV purposes. It was not anticipated this 
would be an issue with the club nor the SAG. 
 
b. 
Silver Command 
 
SAG considered the letter form ACC Megicks to the Club concerning the location of 
Police Silver Commanders. There would be no practical effect on the club.  
 



13. 
ANY OTHER BUSINESS 
 
i) 
CE said that there was to be an exercise run by the College of Policing, at 
Police HQ in Wymondham on 7 February and that all the emergency services 
would be represented. He asked anyone interested in attending to let him 
know. 
 
Personal 
ii) 
 said it was likely that Chelsea would want 15% of full capacity for the FA 
Cup fixture on 6 January and the Club intended to revert to using segregation 
netting for the fixture. The SAG were happy with this. 
 
 
Next SAG Meeting is on Tuesday 13 March at 10.00 a.m. 
 
 
 
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