A maximum of 15 minutes will be allocated to public questions submitted in writing to Democratic Services (democratic.services@trafford.gov.uk) by 4pm on the working day prior to the meeting.  Questions must be within the remit of the Committee or be relevant to items appearing on the agenda and will be submitted in the order in which they were received.

No questions from the public were received.

To receive and if so determined, to approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th January 2020.

RESOLVED: That the minutes from the meeting 15 January 2020, be approved as an accurate record.

To receive a report from the Head of Safety and Security at Lancashire County Cricket Club.

The Operations Director and Head of Safety and Security at Lancashire County Cricket Club (LCCC) presented the report to the sub-Committee which outlined the issues associated with all aspects of spectator safety within and under the control of Lancashire Cricket Safety Management throughout the 2023 season.

Several areas were raised to the sub-Committee. This included a 100-bed extension to the hotel connected to the ground and the introduction of the new 100 ball cricket game, the Hundred.

The Head of Safety Security reassured the sub-Committee that safety at LCCC had moved forward considerably. Members were informed that the planning for 2024 concerts had begun.

The sub-Committee were referred to the events at a short notice T20 quarter final on the 7^th July. With competing events across the region, LCCC were unable to get agency stewards, and unqualified staff were in position. The Committee were reassured that LCCC now only accept trained staff to work in safety critical positions.  The measures in place during the Ashes were also highlighted to the sub-Committee.

In summary, the Head of Safety and Security – LCCC recognised the challenges faced by LCCC since 2021, but that significant improvement had been made over the past year. 

Councillor Holden asked if leaders in cricket appreciated the problems that may arise from short notice crickets matched. The Head of Safety and Security – LCCC responded in fairness to the powers that be, with several moving places at play. However, LCCC had learnt from the issues that arose and will implement this moving forward.

Councillor Thomas appreciated of the willingness of LCCC and the Council to work together to ensure that spectators and employees were safe. 

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To note a report from the Corporate Director, Place.

The Environmental Health Officer provided an overview of the report which was circulated with the agenda. This report highlighted challenges experienced over Covid and the reintroduction of concerts at the cricket ground in 2022 and 2023. Despite untrained staff found in safety critical positions on the first day of the Ashes, there were enough staff in the ground with the correct qualifications and this had been rearranged by the afternoon.

Councillor Baskerville asked about the issues faced on the first day of the Ashes. The Sub-Committee was reassured that registration forms and wristbands had now been implemented to ensure that staff would not be in incorrect areas of the ground.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To receive a report from the Stadium Safety Officer at Manchester United.

The Deputy Head of Safety and Security – Manchester United Football Club (MUFC) introduced the report on the Annual Safety Report for MUFC across the 2022-23 season.

The Sub-Committee were alerted some of the challenges faced by MUFC. Due to MUFC men’s team going far in all competitions and every cup draw being at home, 43 games were held at the ground. The season had also been congested by the mid-season World Cup, and saw the club go through full implementation of digital tickets and cashless services within the ground. The level of licensed safe standing within the stadium also increased prior to the season.

Challenges had also been faced with increased protest sentiment witnessed toward the club ownership. This had resulted in increased issues of disorder and pyrotechnics, but any problems had been managed well through close working with partners. MUFC had also reviewed its medical plan, and this had improved further post-season.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To note a report from the Corporate Director, Place.

The Team Leader (Environmental Health and Safety at Sports Grounds) introduced the report. The Sub-Committee were advised that safety advisory group for Manchester United Football Club (MUFC) met three times a year and involved colleagues across Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Services (GMFRS), and the North-West Ambulance Services (NWAS).

Further, the Community safety team had done work across the year on matchday urination on the streets in the local area, and work had been done with MUFC to deal with the nuisance caused by this.

Audits had also taken place on the physical factors of safety at the football club.

Councillor Thomas recalled radio issues for the NWAS in 2021 and enquired as to whether this issue had been resolved. The Deputy Head of Safety and Security at MUFC responded that this was dealt with at the time, working alongside NWAS and Motorola to make the sufficient improvements since. The Resilience Manager at NWAS added that an additional hardware base had been introduced.

Councillor Thomas added his appreciation for additional toilet facilities being implemented around the ground and added that this street urination ward Councillors had received complaints on. The Director of Operation at MUFC also referred to the alley gates which had been introduced in alleyways behind local houses. This had seen a cessation of these issues. The Director of Growth and Regulatory Services added that joint working had and was still take place between the Club and the Council to make improvements.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.