This In Focus briefing provides background information in advance of the second reading in the House of Lords of the Accessible Sports Grounds Bill [HL] on 17 July 2015.
Accessible Sports Grounds Bill [HL] (129 KB , PDF)
The Accessible Sports Grounds Bill [HL] was introduced by Lord Faulkner of Worcester (Labour) on 28 May 2015. It is scheduled for second reading in the House of Lords on 17 July 2015. The Bill contains three clauses:
• Clause 1 would amend the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 to provide local authorities with the power to refuse to issue a safety certificate to a large sports stadium where it considers, or it has been advised by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority, that the stadium does not comply with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority’s Accessible Stadia guidelines. Section 1 of the 1975 Act defines a large sports stadium as one able to accommodate more than 10,000 spectators.
• Clause 2 would ensure that compliance with the guidance became a condition of the issuing of a safety certificate.
• Clause 3 sets out that the Bill would apply to England, Wales and Scotland.
Lord Faulkner has said that legislation is now required to ensure compliance with the guidance because the “voluntary approach has not worked and compulsion is necessary”.
Accessible Sports Grounds Bill [HL] (129 KB , PDF)
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