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Issue - meetings

Olympics Update

Meeting: 09/06/2011 - Cabinet (Item 12)

12 Olympics Torch Relay pdf icon PDF 90 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities (copy attached).

Additional documents:

Decision:

(1)         That Cabinet notes the contents of the report, and in particular, the agreement to host the Olympic Torch Relay event and associated celebrations.

 

(2)         That Cabinet authorises the Chief Executive, the Strategic Director for Communities and other relevant officers to take any steps necessary or incidental to organising and holding the event.

 

(3)         That Cabinet notes that a further report will be submitted in November 2011 that sets out, in detail, how Brighton & Hove City Council, and the city as a whole, will seek to ensure the significant opportunities arising from the Games are exploited fully for those that live, work and visit the city.

Minutes:

12.1         The Cabinet considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities concerning the city’s selection by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG), as one of 70 key iconic locations in the UK, to host an evening celebration for the Olympic Torch Relay on Monday, 16 July 2012.

 

12.2         Councillor Bowden reported that the decision to host the Olympic Torch had been taken quickly due to time constraints and that it the city’s selection was a honour. He advised that officers had begun work on the details of the event and that opportunities for involvement from local sponsors would be investigated.

 

12.3         Councillor Mitchell welcomed the decision to host the event and the opportunity it presented for the city and its residents, but noted that the report contained no financial implications at this stage. She stated that past Olympic events had been used by protesters as an opportunity to promote various campaigns and queried whether Councillor Duncan’s recent comments welcoming protesters was wise given that the city needed to continue to attract visitors and events to the city. She added that residents were being affected by the presence of protester camps in the city.

 

12.4         The Chief Executive reported that security costs would be borne by LOCOG and that the precise details of the event were still under discussion, but that LOCOG were aware of the council’s concerns over costs. He advised that the possibility of involving local sponsors would be explored, but that it was important to be aware that opportunities were limited by the Olympics Act of Parliament.

 

12.5         Councillor Theobald welcomed the event and the opportunity for residents to participate, but stated that it was unfortunate that it had been linked to recent issues about protests. He noted Councillor Duncan’s views, but advised that the presence of protester camps in the city’s parks and gardens would be detrimental in a city that relied heavily on business and tourism.

 

12.6         Councillor Duncan advised that the Administration had stated that the council and the Police had a duty to facilitate lawful protest and that the council had liaised with the Police and local communities on the approach. A clear stance would ensure that all protests would be facilitated efficiently and cost-effectively, including any taking place at the time of the Olympic Torch Relay. He added that while he did not support the choice of sponsors for the Olympics, the event was an important opportunity for the city.

 

In relation to the protester camp at the Old Steine, the Administration were supportive of the right to protest peacefully, however, the presence of the camp contravened city byelaws; action had been taken and the protesters had agreed to vacate the site.

 

Councillor Duncan stated that the Administration’s stance was consistent with its view prior to the election and that this had been communicated to the public in a number of ways.

 

12.7         Councillor Bowden reported that views on the encampment, including those of local residents, visitors and business, had been equally split between those who supported it and those against it.

 

12.8         RESOLVED - That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet accepted the following recommendations:

 

(1)         That the contents of the report, and in particular, the agreement to host the Olympic Torch Relay event and associated celebrations be noted.

 

(2)         That the Chief Executive, the Strategic Director for Communities and other relevant officers be authorised to take any steps necessary or incidental to organising and holding the event.

 

(3)         That it be noted that a further report would be submitted in November 2011 setting out, in detail, how Brighton & Hove City Council, and the city as a whole, would seek to ensure the significant opportunities arising from the Games were exploited fully for those that live, work and visit the city.


 


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