§ Mr. SalterTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Rivers Agency for the financial year 1998–99. [43345]
§ Marjorie MowlamThe following Key Targets have been set for the Rivers Agency for 1998–99.
- To construct or refurbish 0.59 km of urban flood defences.
- To increase the length of designated sea defences having appropriate standards of protection to 30.25%.
- To accommodate increased storm run-off from 390 hectares of development land.
- To replace/refurbish 2.0 km of dangerous culverts.
- To complete maintenance works on 265 km of urban watercourses and 1,360 km of rural watercourses.
- To construct 17 new water recreation projects throughout Northern Ireland.
- To issue substantive replies to 80% of written inquiries within 15 working days of receipt.
- To respond to 98% of Schedule 6 applications within 3 months.
- To aim to have all navigation locks operable for at least 90% of the year.
- To control programme expenditure to within 0.5% shortfall of the final control total.
- To control DRC expenditure to within 1% shortfall of the final control total.
- To achieve 3% efficiency savings in the 1998–99 financial year.
The Rivers Agency Business Plan for 1998–99 will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament at a later date.