Sports Grounds

Sports Ground Safety Certificates and Safety Certificates for Sports Stands are obtained from the District Council.

1.  Sports Grounds Safety Certificates

If you operate a sports ground in Northern Ireland that has been designated under the Safety of Sports Grounds (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 you will be required to hold a Safety Certificate.

A Safety Certificate may be either:

• A General Safety Certificate issued for the use of a sports ground for a specified activity, or activities, during an indefinite period.
• A Special Safety Certificate for the use of a sports ground for a specified activity or activities on a specified occasion or occasions.

To be eligible for a Safety Certificate you must be likely to be in a position to prevent contravention of the terms and conditions of a Certificate.

The Council will determine if the applicant is a person likely to be in a position to prevent breach of the terms and conditions of a Certificate.

Apply Online
These Licensing links will soon be available allowing you to apply online for a licence, change a licence or download application forms

1. Apply for a Sports Ground Safety Certificate
2. Tell us about a change to your existing circumstances

2. Safety Certificate for Sports Stands
 Under the Safety of Sports Grounds (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 if you operate a sports ground - which is not designated as requiring a Safety Certificate - you will require a Safety Certificate for any 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 starting 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.

You must comply with any conditions attached to a Certificate.

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.

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 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.

Apply Online
These Licensing links will soon be available allowing you to apply online for a licence, change a licence or download application forms
 
1. Apply for a Safety Certificate for Sports Stands
2. Tell us about a change to your existing circumstances

General Information in respect of all applications
Applicants must provide requested information and plans to the Council within the time specified.

The Council will send a copy of the application to the local Chief Constable and the Fire and Rescue Service Board and they will be consulted on the terms and conditions to be included in the 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 a transfer application to the Chief Constable and the Fire and Rescue Service Board and will consult them about any proposed amendment, replacement or transfer.

Fees
Fees apply to all applications:

Regulation Summary
Safety at Sports Grounds (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.

Will Tacit Consent Apply
No.  It is in the public interest that because of the health and safety risks to large numbers of people that Fermanagh District Council must process your application before it can be granted.

Whilst Tacit consent does not apply we will strive to notify all applicants of the outcome of their application, including issuing a Certificate, within 15 working days of the Council decision made in relation to the application.

What can I do if my application is refused or I am not happy with conditions attached to a Certificate
Any applicant who is refused a General Safety Certificate  because they are not considered to be an eligible person can appeal to the Magistrate's Court.

An applicant who is refused a Special Safety Certificate may appeal to the Magistrate's 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 Magistrate's Court.  They may also appeal to the County Court against an order of the Magistrate's Court.

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

Complaints
In the event of a complaint the first contact should be made with the Council.  If you are located in the UK, Citizens advice bureau will give you advice.  From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Public Register
A register of Certificates issued can be provided on request.

Data Protection
Under the Data Protection Act, Fermanagh District Council has a legal duty to protect any information we collect about you.  It will not be disclosed to any third party unless law or regulation compel such disclosure or unless we have been specifically asked to do so in order to deliver a service which you have requested.

Contact Us
If you need to contact us in relation to an application, to request a copy of the public register, or for any other reason please:

Use our website: www.fermanagh.gov.uk/contactus/ and choose destination Environmental Health
E: envhealth@fermanagh.gov.uk
T:  028 6632 1805 / 028 6632 5050
or
Write to:
Fermanagh District Council
Townhall
2 Townhall Street
Enniskillen
County Fermanagh
Northern Ireland
BT74 7BA