Agenda item

(Acting Chief Executive) To consider the attached report.

The Committee received a report on the London 2012 Olympic Bid and the legacy benefits for our region especially regarding the Lea Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA).

They noted that:

• The East of England had the highest level of public support for the games across the whole of the United Kingdom;
• Experiences of other host cities, indicate that there were significant social benefits to be realised, such as increased sports participation, volunteering, tourism and cultural opportunities;
• Apart form the White Water Rafting, Essex will also host the Olympic Mountain Bike Event at Hadleigh Castle in Castle Point. LVRPA will have responsibility for the velodrome as well as the White Water Rafting;
• Business breakfasts had been organised for local businesses to contend for contracts. A number of local companies have gained contracts through this event. The Town Centre Manager had also organised a similar event for local businesses and we have also gained apprenticeships for local people from these events;
• The Games are looking for 70,000 volunteers and it is anticipated that a number of event volunteers will be recruited locally to support the actual operation of the Olympic canoe event at Waltham Abbey;
• A multi-agency partnership Olympic Legacy Board has been established and, to provide focus and capacity, the Board created a temporary 2 year Olympic Officer post to maximise the legacy potential. A consultants report had been prepared for the legacy board on development and regeneration opportunities, and we are awaiting an official copy;
• With the White Water Rafting venue, it was anticipated that other specialist facilities would be needed around it, the World Championships are coming up (in 2015) and this would be a bigger event than the Olympics;
• The British Canoe Union estimated the value to the local economy of this event to be some £1.7million;
• During the period of the games the Town Centres would not benefit from the mass influx of spectators as they would be strictly controlled being taken directly to the venues and back again. However, officers are trying to get the Park and Ride buses to leave later to encourage people to spend some money at Waltham Abbey;
• There will also be a Cultural Olympiad, celebrating the games through arts and festival events that will be running up to the games. Council staff are promoting a number of these Cultural events.

Asked what Broxbourne were doing, the Acting Chief Executive, Derek Macnab, said they were developing a walkway from Waltham Cross and improving Waltham Cross Station. They also have other plans to regenerate Waltham Cross.

Councillor Sartin noted that the White Water Centre had held a free Schools event recently, which was very successful. Children from every borough n London attended and this had generated future bookings from these boroughs.

Councillor Brookes said that the sports development team were under funding pressure, this was a chance to promote activities to children over the summer months. Mr Macnab replied that they already have an extensive holiday programme, which was already sold out.

            RESOLVED:

That the work undertaken with a range of partners including the Lea Valley Regional Park Authority to maximise the benefits for the District for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games be noted.