THE ROYAL PARKSTHE | 2009-2010 ROYAL ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS Published by TSO The Parliamentary Bookshop (The Stationery Office) 12 Bridge Street & available from Parliament Square London SW1A 2JX Online ONE YEAR, www.tsoshop.co.uk Telephone orders & General enquiries Mail 020 7219 3890 EIGHT UNIQUE PARKS TSO PO Box 29 Fax orders THE ROYAL PARKS | 2009-----2010 ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS Norwich NR3 1GN 020 7219 3866 Telephone orders Email & General enquiries [email protected] 0870 600 5522 Online Order through the http://www.bookshop.parliament.uk Parliamentary TSO@Blackwell Hotline Lo-Call & other Accredited Agents 0845 702 3474 Customers can also order Fax orders publications from 0870 600 5533 TSO Ireland E-mail 6 Arthur Street [email protected] Belfast BT1 4GD Textphone Tel 028 9023 8451 0870 240 3701 Fax 028 9023 5401 The Royal Parks The Old Police House Hyde Park London W2 2UH T: +44 (0)20 7298 2000 E: [email protected] www.royalparks.org.uk Presented to the House Ordered by the House of of Commons pursuant Commons to be printed to section 7 of The on 26th July 2010. Government Resources & Accounts Act 2000. HC 246 The Royal Parks is an London: The Stationery Office Executive Agency of £14.75 The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill Hyde Park The Green Park Kensington Gardens St James’s Park Greenwich Park Richmond Park Bushy Park © Crown Copyright 2010 Photography 4 Foreword The text in this document (excluding the Royal Arms and Press Association 5 Introduction other departmental or agency logos) may be reproduced free Giles Barnard of charge in any format or medium providing it is reproduced 6 Overview Stephen Brice accurately and not used in a misleading context. The material 8 Bushy Park must be acknowledged as Crown copyright and the title of the Anne Marie Briscombe document specified. 12 The Green Park & St James’s Park Tony Duckett Where we have identified any third party copyright material 16 Greenwich Park you will need to obtain permission from the copyright Tiff Griffiths 20 Hyde Park holders concerned. Indusfoto Ltd 24 Kensington Gardens ISBN: 9780102967357 Gillian Jonusas 28 The Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill Printed in the UK for The Stationery Office Limited on behalf Andy Lane of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office 32 Richmond Park Ed Parker ID: 2374310 07/10 36 The Royal Parks Foundation Nigel Reeve Printed on paper containing 75% recycled fibre content minimum. 38 Behind the scenes Phil Russell Colin Streater 39 Accounts Mark Wasilewski THE ROYAL PARKS | ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2009-10 THE ROYAL PARKS | ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2009-10 London’s eight Royal Parks are unique. From the pageantry of St James’s, The Royal Parks agency is responsible for managing and preserving to world-class events in Hyde, and the spectacular views at Greenwich, over 5,000 acres of historic parkland across London, including valuable each park is defined by its own character and qualities. conservation areas and important habitats for wildlife. Whilst the parks share many attributes, conversely each park has The Royal Parks Management structure distinct features and challenges; the demands of Richmond Park The Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, The Green Park, The Chief Executive is responsible for the operational as a National Nature Reserve for example, are very different Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, and strategic management of The Royal Parks and is directly from those of the sports pitches in The Regent’s Park. Managing The Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill, Richmond Park, accountable to the Secretary of State and the Permanent the parks therefore requires balance; ensuring consistency in and St James’s Park. Secretary for performance against key targets and financial terms of excellence, whilst recognising individual differences. management of the agency. The agency is also responsible for a number of other spaces Over the past 12 months, the parks have enjoyed a year in London, including Brompton Cemetery, Victoria Tower Strategic governance of success and achievement, from the completion of the Gardens, the gardens of 10, 11 and 12 Downing Street, and Heritage Lottery-funded restoration project at Bushy Park, Grosvenor Square Gardens. The Board provides a strategic overview; guiding and challenging to record visitor numbers at the Diana Playground in The Royal Parks to ensure performance is maintained and The agency was established on 1 April 1993 as an Executive Kensington Gardens, and the opening of the 7 July Memorial improved. The Board comprises a Non-Executive Chair and Agency of the Department of National Heritage, renamed in Hyde Park. three additional Non-Executive Directors, together with the in July 1997 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Chief Executive and three other Executive Directors. Collectively, the parks fared favourably amongst both visitors The 1993 Framework Document sets