The Royal Parks Annual Report and Accounts 2004-05 Annual Report

The Royal Parks The Old Police House Hyde Park London W2 2UH

Telephone:+44 (0)20 7298 2000

www.royalparks.org.uk A day in the Parks A day in the Parks

RECYCLABLE CONTAINS MATERIAL 100% RECYCLED MATERIAL Annual Report and Accounts 2004-05 07:43 09:20 11:09 13:16 15:45 16:12 17:45 20.15 22:38

Bushy ParkBushy Park Green The ParkGreenwich Hyde Park Kensington Gardens Park & PrimroseThe Regent’s Hill Richmond Park Park St James’s & Brompton Cemetery 2004-05 Chief Executive’s foreword 2 Horticulture 4 Annual Report and Accounts Access and engagement 7 A day in the Parks Health and sport 11 Wildlife 15 Tourism,recreation and relaxation 19 The Royal Parks Foundation and fundraising 23 Support services 26 The Royal Parks is an Executive Agency of the Department Sustainability 29 for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). History and architecture 32 Presented to the House of Commons pursuant to section 7 of Managing The Royal Parks 36 The Government Resources & Accounts Act 2000. Ordered by Performance against key targets 37 the House of Commons to be printed on the 20 July 2005. A look ahead 42 London:The Stationery Office Ltd Accounts 43 237, £12 It is a pleasure to introduce my first start of this financial year but it would Annual Report of The Royal Parks.The be unfair not to reflect on them in this Royal Parks became an Executive Agency Annual Report since the vast majority in 1993, although the parks themselves of the work was completed last year. are somewhat older; Greenwich Park is I particularly wish to highlight the Hub at the eldest, established in 1433 and The The Regent’s Park, which was opened by Regent’s Park is the youngest, barely 196 TRH The Prince of Wales and The years old.The formal paths of Kensington Duchess of Cornwall on 27 April 2005. Gardens were laid out in 1728 and there During the year we undertook customer are some trees in Richmond Park that research on four of the eight parks: are estimated to have been there for Greenwich, Bushy, St. James’s and Green. more than 800 years.The stewardship of The overall satisfaction rating and esteem The Royal Parks is, therefore, not a varied between 93% and 95%.This gives transitory or short-term responsibility, but an indication of the affection in which a chance to conserve and enhance some users hold the parks. of the most precious spaces in London. However, over the year the Agency During last year William Weston stood became caught up with one issue:The down as Chief Executive and Bernadette Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Kenny took over as interim Chief Fountain. I am delighted that the fountain Executive. I only took up post in May of was re-opened to the public at the end this year, so the successes reported here of my first week as Chief Executive, since are their successes. I would like to thank when over 200,000 members of the them for the contribution that they have public have visited it. I hope that the both made to the organisation. previous difficulties with this project are More than any other Executive Agency, now behind us and that many more The Royal Parks will be judged on how it visitors will have the opportunity to looks and feels.The quality of the come to Hyde Park and enjoy a personal horticulture and the safety of park users remembrance of the Princess. is, therefore, of paramount importance, I also hope that the Agency can now as is ensuring that we protect the move forward and continue to build on bio-diversity of the parks and provide a the excellence and diversity of its parks. sustainable future for them.This means My aim is that The Royal Parks excite and protecting our wild areas, investing in our delight visitors so much that they cannot infrastructure and managing events to

wait to return. foreword Chief Executive’s minimise their impact on the landscape, ecology and visitors. This report sets out some of the progress that has been made in these areas over the last year. It also highlights the significant work that has been undertaken in terms of conservation, education and sport. A number of large Mark Camley projects were not completed until the Chief Executive,The Royal Parks

The quality of horticulture, the safety of park users, protecting biodiversity and investing in our infrastructure is of vital importance to The Royal Parks.

The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 3 07:43 In GREENWICH PARK work continues to restore the original landscape designs of the 1660’s, with around 400 trees planted since 1999

Horticulture for another 15 to 20 years. projectimportant is likely to continue means work on this arise.That – such as rebuilding ageing structures – can often only be made as opportunities so progress across the original designs, developments often cut pavilion.These buildings such as the 1950’s sports including road layouts and new course, of Much has changed since the 1660’s, Lime and Oak. Sweet Chestnut, including Horse Chestnut, planted, 400 trees have been the Park.Already radiate from the Blackheath entrance to three concentric circles of trees that the are also restoring ‘The Rounds’, been progressing steadily since 1999.We has repairing many avenues of trees, which means recreating or gardens, The project to restore these beautiful gardens at the Palace of Versailles. who most famously designed the gardener to Louis XIV, André le Nôtre, were inspired by the designs of 1660’s, laid out in the The original gardens, dating back to the 15th Century. Parks, Greenwich is the oldest of The Royal gardens in Greenwich recreating Baroque Case study: rattle ( rattle are also sowing invertebrates.We Yellow- needed by over-winteringgrasses of the long consistently good proportion cut on a two-year cycle to ensure a we will fall, As the nutrients annual mow. this by removing all the cuttings after soil need to drop and we will be helping levels in the nutrient For this to happen, nectar-bearing plants. of a wide diversity will come to support manage as meadow and which we hope which we will hectares of long grass, have with over been surrounded 11 new pitches parkland.The surrounding of the and biodiversity the horticulture pitches has allowed us to enhance sports The redevelopment of the Regent’s Park Reviving Regent’s Park standards of care. trees continue to get the highest Parks’ to ensure the management contracts reviewed all our tree maintenance and Officer.Weour first Arboricultural also management in 2004/5 and appointed We continued to develop our tree Stacey who retired in 2004. replace Doug to Landscape Assessor, also appointed a new external team.We in-house to services The Royal Parks’ specialist skills and this year to bring a Landscape Officer recruited Parks.We delights of the protect the many natural enhance and hard to maintain, work year we treasures and every horticultural The Royal offer a host of Parks International prestige room for other wildflowers. creating more in check, keep the grass plant will help semi-parasitic grass.This of wildflowers. meadow with plenty be managed as of long grass that will 11 hectares (27 acres) surrounded with over Park have been pitches in The Regent’s The new sports Rhinanthus minor ) among the long The Royal Parks Flower ( including Cuckoo we are planting 10,000, And there will be plenty of wildflowers: Oak and Birch will grow much more quickly. Red to mature but the 200 years Ash, will take around numerous species.These species and English Oaks are the most of the trees are native The majority Lime ( Lime ( Leaved Lime ( robur Oak ( Meadow Cranesbill ( Meadow Cranesbill pendula hippocastanum Chestnut ( trees are Horse newly planted throughout the Park.The than scattered rather area, one central allowed the new pitches to be laid out in trees Moving certain the meadows. planted or relocated around the edges of A total of 216 trees have also been lanceolata acris Common Meadow Buttercup ( including the of wildflowers, crop’ planted will also be sown with a ‘nurse are The turf into which the flowers focus can spread. from which the flowers the different conditions and will provide a combinations to suit planted in differing will be edges of the pitches.They eastern and in 12 swathes around the southern ) and Ribwort Plantain ( ) and Ribwort ,Red Oak ( ), Quercus ilex Tilia tomentosa ‘Chelsea Sentinel’ Tilia euchlora ,Ash ( ), Cardamine pratensis ). Tilia cordata ,Silver Birch ( ), Fraxinus excelsior Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 Annual Report Quercus rubra ,English Oak ( ), ) and Weeping Silver Geranium pratense ,Caucasian ), Aesculus ) and Plantago Betula ,Small ), ,Holm ), Ranunculus Quercus ). ) 5 Landscape and trees in Bushy Park The number of dead trees in the Park is New trees in Kensington Gardens Much of the work at Bushy this year has testament to recent extremes of climate, We planted 65 trees in Kensington in the focused on the Restoration Project, which with surface-rooting species like Beech winter, including many specimen trees, is progressing well.We have continued and Birch particularly badly hit.We have some replacement avenue trees and Bushy’s standards of maintenance this also been visited by the Horse Chestnut three Elm trees grown especially by The year, as well as delivering on the targets Leaf Miner.This pest proved a widespread Royal Parks for their disease resistance.To set by ISO 14001, an international problem across south and west London minimise vandalism, all the new trees are standard for environmental management. during the summer, despite having been protected with high tree stakes. discovered in Britain only two years before. A comprehensive inspection of the trees at Bushy Park and the Longford River However, over 200 trees, around 40 of The Green Park meadows identified a need for some health and them sponsored, were planted in the Some areas of grass were left uncut as safety work this year.We are still wider Park.The focus was on thorn trees, meadows in The Green Park, to encourage completing the work, which covers all which are particularly valuable for and enhance biodiversity.The response areas of the Park and river. biodiversity.The Royal Parks is also has been very positive and we intend to helping to protect the Black Poplar, one Our Head Gardener has brought new life do the same this year. of Britain’s rarest trees. Cuttings taken this to the Woodland Gardens, aided by a year from all the native Black Poplars in team of ten local gardening volunteers. Richmond Park will be grown in the St James’s Park reedbed We have devised a 15-year management nursery at Isabella Plantation. Early in 2005 we secured £24,000 of plan, which will continue to develop in important funding from Reed Elsevier to the coming months and years. The Plantation has also been the scene of create a new reedbed in St James’s Park. substantial replanting, using shrubs The bid was made possible by our propagated and grown in our nursery Many developments at Richmond membership of the LBP Reedbed Habitat and we have built an extension to the The 30-year programme of tree works Action Plan and was a study in teamwork. Bog Garden.The Plantation was visited by continues at Richmond and the The first-round bid by our Community the All Party Lords and Commons innovative surgery and pruning methods Ecologist, was taken forward by The Royal Committee for Horticulture. are an important exemplar for other Parks, supported by the Park’s Management ancient tree management schemes.We Thanks to an annual grant of around Team and Land Use Consultants. run a number of courses and training £20,000 agreed this year with the visits each year. Forestry Commission, we will be able to improve the condition, diversity of and This year, the management of Richmond’s public access to, Sidmouth Wood. 1,200 veteran trees focused on specific Meanwhile, a grant from English Nature works resulting from a survey of the helped us rebuild the car park at Pen safety issues around the trees. Our other Ponds, returning the adjacent area to acid tree management work has also grassland.The scraped area was rapidly concentrated on safety issues this year. colonised with vegetation and other areas were sown with green hay collected from the Park, to avoid bringing in alien grass seed.We planted new trees and introduced petrol interceptors for all water run-off from the site. In the Dell Garden at Pembroke Lodge, we began the first phase of clearance and path construction and the plans for planting the new garden have been approved. Also at Pembroke Lodge, the tall bearded irises at Poets Corner have flowered for the first time. We also continued our programme of constructing new enclosures to encourage gorse and hawthorn this year and have replanted the Roehampton Gate Garden. our work on access means visitors

Summer or winter you’ll always find something to enjoy in The Royal Parks. BUSHY PARK

6 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05

splendours of a morning in the Park In the with a range to enjoy of abilities will be able 09:20 8 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05

Case study: Disability Planning for Including everyone As St James’s Park continues its programme The day and the follow-up workshop, Issues and initiatives at Events at Richmond Park Real Day in Bushy Park One of our fundamental responsibilities is of free guided walks, we have been was attended by 40 people, including Richmond Park This year we held a stakeholder function Regardless of their abilities, everyone to ensure that as many people as possible training volunteers, as well as the Parks’ staff, designers, specialist experts and After analysing the results of traffic surveys at Holly Lodge for local businesses and who visits The Royal Parks does so for can enjoy The Royal Parks.To that end, Friends and other groups in the skills of people with disabilities.We looked at the and following the trial closure of Robin charities and continued the regular similar reasons: to experience and enjoy we have completed access audits for guided walking and in developing new accessibility issues revealed in Bushy’s Hood Gate, it was recommended to working parties organised by the British the many delights of nature. Making the every Park, to ensure we meet or exceed walks of their own. accessibility audit, Audience Development Ministers that the gate be closed Trust for Conservation Volunteers. Parks as accessible as possible means the requirements of the Disability The full community involvement Plan and Stakeholder Interest Group permanently. (The decision was announced balancing the value of access with its Discrimination Act. In the past year we The Petersham Trust Run helped raise programme at Greenwich Park included consultations and considered how they in May 2005.) impact on the environment. If that introduced tactile paving to pedestrian funds for the National Trust’s protection sessions on flower arranging, veteran could be applied to the real-life impact is too great, it undermines the crossings in the central Parks and There have been many initiatives for of Petersham Meadows and children’s trees’ guided walks and making a hanging management of the Park and accessibility very reason for visiting a Park in the re-modelled the Greenwich Park office to engaging the public this year, not least a events were held for the first time at basket.We aim to build on these successes around the ‘ponds circuit’. first place. improve access for all visitors.We also self-guided walk produced by our Petersham Playground, to encourage in the next financial year, with the work hard to engage as many people as Community Ecologist.This popular leaflet people to use public transport to visit the The Disability Action Day, on 27 production of a Living History Programme possible and organise a huge range of aims to increase visitors’ enjoyment and Park. Junior Citizen, a two-week public September 2004, addressed these issues suitable for Key Stage 2 students. Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens events and activities to involve the public understanding of the varied and special safety event led by the Borough, attracted directly, by bringing together people On 24 July 2004, 10,000 children and in the life of the Parks. As well as working successfully with the wildlife in the Spanker’s Hill and Pen some 1,000 children. with a range of abilities to discuss parents came to Kensington Gardens to Learning Forum World Heritage Site Ponds area of Richmond Park National access at the Parks. enjoy the Peter Pan Treasure Hunt and Bike Across Cultures, one of many group, the Education team has been Nature Reserve.The leaflet is distributed picnic, hosted by The Royal Parks and community events, aimed particularly to We gave our attendees – around 40 in The Learning Journey: engaged on some nationwide schemes in the car park, which also has new Great Ormond Street Hospital. It was a encourage groups who do not traditionally total – a tour of key areas of Bushy Our Education and Community exploring future sustainability initiatives. interpretive signage highlighting the value great success: a beautiful, hot summer’s use parks and open spaces. And our Shire Park, to identify and discuss any specific Engagement Strategy of acid grassland. At Isabella Plantation, At Bushy Park, the Parks’ first full day, with a funfair and Peter Pan themed Horse team has travelled to shows at issues of access.After talking through This year, our education and community the popularity of the gardener-led public Audience Development plan is now locations scattered through the gardens. Portsmouth and the Weald and Downland our findings, we created groups of engagement programmes have continued walks continues. complete – the first of many.The Museum, as well as appearing at mixed abilities, enabling people to to expand, attracting 22,934 people, while Restoration Project consultation involved Hampton Carnival, Barnes Fair and discuss how different forms of access the Wildlife for All programme attracted a wide variety of local people in deciding Wimbledon Common Open Day. affected them.Yellow gravel might, for another 10,089 to its drop-in projects which facilities and educational example, be useful for visually impaired across the Parks.This project will be opportunities should be available. visitors but could prove difficult for closing in the next financial year, but we wheelchair users. have submitted a new application to the This year, an extensive volunteer training Heritage Lottery Fund for a scheme programme has united all the Parks in Our discussions generated a series of called Wild in the Park. If our application is sessions covering specialist subjects such suggestions and actions from the day successful, this will allow us to share the as birds, butterflies and moths. Our will be implemented as part of the best practice developed by Wildlife for All volunteers have given 3,456 hours of their restoration project.We also received with other partners, as well as developing time to our education and community extremely positive feedback from those a Community Garden and extending our engagement programmes and we are very involved and have strengthened our Children and parents training opportunities. grateful for their dedication and support. links with the organisations represented came to Kensington In the coming year, we will be producing Gardens to enjoy the at the event. Our schools programmes have a new volunteer’s manual, clarifying job Peter Pan Treasure Hunt developed many new, curriculum-based descriptions and developing a volunteers’ and picnic, hosted by The opportunities for children, including forum to help support our progress. Royal Parks and Great orienteering and recycling sessions. New Ormond Street Hospital. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes have been More engagement at Bushy Park developed for Brompton Cemetery, Hyde There have been a number of successful Park and Bushy Park, these will help events at Bushy Park this year, including teachers understand how to best use the Junior Ranger and Junior Citizen events Parks by sharing ideas and new methods that attracted over 1,000 children.The of learning. Chestnut Sunday parade and jazz in the woodlands both proved successful and our Disability Awareness Day produced excellent feedback from everyone who came along. Access and engagement and Access low crime rate. despite this we maintain a very most visited areas of London; The Royal Parks are one of the 10 The Royal Parks One of our fundamental responsibilities is to

