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Armagh Observatory and Planetarium Business Plan 2014/15

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Contents

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Minister's Foreword .................................................................................................................. 3 Welcome and Introduction ....................................................................................................... 5 Policy Context ............................................................................................................................ 6 Key Performance Indicators ­ 2014/15 .................................................................................... 8 Strategy and Delivery ................................................................................................................ 9 Governance .............................................................................................................................. 13 Organisational Structure ......................................................................................................... 14 Budget ...................................................................................................................................... 14

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1.

Minister's Foreword
DCAL is committed to harnessing culture, arts and leisure to promote equality and tackle poverty and social exclusion. Over the course of the last year, DCAL and its arm's length bodies have made good progress transforming delivery so that as much public resource as possible is invested in these key priority areas in a way which will bring about lasting and meaningful change to as many people as possible, but in particular to those who are most disadvantaged.

The theme for the year ahead will be to continue this journey. There will be particular emphasis on making culture, arts and leisure more accessible, promoting and supporting our cultural identity, lifelong learning, and excellence in service delivery. Exciting and innovative programmes and projects are set to come on-stream across the entire field of DCAL's operations. Importantly, a new strategic focus will be brought to our work in promoting equality, tackling poverty and social exclusion which will involve delivery, advocacy, partnership development, knowledge sharing and networking. In order to successfully deliver our ambitious objectives work will continue behind the scenes to ensure that DCAL further develops partnerships, enhances its processes, and invests in its people.

CarÀl NÌ ChuilÌn Minister of Culture, Arts & Leisure

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RÈamhrÀ
TÀ RCEF tiomanta do leas a bhaint as cultÇr, ealaÌona agus fÑillÌocht le comhionannas a chur chun cinn agus le dul i ngleic le bochtaineacht agus le heisiamh sÑisialta. Le bliain anuas, tÀ dul chun cinn maith dÈanta ag RCEF agus ag a cuid comhlachtaÌ ar neamhthuilleamaÌ maidir le solÀthar a bhunathrÇ chun feabhais ionas go n-infheistÌtear an oiread acmhainne poiblÌ agus is fÈidir sna heochair-rÈimsÌ tosaÌochta sin ar bhealach a bhainfidh amach athrÇ buan agus lÀnbhrÌ don oiread daoine agus is fÈidir, go hÀirithe dÑibh siÇd is mÑ atÀ faoi mhÌbhuntÀiste.

LeanÇint ar aghaidh ar an turas sin an tÈama a bheidh ann don bhliain atÀ romhainn. Beidh bÈim faoi leith ar chultÇr, ealaÌona agus fÑillÌocht a dhÈanamh nÌos inrochtana. Ina theannta sin, tabharfar tacaÌocht dÀr bhfÈiniÇlacht chultÇrtha, d'fhoghlaim ar feadh an tsaoil agus do shÀrmhaitheas i solÀthar seirbhÌse agus cuirfear na nithe sin uile chun cinn. TÀ clÀir agus tionscadail spreagÇla agus nuÀlacha le tosÇ trasna rÈimse iomlÀn oibrÌochtaÌ RCEF. Is tÀbhachtach go dtabharfar fÑcas Çr straitÈiseach dÀr gcuid oibre maidir le comhionannas a chur chun cinn, dul i ngleic le bochtaineacht agus le heisiamh sÑisialta agus beidh solÀthar, tacaÌocht, forbairt chomhphÀirtÌochta, comhroinnt eolais agus lÌonrÇ mar chuid di. LenÀr gcuspÑirÌ uaillmhianacha a bhaint amach go rathÇil leanfar den obair ar chÇl stÀitse lena chinntiÇ go ndÈanann RCEF breis forbartha ar chomhphÀirtÌochtaÌ, go bhfeabhsaÌonn sÌ a cuid prÑiseas, agus go n-infheistÌonn sÌ ina cuid daoine.

CarÀl NÌ ChuilÌn An tAire CultÇir, EalaÌon & FÑillÌochta

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2.

Welcome and Introduction

2.1. The Armagh Observatory is the oldest scientific institution in Northern Ireland and the longest continuously operating astronomical research institute in the UK and Ireland. 2.2. The sign late and cultural and heritage importance of Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is ificant, and almost as important as our scientific credentials. It was founded in the 18th Century, through the 1791 Act, passed by the Irish Parliament for "settling preserving a Public Observatory and Museum in the City of Armagh for ever ".

