Sports stands safety certificate

Overview

If you operate a sports ground in South Tyneside which doesn't require a safety certificate, you will still need 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
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 can be obtained from South Tyneside Council.

You must comply with any conditions attached to a certificate.

Apply for, or make a change to a certificate

Apply to certify a regulated stand at a sports ground

Apply to change a safety certificate for a regulated stand at a sports ground

For more information, contact Building Control on 0191 424 7436 or email buildingcontrol@southtyneside.gov.uk.

Eligibility criteria

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.

Fees

Where a general safety certificate is issued for a new build stadia, regulated stand, or a special safety certificate is applied for, a fee will be charged for "commensurate work actually and reasonably done" by the Council.

As each application is different in build and time, we will discuss the fee with you after we have received your application form.

As it is the Council's policy in line with national guidance, to review and reissue these certificates on an annual basis, there will also be an annual charge for this commensurate work, once the initial certificate has been issued.

For clarification of the likely fees to be involved please contact Building Control on 0191 424 7436 or email buildingcontrol@southtyneside.gov.uk.

Evaluation process

You must provide requested information and plans to the council within the time specified.

If it is not provided within the permitted time the application will be deemed to have been withdrawn.

The Council 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 the Council 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 is, 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 Council 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 Council 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 Council 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 Council 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.

Timescale

As each application for a safety certificate for a new build stadia, regulated stand of a special safety certificate unique in terms of build and time involvement, each application will require an individual determination of the anticipated time to process the relevant application.

Upon submission of an application the anticipated timescales will be confirmed to the applicant with the letter confirming the applications acknowledgement.

Tacit consent

Tacit consent is where an application is treated as accepted if a reply is not recieved within a certain timeframe.

Tacit consent does not apply. If you would like to check on the progress of your application, please contact Building Control on 0191 424 7436 or email buildingcontrol@southtyneside.gov.uk.

Appeals

Appealing a decision

Please contact South Tyneside Council in the first instance.

If you are refused a general safety certificate because you are not considered to be an eligible person, you can appeal to the Magistrates court.

You may also appeal to the court against a refusal based on grounds other than a decision that you are not an eligible person.

Appealing a condition of the license

Please contact South Tyneside Council in the first instance.

If you wish to appeal against a condition attached to, or the omission of anything from, your safety certificate, or against the refusal to amend or replace a safety certificate, you may appeal to the Magistrates court.

Other appeals

Any person who is served with a notice determining that a sports stand is a regulated sports stand may appeal to the local Magistrates' court.

Any person concerned with 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.

If you have a complaint

If you have a complaint, we advise that you contact the trader, preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery).

If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice.

From outside the UK, contact the UK European Consumer Centre.