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Code of Practice

Location filming in Salford Code of Practice

Introduction

Although this Code of Practice (“the Code”) is a voluntary agreement, it incorporates references to statutory obligations to which all those engaged in filming within the City of Salford must adhere to. The objective of the Code is to make Salford a more film-friendly city for all, while offering clarity on the statutory obligations, which govern the activity of filming.

The Code aims to ensure that:

  • The industry can film effectively and efficiently across Salford.
  • All those involved in location filming act responsibly, professionally and considerately at all times.
  • That best practice is demonstrated.
  • Timescales and notice requirements are highlighted in relation to regulatory and statutory matters.
  • The economic and cultural benefits to Salford of such filming are maximised.
  • The practical impact of filming on people and businesses across Salford is minimised.
  • Through a combination of all the above, the long-term sustainability of filming in Salford is secured.

This Code applies to all forms of moving image production shot on location in public places in Salford, which are likely to, or have the potential to cause disruption to normal activity.

Screen Salford in consultation with Salford City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester Police, have developed the principles of best practice, which are detailed in the Code, and all the signatories have agreed to support. Screen Salford will facilitate the process of reviewing and updating the Code annually.

Definitions

  • ‘Filming/Shoot’ will relate to all types of moving image production in particular, feature films, television productions, commercials, pop-promos, corporates, student films, short films and stills photography.
  • ‘Production/s’ refers to a Producer, Location Manager, Production Company or Production Manager or any authorised officer or employee of such a company.
  • ‘Screen Salford’ refers to the officially recognised film office for Salford and endorsed by its local authority and other partners as the coordinating body for all requests to shoot in and around Manchester.
  • ‘SCC’ refers to Salford City Council
  • ‘GMP’ refers to Greater Manchester Police

Location filming

No filming activity should take place until all the relevant parties have granted permission. The Production must ensure that all those affected by filming have been consulted and informed of arrangements within a time frame that is adequate and proportionate to the scale of filming. This is the Production’s responsibility. The Production must be covered by a public liability insurance policy, no less that £5m (£10m for commercial event spaces), and provide copies of the necessary risk assessments.

Filming application process

All Productions planning to film within Salford should liaise directly with Screen Salford in advance of shooting to ensure permit requirements (see permits below) and effective liaison with all relevant parties has taken place. With direct links to Salford City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Police and other key stakeholders, Screen Salford will effectively facilitate the required permissions and permits in order for the shoot to take place. Productions should also inform Screen Salford about filming taking place on a private location, as this may require similar mediation.

General timescales

  1. Small scale productions – a crew of five people or less, using portable/handheld equipment, tripod and sound, where filming will have no major logistical impact on the highways and public areas. 24/48 hrs noticed period required.
  2. Medium scale productions – filming which includes equipment (tracking, lights, jibs/cranes, generators etc.) or a large number of cast/supporting artistes, which will have an impact on the highway and /or interfere with public access. A site meeting with the relevant council and police representative maybe required. 5-7 days minimum notice period required.
  3. Large-scale productions – filming which will have a major logistical impact on the highways and public areas (i.e. road closure requests, stunts, removal of street furniture etc.) A site meeting with the relevant council and police representative will be required. 4/6 weeks minimum notice period required.

*timescales may differ depending on your particular request, location and/or setup.

Disclaimer

Any filming undertaken within the City of Salford is the sole responsibility of the Production and its employees. Screen Salford will accept no liability for loss, financial or otherwise, alleged to have incurred as a result of this code. The guidelines in this document are aimed to be as comprehensive as possible but they are for guidance purposes only and not exhaustive. You should always consult with Screen Salford on requirements/procedures for filming in the City of Salford. Screen Salford has no rights of the films, photographs and recordings made and/ or taken by the Production. In all cases, you will indemnify Screen Salford and SCC against any damage which may be caused on council managed land by the negligent act or omission of the Production, your agents, employees or invitees.

A-Z guidelines

The Production shall agree in advance via Screen Salford regarding the appropriate use of cables, the safe laying of agreed cabling and the suitability of attaching cables to street furniture, historic properties and any other relevant items. This process includes all matting, ramping and flying cables to avoid hazards.

  1. No cables shall be run over the public highway in such a way that they will cause a potential hazard to members of the public/businesses. Consultation with businesses about cables in close proximity to their location must be carried out by the Production.
  2. The Production must make cables runs safe at the time of laying and not at a later time.
  3. Any cable runs across the public highway need to be agreed by the SCC Highways and applications must be sent via Screen Salford.

See Rivers and Waterways.

