ADD2543 The Queen’s Baton Relay at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

1.1. There is a longstanding history of the GLA, the LLDC and the LVPRA supporting the Queen’s Baton Relay. In 2014, as part of wider Park opening plans, the GLA supported a day of events and activities to support the Queen’s Baton Relay as it visited the Park on its journey through London.

1.2. The 2022 Commonwealth Games Track Cycling event will take place at the Lee Valley VeloPark. This provides an excellent opportunity for the Baton Relay to form part of this international event, highlighting the London 2012 legacy, as well as being part of HMQ’s Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend.

1.3. The Baton Relay is due to take place on 5 June. Consideration is being given to the planning of an evening concert on the same day. The proposal from LLDC/LVPRA/GLL is to plan a morning of activity prior to gates opening at 15:00 for the potential concert. This allows the Baton to then be taken to the Royal Docks for the afternoon.

1.4. The proposed activity will be developed further by the LLDC and its partners and a delivery partner will be appointed once confirmation of timings has been received from Birmingham 2022.

1.5. Both the LLDC and the LVPRA are providing value-in-kind support through the complimentary use of venues; links to the local community groups; and staffing resource. The GLA revenue funding will enable the LLDC/LVRPA to amplify the activity to create national and international profile; engage communities; and provide an impactful showcase of the Park in its 10th anniversary year.

1.6. A ‘Legacy Pentathlon’ is proposed that takes the Baton from the Olympic Bell at London Stadium, around the QEOP legacy venues ending up at the Lee Valley VeloPark. The draft route is to be discussed but LLDC will be working closely with a delivery partner to develop this.

1.7. The ambition is to:

• celebrate the continued legacy from the Games – tie in with the anniversary of the games and the thriving legacy venues
• showcase local community physical activity projects – specifically focusing on cycling (e.g. British Cycling) and engaging with harder-to-reach communities
• link into volunteers across the LVPRA and QEOP who were part of London 2012 and continue to volunteer
• link to the fact that the Lee Valley VeloPark is hosting the track cycling events
• incorporate inclusivity – for example, through engaging Bikeworks who provide adapted bikes outside and on the track
• encourage the people who have engaged on the British Cycling City Academy project to attend, all on bikes (photo opportunity); potentially one of the community members could ride the baton around the road circuit or the inside of the VeloPark.

1.8. The Baton will move round the Park by different methods – on foot, bike and even in water, with key opportunities for striking photographs for press and social media. The proposed list of activities, below, is subject to change but is aimed to keep within window of activity.

1.9. Financial overview:

2.1. We will provide up to £30,000 of revenue funding which the LLDC have agreed will be used as a contribution to its costs of the delivery of an event celebrating the journey of the Queen’s Baton (the Commonwealth Games’ equivalent of the Olympic Torch) next summer. It is proposed to make a grant to the LLDC.

2.2. Benefits for London by the provision of funding:

• continues to showcase London as global destination for hosting major sports events, and our iconic venues, through participation in a major international sporting occasion such as the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
• provides front content and messaging to communicate the ambitions and ongoing legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, by showcasing the success of the legacy venues
• community involvement/local legacy – provides an opportunity to promote and showcase ongoing community engagement at QEOP, the LVPRA and local boroughs.
• inward investment/economic impact – opportunity to highlight the messaging around ongoing inward investment and economic impact.
  

3.1. Under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, as a public authority, the Mayor of London must have ‘due regard’ to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation; as well as to advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations, between people who have a ‘protected characteristic’ as defined in the Equality Act 2010 and those who do not.

3.2. At this stage, no equality issues have been identified with regard to this event. However, this will be kept under review.

3.3. The GLA will work with the venues to ensure that it is an accessible venue, with a relevant and effective strategy. Appropriate assistance to all Londoners and visitors will be available at the event.

4.1. At this stage no significant risks or issues have been identified in association with plans for the Queen’s Baton Relay at QEOP.

4.2. The GLA’s Major Sports Events team will work with the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Comms team to ensure engagement and PR opportunities are maximised.

4.3. There are no data protection, health or safeguarding implications identified with regard to this work.

4.4. There are no conflicts of interest to declare in relation to the staff involved in this project.

4.5. GLA support for the event will:

• support delivery of the GLA’s major sports events framework, ‘London: Home of World Class Sport’
• increases economic investment into London
• support delivery of the Mayor’s sports strategy, ‘Sport Unites’
• increase international exposure for London as a major destination for world-class sport and tourism, particularly in the Commonwealth.
  

5.1 Assistant Director of External Relation’s approval is being sought for the award of revenue grant funding of £30,000 to the London Legacy Development Corporation, under section 121 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999. This funding will be to cover the cost of planning, organising and delivery of the Queen’s Baton Relay at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (QEOP) on 5 June 2022. The cost of this funding will be met from Major Sport Event’s 2021-22 budget and the funding will be managed and monitored by the Major Sports Events team within Strategy and Communication’s Directorate.