out the powers and and staff; in our visitor satisfaction survey 96 per cent of visitors responsibilities delegated to the agency. The Non-Executive The Executive Directors Mark Camley, Chief Executive. rated their visit as excellent or good, whilst the agency came Directors of The Board are: of The Board are: third across the entire civil service in the staff engagement Governance structure The Hon Apurv Bagri, Mark Camley, Chief Executive; survey. In addition, our award-winning apprenticeship scheme Looking ahead, we will be working towards the proposed The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, Group Managing Director, entered its third year, developing participants’ skills and Colin Buttery, Director transfer of the agency to the control of the Mayor of London. is the Minister responsible for The Royal Parks, supported by Metdist Ltd (Chair of expertise to ensure visitors can enjoy world-class horticulture of Parks and Deputy Over the past 150 years the parks have been managed by the Minister for Tourism and Heritage. The Secretary of State Non-Executive Directors); Chief Executive; for years to come. a variety of bodies, but throughout this time we have determines policy objectives, financial framework and allocation of financial resources, including key targets, and also approves Ruth Anderson, Our research shows with over 37 million visitors a year, more consistently provided quality open spaces across the capital. Wendy Shales, Director of the Framework Document, and Corporate and Business Plans Non-Executive Director, people are visiting the parks than ever, and that they are staying This commitment to customer service will remain our priority Strategy and Communications for The Royal Parks. The Permanent Secretary is Accounting Ocado Group PLC; longer. We need to continue to provide parks that people both during this period of transition and whilst adapting to the (to 31 March 2010); more immediate challenge of a reduction in core funding. Officer for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Andrew Fenwick, enjoy, whilst seeking to minimise the impact of increased visitor Chris Travers, Director of has designated the Chief Executive as Accounting Officer for Group Finance Director, numbers on the park landscapes. Strategy and Communications Finally, I am grateful to the hard work and dedication of our The Royal Parks. Brunswick Group LLP; (from 4 May 2010); A number of changes were made to park regulations. The staff in contributing to our successes. However, our successes Sue Moore, speed limit was reduced from 30mph to 20mph in Bushy and would not be possible without countless others, including John Swainson, Director UK Membership Greenwich Parks; and private hire vehicles were allowed into the Royal Parks Foundation, the Heritage Lottery Fund, of Finance and Resources. Marketing Director, the parks. the Royal Parks Guild, the Friends of the Parks, and our many partners, volunteers, contractors and concessionaires. I would BUPA. The Royal Parks’ Executive Preparations have also stepped up for the London 2012 like to thank you all for your support, and very much look Funding Committee comprises: In 2009-10 The Royal Parks’ annual expenditure was Olympic and Paralympic Games and the parks have a key a role forward to continuing to work together. The Executive Directors £33 million. In 2009-10 The Royal Parks received to play in providing a number of host venues. In doing so, we of the Board plus; will continue to protect and conserve the parks for current and £19 million of funding from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and covered almost half of its cost with future generations, whilst accommodating a once-in-a-lifetime Simon Betts, Director of Estates; self-generated income. In 2009-10 earned income was event that will be enjoyed by millions of people in London, the £14 million, representing 44 per cent of cash costs, Greg McErlean, Director UK, and across the globe. Mark Camley, Chief Executive. compared to 20 per cent in 2000-01. The level of self- of Major Projects and IT. generated income has almost doubled since 2004-05. 4 5 THE ROYAL PARKS | ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2009-10 THE ROYAL PARKS | ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2009-10 Objectives Performance Targets 3. Deliver a broad cultural 3a. Improve partner and • Develop and Met array of activities, including stakeholder management. implement digital media/ Social media education, sport and engagement strategy. strategy produced. participatory offers. New Facebook site developed. Corporate objectives and performance targets New stakeholder The purpose of the agency is to: ‘manage The Royal Parks effectively and efficiently; balancing the responsibility to conserve publication Grass Roots available online. and enhance these unique environments with creative policies to encourage access and to increase opportunities for enjoyment, • Secure £750k education, entertainment and healthy recreation.’ 3b. Work more closely Exceeded with other government partnership funding. Partnership funding departments and agencies.