  1. All matters relating to tracking and filming equipment must be cleared by the appropriate departments at SCC, via consultation with Screen Salford, in advance of filming (no less than 5 days in advance of filming). Any obstructions or alternative footways planned must by cleared by SCC Highways. In certain circumstances, tracking boards may be required
  2. Any filming equipment in the road must be discussed with Screen Salford in order to consult and obtain permission the required permission. In most cases a site meeting will be required, which will be arranged by Screen Salford with the necessary departments at SCC. Roads must not be blocked beyond the minimum width required to maintain traffic flow, and in some instances, traffic management assistance may be required. The minimum widths to be maintained are 3.5m on a one-way street and 7m on a road with two way traffic flow.
  3. The Production will ensure that members of the public, in particular wheelchair users and double buggies, are not impeded by the camera track, and where applicable, alternative measures have been put in place to safely guide members of the public around the filming equipment. The safe minimum width of 1.5m must be provided to maintain the public’s right of way on footways. It is not acceptable to force pedestrians to cross over or walk in the road (unless an alternative walkway is provided in line with Chapter 8 of the Highways Act).

Catering arrangements and the positioning of catering vehicles should be agreed in advance with Screen Salford.

  1. There are a number of areas where catering vehicles are prohibited from parking and whilst filming, especially in Salford City Centre, the Production should always look at citing these vehicles at a unit base facility (see unit bases).
  2. The Production shall ensure that no dirty water or food waste be deposited in rainwater gullies and that caterers use a dirty water bowser where possible. Wherever possible the Production shall make use of environmentally friendly materials.
  3. It is the Productions responsibility to ensure that all litter and waste is removed before the end of each filming day and disposed of in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

A licence is required for a child from birth to the end of compulsory education to take part in a performance or activity, including films, tv, radio, commercials, sport, music groups, theatre, amateur dramatics, dance groups and working as a model. Below is a summary of the regulations but please contact Screen Salford to be directed to the appropriate SCC department.

The hours during which a child can attend at a place of performance are restricted

  • Age 0 - 4 can attend place of performance between 7am – 10pm; or
  • Age 5 - school leaving age can attend place of performance between 7am – 11pm.

Maximum hours of attendance

  • Age 0 - 4 maximum time at venue 5 hours, maximum performance time 2 hours, maximum continuous time without a break 30 minutes;
  • Age 5 - 8 maximum time at venue 8 hours, maximum performance time 3 hours, maximum continuous time without a break 2 hours 30 minutes; or
  • Age 9 - school leaving age maximum time at venue 9.5 hours, maximum performance time 5 hours, maximum continuous time without a break 2 hours 30 minutes.

Warning: Please be aware that it is your responsibility to ensure that you have read and fully understood the statutory requirements for the licence you are applying. Failure to comply with the regulations may lead to the licence being revoked and/or prosecution.

The Production acknowledges that cones have no legal force to secure parking and their use shall be agreed in advance with the relevant council authority via Screen Salford. See parking.

The relevant SCC department will facilitate the use of any council owned property as a film location, subject to sufficient notice, advance approval and receipt of a signed licence agreement. The location fee charged will reflect the level of disruption, dedicated personnel time and any additional costs incurred as a result of the filming activity on site. Contact Screen Salford for a list of available council properties available for filming.

  1. When planning to use cranes/cherry pickers/jibs or scissor lifts on the public highway, Screen Salford must be given sufficient notice so clearance can be arranged.
  2. In most cases a licence will be required to operate these pieces of machinery on the public highway.
  3. The Production and a representative of the crane hire company must discuss the exact positioning of such equipment with the relevant SCC department and Screen Salford(usually at a site meeting), and the conditions of any permission granted should be adhered to at all times.
  4. Rigging/de-rigging must be done at times so as not to cause any unnecessary noise or nuisance. See noise and nuisance below.

  1. The activities carried out by a production must be limited to areas and times for which permission has been granted.
  2. Production vehicles should be parked where agreed with Salford Parking at the times stated in the application. Engines should be switched off on arrival and cast and crew should not park in the immediate vicinity of a location unless spaces have been allocated.
  3. Drinks and meals should be taken in designated areas, assigned by the Production.
  4. No smoking areas must be observed. Where smoking is allowed, cigarettes must be extinguished in the smoking bins provided by the Production.
  5. Crew members must not trespass onto neighbouring property or enter areas of a location which the owner has stipulated are not to be used for filming.

For guidance on the use of a Small Unmanned Aircraft (SUA), such as a drone, please see ‘Drones’ appendix 1.

The Production must inform the Emergency Services of any large-scale filming in the street and/or in a public space in liaison with Screen Salford. Access for emergency vehicles must always be maintained during location filming. Where relevant, the Emergency Services should be duly advised of:

  1. Special effects, fires or explosions (Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Services)
  2. Any likely disruption to traffic (All services)
  3. The impersonation of fire officers of use of pseudo fire tenders (Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Services)
  4. The impersonation of ambulance staff or use of pseudo ambulance tenders (Ambulance Services)

Screen Salford operates a film permit system, which means that a Production wishing to film on the public highway/council owned land across Salford will require a permit to do so. Please visit our filming agreement page to stay updated on the permit system and the terms and conditions.

