§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the job description for a new Chief Executive of the Royal Parks emphasises the need for accountancy skills and an ability for income generation, while a proven ability to manage the care of large scale horticultural and landscape features and/or sensitive major visitor attractions is desirable but not essential; and how a performance related bonus is to be calculated. [HL3991]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe job description sets out several qualities required in the successful candidate. None is emphasised at the expense of another. Accounting skills are not required, rather a familiarity with the systems of public financial accounting. As was the case with the current chief executive's appointment, there is no absolute requirement that the successful candidate should have expertise in horticulture or experience in the management of large horticulture and landscape features and/or sensitive major visitor attractions. This would unreasonably limit the field of applicants. The basis for calculating a performance related bonus will be agreed wih the successful candidate. The current chief executive's bonus is 15 per cent of basic salary. This is made up of 7½ per cent for achieving the agency's and the chief executive's personal targets and 7½ per cent for exceeding targets or for other exceptional performance.