Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received as follows:

• Councillor Colwill
• Councillor Aden
• Councillor Ethapemi
• Mr Simon Goulden
• Rev. Helen Askwith

Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, the nature and existence of any relevant disclosable pecuniary or personal interests in the items on this agenda and to specify the item(s) to which they relate.

None.

To consider, jointly with the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee, the Baroness Casey review of events surrounding the UEFA Euro 2020 Final ‘Euro Sunday’ at Wembley.

A presentation from the Football Association (FA) was presented by Tom Legg (Head of External Operations, FA) and Chris Bryant (Head of Tournament Delivery, FA).The presentation covered the process of the independent review of events at the Euro 2020 Final, which had been done by Baroness Casey. It was highlighted that the review had involved interviews with numerous stakeholders representing all key delivery partners, analysis of substantial documentation and CCTV footage, a survey of ticket holders, and independent reports from experts and academics across the field. The presentation detailed that the review had made 4 recommendations in relation to FA governance, including changes to the categorisation of matches of a certain scale, a review of stewarding, a national campaign regarding attitudes and supporter behaviour, and the strengthening of penalties for disorder. Those recommendations would involve the FA working closely with the government and police, supporting the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) with the review of stewarding, working with the Premier League, English Football League and ‘Kick It Out’ on behavioural change campaigning, and developing a proposal for legislative and football banning order changes. Two recommendations for Wembley operational matters were made to strengthen plans for safety ahead of events and matches of significance.

The Committee wanted an understanding of the planning and preparation that had gone into the organisation of the Final. Chris Bryant advised that the event was very thoroughly planned and all mitigating actions were taken where possible. He highlighted that the planning that went into delivering the event was greater than any event he had been a part of and there was stakeholder buy in from everyone. The events of the Final had been what was referred to as a ‘perfect storm’ and brought about by events that stakeholders had never seen previously. Councillor Muhammed Butt (Leader, Brent Council) agreed that the preparations that went in to making the event happen were incomparable. Many meetings took place, and the situation regarding Covid-19 had meant things had to be changed several times. Conversations were taking place with central government, UEFA and all relevant stakeholders and the Covid-19 regulations were changing constantly. The FA, Stadium and Council all had to respond appropriately to those changing regulations and work within the constraints they were given. Councillor Butt highlighted that the recommendations made in the review had strengthened the conversations that had happened since, and all stakeholders were taking into account everything in the review to make sure partnerships were strengthened and the Stadium continued to work effectively for the residents and visitors.

In relation to the Covid-19 national research programme, the Committee queried how the findings from those programmes contributed to the planning and preparation for the event. Dr Melanie Smith (Director of Public Health, Brent Council) highlighted that the national research programme had been answerable to central government, which had determined that, on the advice of Public Health England and the Science Board, the dispensation would be given to allow the Euros to take place. Phase 1 of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.