ensure that as many & Accounts 04-05 Annual Report people as possible can enjoy The Royal Parks pcfc‘ak CO role. PCSO’ specific ‘Parks PCSO role has evolved into a more and the general introduced to the Parks (PCSOs) have Officers been Support 46 Police Community year of operation, the OCU’s In first aspect of the service. the MPS is committed to developing this that provided elsewhere in London and of policing from requires a different form Dealing with people relaxing in the Parks within the Metropolitan Police District. gardens and other open spaces Royal Parks, established to provide policing across The Command Unit (OCU) was Operational Royal Parks At the same time,The 2006. due to be completed in early which is ahead of a full legislative merger (MPS), the Metropolitan Police Service (RPC) and the Royal Constabulary Parks was introduced between arrangement a co-policing From 1 2004, April low.2004/5 is remarkably offences in total of just 780 criminal the areas of the capital, heavily visited, For such vast and low crime. of very The Royal have Parks always been areas Policing the Parks out of place with its style and character. which were had been placed in the Park, to remove concrete blocks several that of this project has been the opportunity One benefit landscape of St James’s Park. with the impact on needs of security involvedorganisations to balance the with the architects and security closely are working posts and chains.We replace the ornamental Whitehall.These close to Guards Parade, edge of Horse bollards at the to place 129 retractable including a Whitehall-led project capital, measures to the brought tighter security has threat from terrorism The current St James’s Park Heightened security at plcto,fr£.mlin to the HLF. for £4.5million, application, confidently submitted our second stage we And at the end of 2005, April Council. for the project from Richmond clearance we secured planning year, section).This see page 30 in the Sustainability details, (for more the Park dedicated to restoring of talented people project with a range By 2004 we had also staffedApril the smaller studies. visitor centre and other, ecology survey, strategy, and interpretation a signage policy and plan, transport plans, access development studies, design fees, – including way for the full restoration to pave the necessary development work also funded the This initial grant other groups. and of Bushy & Home Parks Friends – including the organisations partner engagement with local communities and beginning a comprehensive process of £410,000 in June of that year,Parks Fund (HLF) awarded Lottery The Royal Heritage of the Park.The restoration we hope will ultimately be a £7.23 million stage of funding in what secured the first we In 2003, need of repair. in urgent Park have left Bushy however, Recent years, Eisenhower planned the D-Day Landings. Cardinal Wolsey’s to where hunting park – from its beginnings as heritage a rich but its 450 hectares have The Royal Parks, mayBushy be the least well-known Park of Including everyone disturbance and the fear of crime. remain free from that the Parks ensuring in the coming 12 months, still further and this level of coverage will increase high visibility patrols by 140% this year for exceeded targets Royal Parks.We the visible police presence within The been noticeably successful in increasing the OCU has year of operation, In its first

11:09 In THE REGENT’S PARK, our superb new sports pitches play host to a whole variety of sportsmen and women, keeping them active from dawn to dusk 12 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 The Parks are used for a wide range of organised sports, including softball, football, cricket, rugby, tennis and hockey.

Case study: Sports pitches By October 2004, the main pitch areas renovation in The Regent’s Park were complete, with over 40 hectares Personal enrichment The Park’s new pricing structure is aimed Scrum in the Park The listed landscape of Regent’s Park of parkland re-opened and another ten With health and sport high on the at providing these facilities to the widest Events encouraging young people’s was – and still is – home to central due to re-open in 2005/6. 47 new Government’s agenda, the restoration of possible range of people, with discounts involvement in sport are one of the London’s biggest open-air sports area, pitches now cater for football, cricket, Regent’s Park’s sports pitches and pavilion for groups such as those with disabilities priorities set out in The Royal Parks’ first with forty different pitches enjoyed by softball, rugby, tennis and hockey. Each was a timely project. Sport offers more or special needs, minority ethnic groups, Events Strategy, published in early 2004. over 150,000 people every year. But by has a new irrigation system and tough than fitness and recreation. It develops state schools, those over 50, those on In October, Regent’s Park hosted just such 2001, the existing pitches and pavilion new grass seed mixes, the soil has been life-long learning skills, allows people to low incomes, those in full-time education an event: O2’s Scrum In The Park, were severely in need of restoration. improved with sand.We also have installed achieve qualifications and improves their and local residents. which was focused around the Rugby So began a £2.2 million project to restore a comprehensive drainage network. employability, enhances confidence and World Cup.The sponsors were delighted the pitches to modern standards. self-esteem and reduces social exclusion. with the attendance and extensive The new pitches, complemented by our All of which makes sport critical to the The Hub media coverage, which featured the The pitches at Regent’s Park were built stunning new changing facility – The wider health of the nation. ‘The Hub’, will accommodate up to 290 newly renovated sports pitches on on shallow soil, on top of ten feet of Multi-Sport and Community Hub – people and has 20 flexible and fully Cumberland Green. rubble bulldozed into the Park after the mean Regent’s Park can make a major equipped changing rooms.These also Blitz of 1941. Coupled with heavy use by contribution to the sporting life of the A plan for sport include facilities for referees and those local schools, community groups and capital. It will also help local schools and The 2001 plan commissioned by The with disabilities. London 2012 even professional football clubs, the clubs meet the DCMS target of at least Royal Parks looked at every aspect of The Royal Parks worked throughout the resulting drainage problems made them two hours’ quality PE a week for 75% of Set mainly within a grassed mound,The sports in The Regent’s Park, as well as year with London’s successful Olympic unstable and difficult to maintain. children by 2006. Hub is topped by a rotunda café, whose future needs and objectives and provided bid team.The Royal Parks will host up to viewing terrace gives stunning 360º The 1960’s pavilion was also well past its The £5.5 million restoration of the a summary of proposals to meet our six sports in 2012.The proposed venues panoramic views of the Park and its new best and the maze of paths that criss- Regent’s Park sports facilities was made newly-defined Sports Specific Objectives. include the Horse Guards Parade, which pitches.The innovative building’s many crossed the northern parkland needed possible thanks to the generous support is planned for the Olympic beach The plan offered a new vision for the energy-saving features include extra to be rationalised so that we could of Sport England and The Big Lottery volleyball competition – an idea that future, a new layout for the northern insulation and low-energy services, as well make the best possible use of the space. Fund,The Football Foundation, the captured news headlines and the public parkland and related landscape, as well as materials that minimise the building’s London Marathon Charitable Trust and imagination, at the time of the as superb new changing facilities environmental impact. the Weston Family. International Olympic Committee’s visit. designed by David Morley Architects. ‘The Hub’, as it is now known, aims to As well as hosting the London Marathon meet new projections of demand, in its 25th year, Greenwich Park also

modern-day regulations and the needs hosted a delegation from the of an increasingly diverse community. International Olympic Committee.The

result was some very positive feedback about the Park’s presentation and suitability for Olympic equestrian events

when London hosts the 2012 games. Health and sport and Health horse riding and cycling. running, walking, Parks; activities in The Royal diverse range of informal People also enjoy a 14 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 Annual Report

and Green Park. St James’s Park landscapes of Hyde Park, events will begin among the sporting one of the world’s premier successful, If the bid is of the 2007 Tour de France. of London’s bid to host the opening stage by the Mayor to City Hall for the launch Guests from The Royal were invited Parks at St James’sOther sport a host of others. the Police and Westminster City Council, the BBC, the GLA, The Royal Parks, betweenprofessional collaboration was a testament to the highly The Mall, stage everprobably built on the largest held on spectacular free concert, huge success of this the Osbournes.The Young Ronnie Wood,Will and Stewart, Rod James Brown, among others, featuring, hugely successful concert the Athens Torch came after a Relay, the culmination of This spectacular event, just as the Red roared overhead.Arrows the Olympic Flame leapt high into the sky RoyalPrincess then lit the cauldron and HRH it down he carried The The Mall. was watched by around 70,000 people as since 1948 and Sir Steve RedgraveBritain year the flame had visited was the first 2004 Olympic Flame in St James’s Park. of the was highlighted by the arrival Our role as iconic venues for the Games With health and sport high on the Government’s agenda, the restoration of Regent’s Park sports facilities and pitches was a timely project the new long-term management contract. the new long-term hard to prepare for also been working we have London Borough of Wandsworth, from the A3 had been resolved with the that the planning issues around access confirmation until October 2006.With Richmond Park’s golf courses operate to manage and contract new short-term This year we awarded Glendale Golf a Golf at Richmond

13:16 In RICHMOND PARK, a young explorer discovers some new forms of life as part of The Royal Parks’ popular pond-dipping programme High standards at Bushy Park The survey results have already proved We maintained our high standards of vital in ensuring that the Restoration wildlife management and conservation Project maintains the nationally important and our staff have continued to work biodiversity at Bushy, as well as informing with other stakeholders on biological the more general management of the Park. recording. New aquatic plants have Although the lack of a Geographical started to improve the water quality in Information System (GIS) and up-to-date our lakes and ponds. electronic mapping means we haven’t Before it was cleaned and surveyed, our been able to make as much use of the Community Ecologist investigated the survey information as we would wish, it structure of the Arethusa (or Diana) has provided an important exemplar for Fountain for any interesting fauna. future surveys in The Royal Parks. We work to hard We environments protect insects, that let invertebrates, birds flourishand mammals Unfortunately, the potential was unfulfilled: Significant investment is needed to only a couple of relatively common develop an integrated biological Case study: education in Personal freedom spiders were found (Amaurobius similis). recording, GIS and land management Richmond Park The Royal Parks are guardians of a rich system for the Parks. Wildlife Education is a key activity for The Royal diversity of wildlife in the heart of the Parks, bringing environmental knowledge capital.We work hard to provide Bushy Park Ecological Survey and experience of the outdoors to environments that encourage insects, We continue to conduct a range of Other wildlife surveys thousands of children every year. One invertebrates, birds and mammals to wildlife surveys across The Royal Parks. Other notable surveys this year include excellent example of our work in flourish, as well as making wildlife as This year, as part of its enormous bird monitoring by volunteers at education is the programme of twice- accessible as possible for the public. Restoration Project, Bushy became the Richmond, Bushy, Hyde and Greenwich weekly pond-dipping expeditions for A particular highlight this year was the only Royal Park to undergo a full Parks and Kensington Gardens.The teams primary school children at Richmond international ‘Great Parks Great Cities’ Ecological Survey.This major study carry out one or more walks a month Park, Bushy Park and Hyde Park. conference, held in July 2004. As part of covered both land and water, taking in and report their results to our Pond-dipping is a rare opportunity for The Royal Parks’ contribution to a one- invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, water Community Ecologist or, in Hyde Park, to children to discover a new and fascinating day workshop of field visits, we hosted a voles and bats. It has shown Bushy to be one of our lead volunteers. a nationally important conservation area. environment. Our teams have the very successful visit to Regent’s Park that Volunteers from the Richmond Park Bird experience, expertise and equipment to was much appreciated by the large The survey provided a detailed audit Recording Group have continued our make it a safe, enriching and exciting international delegation. of habitats at Bushy, notably the acid skylark survey and proved that, against a opportunity – enjoyed by over 4,500 grassland and evidence that the Park background of long-term decline at children in 2004/5. is of national importance for decaying Richmond, the Skylark Protection Zone is Balancing sport and wildlife at Over 140 species of trees can be Starting in the classroom, the children wood invertebrates, several of which benefiting the ground nesting birds on Regent’s Park found throughout The Royal Parks learn all about the various ‘minibeasts’ are extremely rare.We were concerned Lawn Field. The renovation of Regent’s Park’s sports providing homes for hundreds of they may discover, using images and to discover an apparent decline in the facilities proved an excellent opportunity insects, birds and animals. diagrams to help visualise and identify water vole population, a trend that to also enhance the Park in terms of its often very small creatures. can only be reversed with proactive wildlife. As well as planned improvements, habitat management. one unexpected benefit was that many birds who would otherwise have been Life through the seasons disturbed thrived in the fenced off area Out at the pond, the children hunt for of the Park, hunting and foraging in minibeasts with their nets, which are relative peace. turned out into trays.Again, images and diagrams help them identify their finds. Rather than the usual dozen feeding Mistle Thrushes, for example, we saw 50 The environment of the ponds changes or 60. Instead of the single Kestrel, we during the year, so there’s always saw a pair hunting for insects with four something new to see.Tadpoles become young. Up to thirty Pied Wagtails, usually frogs, fishfry grow into sticklebacks and only seen in ones and twos, were making the clearer winter water mists with the the most of the turned earth and long build-up of copapods and daphnia. grass and every day from mid-August we Pond-dipping, like the Nature Trail the saw around seven of the usually rare children also enjoy, is a tremendously White Wagtails.Whinchats were even popular activity and we get a steady more abundant, sometimes staying for stream of wonderful letters and pictures days where they usually might stop for from the children. It’s the best possible just a few hours. proof of the lasting impact this These are temporary benefits, however, experience makes on young minds. albeit interesting ones. Longer-term, we are carefully managing the largely native trees, the long grasses and the nectar- bearing wildflowers to enhance the biodiversity of Regent’s Park for generations to come.

