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
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