2.3. The addition of the Planetarium on the same site in 1968 has greatly enhanced the organisation's public face and outreach activities. The fact that we have a working Observatory with a vibrant research element strengthens our status nationally and internationally. Who We Are 2.4. The Governors of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is a statutory corporation that operates under the authority of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. 2.5. This Order requires the Governors to maintain and manage the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium for the purpose of `developing the knowledge, appreciation and practice of astronomy and related sciences'. It permits the Governors to take such other action as they think proper for the purpose of acquiring or disseminating knowledge relating to astronomy and related sciences, and in particular to carry out, or assist in the carrying out of research. 2.6. The 1995 Order permits the Governors to exercise any of the powers previously provided under the original 1791 Act, which was passed by the Irish Parliament for "settling and preserving a Public Observatory and Museum in the City of Armagh for ever". The Act makes clear that this endowment is not only because of his "generous inclinations" but also for the "encouragement of the Liberal Arts and Sciences". Mission Statement 2.7. The Mission of Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is: "To advance the knowledge and understanding of astronomy and related sciences through the execution, promotion and dissemination of astronomical research nationally and internationally in order to enrich the intellectual, economic, social and cultural life of the community".

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3.

Policy Context

3.1. The Northern Ireland Executive has indicated in the Programme for Government that its primary focus for the period 2011-15 is to deliver a vibrant economy which can transform our society while dealing with the deprivation and poverty which has affected some of our communities for generations. The Programme for Government identifies the following five key strategic, complementary priorities: Growing a Sustainable Economy and Investing in the Future ; Creating Opportunities, Tackling Disadvantage and Improving Health and Wellbeing; Protecting Our People, the Environment and Creating Safer Communities; Building a Strong and Shared Community; and Delivering High Quality and Efficient Public Services. 3.2. Particular commitments included within the Programme for Government which have been taken into account in developing this Business Plan are: Increase uptake in economically relevant Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) places; Develop and implement a Strategy to reduce economic inactivity through skills, training, incentives and job creation. 3.3. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) is the sponsoring body of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium. In support of its vision of "a confident, creative, informed and vibrant community", DCAL has a mission statement "To promote social and economic equality, and to tackle poverty and social exclusion, through systematically promoting a sustainable economic model and proactively targeting meaningful resources at sectors of greatest inequality, within areas of greatest objective need, in the wider context of effectively developing tangible opportunities and measurable outcomes for securing excellence and equality across culture, arts and leisure and a confident, creative, informed and healthy society in this part of Ireland." 3.4. The prio Department's Business Plan for 2014/15 also identifies the following key rities: Promoting equality, tackling poverty and social exclusion; Promoting and supporting lifelong learning; Enhancing north-south links; Promoting and supporting excellence in service delivery; Supporting the creative industries; Together Building a United Community; Making culture, arts and leisure more accessible; Promoting and supporting our cultural identity; Use of social clauses in procurement; Delivering the Regional Stadium Programme; and Delivering the City of Culture legacy.
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3.5. During the period of this Business Plan and in the years to come, the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium will play its part in addressing these priorities. Promoting Equality and Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion (PETPSE) 3.6. We live in a society where much inequality still exists and where everyone does not have an equal opportunity to develop their talents to the full. The Northern Ireland Executive recognises that actions to address poverty and tackle disadvantage are prerequisites for social progress and is committed, through its Programme for Government, to addressing inequality and unfairness and creating conditions that support inclusion and equality of opportunity. Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is committed to providing access to these audiences and will align resources and put structures in place around education, outreach, employability and communications to reach these audiences. All Ireland Work 3.7. The Armagh Observatory and Planetarium has good working relations with cross border bodies. Its Management Committee has representation from universities in Dublin, Nottingham and Leeds. Its cross-border activity includes, for example, working with the European Space Agency Educational Resource Organisation teacher training project, the Discover Science and Engineering programme, the delivery of primarysector teacher training courses in Border counties, membership and service on the committees of the Royal Irish Academy. Other cross-border activities include the use of the supercomputer FIONN through a collaboration with the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), delivery of lectures at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), the supervision of Transition-Year school work-experience students and TCD final-year undergraduate Physics students' projects, visits by undergraduates from TCD, and the postgraduate Lindsay Scholarship Programme. 3.8. The Armagh Observatory and Planetarium also is part of the Irish Astronomy Trail. This trail covers observatories, visitor centres and astronomical research institutes across the whole island of Ireland. This heritage and cultural tourism initiative aims to link the most interesting astronomy centres on the island of Ireland on a trail that can be followed, in whole or in part, by individuals, families or groups on organized tours.