The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 17 The Zone was established after a baseline Grassland management Our volunteer graduate carried out survey of breeding birds in 2001 Areas of longer grass are important to the another important survey in the winter, determined the numbers of skylarks, reed survival of butterflies, grasshoppers, spiders studying the lying decaying wood in buntings, meadow pipits, wrens and and other invertebrates.We have been Richmond’s open woodlands. Good levels stonechats. Since then, we have asked implementing improvements to grassland of decaying wood were found in 14 visitors to stay on the paths and keep management schemes in all the Parks. areas, but there were relatively low levels dogs on short leads during the breeding in ten others.This gave an overall average The significant management changes we season (March to July). Even with only of 34m2 per hectare, which compares made last year to encourage wildlife are partial public co-operation, skylark well with national benchmarks and the still developing, but there are clear territories have risen from three to seven, details of varying levels will be invaluable improvements, notably with the more reed buntings from four to five and wrens in planning the future management of relaxed mowing regime in an area from three to five. In a similar area, decaying wood. surrounding Hyde Park’s meadow and without any protection, bird numbers the Bird Sanctuary. In Greenwich Park, a As well as continuing our increased dropped slightly and we lost the large area of Croom’s Hill is being programme of wildlife walks (see case remaining skylark territory. reverted to acid grassland and has study below), the team at Richmond Since 2003, volunteers in Richmond Park developed a high density of key acid started a programme of ditch creation have carried out 26 standard walks grassland plants such as sheep’s sorrel, and pond clearance this year, as a result during April and September to survey the early hair grass, red fescue and others. of our ongoing dialogue with the butterflies, reporting their findings to the Regent’s Park’s areas of conservation Richmond Park Wildlife Group.We also Surrey and SW London Branch of grassland are still being developed, with de-silted Spankers Hill Pond. Butterfly Conservation group.These wildflowers planted around the margins A substantial grant from English Nature results form part of local and national of the new sports pitches. allowed us to prepare a suite of boards statistics and have established Richmond to tell the public about the importance of as an important site for many species, the National Nature Reserve.These are including Small and Essex Skippers, Small Stag Beetle Project due to be installed in the summer of 2005. Heath and Purple Hairstreak. 2005 sees The Stag Beetle Project has proved the the beginning of similar butterfly surveys importance of Richmond Park for this at Bushy Park, doubling the amount of species, with over 300 records of live Ducks at St James’s and skilled volunteer hours. sightings, trappings and beetle remains. Regent’s Parks The Royal Parks’ Community Ecologist Volunteer surveys of ‘aculeates’ – bees, The numbers of ducks in these two Parks and other staff worked with a team of wasps and ants – at Richmond and Bushy has fallen in recent years, as old age and local volunteers, who gave over £32,000- Parks have confirmed the importance of nature take their toll. Many dozens of our worth of volunteer hours on the project. both Parks to these species. By the end rare waterfowl, such as the extremely of 2004, 172 species had been recorded rare Hawaiian Goose and the Marbled at Richmond and 170 at Bushy.These totals Other news from Richmond Teal, are in danger of disappearing from include nine rare and threatened species. This year, working with English Nature, the Parks altogether. The Royal Parks secured 50% funding The results of the 2003/4 Regent’s Park So in February 2005,The Royal Parks (around £2,500) for a survey of Moth Survey were received in February Foundation launched a Valentine’s Day Richmond’s regionally important acid 2005, detailing 2,126 adults from 231 scheme inviting people to ‘pair up’ grasslands.The first accurate audit of this species. 98 of the ‘macromoth’ species unattached ducks with partners for as resource, this survey allowed us to were new to the Park and three species little as £25.We hope to be able to bring evaluate the habitat in detail, providing were new to the Middlesex list. Four in 130 ducks, pintails, widgeons, pochards vital information for the revised were of Nationally Notable status and and geese through the scheme, most of management plan. eight of the micromoths were rare for which will become much-loved partners HYDE PARK Middlesex. for the currently unattached ducks. The wildlife surveys prove The Royal This innovative ‘Adopt a Duck’ scheme at Parks’ importance to London’s St James’s Park has also raised over biodiversity and provide a measure for £6,000, allowing the team to buy a our management of habitats such as quarter of the waterfowl they need to reedbeds and grasslands. maintain the desired populations.

The improvements of the sports facilities in The Regent’s Park have also benefited wildlife with a

pair of Kestrels becoming

regular visitors.

Since it re-opened, the the Diana Memorial in withstand the rigours of that popularity

18 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 as ever. as popular has proved to better able much now It’s 15:45 We have enjoyed have We another successful events with year ranging from theatre and children’s guided walks to the Red Hot Chilli concertPeppers and Proms in the Park Tourism, recreation and relaxation

Case Study: Diana Princess After some improvements, we These works required another closure Refreshing St James’s Park A glittering year of events Summer events of Wales Memorial re-opened the Memorial on 20 August, of the Memorial, so we chose the The opening of the Inn The Park In June, 255,000 people turned out over We hosted another successful programme Although it proved enormously popular with a new management strategy, more quietest time of the year.We began the café/restaurant in April 2004 was a major three nights to see the Red Hot Chilli of Summer Events between June and with visitors, the Memorial in Hyde Park specifically tailored to the role of a work on 10 January 2005 and it was event for St James’s Park and has proved Peppers play Hyde Park.This was the first September 2004.The wide-ranging has had a troubled year.The magnificent Memorial.Although we encouraged completed in early May.The Memorial a great success. (For more details, see the time any band had played more than a activities, many of which were free of opening by Her Majesty the Queen on visitors to interact with the water, safety has continued to prove popular and, this case study in the ‘History and architecture’ one-off concert in the Park.With ticket charge, included children’s entertainment, 6 July 2004, attended by HRH The issues meant we couldn’t allow them to time, it has the improvements it needs section.) As well as bringing a superb sales exceeding £9m, it was also guided walks and musical performances. Prince of Wales with Princes William actually travel through it.This strategy to withstand the demands of that dining destination to the Park, the reportedly the highest grossing series of This year also saw two ‘firsts’ for the and Harry, brought great acclaim – and proved very successful and the new remarkable popularity. development has given us the opportunity dates ever held in one venue. Net programme. Generous sponsorship of vast numbers of visitors. Up to 5,000 pattern of use was soon established. to improve the landscape around the income earned by The Royal Parks and £40,000 from Tetley Special Teas, as well people an hour came to visit, with many water’s edge. Royal Parks Foundation from the Hyde as an enhanced promotional campaign, The closure also allowed us to plan people playing in the water. Listening to people Park summer concerts also reached enabled us to provide event details some longer-term improvements, We have replanted two shrubberies on Tourism is critical to the success of The record levels, at £1.25m (of a total through regular on-line updates as well This caused immediate and very difficult designed to respond to the huge what we believe to be the site of Royal Parks, generating much-needed £1.69m across all the Parks). as in the printed literature. management problems. Ultimately, the numbers visiting the fountain.These original plantings by John Nash and income and extending our reputation to Memorial was forced to close for three included installing new, harder-wearing extended the subtle floodlighting into In Regent’s Park, smoothie company all corners of the globe.This year, we weeks from 22 July. turf, a new path to reduce wear on the the trees immediately in front of Inn The Innocent Drinks joined forces with event Catering for our visitors entered three Parks – Greenwich Park, grass and increase disabled access and Park, creating wonderful views for production company DMW and The Income from our catering concessions Regent’s and Bushy – for the Green Flag enhanced drainage for the grassed areas. late-night diners.These developments, Royal Parks to stage ‘Fruitstock’. Summing increased by a remarkable 30% in 2004/5, Awards, the national standard for parks We also introduced a second and the innovative grass roof of the café, up all that is good about summer in the despite a poor spring and summer.We and green spaces across England and leaf-catcher into the circulation system. make Inn The Park as attractive to lovers city, Fruitstock was justly awarded ‘Best also successfully tendered for the food Wales. This large chamber has screens to keep of beautiful landscape as those of Live Event’ – the top award in Event and drink service in a number of Parks: leaves and other debris out of the In July 2005, the national commemorations beautiful food. Marketing magazine’s annual awards poll. Regent’s Park (refurbishing the Garden water, helping to reduce maintenance marking the end of World War II will It brilliantly combined a communication Café and all catering points); Kensington On the more casual catering side, we costs by lowering the amount of debris prove a major tourist attraction for of Innocent’s brand values with free (refurbishing the Broadwalk Café and all have awarded a ten-year contract to EC in the pumps. St James’s Park.We have worked with urban entertainment, as well as raising catering points); outdoor catering for the Soft Ice, to provide refreshment kiosks at the Ministry of Defence on plans for the profile of Regent’s Park. central Parks; new units and an upgraded St James’s and Green Parks.The company these events. service for St James’s, Green and Hyde already held the contract in Hyde Park In August 2004, the Serpentine Gallery Parks; and a new mobile catering service and has useful experience of catering at staged an outdoor screening of for Bushy and Richmond Parks. events like the RHS flower shows at Nic Roeg’s disturbing British chiller, Chelsea and Tatton Park.The sleek new ‘Don’t Look Now’, by the Long Water. Inn The Park, our new flagship unit, Millions of people wooden kiosks will bring more varied, The event, attended by 3,000 paying generated 20% of our total catering visit the Parks for higher quality refreshment to the Parks. customers, made stunning use of the income for the year, as well as an enjoyment, They also suit the environment well and watery location and the falling night to enormous amount of positive feedback exhilaration and we are continuing to improve the complement the themes and mood of and publicity, both nationally and relaxation. landscape around them. this classic film. internationally.

20 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 and fishing. a book to watching the wildlife to enjoy in the Parks from reading There is something for everyone 22 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 Annual Report permission. subject to planning winter of 2005, is due to take place in the Construction designed by Sir Michael Hopkins. new building, with a dramatic Hyde Park company to replace the Boathouse in the requiring Bluebird Boats this year, was awarded 15-year to contract A new, Boating at Hyde Park fashion shoots. film companies and those involved in continued to develop relationships with has also The team at Richmond Park Memorial. Albert as did the Dunst and Paul Bettany, Kirsten starring the romantic drama Wimbledon, Fountains also appeared in Fountains.The basin of the Italian up in the central winding Gallery, outside the Serpentine and Colin Firth between Hugh Grant featured a famous punch-up of Reason, Edge Jones’ssuccessful Bridget Diary,The The sequel to the phenomenally his stories. inspired to write the Llewelyn Davies family and was met where Barrie Kensington Gardens, scenes were filmed in the parkland All of Peter Pan’sstory creator JM Barrie. was based on the life and Kate Winslet, Johnny Depp starring Finding Neverland, audience. worldwide to a the beauty of Parks brings Each have featured Royalparticular Parks. of London – and three in the attractions A number of recent films have highlighted On location in the Parks despite changeable weather. has been good mobile mini vans.Trading major makeover and purchased two new £275,000 has given the Diana Café a Investment to date of around Gardens. in Kensington contract new catering began a Public Partnership In December, £210,000 cost of grounds maintenance. substantially offsetting the than £150,000, they brought in more second year running, for the year, income.This to generate business activities continue The Cemetery’s Brompton Cemetery locations in the Park. kiosks to various which has brought new mobile Soft Ice, We have to EC awarded a new contract panorama. across the western views towards St Paul’s and Cathedral wonderful The telescope gives visitors Mound. has been installed on King Henry’s which to buy a telescope for the Park, Charitable Richmond Park Trust was able the sponsor, a private Richard Evans, to the generosity of Thanks largely Developments at Richmond Park Wharf. Canary area that opens up the view towards planted pavedintroduced an attractively we of this project, As part the Park. enjoyment of adding to visitors’ year, The Café Garden was landscaped this Greenwich Café Garden

16:12 In THE GREEN PARK a sponsored Hawthorn tree is watered and nurtured.There are over 1,000 sponsored trees in The Royal Parks Peter B Ellwood CBE Chairman The Royal Parks Foundation

Case study: Sponsored trees Looking after the nation’s From the Chairman The Royal Parks Foundation In May 2004,The Foundation hit the front The Chiming Tree donation box, in The Green Park cultural assets The Royal Parks Foundation The Royal Parks Foundation is working pages with the launch of The Royal Parks commissioned from Robert Frith, a Dedicating a tree within The Royal Parks The redevelopment of the Regent’s Park Any map of London will show that the closely with The Royal Parks Agency to Rose at Chelsea Flower Show.The Parks student at the Royal College of Art, has has proved increasingly popular as sports facilities was made possible thanks eight Royal Parks are an important part raise over £12 million in gifts and pledges have been the showcase for some of the proved popular with young visitors to the people choose this special way to to a major fundraising programme by of the giant jigsaw that is our capital city. towards a variety of projects. world’s most famous roses for over 500 Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington remember loved ones or to perhaps members of the Agency and the With over 120,000 trees, 280 historic years, so we felt it was time they had Gardens. More than £5,000 has been The Foundation and the Agency are celebrate an important occasion or Foundation.The £2.2 million restoration statues and monuments and space for their very own dedicated bloom. raised to date and more chiming trees independent bodies, but dedicated to anniversary. Each autumn and winter of the sports pitches was funded by a every kind of sport, from football and Cultivated with help from Harkness will be sprouting up in St James’s Park achieving a very similar aim – the current throughout the Parks there are a combination of generous gifts from The tennis to riding and rollerblading, these Roses, the hybrid tea rose is lightly and Hyde Park during 2005. well-being and future support of The number of trees available for dedication. Football Foundation (£908,000), Sport wide green spaces are vibrant with perfumed and blends coppery, apricot Royal Parks. In this spirit of partnership, In Spring 2005, we published the first The species vary depending on the plans England (£752,000 through the New modern life.They exist as much-needed and caramel shades. It can be seen for the Agency seconded two members of edition of the Foundation’s new for planting for that particular year and Opportunities Fund), the London sites of natural beauty and recreation and the first time in Queen Mary’s Gardens in its staff to the Foundation in July 2004: magazine,‘Royal Parks’.This coincided also reflect the individual character of Marathon Charitable Trust (£75,000), plus are a vital source of well-being for summer 2005. Every rose sold raises the Foundation’s Director and a with the charity’s second anniversary.The each Park. a contribution from The Royal Parks. Londoners and visitors from further afield. money for the Foundation. Development Manager.This arrangement magazine has a 20,000 circulation and is In 2004 we were delighted to be able to The £3.3 million project to build our It costs nearly £30 million per year to keep will continue to 31 December 2005, In September, 150 guests made a fantastic marketed to Friends Groups, local plant three new Hawthorn trees in The Multi-sport and Community Hub was The Royal Parks safe and clean, in beautiful when the two posts will move under the contribution of over £36,000 at the schools and neighbouring residents. Green Park, replacing some older trees boosted by a £2 million award from condition and bursting with life.This covers Foundation umbrella to join the other charity’s first fundraising dinner,‘Walk on We also worked with the Friends Groups which had unfortunately died.Thanks to Active England (a joint funding initiative the essentials of day-to-day maintenance two permanent staff and one volunteer. the Grass’, in The Secret Garden in to launch a legacy programme in June the generosity of one of our tree donors, between Sport England and The Big but there is so much more that can be Regent’s Park. Guests were entertained This year, the Foundation focused on 2005.This will provide gifts in the longer we were able to plant the four-year old Lottery Fund) together with contributions done to help the Parks realise their full by RADA graduates performing supporting The Royal Parks’ two flagship term to complement donations given trees in an area towards the Ritz Hotel from the London Marathon Charitable potential.Which is where The Royal Parks Shakespearean scenes (including a projects – the restoration of Bushy Park through the Membership and Tree and Green Park underground station. Trust (£100,000) and the Weston Family Foundation comes in. Established as a swashbuckling sword fight amongst the and the Regent’s Park sport facilities.We Schemes which, between them, raised Whilst this, the smallest of the eight (£50,000).Whilst the remainder for the registered charity in May 2003, our aim is lavender) before a candlelit dinner and

Fundraising have welcomed many new friends and over £70,000 in 2004/5. Royal Parks, is renowned for its many building is still to be raised, we also to raise funds in order to help: auction, led by Lord Dalmeny, Chairman corporate partners and are particularly London Planes, the Common Hawthorn secured £400,000 revenue funding from of Sotheby’s Olympia. ■ Protect - what the Parks have grateful to The Weston Family and the or Quick Thorn (Crataegus Monogyna) is Active England towards the development inherited from the past many others who have given generous The rapid pace continued all the way to particularly attractive to wildlife with its of a sports and activities programme and ■ gifts towards major projects.Their Christmas, with a special evening to blossom in May, red fruits during the staffing for the Hub. Support - what the Parks are doing enthusiasm is a constant inspiration to benefit the Foundation, hosted by summer months and attractive tints on in the present others who are considering supporting us. Mulberry at their Brompton Road store. the leaves during the autumn. ■ Create - new opportunities for Like a number of other stores, local the future But The Royal Parks Foundation is not hotels and Park concessions, Mulberry is just about raising money for major Good parks reflect some of society's now stocking our lapel badges, which projects. It has also initiated smaller strongest interests today – healthy living, feature mallards, green woodpeckers and campaigns, like the successful Valentine’s care for the environment, education, veteran oaks.We are working to build Day promotion to help purchase new history and heritage.The Royal Parks relationships with new stockists and ducks for St James’s and Regent’s Parks. Foundation, its Trustees and staff, are develop a regular income stream from We have raised over £6,000 to date, with working to help safeguard these magnificent this source. open spaces for everyone to enjoy. donations from as far afield as America, New Zealand and Australia, as well as the British Isles.

