HC Deb 05 May 1994 vol 242 c605W
Mrs. Angela Knight

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what targets he has set for the executive agencies in his Department.

Mr. Brooke

The following targets have been set for 1994–95:

For the Historic Royal Palaces Agency:

Financial Targets:
Commercial surplus £6 million
Call on the taxpayer £8.9 million
Efficiency Target:
Savings on running costs 2 per cent.

Conservation Target: To complete the fire prevention works planned for 1994–95 and the programme of works identified by the building condition surveys as being a priority for 1994–95; to undertake further detailed inspections of the specific areas identified by the surveys as being a priority for 1995–96.

Visitor Satisfaction Measures1:
Value for money 0.7 to 1.0
Enjoyment above 1.35
Helpful and friendly staff above 1.35
2 Visitor ratings are assessed from market research interviews with 900 visitors, undertaken by independent consultants each summer. 2.0 is Extremely Good; 1.5 is Very Good; 1.0 is Quite Good; 0 is OK; -1.0 is Quite Poor; -2.0 is Very Poor.

For the Royal Parks Agency:

Fabric:

  1. (i) Prepare contract documents for the four grounds maintenance contracts which expire in March 1995, incorporating lessons from existing contracts. Let new contracts or extend existing ones.
  2. (ii) Draw up and commence priority programme of works required to remove the six listed structures which are on the 'at risk' register.
  3. (iii) Prepare detailed proposals for and consult all relevant parties about the pedestrianisation of the end of the Mall, with a view to commencing the project (if approved) in 1994–95.
  4. (iv) Complete phase II of the Speakers Corner/Marble Arch competition (ie develop detailed designs from the six prize-winning sketch designs from phase I).

Financial:

  1. (i) Increase income from £1.3 million to £1.8 million from sales, permits, fees, rents, licences, concessions and car-parking.
  2. (ii) Achieve 1.5 per cent. improvement in running costs efficiency.

Park Users:

  1. (i) Assess initial visitor survey results and achieve an overall quality rating of six marks out of 10 in response to the survey question "Overall, how would you rate the quality of this park?"

Forward to