Content

Salford City Council - Record of
Decision
 
I, Councillor Tracy Kelly, Statutory Deputy City Mayor, in exercise of the
powers contained within the City Council Constitution do hereby approve:

 
·               
Salford City Council to enter into a Host City
Agreement with Rugby World Cup (England) Ltd 2025 for a range of
activities and support functions as one of eight host cities across
England, and two match days at the Salford Community Stadium, as
part of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in August
2025.
 
·               
Delegate authority to the Executive Director for
Place to sign the Host City Agreement on behalf of Salford City
Council, upon receipt of final approval from the City Solicitor and
Monitoring Officer and Chief Finance Officer.
 
The Reasons
are:
 
Salford is one of
eight host cities for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in
August-September 2025 (RWC25).  Salford
Community Stadium will host four matches, over two weekends at the
end of August 2025.

 
Initial Heads of Terms
were agreed in August 2023, between Salford City Council and Rugby
World Cup (England) 2025 Ltd setting out the broad arrangements,
rights and responsibilities of the two organisations.  A more detailed Host City Agreement (HCA) is now
needed to reflect the rights and responsibilities of both
organisations.  A draft HCA has been
developed with the input of the Shared Legal Service, acting on
behalf of SCC, and also the City Council’s City Solicitor and
Monitoring Officer and Chief Finance Officer.
 
Specifically the
HCA:
 

·               
Sets out the arrangements for joint working between
the two organisations, with clear meeting structures, lead contacts
and escalation routes. 

 

·               
Sets out general obligations for Salford (as a host
city) to cooperate with other tournament stakeholders; to assist
the development of a local plan for delivery of the tournament in
Salford, including collaboration with organisers, visiting teams
and tournament stakeholders; work with the tournament organisers to
develop spectator plans.
 

·               
Sets out the communications and marketing approach
to be taken, specifically the use of agreed tournament and band
guidelines.  
 

·               
Sets out the responsibilities for costs and
expenses, and those that will be met by the host city and those met
by the tournament organiser.
 

·               
Sets out insurance, indemnity and liability
provisions and limits in respect of both parties. 
Assessment of
Risk: 
Medium.
 
The source of
funding is:  Not
applicable.
 
Legal
Advice obtained: Gareth James, Deputy City Solicitor
The council is empowered under
the general power of competence (under section 1 Localism Act 2011)
to enter into this agreement. The Rugby World Cup 2025 supports and
promotes numerous priorities within the corporate plan.
The terms of the Host City
Agreement (HCA) have been developed, negotiated and agreed over a
period of months with input and advice from SCC Shared Legal
Service, the SCC City Solicitor and Monitoring Officer. It is
considered that the terms are robust and provide sufficient and
suitable protections for Salford City Council. Organisers of global
sporting events adopt a standard contract position with all
host’s and it is not feasible to get significant variances
from this particularly favouring a certain city.
 
Financial Advice
obtained: 
David Mills, Strategic
Head of Finance
 
All risks are understood and
covered within existing financial arrangements.
 
Procurement
Advice obtained: Not
applicable
 
HR Advice
obtained:  not applicable
 
Climate Change
Advice obtained: not
applicable
 
The following documents have
been used to assist the decision process:
 
Report to Cabinet, 10 June,
Rugby World Cup 2025 – Host City Agreement
 
Contact Officer:        Jacquie Russell, Director
Policy and Performance                   
Telephone number: 0161 793
3577
 
(Please delete from the list
below any which are not relevant.)
 
-      
The appropriate scrutiny to call-in the decision is
the Communities and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Panel
 
 

Signed:     Councillor Tracy
Kelly                      
Dated:     10/06/25                                 
.
                       
Statutory Deputy City Mayor
 

For Democratic
Services use only
 
This decision was published on 12.06.25. This decision will come in
force at 4.00 p.m. on 19.06.25 unless it is called-in in accordance with the
Decision Making Process Rules.