Information on Loughborough

Loughborough County Councillor Warns Olympic Plan Needs Leader

Posted on 09/07/2008

olympic rings

Cllr Max Hunt has welcomed the consultation on  the Leicestershire county plan for the local Olympic strategy to bring the benefits of the 2012 Games to Leicestershire but says that it lacks the vital element of leadership.

“With a short time to play with, we’ve got to inspire and create the sparkle to make things happen fast and with a sprinkle of magic.  Leicestershire is currently being led by ‘invisible committees and leaderless partnerships’”, he told the County’s Community Services Scrutiny Committee who gathered on Friday to hear about the county’s plans for 2012.

The draft strategy sets out the plans to help business attract contracts, children and adults become healthier and sportier, and for a cultural experience as well. But Councillor Hunt says:

“No one will go the extra mile for a committee or a strategy.  Inspiration comes from shared ideals and goals.  To create that sense of working together Leicestershire needs role models and leadership.  These might be athletes, or achievers in other area we all know of good examples.  They need county connections.  They could be political leaders, but those who are able and willing to take risks, recover from minor mistakes where necessary and step forward and be counted on major issues.”

County Council Sean Sheehan, Forest & Measham Division, said that the importance lay in creating a lasting legacy beyond 2012.  The Governments challenge fund for free swimming for Over 60’s and Under 16’s was a valuable step towards that and had to be supported by all Leicestershire local authorities.

Council Hunt met with the delegation from Leicestershires partner province over the weekend to ask how Sichuan Province was gaining from their Olympics.  Language learning has increased with Taxi drivers all learning English.  "It is, however, doubtful whether ours will be learning Chinese, but can many of us cope with visitors who dont speak good English?", he asks.  "The strategy is pretty comprehensive, but language appreciation training is one thing we might also think of."

The “Leicestershire Strategy for London 2012” consultation, which ends on 22nd August, is aimed at a vision for Leicestershire in the period leading up to and beyond 2012:

Leicestershire will secure a lasting legacy arising from the opportunities leading up to, during and beyond London hosting the Olympic and Paralympics Games in 2012