draft Contracting Out (Functions Relating to the Royal Parks) order 2016

Rosena Allin-Khan Excerpts

Wednesday 19th October 2016 General Committees

[Dr Rosena Allin-Khan (Tooting) (Lab)]

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship for the first time, Mr Davies. I hope it is the first of many.

The Royal Parks are fundamental to so many who live in the surrounding areas, as well as to millions of visitors each year, many of whom may not otherwise have access to safe outdoor spaces to enjoy. It therefore makes sense to ensure that they are under management that proves most beneficial for their success, that allows them to flourish, and that maximises their potential for all who enjoy them. The Opposition will not be calling for a Division, but we have some questions about the draft order and I would like to hear some reassurances from the Minister.

First, although I welcome the prospect of the parks not being over-commercialised, commercialisation will be inevitable unless there is some element of Government financial support, through both Government and capital grants. The Royal Parks would need to host at least double the current number of events of significant magnitude to raise the same amount of income as is currently provided by Government grants each year. Furthermore, without capital grants, the Royal Parks will be unable to carry out important regeneration works that would lead to future income generation. Can the Minister assure me that Government financial support will be continued?

Secondly, although it is not openly stated in the draft order, I welcome the promise that all current staff at the Royal Parks Agency will transfer over to the new organisation; that there will be no redundancies; and that staff will still receive a civil service pension. As none of that is openly stated in the draft order, will the Minister confirm for the record that that is the case?

When new staff are recruited in future, will their pensions and pay scale differ from those transferred from the civil service at the outset? What precise plans do the Government have for Grosvenor Square garden with respect to contracting out? Will the new contract explicitly state which concessions, stalls and new commercial avenues would be acceptable so as to ensure that they are in keeping with the Royal Parks’ heritage? Importantly, will be there be a commitment to promote access to the park spaces for schools and community groups from socioeconomically disadvantaged areas?