During filming the Production must contact Screen Salford in advance if any formerly agreed details change regarding locations, times, crew size, props and nature of filming.

The use of firearms of any kind is prohibited without prior agreement between the Production, GMP and Screen Salford.

  1. It is the responsibility of the Production to ensure the safe custody of the firearms and/or the offensive weapon at all times.
  2. An armorer must be present during film shoots involving firearms and/or offensive weapons.
  3. On occasions, the Production will require the presence of a GMP officer to be attendance on location for public reassurance. See Police below.

  1. It is the responsibility of the Production to ensure that employees are in compliance with current Health and Safety legislation and regulations (see Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974 and the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1992).
  2. It is a criminal offence to breach Health and Safety Law and Regulations, failure to do so may invalidate the Production insurances and result in prosecution.
  3. There are many types of risk assessment required to be produced by a competent and qualified person on behalf of the production, for all activity relating to filming. Some examples of such risk assessments you may need include, but not exhaustive to; security risks, generic filming activity, stunts, flammable or toxic materials, temporary and permanent construction work, working at heights, the use of cranes and cherry pickers, vehicle related filming, static and temporary production office space and unit bases.
  4. Where applicable SCC via Screen Salford require risk assessments to be provided in advance of filming taking place to ensure necessary qualified representatives have reviewed all relevant activities and given feedback, where necessary. Failure to provide this information in advance may result in the film permit being refused.

  1. Crew members, production personnel and 3rd party sub-contractors are required when working on the public highway to wear necessary PPE clothing to European Standard EN471 Class 2 minimum. This is an essential safety requirement under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and Health & Safety at Work Act, 1974 (and all related Regulations and Codes of Practice).
  2. Failure to wear appropriate PPE clothing and adhering to the legislation may invalidate your production company insurance and result in your Film Permit being withdrawn.

  1. Screen Salford must be notified of any such request at the earliest possible opportunity. This is to ensure effective liaison with the relevant SCC and GMP departments.
  2. Road closures: Please note, there is currently no countrywide legislation to allow a road closure specifically for filming purposes, however, if adequate notice is given it is often possible to accommodate the needs of a Production. The time taken to process a road closure order ranges from 4 to 6 weeks and an approved traffic management company must be employed by the Production to facilitate the road closure order and implement the necessary diversion route (using the appropriate advanced warning signage). Copies of diversion plans must be submitted to SCC via Screen Salford before an order is granted.
  3. Intermittent traffic control (ITC) requests must to be discussed and cleared with SCC, via Screen Manchester. ITC works must be carried out by an approved traffic management company with the required equipment and advanced warning signage being displayed. ITC works on a request basis only.
  4. For charges, please contact Screen Salford.

  1. The Production Company must indemnify SCC, its officers, servants and agents against all liabilities, actions, claims, costs, damages, demands, expenses and penalties brought by any person or persons for any property damage, personal injury, sickness, illness or death arising out of the Production’s use of requested locations, land, public highway, pavements, footpaths, buildings or facilities other than that attributable to the negligence of the SCC its officers servants and agents. For the avoidance of doubt, liability for death or personal injury as a result of the Productions negligence is not limited to the requested amount of Public Liability Insurance cover.
  2. All production companies must carry Public Liability Insurance with a minimum limit of indemnity to the sum of five million pounds (£5,000,000) / ten million pounds (£10,000,000) for commercial event spaces and parks, in respect of any one accident of series of accidents arising out of your filming activities.
  3. No film permit will be processed, without prior documented proof of adequate Public Liability Insurance with evidence that the insurance cover certificate is valid. Copies of such certificates and where required indemnities should always be provided to SCC in advance of filming and should be made available, on demand, to anyone affected by the location filming activities of the Production. Please note that all paperwork must be supplied in English.

The Production shall agree the positioning and safety of lighting stands in advance with SCC, via Screen Salford.

  1. Lighting or other equipment should not cause a hazard to members of the public (please refer to the Cabling section for guidance on safe cabling of such items).
  2. No danger or irritation should be caused by the dazzle of lighting positions.
  3. The following considerations should be taken to prevent any risk to members of the public or

Production employees:

  • Lights above ground level and lighting stands are properly secured.
  • Lighting stands placed on a footway are attended at all times or are weighted and secured. The required access of the footway must be maintained or alternative walkways erected (see Camera Track section).
  • Lights do not dazzle ANY motorists.
  • Lights are not shone directly towards residential or business properties at any time without specific permission.
  • Blackouts are made available by the Production so as to protect the residents/businesses from light pollution when required.

The Production shall ensure that all litter is removed immediately at the end of the filming and that the location and environs are returned to the same condition in which they were found.

It is the Productions responsibility to ensure that all litter is removed before the end of filming each day. Any waste produced by the production must be removed from the site, transported and disposed of in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

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