Dennis Clarke Head of Park Services

Management ofThe Royal Parks

The Royal Parks Agency and how it manages the Royal Parks

• Historical overview

• Governance

• Funding

• Management of the Parks

Historical overview

• Crown Lands Act 1851

• 8 Parks

• 2,000 hectares

• Executive Agency 1993

• Foundation 2003

Governance

• Secretary of State for Culture,

Media and Sport

• Executive Agency within DCMS

• Royal Parks Board

• Executive Committee

• Audit committee

• Accounting officer

Royal Parks Structure

• Chief Executive and

Deputy Chief Executive

• Directors, Heads of Services

and Park Managers

• Specialist staff

• Bought in services e.g. legal

• Park Units with dedicated teams

Funding

• Government

• Commercial

• Foundation

• Partnerships

• Lottery funds and Grants

The Park Management Context

• Heavy Park use

• Very high profile

• International importance

• Historic, treasured

landscapes

• Important buildings

and monuments

• Biodiversity and key

habitats

Aims of Park Management

• High Standards with well managed,

quality parks

• Value for money and efficiency

• Flexibility and scope to adapt

• Public Accountability

• An exemplar within the United Kingdom

• Work with others in the industry

to develop and share best practice

How do we achieve our aims?

• Good specifications

• Good materials

• Close supervision

• Contracts developed through

experience and review

• Partnerships

How do we ensure we deliver?

• Review and Monitoring of our work

• Independent landscape assessment

• Green Flag and other judging

• Visitor Surveys

• Budgetary systems – Core and Priority Work

• Staff training

• Apprenticeship Scheme

• Park Business Units

• Project Management

• Targets for delivery

• Accountability

• Staff Appraisal

• Planning

Management Systems

Planning in The Royal Parks

• Corporate Plan

• Business Plans

• Operation Plans

• Risk Registers

• Park Management Plans

• Conservation Plans

Examples of Recent Achievements

• High levels of visitor satisfaction• Awards for Partnership work with our contractors• Invitations to share best practice and give international presentations• Strengthened relationships with stakeholders

Future challenges (and opportunities)

• Climate change

• Increasing use

• Spending review

• Skills

• Developing competition

• Olympics

Questions for Colin Buttery and

Dennis Clarke