Peter B Ellwood CBE Chairman The Royal Parks Foundation Heritage Lottery Fund funding from the the Weston the Weston Family and gift to Bushy Parkgift to Bushy from included a generous Fundraising highlights

24 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 17:45 The Royal Parks are managed by a dedicated team of 100.That’s one member of staff for every 20 hectares (50 acres) of historic landscape, horticulture, sport, education and events

Support services new people: we appointed the following This year, Code. Commissioner’s Recruitment guidelines set out in the Civil Service competition and in accordance with on the basis of fair and open Service We appoint staff from beyond the Civil visiting year.The Royal every Parks to the millions of people of service providing the highest possible standards dedicated to motivated workforce, develop a highly skilled and highly and aim to recruit many objectives.We on our success and to delivering Parks’ Our people are the key to The Royal Value for money within its modest budget. whole project came in on time and the Indeed, by the end of October. with four training workshops complete but we hit our target, was hard work, It that forms the basis of solution. and established the classification system the records we held and in what form an audit of we undertook In that time, system and iron out any issues. allow some time to get used the to and running from November 2004, We set ourselves the target of being up Parks to ensure a smooth changeover. with a project team from The Royal workedthe winning company,Audata was put to tender and the technology implementation of administration.The for this major change to our November 2004 were spent preparing The months between June and came into force 2005. on 1 January which the Freedom of Information Act, was driven originally by efficient.This organisation’s many documents more to make filing and finding the electronic records management system, Royal Parks introduced an In 2005,The Parks’ office paperless Case study:The

services for our staff. services providing enhanced email and web connection with a new supplier,Internet the also upgraded Agency’slicences.We software protection our anti-virus and renewing for all staff; training security refresher Business Continuity Planning; including moving forward our systems, Business of our information Assurance We improvements made several to the IT and systems management of The Royal Parks. to involve them more closely in the we aim to establish volunteer forums In the coming year, and wildlife surveys. from education to disability programmes help us in everything volunteers training, After induction and and programmes. unable to provide many of our services we would be Without our volunteers, Volunteers under development. which is currently system, new appraisal by a which will be supported framework, have also revised our competence address future development needs.We offered by our people and ensure we of skills be rolled out to identify the range staff development questionnaire will soon A new number of key new appointments. including a structure, organisational 0 0 complete and we have a new is now almost which began in 2003, 0 50 0 Work on Our Changing Landscape, 2 100 2 0 (Board Member) IV Grade 1 0 IV Grade 33 (Executive) 3 III Grade 67 (Horticulture) II Grade 3 (Administration) I Grade Grade

Appointments

% Women

% Ethnic Minorities The Royal Parks every year. visitors we welcome to the millions of standards of service the highest possible We aim to provide Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 Annual Report 27 Health and Safety The most significant risks to staff, in terms Other news This section follows the guidance issued of numbers exposed, are manual handling As part of the redevelopment of the by the Health and Safety Commission, in and injuries associated with using sports pitches at Regent’s Park, we began Health and Safety in Annual Reports: computers. A few staff work at height. a project to provide electronic bookings Guidance from the Health and Safety We have risk reduction strategies for all for the public, which will make booking Commission (HMSO). these activities. Our experience is that easier and allow us to record valuable the most significant risk to the public is statistics about the facilities’ usage.We The Royal Parks is committed to the through slipping, tripping and falling. invited tenders to supply this system in paramount importance of the health, February 2005, for implementation in safety and welfare of our staff and all Many of the activities carried out in 2005/6. those involved in our activities and to The Royal Parks are undertaken by an effective H&S Management System. contractors.We endeavour to reduce the We continue to develop our The Health and Safety Executive has health and safety risks to contractors’ Management Plans for all the Parks and produced a guide on best practice, staff and those affected by their activities, have maintained our ISO 14001 Successful health and safety management by checking their H&S management accreditation for 2004/5.We have also (HSG65), which we use as our template. before letting contracts and by continued work on the major options monitoring and auditing their activities review of our Grounds Maintenance, H&S policy and procedures are available afterwards.Where shortcomings are Works and Toilet Attendant services, to staff on the intranet, while found, we work with contractors to put which aims to ensure the most effective responsibility for day-to-day activity rests them right. and efficient services for the Parks. New with the Chief Executive and the Senior service arrangements will begin in 2006. Management Team.They receive H&S Staff receive appropriate information reports every quarter and approve the and training, including specialist training The Royal Parks were represented on annual H&S Strategy, which sets the for first aiders, fire wardens and other the Greater London Authority-led targets for the year.The key targets for key competencies. ‘World Squares’ review of Parliament 2004/5, which were delivered: Square and Millbank. The H&S Committee meets four times a ■ To introduce a Procedure on year and provides a forum where safety occupation driving by October 2004; representatives of the Trade Unions and ■ To introduce a Procedure on the the SMT member responsible for H&S maintenance of roads and footpaths by can discuss issues or concerns. (Trade March 2005; Union representatives may see the Director more frequently if they wish.) ■ To introduce a Procedure on the new Trade Union Safety Representatives are Dangerous Substances and Explosive consulted when the annual H&S Strategy Atmospheres Regulations by March 2005. is drawn up and on all new policies and procedures.The Trade Union Safety The key targets for 2005/6 are: Representatives receive information about accidents so they can carry out ■ To introduce a Procedure on the new their own investigations if they wish. Work at Height Regulations; During the period 2004/5, no staff ■ To monitor more closely Construction accidents or incidents were reported (Design and Management) Regulations under RIDDOR, with an average staff issues on projects; number of 160.There were no fatalities. ■ To review the tree inspection Procedure. No enforcement notices were served, nor were there any convictions for health and safety offences. we are recycling we

KENSINGTON GARDENS, KENSINGTON

of the food, care of the waste take we more than ever before.more than ever Our visitors care take In 28 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 20:15 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 31 The precious natural habitat of the Parks is our greatest responsibility and one which we take very seriously. It was fitting recognition for a project that The Parks Amenity Grassland and City There have been smaller-scale involved translocating water voles, plants, Squares Habitat Action Plan also environmental works in Richmond during freshwater mussels, over 30,000 fish, completed an ecological survey of over the year.Working with the Borough of and even the silts and gravels of the 300 of London’s smaller open spaces this Richmond, we have extended the scope riverbeds, which were ‘seeded’ with their year.This was supported by partnership of recycling in the Park and are currently original rich populations of aquatic funding of £1,000 from The Royal Parks, piloting a scheme in the two main car invertebrates like freshwater shrimp and which helped to lever in a grant of parks. And there was recycling of a damselfly nymphs. £20,000 from the Bridge House Estates different kind when we re-trenched the Trust Fund, as well as contributions from surface from the old road, to use as a Both rivers are thriving ecologically. English Heritage, Grosvenor Estates and base for future re-surfacing. 2004-05 also Monitoring this year has shown that the others.The massive amount of data saw Richmond retain its ISO 14001 rivers are being colonised by fish, produced by the survey is currently in a certification, an international standard for vegetation is becoming well established draft report stage and the initial results environmental management. and all water quality indicators are good. Case study: recycling in Better places to live Bushy Park Restoration Project were announced at a seminar held at the Kensington Gardens Managing these precious natural habitats This project continues to forge ahead, GLA on 14 March 2005. One of the In December 2004, Public Partnership is The Royal Parks’ greatest responsibility. after the initial award of £410,000 from survey outcomes will be a best practice Water management plans London Biodiversity began a new catering contract in We need constantly to strike a balance the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in July booklet from the RSPB, to inform Our previous biannual water quality Partnership (LBP) Kensington Gardens, which included a between making the Parks accessible and 2003.With a total of 69 projects making managers of urban open spaces. monitoring contract was restructured this As well as raising the profile of The Royal commitment to recycle waste from the protecting the abundance of flora and up the £7.23m scheme, our first task was year, to monitor each of the Parks’ bodies Parks through a variety of partnership café as part of our obligations under fauna in our 5,000 acres of parkland for to establish the project team. By April of water. activities, training sessions, interviews and ISO 14001. generations to come. 2004, we had appointed a diverse team, Local Biodiversity Action talks, our Community Ecologist has For about the same expenditure, the including a Head Gardener and an Plans (LBAPs) This new venture means the café In this, we draw on the experience and continued to represent The Royal Parks re-specified contract will help us deliver Education and Community Officer. Our Community Ecologist is also The recycles through the local authority and expertise of a dedicated team of people. on the LBP Habitat and Species Working better value. In its first year, we used Royal Parks’ primary representative in this ‘returns’ (or records) of the recycling And this year, those people have been In the course of the year, we held 15 Group. He was also lead partner on the previous monitoring data and area.This year, he has contributed are sent back to The Royal Parks so that working tremendously hard on an evening meetings with Stakeholder Acid Grassland Habitat Action Plan, a consultation with Wildlife Officers, Park significantly to the preparation of the we can keep track of progress.As much enormous range of projects. From major Interest Groups (SIGs), each of which contributor to the Heathland, Reedbeds, Managers and the Community Ecologist Richmond Borough LBAP and in as possible is now recycled, which undertakings, like the successful diversion were enthusiastically attended by at least Bats, Parks Amenity Grassland and City to develop management plans for our particular to the Water Vole and Acid means primarily cardboard items. of the ‘Twin Rivers’ to make way for 40 people. SIG representatives also Squares Action Plans and a member of key waterbodies. Currently in draft form, Grassland Action Plans.The launch of the However, we are also looking at recyclable Heathrow Terminal 5, to smaller, on-going attended the 13 steering group meetings the London Parks and Greenspaces these plans should help Park Managers Richmond LBAP,with Sir David cups and plates. tasks such as developing the recycling we held. Forum Biodiversity Group. achieve higher levels of water quality and Attenborough, took place in June 2005. opportunities in Richmond, we have been biodiversity. Continued monitoring means Protecting the environment is clearly a In April 2005 we submitted our second Among the LBP Action Plans’ many Our Community Ecologist also helped making excellent progress in 2004/5. we will be able to measure any key concern for The Royal Parks and stage application to HLF, requesting achievements this year has been the with the early stages of the development improvements over the next four years. a contracted consultant records our It was particularly rewarding to see this £4.5m and have also been busy applying publication of ‘Acid Grassland in London’, of a Greenwich Borough LBAP and has recycling levels, keeping all the Parks up hard work recognised in November for other sources of partnership funding. an advisory booklet which will be been involved in discussions on progress to date with their own success.This has 2004, when The Royal Parks was runner- Towards the end of the year we received distributed to key land managers and their of The Royal Parks’ contributions to the Standardised biological produced a spirit of healthy, positive up for the British Institute of Facilities a wonderful gift of £250,000 from the advisers in London.The booklet was funded Westminster Borough LBAP. recording forms competition between the Parks for the Management’s Environmental Impact award. Weston family. in part by a £250 donation from Merton & These forms and recording protocols highest recycling returns.The catering Mitcham Commons Conservators. Richmond Park have now been produced for all Royal concessions are key to this and As new EU legislation came into force Parks sites, providing a simple, robust Regent’s Park has been doing especially Green Ministers visit ‘Twin Rivers’ diversion regarding woodland, Richmond hosted a format and process for ecological and well recently. St James’s Park May 2004 saw the completion of the visit from a delegation led by the Polish biological reporting by staff, the public or In the summer,The Royal Parks and the Twin Rivers Project – an enormous Secretary of State for the Environment. trained volunteers.We have also Department for Culture, Media and environmental programme to divert the The delegation came to learn more about produced compartment maps for Sport arranged a visit to St James’s Park Longford and Duke of Northumberland’s best practice in managing ancient woodland. recording wildlife sightings in Bushy, by 11 Ministers from the Green Cabinet. Rivers away from the site of Heathrow Richmond and Greenwich Parks. A tour of the stunning new Inn The Park Airport’s new Terminal 5.The Royal Parks café restaurant included a sample of its worked on this landmark project excellent lunches and an insight into the alongside BAA and the Environment environmental principles behind the Agency. development. Carefully designed to We were delighted this year when the complement John Nash’s Park design of project was rated ‘Excellent’ by the Civil 1828, the restaurant’s grass roof makes Engineering Environmental Quality the strikingly modern restaurant almost (CEEQUAL) Assessment and Award invisible from most of the Park. Scheme. Jon Pritchard, Director of The delegation was invited to plant a Engineering at the Institute of Civil new willow at the edge of the lake and Engineers, presented the project team they were then taken by electric buggy with the Scheme’s main award: the to the Cabinet War Rooms for a Whole Project Award. presentation on our wider environmental work.The visit was a great success and

both Estelle Morris (Green Minister for

DCMS) and Elliot Morley (Chair of the Green Cabinet) wrote to thank us for

such an informative day. Sustainability The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 33

Case study: Inn The Park restaurant Economic prosperity In 2003, the Chief Executive announced The Royal Parks have been enjoyed by The Royal Parks’ plan to build a new and royalty and the public for almost 700 cutting-edge restaurant in St James’s Park. years and represent a wealth of historic ‘Inn The Park’ would be built on the site and architectural treasures.Today, as well of the famous Cake House restaurant, as upholding our responsibilities as Many of our buildings and with spectacular views of the lake and the custodians of this heritage, it’s important structures need attention and beautiful garden designs of John Nash. that we maximise the Parks’ many our team has responded with a opportunities to generate income and comprehensive re-evalution of Today, Inn The Park is an enormously our maintenance strategy. funding for our work. Inn The Park is just successful reality, visited as much for one, particularly spectacular, example of Oliver Peyton’s exceptional menu as for that work in action. its position in one of London’s most beautiful Parks. Built to a striking modern design by Sir Michael Hopkins, the Maintaining The Royal Parks restaurant nevertheless blends elegantly This year, the National Audit Office with Nash’s gardens. Its gently sloping (NAO) published its report on The Royal grass roof hides the restaurant Parks, drawing attention to the outstanding completely from The Mall and from most maintenance work. of the Park itself. Much of our hard fabric needs attention Within, customers discover the first and our Works team has responded with independent interiors project by Habitat’s a comprehensive re-evaluation of our Creative Director,Tom Dixon. Here, maintenance strategy.Taking into account retro-industrial design gives the café a changes in legislation and our statutory defiantly modern air and the larch wood obligations, health and safety floor and ceiling glow with honeyed requirements and the Park’s own intensity when illuminated by the operational needs, we are aiming to distinctive mirrored lights. reduce the deterioration of the hard Oliver Peyton’s Gruppo team has fabric in the most cost-effective way. answered our brief – to create a superb In partnership with our catering operator yet accessible menu – with real style.The Caper Green, we have given major simple, expertly cooked dishes continue makeovers to both the Pavilion Tea to serve up excellent reviews for the House in Greenwich and the Garden restaurant and business has exceeded Café in Regent’s Park. Our outdoor our expectations.

