Decision details

On 7 November 2011, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games made a public announcement that Bath has been chosen as one of the ‘Communities on Route’ to host the Olympic Torch Relay. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Bath to be a part of something extremely special and its moment to shine to a world-wide media audience.

Building on the objectives of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport Legacy Promise, we want to create a legacy for Bath & North East Somerset:

·  to improve the quality of life for all

·  to inspire a new generation of young people to take part in local volunteering, cultural and physical activity

·  to be a creative, inclusive and welcoming place to live in, visit and for business

(1) To ENGAGE in the National celebrations of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the ambitions of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) and the Government to leave a legacy for future generations;

(2) To EMBRACE all the plans outlined in this Report and support the activities proposed positively;

(3) To ENCOURAGE all Councillors to enthuse and engage their own communities in the planned programme of events and challenges and participate fully in the opportunities and benefits offered by 2012;

(4) To ENCOURAGE all Council staff to adopt an Olympics message in their email signature from January 2012 and to participate in the activities associated with this Report, in line with the Council’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy;

(5) To APPOINT the Leader of the Council as the Olympics Champion and as the figurehead for 2012 locally.

The excitement which will be generated during the 2012 Olympics gives us a timely opportunity to engage all sectors of the community in positive activities, which will not only fulfil the ‘big society’ agenda, but will also provide the opportunity for a lasting legacy in sport and culture.  The Olympics and Paralympic training camps at University of Bath will ensure that the district will attract significant national and international media coverage, and this gives us a prime opportunity to promote Bath and North East Somerset as a destination.

None