HC Deb 23 July 1996 vol 282 cc129-30W
Mr. Elletson

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what targets she has set for the executive agencies in her Department. [39637]

Mr. Sproat

The following targets have been set for 1996–97:

  • The Historic Royal Palaces Agency
  • Financial targets
  • Commercial surplus: £8 million
  • Call on the taxpayer: £6.7 million
  • Visitor satisfaction measures1
  • Visitors' average ratings of:
  • Value for money: 0.7 to 1.0
  • Enjoyment: above 1.4
  • Helpful and friendly staff: above 1.45
  • Efficiency target
  • Savings on running costs: 2 per cent.
  • Conservation target

To complete both the fire protection works planned for 1996–97, and the programme of works identified by the buildings condition surveys as needed in 1996–97. To undertake further detailed inspection of the specific areas identified by the surveys as possibly needing work in 1997–98. 1Visitor ratings are assessed from interviews with about 600 visitors each year, conducted by independent market research consultants. Ratings: 2.0 is extremely good. 1.5 is very good, 1.0 is quite good. 0 is OK, -1.0 is quite poor. and -2.0 is very poor.

The Royal Parks Agency

Financial

  1. (i) Increase income from £2.48 million to £2.7 million from permits, fees, licenses, events, concessions and car parking.
  2. (ii) Achieve a 6 per cent. improvement in running costs efficiency.
  3. (iii) Invite tenders for a private finance initiative scheme for Pembroke lodge in Richmond park.
  4. (iv) Establish a target by October 1996 for Royal Parks constabulary unit costs based on a reduction of the 1995–96 costs.

Fabric

  1. (i) Prepare proposals for works to remove the White lodge in Bushy park from the "at risk" register.
  2. (ii) Investigate opportunities for marketing columbarium spaces to fund further restoration works in Brompton cemetery catacombs, with a view to removing them from the "at risk" register.
  3. (iii) Evaluate competitive tenders for works maintenance services and award new contracts by the end of 1996.
  4. (iv) Achieve average visitor rating of 80 per cent. on cleanliness of the royal parks.

Visitor survey

  • Achieve an overall score of 8.3 out of 10 visitor satisfaction rating for the royal parks.
  • Assessment of soft landscaping quality
  • Achieve an overall score of 8 out of 10 for the soft landscaping presentation in the royal parks.