Overview

The Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bill aims to ensure the smooth running of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, primarily by managing financial assistance to the organising committee, protecting the Games' brand from unauthorised use, preventing ticket touting and unauthorised trading and advertising around Games venues, and providing for a transport plan.

Description

The Bill covers several key areas:

Organising Committee

Part 1 allows the Secretary of State to provide financial assistance (grants, loans etc.) to the Birmingham Organising Committee and mandates annual reporting to Parliament on the Committee's progress, accessibility for disabled people, sustainability efforts, and maximising the Games' benefits.

Association with the Games

Part 2 aims to protect the Games' brand by prohibiting unauthorised association with the Games, creating exceptions for intellectual property rights, continuous use prior to a specified date, fair use and material published for sharing information, while empowering the Organising Committee to grant authorisations for permitted associations.

Touting, Advertising and Trading Offences

Part 3 introduces offences for ticket touting (inside and outside the UK), unauthorised advertising in or near Games venues, and unauthorised trading in specified areas during the Games period. It allows the Organising Committee to grant authorisations to permit these activities, while establishing enforcement mechanisms by local authorities.

Transport

Part 4 enables the Secretary of State to direct local authorities to prepare a Games transport plan, giving authorities powers to temporarily restrict road use to facilitate transport during the Games.

Government Spending

The Bill authorises the Secretary of State to provide financial assistance to the Organising Committee, the amount of which is not specified in the Bill itself. This represents a potential, but undefined, increase in government spending.

Groups Affected

• Organising Committee: Receives financial assistance and is responsible for reporting and brand protection.
• Businesses: Subject to restrictions on unauthorized use of Games branding and potential offences related to ticket touting, advertising, and trading near Games venues, but with opportunities for authorised association.
• Individuals: Risk fines for touting tickets or engaging in unauthorised advertising and trading. The public's access to Games venues and transport may be affected by temporary restrictions.
• Local Authorities: Responsible for enforcing some of the provisions within the bill, including those around advertising and trading, plus potentially involved in transport planning.
• Disabled people: The bill aims to ensure Games events are accessible to them.

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