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4.

Key Performance Indicators ­ 2014/15
Area Visitors 1 2 Description Total number of visitors by 31 March 2015 Percentage of visitors from schools on the Extended Schools Register or with high proportion of Free School Meals by 31 March 2015 (PETPSE) Number of visitors to the Observatory's websites between 1 January - 31 December 2014 Number of visitors to www.armaghplanet.com by 31 March 2015 Number of participants in STEAM programmes by 31 March 2015 Number of participants at outreach events by 31 March 2015 Number of work placements offered to school children from deprived areas1 between 1 January - 31 December 2014 (PETPSE) Number of events targeted at areas of multiple deprivation by 31 March 2015 (PETPSE) Number of articles published in refereed scientific journal publications between 1 January - 31 December 2014 Number of citations in mass media publications between 1 January - 31 December 2014 External income as a percentage of total income by 31 March 2015 Self-generated income (through sales and admissions) as a percentage of total income by 31 March 2015 Payments processed within 10 days Target 44,000 20% of total

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18 million hits

4 5 Outreach 6 7

1 million hits 1,600 15,000 7

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6

Research

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40

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200

Resources

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18% 25% 90%

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A deprived area is denoted by a school a) with 20% or greater entitlement to Free School Meals and/or b) registered on the Extended Schools Programme 8


5.

Strategy and Delivery
Cross-Cutting Themes

5.1. The Extended Schools Programme aims to improve levels of educational achievement and the longer term life chances of disadvantaged children and young people by providing the necessary additional support which can enable those children to reach their full potential. The Armagh Observatory and Planetarium will, through our work with schools, focus resource on targeting the schools represented on the Extended Schools Programme or which have a high proportion of children entitled to Free School Meals. 5.2. More broadly the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium will harness our resources in ways that meet the needs of people who face the most significant and urgent problems in our society. The following activities will be delivered: A curriculum based learning programme will be delivered to 235 schools, with direct interventions for schools on the Extended Schools register or with a high proportion of entitlement to Free School Meals(PETPSE); Six outreach events will be delivered across Northern Ireland, targeted at areas with high levels of deprivation (PETPSE); Eighteen work-experience placements will be available within the Observatory, aimed at nurturing the ambitions of future scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians. These will be targeted at schools on the Extended Schools register or with a high proportion of children eligible for Free School Meals (PETPSE); Free visits to the Planetarium will be offered to all forty special schools in Northern Ireland (PETPSE); and Therapeutic work placements will be available to two adults with complex needs aimed at increasing their knowledge, self-confidence and communications skills. (PETPSE)



Visitors 5.3. The Armagh Observatory and Planetarium will engage with the widest possible audience and will develop specific initiatives to increase awareness in target areas and communities of greatest need. Initiatives will include special events and use of promotional opportunities, installing a new outdoor exhibit `aroundNorth' in the Observatory grounds and working with partner organisations on the project `The Waking of Brian Boru', to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf and the death of Brian Boru on Good Friday, 1014. Engagement with exis ting visitors will be important for achieving our visitor target, creating word of mouth referrals and reaching those who are visiting friends and relatives living in Northern Ireland.

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Key Tasks and Supporting Actions: Provide access to the Planetarium for 44,000 visitors. This will be achieved by running specially adapted programmes in the Digital Theatre, special events throughout the year, especially during holiday periods. Provide access to the Planetarium for 250 children with special needs. This will be achieved by inviting all special schools in Northern Ireland to have a free visit to the Planetarium. (PETPSE) Encourage 65 visits from schools in the Extended Schools Programme or with a high proportion of Free School Meals. (PETPSE) Provide online access to the Observatory's history and heritage as well as to its scientific results in astronomy, meteorology and related sciences, and to facilitate `virtual' visits to the Observatory, reaching a total of 18 million website hits. Provide online access to the Planetarium's resources and latest astronomy news by continuing to promote our blog and Astronotes pages, aiming to achieve 1 million website hits. Provide at least 12 events throughout the year aimed at supporting the STEAM agenda to nurture the ambitions of future scientists, technologists, engineers, artists and mathematicians Increase and improve visitor information, monitoring and feedback by delivering a programme of research to track visitor numbers and attitudes to the Planetarium.



