Event Marshal & Steward Training - Glasgow Bylaws
This guide explains expectations for volunteer marshals and paid stewards at events held in Glasgow, Scotland. It summarises roles, training standards commonly referenced by the city, compliance checkpoints organisers must meet, and practical steps to apply for permissions, report concerns, and appeal enforcement decisions. Use this as a concise reference for event safety planning and to prepare stewards to meet Glasgow City Council requirements and to liaise with statutory agencies.
Roles, Competencies and Training Expectations
Marshals and stewards are responsible for crowd management, directional control, basic first-aid awareness, reporting incidents, and following the event safety plan. Organisers should ensure stewards receive briefing on the event layout, emergency evacuation routes, radio procedure, and a documented chain of command.
- Briefing checklist: duties, radios, emergency contacts, and welfare breaks.
- Pre-event training: at least one on-site walkthrough and a safety briefing before public opening.
- Skills: clear communications, basic crowd psychology awareness, and incident reporting procedures.
Penalties & Enforcement
Glasgow City Council enforces conditions for events held on council land and the highway; enforcement options and fines are managed by the council's events and licensing teams and through statutory partners where relevant. Specific monetary fine amounts are not specified on the cited page. Glasgow City Council events permissions[1]
- Fines: not specified on the cited page; organisers should consult the council contact listed on the permissions page for exact figures.
- Escalation: first and repeat offence treatment is not specified on the cited page; council discretion applies per conditions of permission.
- Non-monetary sanctions: restriction or revocation of permission, removal of facilities, prohibition of future events, and referral to civil or criminal proceedings if required.
- Enforcer and inspections: Glasgow City Council Events team and Licensing officers conduct inspections and handle complaints via the council events permissions page. [1]
- Appeals/review: formal review or appeal routes and time limits are not specified on the cited page; organisers must follow the council complaints and licensing appeal procedures listed on the council site.
- Defences/discretion: permits, documented risk assessments, and demonstrable compliance may be relied on as defences; exact wording is not specified on the cited page.
Applications & Forms
The council publishes an events permissions process and application route; specific form names, numbers, fees and submission deadlines are not specified on the cited page and should be confirmed with the events permissions contact.[1]
- Application: follow the Glasgow City Council events permissions procedure linked above for the correct form and supporting documents.[1]
- Deadlines: submission timelines are not specified on the cited page; submit early and request confirmation of any statutory lead times.
Operational Guidance for Organisers
Organisers should adopt a training log, set minimum steward-to-public ratios appropriate to risk, and ensure briefings cover emergency scenarios and reporting lines. Co-ordinate with Police Scotland, ambulance services, and the council for larger events.
- Equipment: radios, hi-vis, torches, and basic first-aid kits for each steward team.
- Recordkeeping: steward training logs, incident reports, and risk assessments retained for enforcement reviews.
- Traffic & crowd control: agreed plans with roads/traffic authority where applicable.
FAQ
- Do volunteer marshals need a formal certificate?
- There is no single mandatory national certificate required by Glasgow City Council for volunteer marshals, but organisers should provide documented training and briefing; check the council events permissions page for specific venue or event conditions.[1]
- Who inspects stewarding at events?
- Inspections are carried out by Glasgow City Council officers and may involve police or other statutory agencies depending on risk and scale; contact details are on the council events permissions page.[1]
- How do I report a non-compliant organiser?
- Report concerns to Glasgow City Council via the events permissions contact or the council complaints process; see the events permissions page for the correct reporting route.[1]
How-To
- Identify event hazards and prepare a written risk assessment that includes stewarding roles.
- Apply for permissions via the Glasgow City Council events permissions process well before the event and attach the stewarding plan.[1]
- Recruit stewards and schedule a mandatory pre-event briefing and on-site walkthrough.
- Confirm contact points with the council and emergency services and distribute communication lists to all stewards.
- Run an evacuation drill, log attendance, and retain records for potential inspections.
Key Takeaways
- Document steward training and briefings for every event.
- Apply early for permissions and confirm any council-specific stewarding requirements.
- Keep clear records to reduce enforcement risk and support appeals.
Help and Support / Resources
- Glasgow City Council - Events permissions and guidance
- Glasgow City Council - Licensing
- Glasgow City Council - Planning and Building Standards
- Glasgow Life - event venues and services