ST PARK, JAMES’S catering operator EC Soft Ice has also implemented a new fleet of high quality

units in the central Parks.The Dell and the Lido in Hyde Park, which are also

operated by Caper Green, were given a ‘freshen-up’ refurbishment. History & architecture

wood interiorwood diners from the larch in a rich glow honeyed the lights come on at Inn The Park, at Inn come on the lights bathing the

As the evening deepens in deepens evening As the 22:38 The work to restore the 15th Century gardens at Greenwich continues, with 400 planted trees now

As well as working on several high-profile Past and present in Bushy Park Developments at Richmond permission of Westminster City Council, Bowater House projects to reduce our maintenance As part of the enormous Bushy Park A great deal has been done on the built South Carriage Drive was closed to Bowater House is an extensive 1960’s liabilities, we have worked in partnership Restoration Project, archaeology at the heritage in Richmond Park this year.We traffic between Edinburgh and Prince of office block that backs on to South with a variety of public groups on Upper Lodge Water Gardens has told us have been working with the Royal Ballet Wales Gates from March 2005 until the Carriage Drive and oversails the vehicular improving the Parks’ facilities and a great deal.We discovered, for example, School on the major refurbishment of its end of June 2005 and around 120 stables gate at Edinburgh Gate. Although of little infrastructure.We have, for example, that the early 18th Century pools were site, which will improve the views of this were installed on the carriageway. architectural merit, the building is in a worked with the Central London lined with cobbles for added visual Grade I listed building from the Park. South Carriage Drive re-opened again very prominent position, visible in both Partnership to design several innovative interest. All this archaeological information on 1 July, 2005. short and long views from within Hyde In partnership with the Hearsum Family, pedestrian crossings to improve access to will prove essential in restoring these Park.To improve these views, we have refurbishment of the public catering areas Regent’s Park. beautiful features. been liaising with the developers, Land was completed and work started on a Capel Manor Securities and providing advice and Working with City of Westminster and Maintaining the Park’s more up-to-date new, permanent catering kiosk in the car The Royal Parks is working in feedback on their proposals.The Transport for London, we have improved buildings and hard landscaping has park.The ornate iron gate leading to collaboration with Capel Manor College suggested changes have been quite cycle paths in Kensington Gardens, Hyde continued and the Diana Fountain has Pembroke Lodge has been refurbished to develop a Centre of Vocational radical, including the creation of civic Park, Green Park and St James’s Park, as been thoroughly cleaned. Research and we have replaced the paddock Excellence in land-based skills at the space abutting Hyde Park, a new part of the Seven Stations Cycle Route. undertaken by the projects conservation fencing around Holly Lodge with Storeyard in Regent’s Park.We aim to pedestrian entrance and the re-location And we are in the process of restoring architects suggests perhaps the fountain traditional estate fencing.We have also create a satellite college of Capel Manor of a vehicular entrance into the park. the Primrose Hill Bridge, in conjunction might be better known as the Arethusa resurfaced a great deal of the roads at in the Park, encouraging more people However, in December 2004, the with London Zoo. Fountain, which will certainly stimulate Broomfield Hill and Sheen Gate, reducing into careers in parks and green spaces freehold title was sold and the new some healthy debate about its name. the amount of tarmac in favour of more management and addressing the current owners have appointed Hopkins appropriate materials. skills shortage.We would also very much The Park’s infrastructure and visual appeal Architects to fulfil their vision for the site. National Police Memorial like to relaunch our Apprenticeship have also been enhanced with new The Hopkins proposal will be presented This year saw enormous progress on this Scheme and are hoping to work with the fencing and railings at Church Grove to The Royal Parks for our views in early project, which was instigated over 20 years Rattle accommodation College towards achieving this vision. Passage, Hampton Wick Cricket Club and July 2005. ago by the film director Michael Winner, With departmental consent,The Royal Duke’s Head Passage. Our joint venture means The Royal Parks Chairman of the Police Memorial Trust Parks allowed the Ministry of Defence will provide, under licence, classrooms (which is responsible for maintaining the (MOD) under licence to use part of and outdoor practice areas for students, Memorial). Designed by Sir Norman Foster, Hyde Park adjacent to South Carriage Greenwich Park while Capel Manor College supplies the The National Police Memorial was unveiled Drive for temporary stabling from July The work to restore the 15th Century training. Longer term, if this venture is a by Her Majesty the Queen just after this 2004 until June 2005.This ensures gardens at Greenwich continues, with success, Capel Manor is very keen to reporting year, on 26 April 2005, at the minimal disruption to the Queen’s Life 400 trees now planted.You can find out finance the upgrading and extension of edge of The Mall in St James’s Park. Guard’s ceremonial duties whilst the more about our progress in the case their accommodation. Knightsbridge Barracks (which back on to study on page 5. South Carriage Drive) are being refurbished.The MOD approached The Royal Parks asking for stabling space within the Park, to ensure their project was completed on schedule. So, with the

There are 280 listed buildings and monuments in The Royal Parks.We work hard to conserve and maintain them for our visitors today and for generations to come.

34 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 37

We are dedicated to maintaining the very highest standards at The Royal Parks in order to conserve and present them at their best. Surveys for 2004/05 show that, with very few exceptions, we continue to meet our targets and, in some cases, have far exceeded them. key targetskey Performance against Performance Key Target Key Progress Management and governance and Management of Parks Royal The

1 Increase numbers benefiting from Achieved: During 2004/05 12,629 people took part in our education programme, Chief Executive education activities by 10% each year. an increase of 10% from 2003/04.

Mark Camley 2 Each park to score at least 85% for Partially achieved: In 2004 we changed our survey methodology.We are now Non-executive Director of Estates Director of Parks Non-executive Director of Director of Major Director of quality and cleanliness as assessed by surveying four Parks each year, so each will be assessed biannually but in more detail member and Deputy CE member Resources and Projects Strategy and visitor satisfaction survey. than in the past.This year overall scores of excellent or good were: Business Planning Marketing Greenwich – 95%; Bushy – 93%; St James’s – 93%; Green – 94%. The Hon.Apurv Bagri Simon Betts Colin Buttery Andrew Fenwick Anne Moore Greg McErlean Vacant

3 New visitor survey and metrics in On track: New visitor survey and metrics are in place. Summer and autumn research The Management structure Its membership comprises the Chief Members place by spring 2004, pilot results for phases have been completed for four Parks to date. The Chief Executive has overall charge of Executive (Chair) with all the executive The Hon. Apurv Bagri, one park by February 2005, all parks The Royal Parks, reporting to the Minster Directors and two non-executive Group Managing Director, Metdist Ltd. in 2006. for Culture and the Secretary of State for members drawn from the Advisory Trustee,The Royal Parks Foundation, Culture, Media and Sport. Board and the Foundation.The Board’s Non-Executive Director,The Royal Parks Audit Committee advises the Chief Management Board. 4 Achievement of targets in policing plan. Partially achieved: All aspects of the policing plan were achieved except one. Ministers and the Chief Executive are Executive as Accounting Officer on the The total number of robberies and thefts from the person offences increased from supported by an Advisory Board to Professor Sir Peter Crane FRS, Parks’ arrangements for risk management, 73 to 83. However, the increase may reflect better recording techniques that have provide independent advice on strategy, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. internal control and internal audit,The been introduced rather than any significant increases in offences. plans and performance and to help Committee is Chaired by non-executive Emir Feisal FCMA, represent the interests of The Royal Parks. member Andrew Fenwick of Brunswick Head of Finance,The Sunday Times. Group Ltd, who is also a Trustee of The 5 Each park to score at least 85% Achieved: Bushy and Green Parks achieved an average score of 88%; all other Ylva French, Royal Parks Foundation. for soft landscaping, as assessed by parks scored at least 91%. The Management Board Executive Director, an independent expert. The Management Board meets monthly The Campaign for Museums and

to consider and take decisions on Marketing Communications Consultant. against CorporatePerformance targets Plan key Advisory Board the Parks’ strategy and planning, Chairman We are indebted for the support and 6 Three parks to gain Green Flag On track: Applications were submitted for Greenwich, Regent’s and Bushy Parks finance, performance, structure and Peter B Ellwood CBE, commitment we receive from our status in 2005/06. in February 2005. organisation, resources, risk management, Advisory Board Chairman, Peter B health and safety issues, personnel and Chairman ICI; Ellwood and our main stakeholders, general management. Chairman,The Royal Parks Advisory especially the members of the Advisory 7 Maintain ISO 14001 status. Achieved: We continue to keep our management programmes and action plans Board and The Royal Parks Foundation. Board,Trustees of The Royal Parks for our environmental objectives under review. In December 2004 we came second Foundation, DCMS,The Royal Household, out of 120 entries in the Environmental Impact category of the British Institute of the individual Friends groups in each Park, Facilities Management Award scheme. all our partners such as the Holly Lodge Centre and Liberty Drives, the Mayor of London and the GLA and all the local authorities with whom we work. 38 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 Key Target Key Progress

2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-5 8 Publication and implementation Achieved: The summer events programme attracted over 800,000 visitors to a range of Events Strategy by June 2004. of concerts, film screenings, races, art events and children’s entertainment.The Events Soft landscape presentation strategy was agreed by the Secretary of State and distributed to stakeholders. Target 89%:Target no less than 89%:Target no less than 89%:Target no less than 85% 85% for each Park 85% for each Park 85% for each Park

9 Non-user research in 2004/05. Achieved: An in-depth non-users study has been undertaken as part of the Outturn 89%: Actual scores ranged 90%: Actual scores ranged Actual scores ranged Bushy and Green parks achieved community engagement strand of the Bushy Park Restoration project. A non-users from 84% to 91% from 87% to 91% from 88% to 91% an average of score of 88%. telephone survey has also been conducted for four Parks. Quality targets All parks averaged 91%.

Overall quality of Parks

10 Three parks to develop a community On track: Bushy, Regent’s and Greenwich have developed community engagement Target 89%:Target no less than 89%:Target no less than 89%:Target no less than Each Park to score at least 85% engagement strategy by March 2005, strategies this year. 85% for each Park 85% for each Park 85% for each Park remaining parks by 2006. Outturn 85%: Actual scores ranged 86%: Actual scores ranged 84%: Actual scores ranged 94%: Actual scores ranged from from 79% to 90% from 80% to 89% from 84% to 97% 93% to 95%. See notes below. 11 Develop existing links with Central On track: A visit to New York Parks (Central Park, Prospect Park) took place with Park in New York and partnerships with useful links to build on. Discussions on the possibility of staff exchanges have Cleanliness in the Parks two other urban parks in 2004/05; commenced with the Singapore Open Spaces department. Locally partnerships Target 89%:Target no less than 89%:Target no less than Each Park to score at Each Park to score at least 85% introduce a staff exchange programme and links were developed with Westminster Council, Islington and Kew Gardens 85% for each Park 85% for each Park least 85% in 2005/06. as well as an archival/local history project being undertaken which will develop links with Victoria Park and Battersea Park. Outturn 85%: Actual scores ranged 88%: Actual scores ranged 86%: Actual scores ranged 80%: Actual scores ranged from from 79% to 88% from 81% to 91% from 81% to 92% 70% to 87%. See notes below.

12 Launch, with the Foundation, a On track: A curator has been appointed and we sought sponsorship for a launch high-profile public art initiative in the in June 2005. parks in Spring 2005.

Excellent Good Total Excellent Good Total

13 Increase self-generated income Near miss: We narrowly missed the target of £6.6m with income of £6.5m being Green Park 28% 53% 81% Green Park 23% 57% 80% (excluding grants) to £6.6m. achieved. Although this is just short of the target, it represents a 22.6% increase on St James’s Park 21% 57% 78% the previous year. St James’s Park 19% 51% 70% Bushy Park 27% 54% 81% Bushy Park 21% 62% 83%

Greenwich 26% 56% 82% Performance against Corporate against Performance targetskey Plan (continued) 14 Reduce dependence on Hyde Park On track: Income from other Parks increased by approximately £73k in 2004/05. Greenwich 24% 63% 87% events by increasing income from events in other parks by £200k by 2005/06. Upkeep of the parkUpkeep 15 Obtain IIP status. Postponed: A new competency framework and a skills audit for staff have been developed during the course of the year. A fully revised HR strategy will be developed during the autumn of 2005 and will include a revised timetable for achieving IIP status. Tidiness and cleanliness

Notes The Key Action Areas the visitor research highlighted were as follows: Following the National Audit Office (NAO) report on The Royal Parks’ visitor research programme, we have reviewed the processes by which Greenwich Park we benchmark the Parks. A much more detailed set of Key Performance ■ Quality and number of toilets Indicators has been developed, along with a scoring regime that is easier ■ Quality of catering for people to understand. ■ Staff friendliness Visitors were asked to rate the Parks excellent, good, satisfactory, poor or very poor.The percentage figures above give the number of The Green Park people rating the Parks either excellent or good. ■ Quality and number of toilets ■ Information features Another key NAO recommendation was to undertake research in four Parks per annum, to allow a more in-depth analysis in each Park.We Bushy Park have adopted this methodology and have included results for the first ■ Quality and number of toilets four Parks surveyed in this new manner. ■ Quality of catering

St James Park ■ Quality and number of toilets ■ Quality of catering The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 41

2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 1 To improve the quality and range of ■ Increase numbers benefiting from our educational activities by 10% each year. services for visitors to, and users of, Increase income ■ Each Park to score at least 85% for quality and cleanliness, as assessed by visitor the Parks. satisfaction surveys. Target £4.941m (increase of £5.435m (increase of Increase self-generated income Increase self-generated income by 10% on the 2001-02 level 10% on the 2002-03 level by £1.1million to £7million by £1.1million to £7million by 2005/06 ■ New visitor survey and metrics in all Parks in 2006. from all sources from all sources 2005/06 (=29% of DCMS grant) (=29% of DCMS grant) Interim ■ Achievement of targets in policing plan. except recharges and except recharges and target £5.6 million VAT refunds) VAT refunds)

Financial targetsFinancial Outturn £4.8m £5.5m £5.3m £5.3m

2 To protect, conserve and enhance the ■ Each Park to score at least 85% each year for soft landscaping, as assessed by an Objectives 2005/06 Objectives natural and historic environment of The independent horticultural expert. Royal Parks. ■ All Parks to gain Green Flag status by the end of 2006/7.

■ Maintain ISO 14001 status throughout the planning period.

