Licence summary

If you operate a sports ground in Braintree District which is not designated as requiring a safety certificate, you will still require 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 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.

Certificates are obtained from Braintree District Council.

You must comply with any conditions attached to a certificate.

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.

Regulation Summary

A summary of the eligibility criteria for this licence

Application Evaluation Process

Applicants must provide requested information and plans to Braintree 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 If it is not provided within the permitted time the application will be deemed to have been withdrawn.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 Braintree 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 Braintree 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.

Braintree Council must send a copy of an application for a safety certificate to the chief police officer of the area and the fire and rescue 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 Braintree 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.

Braintree Council will send a copy of the application to the chief police officer of the area and the fire and rescue authority and shall consult them about any proposed amendment, replacement or transfer.

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from Braintree Council within a reasonable period, please contact us. You can do this online here if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or use the contact details below.

Apply online

Apply for a sport ground safety certificate

Tell us about a change to your existing circumstances

Failed Application Redress

Please contact Braintree District Council in the first instance.

Any applicant who is refused a general safety certificate because they are not considered to be an eligible person can appeal to the Magistrates court.

An applicant who is refused a special safety certificate may also appeal to the court against a refusal based on grounds other than a decision that they are not an eligible person.

Licence Holder Redress

Please contact Braintree District Council in the first instance.

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 Magistrates court.

Other Redress

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.

Trade Associations

Federation of Sports and Play Associations (FSPA)

 

Contact Details

Licensing Department, Causeway House, Bocking End, Braintree, Essex. CM7 9HB. Tel 0044 (0)1376 551414