HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Agenda Item No:
TUESDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2005 at 10.30 A.M.
LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES
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Report from Cabinet 14 November 2005
Executive Member:- Derrick Ashley
The Cabinet have been advised of the emerging management arrangements
of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games from a national, regional
and local perspective and of the activities so far, and have agreed the outline
objectives for Hertfordshire County Council in engaging in these processes
(see Appendix).
This report details how the Olympics will be managed from a national, regional
and local perspective, and how Local Government has a key role to play in the
delivery of the Games.
The County Council and its partners in Hertfordshire have a significant
opportunity to use the Games as a vehicle not just to promote sport and
culture, but also the contribution they can make to other things, such as safer
and healthier communities, infrastructure, support for young people, economic
regeneration, community development. These opportunities will exist before,
during and after the games.
The report is presented to this meeting to seek the Council’s endorsement of
the outline objectives and commitment to support the Games.
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1. Information
1.1 National and Regional structure
Following the successful announcement on 6th July 2005 that London
had been awarded the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games
an Olympic Bill has passed through Parliament to put in place
measures for the planning of the Games, including ticketing, security
and infrastructure. The following structures to support this are planned:
(a) London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games
(LOCOG): This Committee, chaired by Lord Coe has
responsibility to deliver both the Olympic and Paralympic
Games, ensuring procurement meets environmental
sustainability goals. It will be the sole link to the International
Olympic Committee (IOC).
(b) Olympics Delivery Agency (ODA): The Agency has been set up
by Act of Parliament to manage public funds and ensure venues
and infrastructures are built. They will also manage the post-
Olympics reconfiguration of the site and relocation of facilities.
There will also be an Olympic Transport Authority.
(c) Nations and Regions Group: This Group has been reconstituted
and will be the regional link into LOCOG. Membership is
currently being reviewed and regional groups are being asked
for their views.
The Group will be responsible for the delivery of the regional
input, including preparation camps, volunteers, skills, tourism,
involvement in sport etc. To date representation on this group
has been provided by EEDA and the Eastern Region Sports
Board Chairman. There are nine regions, with representatives
from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
(d) East of England Regional Working Group: This group is
responsible for managing at a regional level and one of the nine
national regional groups linked into the Nations and Regions
Group. John Fuller, on secondment to Sport England and
previously an officer at Broxbourne Borough Council, is currently
a member with a focus on Hertfordshire.
The Group has already begun actively supporting and lobbying
to secure the games, working with the London 2012 team.
However, in response to requests from the Nations and Regions
Group the region has now submitted proposals outlining the
proposed future support structure to be established within the
East of England to ensure co-ordination with the national activity.
The proposed structure is as follows:
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Nations and Regions Group (ERSB/EEDA representation)
East of England 2012 Strategic Board
(Chief Execs/Board Membership : EEDA, Govt Office, Sport England,
Living East, EERA and proposed representation from County/Unitary
Local Strategic Partnerships).
East of England 2012 Partnership Group
An inclusive regional group.
East Working Groups - A network of thematic working groups that
deliver the Regional Board’s main work and report through the
Partnership Group. Where existing structures exist engagement will be
with such networks, where gaps exist, new structures will be
established.
A Regional Olympic Project Manager will be appointed to support the
Strategic Board and manage the wider activities of the Partnership and
East Working Groups. Assembly Group Leaders agreed that EERA’s
representation on the Strategic Board would be County Councillor
Chris White, who also chairs the LGA Regeneration Board. The
County Council has been asked to nominate a representative on this
Board.
Each region has been asked to take a thematic lead and the East of
England has proposed that it lead on Disability Sport/Paralympics. A
strong Paralympic profile already exists within the region along with a
good structure on which to build.
John Wood, Director of Environment, represents Hertfordshire County
Council on the East of England Partnership Group.
EEDA, as a key member of the steering group, has established a Board
Sub Committee to oversee EEDA’s Olympic related activities. EEDA
wishes to play a supportive role, but will set priorities, and tend to
operate, regionally; through the regional strategic board and advised by
Sports England and, where appropriate, by the new Olympic
Development Agency and in a Greater South East sense with
LDA/SEEDA. EEDA is intending to lead on work to identify the
economic benefits of the Olympics to the region.
The East of England see a large number of opportunities arising from the
region as a result of London 2012 including to:
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secure a number of training camps in the region. This could bring
investment in improved sports facilities. National resources to
support such an opportunity are not currently available.
shape and enhance the region’s offer in terms of tourism.
review fully all the business opportunities presented from the
construction of facilities and servicing of the Games.
understand the skills needs looking ahead and to work with training
providers to ensure training programmes are in place.
work to focus development opportunities on brownfield locations,
especially within Thames Gateway South Essex.
secure associated transport improvements that serve the needs of
the East of England.
use the sporting agenda to tackling inclusion, health, volunteering
and leadership issues.
1.2 Local Structure
Within the County Council John Wood is leading a cross departmental
officer group to actively contribute to the organisation of the games, at
all levels, and assess the impact the games will have on Hertfordshire
and the County Council. The Group will be responsible for scoping out
the opportunities and challenges for Hertfordshire before, during and
after the Games. In order to provide a clear framework for County
Council activity the group drafted some outline objectives (set out in the
Appendix) which the Cabinet have now endorsed.
Contact has been made with all key partnerships including
Hertfordshire Association of Cultural Officers, Herts Prosperity, Lee
Valley Regional Park and Herts Sports Partnership with the view to
coming together to discuss the Hertfordshire perspective and any
potential opportunities and value in working together to lead the whole
Hertfordshire input into the Games.
At the County and District Leaders meeting on 26 September a paper
was received from Herts Association of Cultural Officers updating them
on the Games. It was concluded that an event should be held to bring
together all the interested partners in the county to maximise effort and
work towards a Herts Action Plan for the Olympics. The County Council
is leading on pulling together this event with key partners. The Games
will also become a key focus for Hertfordshire Forward, the countywide
Local Strategic Partnership.
Whilst the Games will focus on sport there will be also be a celebration
of culture and creativity. Culture is a key theme and requirement within
the Olympic bid and this will be a key facet for delivery in Hertfordshire.
Hertfordshire Prosperity have also been undertaking some work to
scope the benefits and mechanisms and are a key contributor to the
Hertfordshire picture.
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2. Financial Implications
Budget requirements for this financial year will be met within existing
resources.
For the next year and ensuing years until 2012 supporting the
Hertfordshire objectives will need to be considered annually through
the budget process.
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APPENDIX
LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES
Objectives for Hertfordshire County Council
To maximise the opportunities that will be created in Hertfordshire for
new infrastructure, improved transport, regeneration, new business
potential, job creation, tourism and publicity.
To create opportunities for those who live and work in Hertfordshire to
benefit before during and after the Games.
To inspire Hertfordshire people, especially children and the young, by
developing linked projects and activities that embrace the ethos of the
Olympic Games.
To maximise the opportunity to showcase Hertfordshire
To ensure the benefits the games bring are sustainable and leave a
strong legacy in terms of environment, culture, health and prosperity
To ensure the Games provide good value for money for the people of
Hertfordshire.
October 2005
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