Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
At its meeting on 1 October 2019, the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee considered the delegated powers contained in the UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill (“the Bill”).
The Committee submits this report to the lead Committee for the Bill under Rule 9.6.2 of Standing Orders.
The Scottish Government has provided the Parliament with a memorandum on the delegated powers provisions in the Bill.i
This Government Bill was introduced by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop MSP, on 24th September 2019. The lead Committee is the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee
The Bill is concerned with restrictions on ticket touting, street trading and advertising in relation to the UEFA European Championship 2020. The Scottish Government has stated that the Bill is being brought in to ensure the successful delivery of the Championship by meeting commitments required by UEFA in relation to commercial rights for event sponsors during the period of the event.
UEFA’s European Championship is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2020 and UEFA is commemorating this by hosting next year’s Championship across various cities in Europe. Glasgow was selected as a host city and Hampden is due to host three group stage matches (on 15, 19 and 23 June) and one round of 16 match (on 30 June). Two further “event zones” are being created in George Square and the Merchant City.
A Local Organising Committee is being established to deliver the event in Glasgow. The Committee will be comprised of representatives from the Scottish Football Association (“SFA”), the Scottish Ministers, Glasgow City Council, Hampden Park Limited, Visit Scotland and Police Scotland.
The Policy Memorandum notes that it is not unusual for organisers of major sporting events to require host cities to introduce specific legislative protection for commercial rights.i It also notes that the last piece of major events legislation in Scotland was the Glasgow Commonwealth Games Act 2008 (“the 2008 Act”). This Bill closely follows the drafting of the 2008 Act.
The Committee considered each of the delegated powers in the Bill. The Committee determined that it did not need to draw the attention of the Parliament to the delegated powers in the following provisions:
Section 1 – Meaning of key terms
Section 4 – Provision of electronic facilities
Section 5(3) – Ban on trading within event zones
Section 11(2) – Ban on advertising within event zones
Section 16(2)(b) – Enforcement officers
Section 25(3) – compensation and recovery of costs
Section 28 – Action under sections 17 to 24: procedure
The Committee therefore reports that it is content with the delegated powers provisions contained in the Bill.