Stadium Safety and the Football Licensing Authority (FLA)
The DCMS is responsible for administering the Government's stadium safety policy; in particular, the Safety of Sport Grounds Act 1975, and the Fire Safety and Safety at Sports Grounds Act 1987.
This involves oversight of local authorities' safety certification functions. The FLA was established in 1991 to oversee the certification of football grounds, and is the leading UK authority in the field of ground safety. However, the Government is currently examining the possibility of making the FLA's expertise available to sports other than football.
The FLA has recently provided advice on "Safe Standing" in the light of a recent campaign by a group of supporters.
The Minister for Sport, Richard Caborn, has confirmed that the Government's all seater policy for Premier and First Division football grounds will remain in place. There can be no compromise on safety, and the Sports Minister made it clear to supporters' groups that he would have to be convinced that there is a compelling case for a return to standing and that he would require much more evidence before embarking on any experiment with standing terraces at major football stadia.
DCMS is also the lead Department in coordinating the Government's response to disasters at outdoor sports grounds.
|
