Report Number: 07

GREATERLONDONAUTHORITY LONDONASSEMBLY
Subject: Update on the Assembly’s Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Scrutiny Work Programme

Report Number: 07

Report to: Business Management and Appointments Committee
Date: 11 September 2007
Report of: Executive Director of Secretariat

1. 
   Recommendations
   

1.1 The Committee is recommended to note the contents of this report and to agree to receive a further report in three months’ time.

2. Background

2.1 The purpose of this report is to inform Members of recent London 2012 developments and to summarise Games-related activity by the Assembly and its Committees.

3. London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games update

3.1 Key developments over the last four months include:

• 
  On 8 August, the Mayor published “Your 2012” a guide to how all Londoners can get involved in creating a lasting legacy for London from the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
  

• 
  On 26 July, the London Development Agency (LDA) handed over the Olympic Park site to the Olympic Delivery Agency (ODA). It follows the acquisition of 2,200 land and property interests. The ODA has now started a programme of work to demolish over 250 buildings on the site.
  

• 
  On 11 July, EDF energy group has been announced as a Tier One sponsor. This gives EDF exclusive category marketing rights in the utility services sector for London 2012, including use of the new London 2012 logo. It also allows exclusive access and category marketing rights to Team GB and Paralympic GB for Beijing 2008 and Vancouver 2010.
  

• 
  The framework for the London Cultural Olympics, which begins as soon as the Beijing Games has finished, was launched on 21 June with the announcement of ten major project, including an international Shakespeare festival.
  

• 
  The new brand and vision, including the London 2012 emblem, were launched on 4 June. London 2012 stated that “The powerful, modern emblem symbolises the dynamic Olympic spirit and its inspirational ability to reach out to people all over the world.”
  

4. Assembly work programme update

1. 
   The Mayor has provided a detailed Section 60 response to the EDCST Committee's recommendations on the 2012 Games skills and employment legacy. This included confirmation that the LDA would provide, as per the Committee's recommendations, updates on progress on the Games-related construction training programmes and the impact of all Games-related employment and skills activity on the levels of worklessness in London and the host boroughs. Following discussion with the LDA, these written updates are to be provided to the EDCST Committee meetings in October 2007 and February 2008.
   

2. 
   The Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP, Minister for the Olympics and London, has also responded to the Committee's report. She welcomed it as an important contribution to the employment and skills legacy agenda. A full report on these responses will be considered by the EDCST Committee at its meeting on 4 September.
   

4.3 On 7 July 2007, the Environment Committee questioned the Olympic Delivery Authority (represented by Alison Nimmo, Director of Design and Regeneration, Simon Wright, Director of Infrastructure and Utilities and Kathryn Vowles Senior Sustainability Manager) and the Greater London Authority (represented by Neale Coleman and David Lunts). The session focused on the long environmental sustainability of the Olympic Park site. The ODA confirmed to the Committee that the sustainability targets set out in the bid documents were indeed minimum standards only and that there was an expectation that these would be exceeded and that the site would in fact be an exemplar development on its completion. For example, the demolition of the site has already benefited from 97% reuse rate of on-site materials, well in excess of the original 90% target. Some issues still require further clarification but many of these, including waste management, centre on games time activity and a further meeting at which LOCOG are present is being considered for February 2008.

3. 
   The LDA has responded to the Assembly’s commissioned research “A lasting legacy for London?” (A copy is attached to this report).
   

1. 
   The Assembly’s work programme over the coming months includes:
   

• 
  A Plenary meeting on 10 October with the Chairs and Chief Executives of LOCOG, ODA and LDA.
  
• 
  More detailed information on the budget is expected to be available in the autumn. This will be considered, where relevant, by the Budget Committee.
  
• 
  The Economic Development, Culture, Sport and Tourism Committee will be receiving a briefing in February 2008 on security issues and the London’s preparations for the Cultural Olympiad.
  

4. Strategy Implications

4.1 None

5. Legal Implications

1. 
   Under section 59 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (“the GLA Act”), the Assembly has the power to keep under review the exercise by the Mayor of his statutory functions. The powers of the Assembly include the power to investigate and prepare reports about:
   

• 
  Any actions and decisions of the Mayor
  
• 
  Any actions and decisions of any member of staff of the Authority
  
• 
  Matters relating to the principal purposes of the Authority
  
• 
  Matters in relation to which statutory functions are exercisable by the Mayor
  
• 
  Any other matters which the Assembly considers to be of importance to Greater London
  

2. 
   Under section 54 of the GLA Act the Assembly may arrange for any of its functions to be discharged on its behalf by a committee or sub-committee of the Assembly.
   

5.3 It is consistent with the functions of BMAC, as set out in its Terms of Reference, for BMAC to note the contents of this report and to agree a further report in three months time.

6. Financial Implications
6.1 There are no direct financial implications arising from this report.
Background Papers: None

Contact: Richard Derecki 020 7983 4899

City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA

Enquiries: 020 7983 4100 minicom: 020 7983 4458 www.london.gov.uk