ISC/Club Meeting Minutes 6th December 2021 18:30 hours
Attendees
ISC - Don Adams (DA), Steve Applebee (SA), Cathy Bayford (CB), Andy Byrne (AB), Paul Christmas (PC), Jim Dolan (JD) and Sue Watson (SW).
Club - Karren Brady (KB), Graham Ford (GF), Jake Heath (JH), Ben Illingworth (BI), Sophie Lawson (SL), Julie Pidgeon (JP), Scarlett Freeman-Bassett (SFB), and Tara Warren (TW).
Delaware North - Elliott Moore (EM).
Apologies for Absence - ISC Apu Vyas (AV) and FSA Ashley Brown (ABn).
1.0 Safe Standing
This topic will be covered through the SAG/Matchday Operations Subgroup (SW).
The Club remain committed to safe standing and are aware of the trial taking place in the new year. The Club knows that participation in the trial would potentially require some displacement of Season Ticket holders during the course of the season - also at a time when so many changes have already required to be implemented due to COVID protocols. Some Season Ticket holders will also have taken the option to defer their Season Ticket and their return next season should also be considered (JH).
The Club will monitor the trials at other clubs where the rails are located on the lower tiers - existing safety rails are located within the upper tier of London Stadium - but is open to the concept of safe standing and will be interested in all learnings.
Responsibility SW/JH
1.1 Stewarding & SLOs
CB detailed several issues relating to accessibility lanes, the lift operator, disabled supporters view obscured by standing supporters, away barrier gates remaining closed with disabled supporters held for up to 30 minutes outside the stadium.
BI and JP have met with LS185 in the past to resolve these issues and BI will attend the gate at the Zagreb game this coming Thursday.
JP will allocate team members to assist disabled supporters reach the lower tier and advised that stewards are reminded of the accessibility lane operating requirements.
JH noted that the accessibility lane signage had reverted to old signage used in previous seasons and this should return to the more visible signage introduced prior to COVID, and the match day managers will be manning the lanes.
Following the discussion KB committed to write to LS185 and invite representatives to either the next DSB or ISC meeting. BI will also arrange a meeting with the LS185 management.
Responsibility CB/JP/BI/KB
1.2 Stadium & Atmosphere Next Steps
JH advised that as this subject impacts all supporters a meeting of all supporters representatives (ISC, Junior, Women, DSB etc) would be most appropriate to discuss potential improvement actions.
Responsibility AB/SW/JH
1.3 Local Sellers
EM advised that Delaware North have identified space on the podium and within the stadium to house local community food and beverage sellers. Furthermore EM stated that preferential negotiable rates for local community sellers are under consideration and KB thanked EM for responding to the Clubs requests so positively.
Following an enquiry from PC, Delaware North will also include the Supporters Club as part of the local sellers initiative.
Responsibility AB/JH/PC/EM
1.4 Delaware North Operational Issues
EM requested ISC members to provide regular consolidated feedback of catering operational issues experienced by supporters and to also discuss future plans.
Responsibility EM/ISC Members
1.5 West Stand Lower Tier Reconfiguration
KB informed the meeting that a plan to fund the reconfiguration of the West Stand lower tier had been agreed with E20. Following a competitive tender the plan is for a new West Stand lower tier layout, with the stand being squared-off in line with a more traditional football stadium configuration, following similar improvements to the Bobby Moore and Sir Trevor Brooking Stand lower tiers last year.
The improvements will add 1,500 new seats to the West Stand lower tier, which will see greater joining of the upper and lower tiers bringing supporters closer together and helping to further enhance the matchday experience.
Further details will be provided for review by ISC members and the current aim is to consult with those supporters whose seats might be impacted ahead of the 2022-23 Season Ticket renewal process.
Responsibility JH/ISC Members
1.6 Club Heritage
KB requested the ISC revert back at the next Club/ISC meeting with ideas for reinforcing the Club’s heritage. JH/SW to add history and heritage to next Club/ISC meeting agenda in January.
Responsibility ISC Members
2.0 Milestone Meeting Calendar
It was agreed that JH and SA review the milestone meeting calendar for presentation at the next ISC meeting on December 16th.
Responsibility JH/SA
3.0 Kit Design
JH advised that the kit design for 22/23 season was at an advanced stage and that the design timetable for 23/24 season would follow the ‘125 anniversary’ kit design process and include all other supporters representatives. A meeting is to be held with Umbro in late January/early February 2022.
Responsibility JH/ISC Nominated Members
4.0 UEFA Ban
KB explained the circumstances and timing associated with the UEFA ban and why the Club choose to reluctantly accept the one match ban.
SW suggested that the 1700 supporters who purchased tickets could have some form of priority for the next Europa League away fixture and KB agreed this was a good suggestion to be considered
Responsibility NK
5.0 Digital Ticketing IT Development
NK presented an update with the following key points.
5.1 Less than 250 paper tickets are issued for each game.
5.2 Digital QR flow rates at turnstiles allow stadium access for kickoff up to 15 minutes before kickoff.
5.3 28 club staff trialled the NFC digital season ticket at the Brighton game with Apple functionality unchanged although Android was slightly slower. A further trial is currently on hold pending developments to protect for the Omicron variant and any Covid certification requirements.
5.4 Digital ticketing for away fans may be trialled later in the season.
Responsibility NK
6.0 ISC Elections
A handful of applications have been received and ISC members are requested to notify interested parties that the closing date for applicants is 16th December 2021.
Responsibility ISC Members
7.0 Corona Virus Checks
NK informed the meeting that for Plan A in excess of 10% of attending supporters were presenting Covid certification. For Plan B the Club continues to work with Fortress GB and the Premier League to allow fans to upload their Covid Pass and Photo ID. KB added that a lateral flow test is anticipated for children over 12 years of age.
Responsibility NK
8.0 AOB
8.1 JD thanked the Club for their efforts and support of the education sessions led by Kick It Out with fans convicted of abusive behaviour at matches.
For Info
8.2 KB requested the ISC to consider if a commercial bus shuttle service was of value to run in addition to the Clubs complimentary 18 Accessible Shuttle Bus service for accessibility supporters. Subsequent to the meeting the ISC members reached a consensus that if a ‘park and ride’ offer could be implemented it should be actively investigated further.
Responsibility JH/BI/CB
8.3 SW raised the issue of ongoing congestion at Stratford Station for further investigation.
Responsibility SW/BI
8.4 GF gave a brief overview of the redevelopment of the WHU website which was very well received. It was agreed that a more detailed review was required with a presentation at the next ISC meeting on 16th December 2021. Furthermore JD volunteered to liaise with GF on behalf of the ISC.
Responsibility GF/JD
The meeting closed at 8pm