3 To develop policies and initiatives to ■ Non-user research conducted in 2004/5. encourage wider access by priority ■ All parks to develop a community engagement strategy by 31 March 2006. All figures in £'s groups and explore how to bring Brompton Richmond & Longford Bushy Total HQ Greenwich RPC Foundation Hyde St James’s Kensington Regent’s non-users into the Parks. Salaries 1,986,529 265,007 206,284 108,532 0 313,336 134,513 266,025 173,882 2,923,472 78,431 6,456,011

Works 2,044,862 1,232,936 984,220 433,014 63,993 793,095 483,114 751,253 772,186 13,198 2,020 7,573,891 Maintenance 4 To raise the profile of The Royal Parks, ■ To develop existing links with Central Park in New York and partnerships with two Grounds 23,624 1,432,647 1,414,172 995,128 219,494 1,720,780 784,921 796,767 581,874 - - 7,969,407 increase understanding of the role and other urban Parks and to introduce staff exchange programme in 2005/6. Maintenance value of The Royal Parks to London and ■ To launch, with the Foundation, a high-profile public art initiative in the Parks in & horticulture the nation and consolidate our role Spring 2005. nationally and internationally at the Other Costs 4,340,301 378,639 279,513 224,858 12,286 504,709 167,148 253,311 112,852 5,783,418 98,737 12,155,772 forefront of park management. Total 8,395,316 3,309,229 2,884,189 1,761,532 295,773 3,331,920 1,569,696 2,067,356 1,640,794 8,720,088 179,188 34,155,081 Expenditure

Event Fees -4,500 -1,325,007 -120,018 -32,096 0 -121,845 -69,086 -13,338 -405 0 0 -1,686,295 5 To manage The Royal Parks efficiently ■ Increase self-generated income (excluding grants) from £6.6 million to £7 million Other Fees 0 -69,470 -62,111 -8,257 -153,158 -44,097 -22,323 -18,439 -2,141 0 0 -379,996 and effectively, particularly by improving by 2005/6. & Permits its financial base and developing ■ Reduce dependence on Hyde Park events by increasing income from events in partnerships across the public, voluntary other Parks by £200k by 2005/06. Licences -175,709 -304,361 -157,493 -25,345 -14,335 -132,023 -17,325 -426,050 -160,024 0 0 -1,412,665 and private sectors. & rents ■ Obtain liP status during 2004/5. Note: refer to page 38. Catering 0 -517,717 -532,744 -66,551 0 -234,767 -57,392 -11,764 -12,229 0 0 -1,433,164 concession

Other 0 -360,236 0 0 0 -618,400 -151,970 0 0 0 0 -1,130,606 concessions

Other -884,502 -175,826 -142,376 -55,802 -745 -78,569 -13,761 -74,840 -21,758 -4,706 0 -1,452,885 Analysis of Income and Expenditure 2004-05 Expenditure and Income of Analysis Income

Total -1,064,711 -2,752,617 -1,014,742 -188,051 -168,238 -1,229,701 -331,857 -544,431 -196,557 -4,706 0 -7,495,611 Income

Net Total 7,330,605 556,612 1,869,447 1,573,481 127,535 2,102,219 1,237,839 1,522,925 1,444,237 8,715,382 179,188 26,659,470 42 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05

The coming year promises to be as Work on access and engagement will also exciting as this one.The restoration of continue, both as part of the Bushy Park Greenwich Park’s Baroque landscape will Restoration Project and more widely. continue and we will start to see the A greatly enhanced Living History results of the extensive review of grounds programme in Greenwich is sure to be maintenance and other services (the popular, as are new family activity days in Options Review).We will also be refining Bushy and Hyde Parks.We’ll also be the Parks management plan and related producing community engagement plans processes.With the appointment of our for Greenwich, St James’s and Hyde Parks Arboricultural Officer, tree management and will begin to work on the creation of will be a particular focus. a working Royal Parks Archive. The Serpentine boat house in Hyde Park As more people learn about the superb will be replaced with a stunning new new sports facilities in Regent’s Park,‘The building, giving The Royal Parks its first Hub’ and pitches will become even more custom-built visitor information point and popular. Our programme of activities will retail outlet as well as providing an develop, with activities suitable for people improved base for the boating operation. of all ages and backgrounds. We are also confident of securing Stage II Perhaps the most unique feature of the funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund Parks is that they are whatever you want for the Bushy Park Restoration Project. them to be – sporty, peaceful, vibrant, A key element of our bid is a Welcome restful. And that will be as true this year centre incorporating a catering outlet, as every year. toilets, education/community room and some retail space – facilities long overdue in Bushy Park. We will re-let the contract to re-develop and run the new sports facility to replace the existing golf and tennis school in The Regent’s Park.We will also re-let the golf course in Richmond Park. Catering has A look ahead look A had a particularly good year in 2004/5 and we will look to make the most of accounts 04-05 these exciting new opportunities. The Royal Parks The Royal

Foreword to the accounts 44 Statement on internal control 46 Statement of The Royal Parks’ and Chief Executive’s responsibilities 47 The certificate and report of the Comptroller and Auditor General to The House of Commons 47 Net expenditure account 48 Statement of total recognised gains and losses 48 Balance sheet 49 Cash flow statement 49 Notes to the accounts 50 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 45

Accounts direction The Royal Parks is also responsible for Fixed assets Equal opportunities/disabled Creditor payment policy The accounts have been prepared under managing and policing Brompton During 2004-05 the Diana Princess of persons policy The Agency aims to settle all valid a direction issued by HM Treasury in Cemetery,Victoria Tower Gardens and Wales Fountain was completed and The Royal Parks’ policy is that 'all eligible invoices within 30 days of receipt (as accordance with section 7(2) of the Grosvenor Square Gardens and expenditure of £4.291m included in the persons shall have an equal opportunity specified in the CBI code). During 2004- Government Resources and Accounts maintaining nos. 10, 11 and 12 Downing cost of buildings in Note 7 to the for employment and advancement within 05 the Agency paid 95.1 per cent of Act 2000. Street Gardens, Canning Green, St Accounts.The addition to Assets under the Agency on the basis of their ability, invoices within this timescale. (2003-04 Margaret’s Church Green, Poets’ Green construction in 2004-05 relates to The performance and aptitude for the work. 96.3 per cent). the accounts Foreword to Foreword and the Longford River (except in Hub (a new sports Pavilion) in Regent’s There shall be no discrimination on the History of The Royal Parks Hampton Court Home Park).The Royal Park. (See Note 7 to the Accounts for grounds of an individual's nationality, sex, On 1st April 1993,The Royal Parks was Parks Constabulary (RPC) also polices more details). race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, sexual Register of interests established as an Executive Agency of the Abingdon Street Gardens, Hampton orientation, marital status or disability'. Royal Parks maintains a Register of Department of National Heritage, now Court Park and Hampton Court Green. Interests for the Advisory Board and the Department for Culture, Media and Future developments Non-Executive Directors of the Sport (DCMS) and is fully accountable to These are outlined in ‘The Year Ahead’ on Consultation with employees Management Board, which is made Parliament through the Secretary of State Aims and objectives page 42 of the Report. Further details of The Royal Parks considers it very available on request. for Culture, Media and Sport (currently The Royal Parks aims and objectives are future developments and plans are contained important that employees understand the Tessa Jowell) who sets the Agency’s policy noted on page 41. in The Royal Parks Corporate Plan. operations, aims and objectives of the framework and key performance targets Agency.The Management Board holds its Auditor and determines its level of resources monthly meetings at the various Park The accounts are audited by the each year. Results Pensions locations and has an open forum for half Comptroller and Auditor General in The Agency is funded via the DCMS Details of pension arrangements are at an hour to provide staff with an accordance with The Government Supply Estimate, Request for Resource 1. notes 3.1 and 3.3. opportunity to raise issues with the Resources and Accounts Act 2000. Statutory background Board.The Chief Executive visits all Park There are nine Royal Parks in London – locations on a regular basis. All staff can St James’s, Green, Hyde, Regent’s, Review of activities Management Board see the Framework Document and Greenwich, Richmond, Bushy and The Chief Executive’s Statement on page Two non-executive Directors, Andrew Corporate Plan. Hampton Court Parks and Kensington 3 and the review of the year on pages 5 Fenwick representing The Royal Parks Information Technology and Health and Gardens – managed by the Secretary of to 35 of the Report, look over activities Foundation (also Chairman of The Royal Safety newsletters are produced, to State for Culture, Media and Sport on for the year ended 31 March 2005. Parks Audit Committee) and Apurv Bagri advise staff of developments and best Mark Camley, Chief Executive behalf of the Queen.The Royal Parks Details of the financial targets set for The representing The Royal Parks Advisory practice in these areas. Staff are 12 July 2005 form part of the hereditary lands owned Royal Parks by the Secretary of State and Board, were appointed with effect from encouraged to contribute articles for by the Sovereign in right of the Crown. the achievement against those targets are 2003-04.The non-executives receive no these publications. Various monarchs enclosed the Parks at Note 19 to the Accounts. Details of remuneration for their role.The names during the fourteenth to seventeenth other performance targets and and roles of the executive Management centuries, primarily for hunting or as achievements are noted on pages 37 to Board members are shown in Note 3.3 parkland gardens. By virtue of the 1851 40 of the Report. to the Accounts.The latter are paid Crown Lands Act the Crown transferred employees of The Royal Parks, appointed the duties and the Parks to the under Civil Service Management Code Commission of Works and Buildings 2004-2005 Net Expenditure conditions and all Parks and sections are and The Royal Parks are now the The difference between Net Expenditure represented on the Board, which meets responsibility of the DCMS.The Royal in 2004-05 and 2003-04 is accounted for at least once a month. Parks has responsibility for all London’s mainly as a result of increased funding to Royal Parks except Hampton Court Park, cover one-off costs of £1.15m incurred which is the responsibility of the Historic by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Royal Parks Advisory Board Royal Palaces. in setting up co-policing of The Royal The names of the Advisory Board Parks, with effect from 1 April 2004.The members are noted on page 36 of the change in policing has resulted in lower Report.The Royal Parks does not pay staff costs but higher programme costs as fees to the Advisory Board members. The Royal Parks pays MPS for the service (see Notes 3 and 4 for more details). 46 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05

Scope of responsibility The risk and control framework Under Section 7(2) of the Government Resources and Accounts Act ■ Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis, unless As Accounting Officer for The Royal Parks, I have responsibility for All risk management activity is aligned to the corporate aims, 2000, HM Treasury has directed The Royal Parks to prepare a it is inappropriate to presume that The Royal Parks will continue in maintaining a sound system of internal control that supports the objectives and priorities as outlined above. For 2004-05 these were statement of accounts for each financial year in the form and on the operation. achievement of DCMS and The Royal Parks’ policies, aims and the five Corporate Plan objectives and connected key targets, which basis set out in the Resource Accounting Manual.The accounts are The Accounting Officer for the Department for Culture, Media and objectives, whilst safeguarding the public funds and departmental in turn reflected DCMS's PSA objectives and targets. Risk analysis prepared on an accruals basis and must give a true and fair view of Sport has designated the Chief Executive of The Royal Parks as the assets for which I am personally responsible, in accordance with the forms part of the strategic planning, business planning and the organisation's state of affairs at the year-end and of its income Accounting Officer for the Agency. His relevant responsibilities as responsibilities assigned to me in Government Accounting. investment/project appraisal procedures. Managers and staff at all and expenditure, recognised gains and losses and cash flows for the Accounting Officer, including responsibility for the propriety and

levels have a responsibility to identify, evaluate and manage risks and Statement of financial year. Statement on Statement I am responsible to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and regularity of the public finances and for keeping the proper records, are equipped to do so through risk training and relevant guidance. internal control Sport and accountable to Parliament for The Royal Parks' operations In preparing the accounts the organisation is required to: are set out in the Accounting Officers' Memorandum, issued by the and performance.The Royal Parks is managed by a Management Based on an analysis of these risks, a strategic risk register is Treasury and published in Government Accounting. ■ Observe the accounts direction issued by the Treasury, including Board, which I chair. All Directors in the senior management team produced showing the risks, their impact and likelihood, the names the relevant accounting and disclosure requirements and apply are on the Board, which also has two non-executive members. of the risk owners, the countermeasures and proposed suitable accounting policies on a consistent basis; countermeasures and the status of the risk.This is monitored quarterly by the Management Board. ■ Make judgements and estimates on a reasonable basis;

The purpose of the system of internal control responsibilities Executive’s The Royal Parks’The Royal and Chief ■ State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed The system of internal control is designed to manage risk to a Mark Camley, Chief Executive and disclose and explain any material departures in the financial reasonable level rather than to eliminate all risk of failure to achieve Review of effectiveness 12 July 2005 statements; policies, aims and objectives; it can therefore only provide reasonable As Accounting Officer, I have responsibility for reviewing the and not absolute assurance of effectiveness.The system of internal effectiveness of the system of internal control. My review of the control is based on an ongoing process designed to identify and effectiveness of the system of internal control is informed by the prioritise the risks to the achievement of Departmental and The work of the internal auditors and the executive managers within The I certify that I have audited the financial statements on pages 50 and Basis of audit opinion Royal Parks policies, aims and objectives, to evaluate the likelihood of Royal Parks who have responsibility for the development and 51 under the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000.These I conducted my audit in accordance with United Kingdom Auditing those risks being realised and the impact should they be realised and maintenance of the internal control framework and comments made financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost Standards issued by the Auditing Practices Board. An audit includes to manage them efficiently, effectively and economically.The system by the external auditors in their management letter and other convention as modified by the revaluation of certain fixed assets and examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts, of internal control has been in place in The Royal Parks for the year reports. I have been advised on the implications of the result of my the accounting policies set out on pages 50 and 51. disclosures and regularity of financial transactions included in the ended 31 March 2005 and up to the date of approval of the annual review of the effectiveness of the system of internal control by the financial statements. It also includes an assessment of the significant report and accounts and accords with Treasury guidance. Board and the Audit Committee and a plan to address weaknesses estimates and judgements made by The Royal Parks and Chief and ensure continuous improvement of the system is in place. Respective responsibilities of the Agency, the Chief Executive Executive in the preparation of the financial statements and of and Auditor The Royal Parks has an internal audit function, which operates to whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Agency's Capacity to handle risk As described on page 47, the Agency and Chief Executive are Government Internal Audit Standards.They submit regular reports circumstances, consistently applied and adequately disclosed. The Management Board approves The Royal Parks risk management responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in to the Audit Committee, including a report from the Head of policy, which clearly states that responsibility for adequate risk accordance with the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 I planned and performed my audit so as to obtain all the information Internal Audit giving an independent opinion on the adequacy and House of Commons management arrangements rests with the Management Board and and Treasury directions made thereunder and for ensuring the and explanations which I considered necessary in order to provide effectiveness of The Royal Parks' system of internal control together myself. All ‘business units’ (i.e. parks and HQ sections) are required to regularity of financial transactions.The Agency and Chief Executive me with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the with recommendations for improvement. produce and monitor risk registers as part of the annual business are also responsible for the preparation of the other contents of the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether planning process. The Audit Committee meetings, which are chaired by a non- Annual Report. My responsibilities, as independent auditor, are caused by error, or by fraud or other irregularity and that, in all executive Management Board member, include reports on the established by statute and guided by the Auditing Practices Board material respects, the expenditure and income have been applied to We continue to review and improve our risk management effectiveness of the internal control system. and the auditing profession's ethical guidance. the purposes intended by Parliament and the financial transactions procedures and in December 2004 a senior management workshop conform to the authorities which govern them. In forming my

took place to review and revise our high-level risk register.This has Performance against Corporate Plan targets is measured and The certificate and report of the I report my opinion as to whether the financial statements give a opinion I have also evaluated the overall adequacy of the since been considered and discussed, together with a revised overall reviewed quarterly by the Management Board. In addition, I have true and fair view and are properly prepared in accordance with the presentation of information in the financial statements. risk management policy, at both Management Board and at Audit regular meetings with each Director to review progress in their Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 and Treasury Committee meetings. areas against their business plan targets. directions made thereunder and whether in all material respects the Opinion expenditure and income have been applied to the purposes

Comptroller and Auditor General to The Auditor General to Comptroller and In my opinion: intended by Parliament and the financial transactions conform to the authorities which govern them. I also report if, in my opinion, the ■ the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of Foreword is not consistent with the financial statements, if the affairs of The Royal Parks at 31 March 2005 and of the net Agency has not kept proper accounting records, or if I have not expenditure, total recognised gains and losses and cash flows for the Mark Camley, Chief Executive received all the information and explanations I require for my audit. year then ended and have been properly prepared in accordance 12 July 2005 with the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 and I read the other information contained in the Annual Report and directions made thereunder by Treasury; and consider whether it is consistent with the audited financial statements. I consider the implications for my certificate if I become ■ in all material respects the expenditure and income have been aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies applied to the purposes intended by Parliament and the financial with the financial statements. transactions conform to the authorities which govern them.

