§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what representations she has received regarding Royal Parks in the last 12 months; [123372]
(2) what plans she has to work with The Royal Parks Foundation in the regeneration of Royal Parks; [123373]
(3) what recent discussions she has had with The Royal Parks Foundation; and if she will make a statement; [123374]
(4) if she will make a statement on the condition of Royal Parks in London; [123376]
(5) what further plans she has to maintain the condition of The Royal Parks following the recently announced funding to restore Royal Parks. [123375]
§ Mr. CabornDCMS receives many representations about various aspects of the role and work of The Royal Parks over the course of a year.
The latest assessment of The Royal Parks' priorities and plans, including plans to improve the condition of 821W infrastructure in the Parks, is contained in The Royal Parks Corporate Plan 2003–04 to 2005–06, which my right hon. Friend the then Minister for the Arts, Baroness Blackstone, approved on 12 May 2003. Copies of the Plan have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
The Royal Parks Foundation is a charity which has very recently been established to increase the profile of the Parks and raise funds for projects and initiatives within the Parks. It has three trustees and is chaired by Peter Ellwood CBE. It shares the vision and objectives of The Royal Parks but is independent of Government, and will make its own decisions about the use of any funds which it raises. The Chief Executive of The Royal Parks is working closely with the Foundation and is in regular contact with its Chairman and trustees. The Royal Parks has not so far received any funding from the Foundation. The Foundation has yet to start its fund-raising work and its programme will take time to develop.