Partnership work helps to keep borough’s residents and visitors safe 365 days a year

As part of Stockport Council’s campaign to keep residents and visitors safe and strengthen communities, they work with partners all year round as part of the Safer Stockport Partnership.

The Safer Stockport Partnership joins together many public and voluntary organisations, including Stockport Council, Greater Manchester Police, the Health Service, Greater Manchester Probation Trust, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Victim Support.

Its purpose is to reduce crime, substance misuse and anti-social behaviour and the effect that has on the people of Stockport.

Last year, as part of the partnership, a three-year One Stockport Safer Stockport Partnership Plan was launched that ties in with the One Stockport Borough Plan. It sets out the ambitions for community safety across the borough over the next three years.

As part of this, the ongoing work behind the scenes at the Council includes event planning and checks including supporting Stockport County as they climb the table in their first season back in the EFL.

The Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 is just one of many laws the Council’s Public Protection team work hard on.

Ground safety certificates must be issued by a local authority before any spectators can be admitted into a sports ground. The Council set the permitted capacity for Edgeley Park and include detailed terms and conditions in the safety certificate that must be complied with in order to operate the sports ground at its permitted capacity.

Prior to the safety certificate being issued each year, Public Protection undertake a full annual ground inspection including visits with partner bodies to keep everyone safe at Edgeley Park. The team check evidence of recent satisfactory tests/inspections of areas such as the emergency lighting electrical installation, gas and fire safety, generators, turnstiles, PA system, radios and CCTV.

Throughout the football season the Public Protection team carries out match day inspections to ensure the terms and conditions in the safety certificate are being followed.

On these visits the team check aspects such as crowd control, fire safety, medical provision, smoke-free policy, CCTV operation and stewarding provision.

Cllr Helen Foster-Grime, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “Our public protection team work hard all year round to keep residents safe.

“As a vital part of this unseen work, we coordinate with partners including the police, fire and ambulance services.

“At events like Stockport County's match days, whilst the great fans are enjoying a brilliant day out, our focus is off the pitch checking all is in place to keep families and visitors safe.

“This is particularly important as crowds grow with County's deserved success.”

In addition, the Council runs a Safety Advisory Group that meets regularly and is linked to Edgeley Park.

At these meetings, core partners and agencies advise the Public Protection team on matters of safety relating to the football ground and its fixtures. GMP, GMFRS and NWAS attend and Stockport County form an essential part of the group.

The Council’s Highways team also attend and provide great advice to both the Club and Public Protection.

For more information visit Safer Stockport Partnership.