Decision Maker:

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: June 10, 2025

Purpose:

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.