Conservatives announce the formation of Olympics Oversight Committee

David Cameron has today announced the formation of an expert Olympics Oversight Committee for the 2012 Olympics.

Chaired by Sir John Ritblat, the former Chairman and Chief Executive of British Land, the group will carry out detailed scrutiny of the project as it progresses and provide expert advice to David Cameron on the Olympics.

This group, comprising renowned experts and industry figures with extensive experience of construction, event management, security and land development, will help to provide on-going scrutiny of the programme and assess potential problems and shortcomings.

Lord Stevens, former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police will bring his unparalleled experience to bear in scrutinising the security programme to ensure a safe Games. He will examine the security budget, which was originally estimated at £213 million, despite security at the Athens Games costing just under ?1 billion.

Commenting on the committee Hugh Robertson, Shadow Sports Minister, said

“The Olympics are great for London, great for Britain and a great opportunity for all of us.

“We've got to get this right. An incoming Conservative government will make delivering a successful Olympic Games central to our agenda. We can't afford to waste time. That's why today I'm announcing the creation of the Olympics Oversight Committee to advise me.”

He added:

“The committee will really get to grips with the problems currently plaguing the Games. I'm delighted that senior figures with real experience and expertise in relevant areas such as security and property, such as Lord Stevens and Sir John Ritblat, have agreed to serve on the Committee.”

Notes

Members of the Committee

Sir John Ritblat - Former Chief Executive and Chairman of the British Land Company PLC

Lord Stevens – former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police

Ronald Barrot FRICS - Chief Executive Officer of property developers Aldar; responsible for major construction projects in Abu Dhabi, with 37 years experience in the construction and development industries.

Other members of the Committee will be announced in due course.

Key areas for the Committee

1. Monitoring the construction programme: costs, timetable, and delivery

2. Scrutinising the overall budget and making sure costs are kept under control

3. Security: on-site, in-Games and wider London security needs connected to the Games

4. Regeneration: maximising the positive benefits of the Games and providing the best value for money for the taxpayer

5. Mass participation in sport. Using the Olympics to boost participation in sport at all levels was a key pledge of our winning bid and there needs to be a strategy in place now to ensure a lasting legacy.

6. Ensuring ‘London 2012’ are the ‘Green games’.