I review whether the statement on page 46 reflects The Royal Parks I have no observations to make on these financial statements. compliance with Treasury's guidance on the Statement on Internal Control. I report if it does not meet the requirements specified by Treasury, or if the statement is misleading or inconsistent with other information I am aware of from my audit of the financial statements. John Bourn National Audit Office I am not required to consider, nor have I considered whether the Comptroller 157-197 Buckingham Palace Road Accounting Officer's Statement on Internal Control covers all risks and Auditor General Victoria and controls. I am also not required to form an opinion on the 18 July 2005 London SW1W 9SP effectiveness of the The Royal Parks corporate governance procedures or its risk and control procedures. The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 49

2004-05 2003-04 2004-05 2003-04 Note £000 £000 Continuing Continuing operations operations Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets 7 40,739 34,495 Note £000 £000 Current assets Expenditure Debtors 8 2,751 3,565

Staff costs 3 6,456 8,883 Balance sheet Depreciation 7 1,374 1,314 Current liabilities Notional charges 5 1,242 1,095 Creditors due within one year 10 (4,792) (4,716) Programme costs 4 25,083 21,149 Cash at bank and in hand 9 (3) (7) as at 31 March 2005 Gross expenditure 34,155 32,441 (4,795) (4,723) Less income 6 7,496 7,020 Net expenditure account Net expenditure Net current liabilities (2,044) (1,158)

Total assets 38,695 33,337 Net expenditure 15 26,659 25,421 Taxpayers’ equity: (Representing the net departmental cost of The Royal Parks) Revaluation reserve 13 8,467 5,852 Donated asset reserve 14 2,480 494 For the year ended 31 March 2005 ended For the year General fund 15 27,748 26,991

38,695 33,337

The notes on pages 50 to 60 form an integral part of these accounts. 2004-05 2003-04 Note £000 £000

Unrealised surplus/(loss) on the revaluation of fixed assets 13 2,973 1,375

Receipt of donated assets 7 1,997 - Mark Camley, Chief Executive Total recognised gains and losses 12 July 2005 for the financial year 4,970 1,375

The notes on pages 50 to 60 form an integral part of these accounts. 2004-05 2003-04 Note £000 £000

Net cash flow from operating activities (23,145) (23,096)

Net parliamentary funding received 15 25,802 28,089

Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (4,658) (5,110) Income for donated asset 7 1,997 Proceeds of disposal of fixed assets 8 122

4 5

Cash flow statement Cash flow Analysis of changes in cash balances For the year ended 31 March 2005 ended For the year Increase in cash held 9 4 5

Reconciliation of operating cash flow to net expenditure Net expenditure for the year (26,659) (25,421) Depreciation 7 1,374 1,314 Loss on disposal of assets 7 5 65

Statement of total recognised gains and losses total recognised gains and Statement of Notional charges 5 1,242 1,095 Early retirement costs 5 14 14

For the year ended 31 March 2005 For the year Decrease in stocks - 24 Decrease/(increase) in debtors 814 (966) Increase in creditors 76 789 Notional Income 6 (11) (10)

Net cash outflow from operations (23,145) (23,096)

The notes on pages 50 to 60 form an integral part of these accounts. 50 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05

1. Statement of accounting policies In 2005, 9 per cent of properties by value were subject to physical j Derivatives For 2004-05, employers' contributions of £660,013 were payable to The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the revaluation. In addition, dwellings were revalued on the basis of FRS 13, Derivatives and other financial instruments, requires an entity the PCSPS (2003-04 £869,207) at one of four rates in the range 12 Resource Accounting Manual issued by HM Treasury.The particular actual rents receivable and properties physically revalued between to disclose details of various risks that they are exposed to in to 18.5 per cent of pensionable pay, based on salary bands.The accounting policies adopted by The Royal Parks are described below. 2001-02 and 2003-04 were revalued by a factor advised by the respect of financial derivatives.The FRS exempts disclosures in Scheme Actuary reviews employer contributions every four years They have been applied consistently in dealing with items considered valuers.The net result of this was an increase in GCRC of £9.673m respect of short-term debtors and creditors. following a full scheme valuation. From 2005-06, the salary bands will material in relation to the accounts. and a decrease in NCRC of £6.733m, which has been accounted for be revised and the rates will be a range of between 16.2 and 24.6 The majority of funding for The Royal Parks comes from a grant directly through the Revaluation Reserve. per cent.The contribution rates reflect benefits, as they accrue, not a Basis of Accounting from DCMS. In 2004-05 net funding of £26,669,925 was received the costs as they are actually incurred and reflect past experience of The accounts are prepared under the historic cost convention Assets in the course of construction are included in the balance from DCMS. £7,485,157 was generated from operations. Given that the scheme. modified to account for the revaluation of fixed assets and stocks sheet at their cost to the The Royal Parks. 78 per cent of income is from a DCMS grant the Parks are not where material, at their value to the business by reference to their subject to a material liquidity risk. (Comparable figures for 2003-04 Employees can opt to open a partnership pension account, a Plant and machinery and fixtures, fittings, tools and equipment are current costs. were £25,431,962, £7,009,470 and 78 per cent). stakeholder pension with an employer contribution. Employers' valued at current replacement cost. contributions of £9,993 were paid to one or more of a panel of b Fixed Assets The Royal Parks does not hold a cash balance other than petty cash. Notes to the accounts to Notes The minimum level for capitalisation as an individual or grouped three appointed stakeholders pension providers. Employer Most of the The Royal Parks land and historic/heritage assets other Its bank balances are cleared every week to DCMS. It does not have fixed asset is £2,000. contributions are age-related and range from 3 to 12.5 per cent of than buildings are given nil value. Expenditure on assets, which any finance leases or loans and as a result it is not subject to interest pensionable pay. Employers also match employee contributions up to became an integral part of the land, is written off in the year of c Donated Assets (included those funded by Lottery Grants) rate risk.The Royal Parks has no dealings with foreign currency and 3 per cent of pensionable pay. In addition, employer contributions of expenditure. However, buildings, the legal title of which remains with Assets donated by third parties, either by gift of the asset or by way is not subject to currency fluctuation risk. £526, 0.8 per cent, were payable to the PCSPS to cover the cost of the Sovereign, are treated as owned by The Royal Parks and are of funds to buy the asset are capitalised at current value on receipt. the future provision of lump sum benefits on death in service and ill included in fixed assets. Lodges within the Parks that are used as Donated assets are revalued, depreciated and subject to impairment 2. Related party transactions health retirement of these employees. dwelling places are valued based on terms of occupation. Specialised in the same way as other assets. Revaluations are taken to the The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is regarded For the year ended 31 March 2005 ended 31 year For the Park Buildings are valued using the ‘depreciated replacement cost’ donated asset reserve. Each year, an amount equal to the Contributions due to partnership pension providers at the balance as a related party. During the year The Royal Parks had material method whilst other Park buildings are valued at 'open market value depreciation charge on the asset and any impairment is released sheet date were £513. Contributions prepaid at that date were nil. transactions with the Department as disclosed in these accounts for existing use'. from the donated asset reserve to the Net Expenditure Account. (see Note 15). In addition,The Royal Parks received grants from No person (2003-04: 1 person) retired early on ill-health grounds; Some of The Royal Parks properties were acquired subsequent to d Depreciation Active England, Sport England, Football Foundation and National the total additional accrued pension liabilities in the year amounted the 1851 Act and are held in the name of the Secretary of State. Depreciation is provided on all fixed assets, other than freehold land, Heritage Memorial Lottery Fund and income for services provided to nil (2003-04: £2,080). These properties are included in the Accounts at their ‘open market at rates calculated to write-off the cost or valuation, to the to Historic Royal Palaces, entities for which DCMS is regarded as value for existing use’. estimated residual value, of each asset on a straight line method over parent.There were no material transactions with other entities for its estimated useful life. Lives are normally as follows: which DCMS is regarded as parent neither has the Agency had 3.2 The monthly average number of staff (full time In 1994, when The Royal Parks properties were first valued for material transactions with other Government Departments and equivalents) employed by The Royal Parks during accounting purposes, residential properties were valued with ■ Buildings including dwellings: up to 100 years other central government bodies. reference to market rents. All of the properties were subject to a ■ Plant and machinery: 5 to 10 years the year was: further physical revaluation between 1996 and 2001 and in the ■ Fixtures, Fittings,Tools and Equipment: 3 to 20 years. The Royal Parks Foundation is regarded as a related party and 2004-2005 2003-2004 intervening years the values were indexed using the Halifax Group e Leases during the year The Royal Parks received £200,178 from the £000 £000 House Price Indices. Other property valuations were updated Where The Royal Parks grants an operating lease on a property it is Foundation, of which £4,578 related to the Grosvenor Square annually using advice from a professional valuer and were all subject General management and valued taking in consideration the terms of the lease and any Memorial Garden.The Royal Parks incurred expenditure directly to a physical revaluation between 1996 and 2001. administration (HQ and Parks) 70 71 dilapidations. Reference is made to the lease in Note 7 to the relating to activities of The Foundation, totalling £179,188, including salary costs for two members of staff seconded to The Foundation. In 2002, as part of the rolling 5-year programme for revaluation of Accounts. Park management (including Wildlife Officers) 27 26 buildings, the base for valuation was reconsidered. In line with the f Stocks None of the board members, key managerial staff or other related Resource Accounting Manual it was agreed that the values should be The Royal Parks holds stocks of items, mainly its own publications, parties has undertaken any material transactions with The Royal Royal Parks Constabulary 63 140 the lower of replacement cost and recoverable amount, which for which are predominately, used as promotional material, although a Parks during the year. Total 160 237 The Royal Parks is the value in use based on actual rents, rather than limited number are sold. All the stock is valued at nil given the market rents. A number of the properties were subject to physical limited number of sales. revaluation and the results were extrapolated to adjust the values of 3. Staff numbers and related costs g Income During 2004-05 a total of 103 Royal Parks Constabulary (RPC) the other dwellings.This resulted in significant reductions in both the 3.1 Staff costs for the year were as follows: Gross Current Replacement Cost £21.748m (84.7 per cent) and All income is shown net of value added tax. officers and civilians transferred to the Metropolitan Police Service 2004-2005 2003-2004 (MPS), which has been co-policing the The Royal Parks since 1 April Net Current Replacement Cost £18.619m (82.7 per cent). Other Residential, Commercial and Utility licence fees are accounted for as £000 £000 2004.The Serious Organised Crime and Policing (SOCAP) Act has properties were also subject to physical revaluation for 2002 and income in the period when they are due for payment rather than been passed which includes provisions to formally transfer policing the results extrapolated to adjust the values of those not physically being allocated over the whole period to which they relate. Wages and salaries 5,341 7,364 revalued, resulting in an increase of £11.886m in GCRC and an of the Parks to MPS and facilitate the abolition of the RPC. All other income is accounted for in the period(s) to which it Social Security costs 440 627 increase of £4.523m in NCRC. Two Royal Parks staff were seconded to The Royal Parks Foundation relates. In 2003 and 2004, a total of 41 per cent of properties by value were Other pension costs 660 875 with effect from 16 July 2004 and the costs are borne by The Royal h Pension Costs Parks. subject to physical revaluation. In addition, dwellings were revalued Early retirement costs Pension benefits are provided by the Principal Civil Service Pension on the basis of actual rents receivable and properties physically (see Notes 5 and 12) 15 17 revalued in 2002 and subsequent years were revalued by a factor arrangements.The rate of the employer's contribution is determined advised by the valuers.The net result of this was an increase in by the Government Actuary and advised by the Treasury and Total 6,456 8,883 GCRC of £4.004m and a decrease in NCRC of £6.430m, which was contributions are charged to the Net Expenditure Account. accounted for directly through the Revaluation Reserve. i Early departure costs The Royal Parks is required to meet the additional cost of benefits The Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) is an unfunded beyond the normal Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme benefits multi-employer defined benefit scheme, but The Royal Parks is in respect of employees who retire early.The agency provides in full unable to identify its share of the underlying assets and liabilities. for this cost when the early retirement programme has been The Scheme Actuary valued the scheme as at 31 March 2003.You announced and is binding on the agency. can find details in the resource accounts of the Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation (www.civilservice-pensions.gov.uk). 52 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05

3.3 Salary and pension entitlements b) Pension benefits

The following sections provide details of the remuneration and pension interests of the Chief Executive and Real increase Accrued Pension CETV at CETV at Real increase Employee Management Board members of The Royal Parks. in Pension at age 60 at 31/3/04 31/3/05 in CETV contributions and related 31/3/05 and and continued lump sum at related transfers in a) Remuneration age 60 lump sum

2004-05 2003-04 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000

Salary £000 Salary £000 William Weston 0-2.5: lump 0-5.0: lump 57 73 12 0-2.5 Chief Executive sum 0-2.5 sum 10–15 William Weston 115-120 (full year equivalent 75-80)* 70-75 (to 31 January 2005) Chief Executive (to 31 January 2005) Bernadette Kenny 0-2.5: lump 25-30: lump 417 422 3 0-2.5 Interim Chief Executive sum 0-2.5 sum 85-90 Bernadette Kenny 15-20 (full year equivalent 95-100) N/A (from 24 January 2005) Interim Chief Executive (from 24 January 2005) Derek Pollock 0-2.5:lump 15-20: lump 279 279 0 0-2.5 RPC Chief Officer sum 0-2.5 sum 55–60

Notes to the accounts the accounts to Notes Derek Pollock 15-20 (full year equivalent 55-60) 50-55 (to 26 July 2004) RPC Chief Officer

For the year ended 31 March 2005 ended 31 year For the (to 26 July 2004) Mike Fitt 0-2.5: lump 20-25: lump 385 418 16 0-2.5 Director of Parks sum 2.5-5.0 sum 70–75 Mike Fitt 55-60 50-55 Director of Parks Sandra Smith 0.0-2.5 20-25 235 262 11 0-2.5 Director of Resources Sandra Smith 45-50 (full year equivalent 50-55) 50-55 (to 13 February 2005) Director of Resources (to 13 February 2005) Anne Moore 0-2.5: lump 10-15: lump 116 119 2 0-2.5 Director of Resources sum 0-2.5 sum 30–35 Anne Moore 0-5 (full year equivalent 50-55) N/A and Business Planning Director of Resources and (from 14 February 2005) Business Planning (from 14 February 2005) Simon Betts 0-2.5: lump 0-5: lump 73 87 10 0-2.5 Simon Betts 45-50 45-50 Director of Estates sum 0-2.5 sum 10–15 Director of Estates Sara Lom 0-2.5: lump 0-5: lump 28 31 3 0-2.5 Sara Lom 15-20 (full year equivalent 55-60) 55-60 Director of Public Affairs sum 0-2.5 sum 10–15 Director of Public Affairs (to 15 July 2004) (to 15 July 2004) Greg McErlean 0.0-2.5 0-5.0 0 3 2 0-2.5 Alison Dickens N/A 20-25 (full year Director of Major Projects Director of Major Projects equivalent 50-55) (from 6 December 2004) (to 15 August 2003) Andy McLellan 0-2.5: lump 20-25: lump 327 360 12 0-2.5 Greg McErlean 15-20 (full year equivalent 55-60) N/A Director of Policy and sum 0-2.5 sum 65-70 Director of Major Projects Chief Operating Officer (from 6 December 2004)

Andy McLellan Director of Policy and 70-75 65-70 Chief Operating Officer

*The Chief Executive received a compensation payment when he left office.

