London 2012: Talk of a new Games ministry builds up steam
19/06/2007 |
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The London 2012 project is preparing for a restructure of the relationship between the Games and the government when Gordon Brown becomes prime minister in eight days' time.
Brown's advisers have been examining the best way to take the project forward and the case for relieving DCMS of responsibility for the infrastructure element of the project - building the Olympic venues and the regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley - is thought to be persuasive. A major issue has been assessing the impact of separating the "heavy lifting" aspects of 2012 from the sporting project, currently overseen by DCMS via UK Sport (elite performance) and Sport England (amateur participation). The prevailing view appears to be that splitting the building element, which is run by the Olympic Delivery Authority, from the other projects will not adversely affect the overall process or the ability to capitalise on the sporting boost the Games can offer.
A final decision on which department will take responsibility for liaison with the ODA is yet to be made but Westminster gossip ranges from the Department for Transport to a new "infrastructure" ministry. An announcement is unlikely before Brown formally moves into No10 next Wednesday.
For its part, DCMS is fighting its corner hard, with the culture secretary, Tessa Jowell, apparently on a charm offensive among sporting administrators, who report she has been increasingly accessible and engaged of late.
(Source: Guardian.co.uk)
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