• Question by: Murad Qureshi
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Thank you for that response, Mayor. Most of the other venues outside of the Olympic Village itself are outside of the local government structures. I was just wondering, whilst we have heard good words and deeds from the various venues, how we can make sure that there are other mechanisms for them to be accountable. Have bodies like Sport England a role to play in this?

• Question by: Geoff Pope
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Turning to the bus service, which you state will be fully compliant by 2006; I think you said early 2006 but are the ramps actually working? In fact, my evidence is that in many cases it is not possible for people with a wheelchair to access a bus on a low floor through a ramp, because the ramp is inoperable. Are there any efforts by TfL to get on top of this, such as using a secret-shopper approach?

• Question by: Geoff Pope
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Thank you. On getting into London itself and the fact that it is going to be a very broad-based Games, we know that we have real problems in access for people with disabilities to our public buildings. Indeed, a recent statement in Disability Capital states that only 17% of public buildings in London are accessible. What plans are in place for involving disabled people in the cultural Olympiad?

• Question by: Geoff Pope
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Will you set them objectives or targets?

• Question by: Geoff Pope
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Thank you. Clearly, work is being done, but I read in the Paralympic Games bid document that the catchment area for the Paralympics is 30 million people across much of southern England within a day trip of the Games. Therefore, what is going to be done about helping people with any kind of disability across that catchment area, particularly if they rely on mainline rail services? What plans are in place for that situation?

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

I must ask you about East Marsh. I cannot meet you without asking this question. Sally Hamwee (Chair): If it is about legacy. Jennette Arnold (AM): It is about legacy. Can you, once again, assure the people of Hackney that East Marsh will be restored to parkland after the Olympic Games? Are you able to give a timescale for this and for the further improvements that have been promised, specifically, a land bridge, improved football facilities, and replacement land for the Arena Fields?

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

I am sure you will get a lot of support for that position. Can I just move on then to health? Currently, Londoners are less physically active than the average for England, and certainly, London's children and young people have a higher level of obesity than other regions in England. A health impact assessment study commissioned by the London Health Commission has demonstrated the potential for the longer-term health benefits of hosting the Olympic Games. Could you just tell us, briefly, how can you ensure that these are delivered? What about health? How can we get the legacy for a...

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Thank you for that answer, Mayor, but I have three areas on which I would just like to pin you down. Can I just start with cultural education. I welcome that announcement that you have just made about the commitment following the Games for the maintenance of the Park, because it seems to me that we can judge whether an Olympics was successful in two ways: the gold medals and all their absolute wonder of the sport, and also we judge when we look back at where the Olympic Games were held, and what it is like there following the...

• Question by: Brian Coleman
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Mr Mayor, I am looking at the cultural legacy from the Olympics. Funding for arts and culture in London is already hard pressed, as you know, especially that that is dished out through the Association of London Government (ALG) and the London boroughs. How are we going to fund the cultural legacy? Is that going to be to the disadvantage of arts organisations which are currently funded from the public sector?

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Yes, was that a big `yes'?