Council and democracy

Croydon launches new Olympic forum

With the Games less than five years away, the official handover from Beijing to London is scheduled for August 2008. This handover marks the beginning of the Cultural Olympiad - a four year celebration of the upcoming games with a programme of events and projects across the country.

The Games offer a wonderful opportunity to welcome the world to London but also a chance to involve our communities and businesses. There will be a raft of ways that local people can get involved through local sporting events, volunteering, employment, business and tourism.

With this in mind, Croydon Council is formally launching the Outer London Borough Forum for the Olympic & Paralympic Games at the Town Hall on Wednesday 24 October in the Council Chambers.

The forum will meet on a regular basis and will look at how the outer London boroughs, including Croydon, can work together to make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity to get a share of the benefits that arise from the Olympics.

Cllr Steve Hollands, cabinet member for culture and sport, said: "It is important that as a borough we are able to make the most this once in a lifetime opportunity and provide a lasting legacy for Croydon.

"Through joint working we will be able to explore how our residents, businesses, organisations and communities can benefit as well as helping to make the most successful games ever."

Speakers at the event include council leader Mike Fisher and Steve Halsey, the director of environment, culture & public protection, who will introduce Croydon's vision for the Games.