Catalogue description Records of the Olympic Lottery Distributor

The Olympic Lottery Distributor (OLD) is a non-departmental public body reporting to Parliament and created by the Horse Racing and Olympic Lottery Act 2004, s.29. It is a public record body by virtue of Schedule 5, Part 2, s.16 (Records) of the same Act. OLD is due to cease activities in April 2013. It uses money raised by the National Lottery to fund the delivery of the infrastructure for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and their legacy. OLD disburses money from the Olympic Lottery Distribution Fund (OLDF).

The purpose of OLD, as defined by s.30 of the HRBOLA 2004, is to distribute money received by way of grant or loan where it considers this necessary or expedient for the purpose or in connection with: '(a) the provision of facilities which are necessary or expedient if London is to be the host city of the 2012 Olympic games, or (b) any other service or function which it is necessary or expedient to provide or undertake if London is to be the host of the 2012 Olympic Games'.

The Act goes on to state that a grant or loan may in particular, be related to: '(a) facilities outside London; (b) cultural or other events held in accordance with a provision of the Olympic Charter or in accordance with an agreement entered into by or on behalf of the International Olympic Committee'.

The five Board members were appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport; the Chair in March 2006 and the remaining Board members in April 2006.

Section 30(6) of the Act empowers the Secretary of State, by regulation, to determine that a specified class of expenditure is or is not eligible for support by OLD. This power relates to eligibility alone - the decision to approve or refuse individual applications for grant lies with the OLD Board rather than the Secretary of State. OLD is more, therefore, than simply and administrative mechanism for moving funds from the OLD Fund to the Games. It has statutory discretion to exercise - and a duty to do so properly and regularly.

In addition to the power to determine eligibility, Schedule 5 Part 2, s.14 (1) conveys the right for the Secretary of State to issue Directions to OLD which the latter 'shall comply with'.

These directions may, in particular:

• (a) relate to the management or control of monies received;
• (b) relate to the terms and conditions of grants or loans;
• (c) require OLD to obtain Secretary of State consent before taking certain actions;
• (d) require OLD to provide information;
• (e) related to the employment of staff;
• (f) relate, with Treasury consent , to the form of accounts or accounting methodology.

OLD has used £1,835 million during its life time to fund activities that: ensured the timely and cost effective delivery of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games; directly related to the requirements incorporated in the Host City contract; contributed to the infrastructure and sports legacy of the Games; contributed to the legacy that demonstrated social inclusivity; supported the wider community and regeneration benefits; contributed to the delivery of the Games which were to be low carbon, zero waste and to conserve biodiversity and promote environmental awareness and partnerships.

The Olympic Lottery Distributor was part of a family of organisations concerned with the funding of the Games which grant funded the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), the East London Business Alliance (ELBA) and the International Convention on Science, Education and Medicine in Sport (ICSEMIS) 2012. The Olympic Lottery Distributor monitored grants to ensure that all Olympic related grant expenditure was accounted for and effectively used for these original purposes.