§ Baroness Blatchasked Her Majesty's Government:
To whom English Partnerships is accountable for management of the Dome. [HL4650]
§ The Minister of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Lord Rooker)English Partnerships is a non-departmental public body sponsored by and accountable to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. In this role the office has an agreed framework within which English Partnerships is accountable to the office for the discharge of its financial and management responsibilities, such as the management of the Dome. In addition, English Partnerships is accountable to Parliament by statute for all resources under its control.
§ Baroness Blatchasked Her Majesty's Government:
From whom English Partnerships derives authority for expenditure on security and maintenance of the Dome; and whether the expenditure is subject to any limits. [HL4651]
§ Lord RookerEnglish Partnerships (EP) owns land on the Greenwich peninsula and the Dome itself. It is therefore responsible for the maintenance and security of the Dome.
EP is required to expend the minimum level of resources needed to maintain the Dome for its intended purpose. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister approves the overall level of expenditure for maintenance and security. The Dome is used for a number of one-off events throughout the year and the income generated is used to reduce the management and maintenance costs to EP.
§ Baroness Blatchasked Her Majesty's Government:
How much income, after the deduction of related expenditure, has been generated from events held at the Dome since its closure to the public in January 2001. [HL4652]
§ Lord RookerSince its closure to the public in January 2001, a net income of £918,000, excluding VAT, has been generated from commercial events held at the Dome. The first such event was held on 31 December 2001—none was possible before then due to the decommissioning activity at the Dome.
A number of other events of public benefit have been held in the Dome. These have been agreed by English Partnerships on the basis of no income, because of their nature and the public benefits delivered, but in all cases English Partnerships’ costs have been fully covered by the event organisers. Examples include the London Respect festival, AEG's roller hockey community day, and other charity events.