Salary ‘Salary’ includes gross salary; performance pay or bonuses; and any allowance or payment to the extent that it is subject to UK taxation.

Benefits in kind None of the above staff received benefits in kind. The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 55

Civil Service pensions A Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV) is the actuarially assessed 4. Programme costs Pension benefits are provided through the CSP arrangements. From capitalised value of the pension scheme benefits accrued by a 1 October 2002, civil servants may be in one of three statutory member at a particular point in time.The benefits valued are the Parks RPC 2004-05 Parks RPC 2003-04 based 'final salary' defined benefit schemes (classic, premium and member's accrued benefits and any contingent spouse's pension Total Total classic plus).The Schemes are unfunded with the cost of benefits payable from the scheme. A CETV is a payment made by a pension continued met by monies voted by Parliament each year. Pensions payable scheme or arrangement to secure pension benefits in another £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 under classic, premium and classic plus are increased annually in line pension scheme or arrangement when the member leaves a scheme Consultancies 625 8 633 567 48 615 with changes in the Retail Prices Index. New entrants after and chooses to transfer the benefits accrued in their former scheme. 1 October 2002 may choose between membership of premium or The pension figures shown relate to the benefits that the individual Telecommunications 108 67 175 167 58 225 joining a good quality 'money purchase' stakeholder arrangement has accrued as a consequence of their total membership of the Works maintenance 7,561 13 7,574 7,733 5 7,738 with a significant employer contribution (partnership pension pension scheme, not just their service in a senior capacity to which account). disclosure applies.The CETV figures and from 2004-05 the other Grounds Maintenance 6,495 - 6,495 6,113 - 6,113 pension details, include the value of any pension benefit in another Employee contributions are set at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable scheme or arrangement which the individual has transferred to the Nursery 1,020 - 1,020 936 - 936 earnings for classic and 3.5% for premium and classic plus. Benefits in CSP arrangements and for which the CS Vote has received a transfer Trees 312 - 312 372 - 372 classic accrue at the rate of 1/80th of pensionable salary for each payment commensurate to the additional pension liabilities being year of service. In addition, a lump sum equivalent to three years' assumed.They also include any additional pension benefit accrued to Training 62 1 63 24 117 141 pension is payable on retirement. For premium, benefits accrue at the member as a result of their purchasing additional years of Vehicle hire 122 114 236 117 154 271 the rate of 1/60th of final pensionable earnings for each year of

Notes to the accounts the accounts to Notes pension service in the scheme at their own cost. CETVs are service. Unlike classic, there is no automatic lump sum (but calculated within the guidelines and framework prescribed by the Cleaning contracts 835 87 922 798 70 868 members may give up (commute) some of their pension to provide For the year ended 31 March 2005 ended 31 year For the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. a lump sum). Classic plus is essentially a variation of premium, but Entertainments 124 - 124 147 - 147 with benefits in respect of service before 1 October 2002 calculated Utilities 544 19 563 646 24 670 broadly as per classic. c) Royal Parks Advisory Board Service contracts 441 261 702 543 379 922 The partnership pension account is a stakeholder pension The Royal Parks does not make payments to Advisory Board arrangement.The employer makes a basic contribution of between members. However, any claims made by the Board are borne by the Metropolitan Police Service (i) - 5,041 5,041 -- - 3% and 12.5% (depending on the age of the member) into a Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Other 1,108 115 1,223 1,376 441 1,817 stakeholder pension product chosen by the employee.The employee does not have to contribute but where they do make contributions, Landscape development ---314 - 314 the employer will match these up to a limit of 3% of pensionable salary (in addition to the employer's basic contribution). Employers also contribute a further 0.8% of pensionable salary to cover the Total 19,357 5,726 25,083 19,853 1,296 21,149 cost of centrally provided risk benefit cover (death in service and ill (i) Since the introduction of co-policing of the Parks on 1 April 2004, charges have been made by the MPS for the service, which accounts for health retirement). lower expenditure on other headings for the RPC and overall salaries (Note 3.1). Further details about the CSP arrangements can be found at the website www.civilservice-pensions.gov.uk

Columns 4 and 5 of the above table show the member's cash equivalent transfer value (CETV) accrued at the beginning and the 5. Cost of capital and other notional charges end of the reporting period. Column 6 reflects the increase in CETV effectively funded by the employer. It takes account of the increase in 2004-05 2003-04 accrued pension due to inflation, contributions paid by the employee £000 £000 (including the value of any benefits transferred from another pension scheme or arrangement) and uses common market valuation factors The following notional expenditure items for the start and end of the period. have been included in the Accounts: Interest charges (i) 1,206 1,059

Audit fee (ii) 36 36

Total 1,242 1,095

Centrally funded early departure costs (iii) 14 17

(i) A charge, reflecting the cost of capital utilised by the Agency, is included in operating costs.The charge is calculated at the Government's standard rate of 3.5 per cent in real terms on all assets, except donated assets, less liabilities.

(ii) A notional charge has been made for the amount advised by the National Audit Office.

(iii) Payments met in cash terms by the Civil Superannuation Vote.These notional costs have been included as Early Retirement Costs in Note 3.1. 56 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05

6. Income 7. Fixed assets

2004-05 2003-04 Land and Dwellings Plant and Fixtures, fittings Assets in the Total £000 £000 Buildings Machinery tools and course of

continued equipment Construction From Operations: £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Concessions: Catering 1,432 1,096 Carparking 966 860 Cost/ Valuation Other 165 200 At 1 April 2004 43,862 4,263 359 5,927 3,256 57,667 Licences and rents 1,409 1,015 Transfer 2,975 - - - (2,975) - Fees from events 1,686 1,482 Additions 1,316 - 32 185 3,125 4,658 Other fees and permits 380 393 Disposals - - (80) (11) - (91) Lottery and other grants 629 1,330 Revaluation 9,271 402 4 70 - 9,747 Fundraising 9 - At 31 March 2005 57,424 4,665 315 6,171 3,406 71,981

Notes to the accounts the accounts to Notes Services 91 80 Depreciation Royal Parks Constabulary 5 14 For the year ended 31 March 2005 ended 31 year For the At 1 April 2004 18,355 886 314 3,617 - 23,172 Other 713 540 Charged in year 914 104 22 334 - 1,374 Total 7,485 7,010 Disposals - - (67) (11) - (78) Notional Income Revaluation 6,617 116 3 38 - 6,774 Depreciation on donated asset (transfer from donated asset reserve) 11 10 At 31 March 2005 25,886 1,106 272 3,978 - 31,242 Grand Total 7,496 7,020 Net book value

At 31 March 2005 31,538 3,559 43 2,193 3,406 40,739

At 31 March 2004 25,507 3,377 45 2,310 3,256 34,495

Land and buildings are valued in accordance with the accounting The transfer from Assets under Construction to Buildings relates to policy described at Note 1b. Mills & Wood, Surveyors and Valuers prior year's costs of building the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial undertook the professional valuation of property for 2004-05. Fountain, which was completed in July 2004. Assets under construction as at 31 March 2005 represent the costs relating to The Depreciation has not been charged on freehold land, which is stated Hub (a new Pavilion) in Regent's Park, which is being funded by at its 1999 valuation of £20,000 plus £3,000 for land purchased in Lottery bodies and donations via The Royal Parks Foundation. As at 1999-2000. 31 March 2005 £1,997,241 had been raised and has been Freehold buildings with an opening valuation of £833,696, in year accounted for through the donated asset reserve account. revaluation of £44,000, opening depreciation of £337,655, in year The Royal Parks has a 99-year lease on Pembroke Lodge in depreciation of £14,329 and revaluation depreciation of £32,000 are Richmond Park of which 86 years remained unexpired at 31 March included in the above table.The net book value of these buildings 2005.The property is included in land and buildings at a value of was £496,041 at 31 March 2004 and £493,712 at 31 March 2005. £770,000. The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 59

8. Debtors 11. Leases and hire purchase obligations

2004-05 2003-04 2004-05 2003-04 £000 £000 £000 £000 continued Operating lease rentals for vehicles and equipment Trade debtors 779 1,214 due within next year:

Other central government departments (Lottery debtors) 790 - Leases expiring within one year 42 31

Local authorities (Metropolitan Police) 55 - Leases expiring within two to five years 37 186

Other 116 688 Total 79 217

Value Added Tax 889 1,638 During 2005-06 some leases will be terminated early as a result of RPC officers transferring to the Metropolitan Police Service. However as the timing for the transfer is uncertain, a full year's obligations are recorded. Prepayments - 25

Total 2,629 3,565

Notes to the accounts the accounts to Notes 12. Provision for early retirement costs

For the year ended 31 March 2005 ended 31 year For the 9. Cash at bank and in hand 2004-05 2003-04 £000 £000 2004-05 2003-04 Balance at 1 April - 3 £000 £000 Decrease in provision - (1) Opening balance (7) (12) Payable within one year - (2) Movement during the year 4 5 Balance 31 March - 0 Closing balance (3) (7)

13. Revaluation reserve 10. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

2004-05 2003-04 2004-05 2003-04 Unrealised Unrealised £000 £000 £000 £000 Trade creditors 1,985 1,973 Balance at 1 April 5,852 4,775 Accruals 2,566 2,307 Arising on revaluation during the year (net) 2,973 1,375 Other taxation and social security 116 191 Transferred to General Reserve in respect of Deferred income 125 245 realised element of revaluation reserve (358) (298)

Total 4,792 4,716 Balance 31 March 8,467 5,852 60 The Royal Parks Annual Report & Accounts 04-05 Supporters of The Royal Parks

Regent’s Park Sports Project Abbey Adidas Aerial Camera Systems 14. Donated asset reserve The Big Lottery Fund Capital Kids Cricket 2004-05 2003-04 The Charles Dunstone Charitable Trust £000 £000 The Football Association The Football Foundation

continued Published by TSO (The Stationery Office) and available from: Balance at 1 April 494 504 London Marathon Charitable Trust Online The Lord’s Taverners Additions in year 1,997 - www.tso.co.uk/bookshop Marylebone Cricket Club Depreciation charged in year (11) (10) Nike (UK) Ltd Mail,Telephone, Fax & Email Balance 31 March 2,480 494 The Hon. Akash & The Hon. Mrs Nisha Paul TSO Sport England PO Box 29, Norwich NR3 1GN Sportsmatch Telephone orders/General enquiries 0870 600 5522 15. General fund Westminster City Council Fax orders 0870 600 5533 The Weston Family Order through the Parliamentary Hotline Lo-Call 0845 7 023474 Email [email protected] 2004-05 2003-04 Bushy Park Restoration Project Textphone 0870 240 3701 £000 £000 Heritage Lottery Fund Birkbeck Garden History Group TSO Shops Balance at 1 April 26,991 22,913 123 Kingsway, London WC2B 6PQ Notes to the accounts the accounts to Notes The British Land Company Add: Bucknall Austin 020 7242 6393 Fax 020 7242 6394 For the year ended 31 March 2005 ended 31 year For the Funding from DCMS 25,802 28,089 Farrer & Co 68-69 Bull Street, Birmingham B4 6AD Fenwick Limited Notional and non-cash charges and income 1,256 1,112 0121 236 9696 Fax 0121 236 9699 Forster Company Transfer from revaluation reserve 358 298 Geoffrey Osborne Ltd 9-21 Princess Street, Manchester M60 8AS Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel 0161 834 7201 Fax 0161 833 0634 54,407 52,412 North East Essex Decorative 16 Arthur Street, Belfast BT1 4GD Less: & Fine Arts Society 028 9023 8451 Fax 028 9023 5401 Net expenditure for the year (26,659) (25,421) S McConnell & Sons Ltd The Weston Family 18-19 High Street, Cardiff CF10 1PT Balance 31 March 27,748 26,991 029 2039 5548 Fax 029 2038 4347 Others 71 Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH3 9AZ B.A.B 0870 606 5566 Fax 0870 606 5588 Central London Partnership Daily Mail & General Trust The Parliamentary Bookshop 16. Post balance sheet events 18. Contingent liabilities EC Soft Ice 12 Bridge Street, Parliament Square There is no material post balance sheet event required to adjust the The Royal Parks has a number of outstanding claims for The Forster Company London SW1A 2JX accounts or to be disclosed. compensation for personal injury, the outcomes of which are Friends of The Royal Parks Telephone orders/General enquiries 020 7219 3890 uncertain. Greenwich School of Management Fax orders 020 7219 3866 Hyde Park Appeal Accredited Agents 17. Capital commitments Nestle UK Ltd (see Yellow Pages) The Royal Parks had £1,047,836 of contracted capital commitments 19. Key corporate financial target Park Café as at 31 March 2005 and £393,386 as at 31 March 2004. In this The Royal Parks achieved £6.5 million of income compared with a The Prince of Wales’ and through good booksellers context capital commitments relates to items which become fixed target of £6.6 million, overall income was up 22.6 per cent Royal Parks Tree Appeal assets. compared with £5.3 million in 2003-04.Whilst catering showed an The Prince’s Trust increase of 31 per cent to £1.4 million, car parking concession Reed Elsevier income rose only 12 per cent to £1.0 million.The income target is Richmond Park Charitable Trust based on an adjusted figure shown in the accounts and thus Service Team amounts are not directly comparable. Tango Al Fresco Tetley Special Teas Waitrose

Design www.chacha.co.uk

Photography Cover and timeline images: www.jasperwhite.co.uk

Page 21: Alistair Muir

Printed in the UK for The Stationery Office Limited on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office 07/05, 179326