At yesterday’s full meeting of Haringey Council, Lib Dem councillors Lynne Featherstoneand David Winskill pressed a representative from London’s Olympic bid’s teamto ensure that Haringey benefited from better facilities should Londonsucceed in securing the 2012 Olympic games.

Councillor Featherstone, linking the issue to Lib Dem support for betterskateboarding facilities in the borough also debated at last night council,asked what mechanisms would be put in place to ensure that the Olympic bidresulted in funding for local schemes that would provide better facilitiesfor youngsters in Haringey.

Councillor David Winskill expressed concerns that the bulk of the benefitsof the Olympics would go to the lower Lee Valley and action needed to betaken to ensure that Haringey did not lose out if regeneration funding wasconcentrated in just this area.

Lynne Featherstone comments:

“While it’s great that London is bidding forthe Olympics, as much as possible must be done to ensure that Haringey getas many of the spin-off benefits as possible.At the moment, this does notseem to be happening.”

Councillor David Winskill adds:

“The borough desperately needs bettersporting facilities for young people, and I fear an opportunity may bemissed for Haringey unless the council’s regeneration team carefullyanalyses the downside to the Olympic bid and the robustly fights Haringey’scorner.”