CULTURE & LEISURE POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND SCRUTINY PANEL

WEST COUNCIL COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2014 LEGACY UPDATE

REPORT BY HEAD OF AREA SERVICES

A. PURPOSE OF REPORT

The purpose of this report is to show the committee the realistic Commonwealth Games Legacy benefits can achieve.

B. RECOMMENDATION

It is the recommendation that this report should represent the key areas of focus for West Lothian Council Games Legacy.

C. SUMMARY OF IMPLICATIONS

I Council Values Focusing on our customers needs

Providing equality of opportunities

Making best use of our resources

Working in Partnership

II Policy and Legal (including N/A Strategic Environmental Assessment, Equality Issues, Health or Risk Assessment)

III Resources - (Financial, Sport and Outdoor Education Staff Staffing and Property)

IV Consultations Scottish Government

School Sport Partnership Strategic Group

Sport and Outdoor Education

1 D. TERMS OF REPORT

1 Background

As a nation, loves its sport. Scotland has taken part in every Commonwealth Games since its inception as the British Empire Games in 1930. Scottish sportsmen and women have won scores of medals and contributed to many of the finest moments.

The opportunity to host the Commonwealth Games is an honour and a privilege, and Scotland has a wealth of experience hosting events. The time was right to put itself forward once again. To ensure the bid met the proper qualifications, it required support from a number of key backers. In February 2004, the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, now Commonwealth Games Scotland, invited Scottish cities to consider making a bid, to host “a world-class Commonwealth Games and also encourage and develop sport and physical recreation across the Commonwealth.” (Commonwealth Games Federation - CGF)

Scotland’s capital, , had already hosted the games in 1970 and again in 1986 and there was a widely held view that it was now the turn of , Scotland’s largest city. Seven months later Glasgow was selected as the preferred city from Scotland and Glasgow – as Scotland’s representative – won the right to stage the Games. National support is considerable, with over 2.3 million Scots registered support for the Games in Scotland. On 23 July 2014 the Commonwealth Games will open in Glasgow, marking the start of 11 days of action across 17 sports, with competitors from 71 Commonwealth countries.

2 Evidence from Studied Research (See appendix for further information)

x Nine broad categories have been studied: health; recreation; transport and environment; crime, housing, and demography; volunteers; culture; economics; business; and tourism.

x In contrast to earlier events the emphasis changed from focus on entertainment and showcasing the city (1978 -2008 events), to focusing on regeneration and the creation of a positive legacy in the host nation.

x Such benefits collectively termed the “legacy”—include improvements in employment levels, the economy, housing, national and local pride, the environment, and sports provision.

3 Proposed West Lothian Legacy

x To have an overall positive impact on volunteering in West Lothian - improving volunteer’s transferable skills.

x To continue increasing sports participation.

x To continue delivering high profile key sporting events and activities within West Lothian.

2 x To develop Community Sports Hubs within West Lothian.

x To inform West Lothian Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Services of those businesses that require support to become business ready.

E. CONCLUSION

The Commonwealth Games can act as a driver for change. Glasgow 2014, and other major sporting events happening both in Scotland and in the UK between now and 2014, will bring a wealth of opportunities and are about far more than delivering world- class sport. They are about creating a lasting legacy for Scotland, and making faster progress towards a healthier nation, developing healthy communities and a strong and flourishing economy. Above all, they are about making the whole of Scotland fit for the future and enhancing Scotland's reputation internationally. Benefits from future events - such as the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in London or the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow – will not occur automatically. However, through West Lothian’s Games Legacy Programme we can achieve the following.

x To deliver a Volunteering Programme linked to the Commonwealth Games.

x To continue increasing sports participation.

x To develop Community Sports Hubs within West Lothian.

x To continue delivering high profile key sporting events and activities within West Lothian

x To inform West Lothian Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Services of those businesses that require support to become business ready

F. BACKGROUND REFERENCES

Learning the Lessons from Vancouver Legacy Now 2010, Bruce Dewar Gerry McCartney, Systematic Review, MRC Manchester CWG Report, PWC Atlanta and Sydney Olympic Games Report Scottish Government Legacy Plan

Appendices/Attachments: ‘The World is Watching’, Multi Sport Games Legacy Research and Proposal for West Lothian Council Commonwealth Games 2014 Legacy.

Contact Person: Chris Weitz, Active Schools (School & Community Sport) & WL Legacy Lead Date: 25 November 2010 [email protected] Alistair Shaw, Head of Area Services

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