The Role of SAG
SAGs are a group of professionals from the statutory agencies whose role is to provide competent and consistent advice on event safety to event organisers and venues.
Additionally a SAG will liaise with event organisers and ensure that any contingency plans made by the organiser work in conjunction with emergency plans for major incidents prepared by the statutory agencies. Statutory agencies will also use the information from event organisers to ensure that any plans in place to deal with emergencies or major incidents are appropriate for the additional number of visitors that a particular event may bring to an area.
Whilst contacting a SAG is not a legal requirement, it is seen as good practice within the UK.
The Group does not have legal powers and does not approve or ban events, however, many of the agencies who sit on SAGs may have the legal power to prevent unsafe practices. In addition, if an incident were to occur at an event or venue, then the advice given by the SAG would be disclosed to any criminal investigation or inquiry.
In Lincolnshire SAGs and are usually chaired by the District Councils. They offer a consistent approach to event safety and provide free advice, guidance and up to date information about legislation and good practice, as well as ensuring that plans to deal with emergencies at events dovetail with those already in place within the statutory agencies.
For further information relating to SAGs, please see the 'The UK Good Practice Guide to Working in Safety Advisory Groups' authored by the Emergency Planning College.
The group is partnered with Boston Borough Council for resilience purposes.
The role of SAG is completely separate from the operational management of the event. It remains the event organiser and land owners responsibility for the health and safety of all those involved with the event inc. stewards, volunteers, stall holders, visitors and spectators.