First Minister Alex Salmond has today said that there was an overwhelming case for pursuing Lottery funding to support the legacy plans for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The First Minister was speaking at Hampden Park, where he launched the consultation document, which aims to engage the people of Scotland in the discussion about development of a Commonwealth Games legacy.
He said: “The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring the legacy is the right one. Not just for the people of Glasgow - for everyone living, working and visiting Scotland. This is why we have launched this consultation, to listen and talk to Scotland's people and organisations to establish what they want the lasting effects of the Games to be.
“The commitment of Government and our key partners is reflected in the full funding of the Games including the stadium and infrastructure. What we want to encourage and believe we have a strong case for is Lottery funding to enable us to secure a lasting legacy.
“It is well known that the funding for the London Olympics is costing Lottery good causes in Scotland some £150m. It is entirely reasonable therefore to call for an equivalent sum to be returned to Scotland to help us deliver a real, lasting legacy for the whole of Scotland.
“The entire country is behind the 2014 Games. Consultation on the legacy is a first step in the process - the next steps will include pursuing lottery funding and developing our detailed legacy plans.”
Salmond also said that "unlike other games in other places throughout history we are well ahead in our preparations".
Councillor Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “We have been presented with the best chance in a generation, and possibly a lifetime, to improve the lives and raise the aspirations of every Glaswegian. This consultation process will allow us to ensure that all of Glasgow's citizens have the opportunity to reap the benefit.”
Sir Robert Smith, the chair of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Organising Company, added: “The Games are about 11 days of world-class competition, but they are also about the provision of opportunities for generations to come.
“I very much welcome the decision by the First Minister to undertake a public consultation on the Commonwealth Games in 2014.
“It is absolutely right that the public have the opportunity to respond to the ideas in the Legacy paper and express their views on the possible benefits arising from the Games.”
Separately, the Bill seeking to protect the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games from 'ambush marketing' and ticket touts - while putting powers into place to address transport and land purchase to ensure the Games can be delivered - has today cleared its first parliamentary hurdle.
The Scottish Parliament's Local Government and Communities Committee, in recommending that the Parliament agrees the general principles of the Bill when it is debated on February 27, has also recommended that the Scottish Government should pursue Lottery funding avenues as an option to offset the public commitment of funding from Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government, allowing more money to be invested in grassroots sport development in Scottish communities.
The Glasgow Commonwealth Games Bill will create new criminal offences prohibiting unauthorised advertising and outdoor trading within the vicinity of the Games venues and unauthorised sale of games tickets in excess of face value. It will also give councils and Scottish Ministers powers over traffic regulation orders and issues surrounding the compulsory purchase order for land.
In its Stage 1 report published today, the Committee agreed there is broad overall support for the proposals contained in the Bill, but has identified certain areas where improvements and additional information from the Scottish Government would be welcome.
Committee convener Duncan McNeil said: “The Committee congratulates Glasgow in winning the bid for the Commonwealth Games. This Bill will enable Glasgow and the Government to take forward the work required to support the Games, addressing issues such as advertising, ticket touting and street trading.
“The Bill has our overall support but we suggest that the Government takes further consideration of the enforcement powers included in the Bill, an area of concern to several police organisations.”
The main area of concern is that of the recruitment, training and powers of the temporary enforcement officers employed to enforce a games offence. Evidence given by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, The Scottish Police Federation and the Scottish Police Authorities Forum alerted the Committee to issues surrounding background checks, public accountability and management sanctions for enforcement officers, which have yet to be covered by the Bill.
It also recommended that issues over ticket touting are not restricted to the Commonwealth Games, and the Committee considers that where legislation can bring benefits through application to other areas this should be investigated.
The Committee also expressed concerns that businesses and employment could be adversely affected in the pursuit of land and buildings for the Games and seeks a response from the Scottish Government.
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