Outreach ­ Science in the Community 5.4. The Armagh Observatory and Planetarium plays a key role in inspiring young people to value education and pursue careers in Science and Technology. We will provide a fresh range of opportunities for those interested in astronomy and the world we live in. The initiatives will include reaching out to schools from deprived areas to offer seven work-experience placements for children aged 16 years upwards, scheduling specific events in areas of high multiple deprivation and reaching out to 15,000 people who would not find it easy to come to the Planetarium in Armagh. We also make a unique contribution to increasing skills and knowledge of two adults with complex needs. Key Tasks and Supporting Actions: Deliver organised programmes for 15,000 people away from the Planetarium site. For example, a new programme of outsourced projects starting with Planetaliens, a new workshop "Seeing the Invisible", Cosmic Dragons and BT Young Scientist event in the RDS, Dublin. Deliver seven work-experience placements to school children from deprived areas to encourage them to pursue careers in STEM industries. (PETPSE)



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Deliver six events targeted at areas of high multiple deprivation. (PETPSE)Deliver two work-experience placements for adults with complex needs to increase their skills and knowledge. (PETPSE) Deliver a STEAM programme in conjunction with other partners e.g. National Museums NI & Libraries NI.

Research 5.5. Staff at Armagh Observatory maintain a high level of research activity. Through the presentation of research on the international stage, the Observatory makes a major contribution to promoting the City of Armagh and Northern Ireland. Key Tasks and Supporting Actions: Publish 40 articles in refereed scientific journal publications. Achieve 200 citations in mass-media publications on astronomy and meteorology related topics. These often contain significant educational content; they reflect the Observatory's success in contributing to lifelong learning and wider public understanding of science. The mass media can often reach millions of people simultaneously. To cooperate with the independent review of the Observatory's research function. The outcome of the review will provide DCAL with an assurance of the research work of the organisation. To prepare for a new Library, Archives and Historic Scientific Instruments building by engaging with potential partner organisations and fundin g agencies.



Resources 5.6. Armagh Observatory and Planetarium faces budgetary pressures during this financial year. We will seek to maximise the value of our funding from central government through efficiency and effectiveness and we will continue to develop strategic partnerships that help to fund joint initiatives as well as bid for grant funding and other income from external sources. Armagh Observatory and Planetarium resources will be aligned to address our statutory commitments and public policy oblig ations. Key Tasks and Supporting Actions: Achieve income through grants and other income for the Observatory of approximately 18% of total income by 31 March 2014, by maintaining existing projects and by applying for additional funding from external fund ing bodies. The Observatory will also continue to use UK and international facilities located abroad or in space, which provide further significant external support `in kind', for example by obtaining research time on facilities belonging to the European Southern Observatory and the European Space Agency. Achieve self-generated income of 25% of total income from the Planetarium by 31 March 2015.
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Achieve 90% compliance with the NI Executive's ten-day prompt payment target. To co-operate in the Management Committee initiated Review of the Management and Organisation of Armagh Observatory and Planetarium: Engage with the review team Provide information and advice on future options. Further develop best practice in governance and accountability: Providing Quarterly Assurance Statements in line with DCAL guidelines Delivering draft Annual Report and Accounts Providing Year End Governance Return Implementing procurement guidelines Implementing audit recommendations against agreed target dates Providing induction training to new Management Committee members Promoting equality and best employment practice.

Planned Events During 2014/15 5.7. The following events are planned throughout 2014/15. 1 ­ 2 May 2014 July ­ August 2014 13 September 2014 November 2014 December 2014 January 2015 17 March 2015 `The Waking of Brian Boru' Concerts (CoI Cathedral, Armagh) Summer Programme of special weekend events at Planetarium European Heritage Open Day ­ Tours of the Observatory Georgian Day --Tours of Observatory building, telescope domes and grounds offered to members of the public Programme of evening open nights for Christmas Participation in BT Young Scientist of the Year event, RDS Dublin Participation in 2015 St Patrick's Day Events: Tours of Observatory building, telescope domes and grounds offered to members of the public

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6.

Governance

6.1. Membership of the Board of Governors of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium consists of: the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh; the Dean of the Church of Ireland Cathedral of Armagh; the other members of the Chapter of the Church of Ireland Cathedral of Armagh; one DCAL nominee; one Queen's University Belfast (QUB) nominee; and up to three additional members nominated by the Board of Governors. 6.2. The Board has established a Management Committee to provide specialist advice and expertise relating to Scientific Research and Education, and to fulfil certain duties of governance oversight and challenge. The Management Committee comprises: the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh (Chair) or his nominee (appointed as Chair); three nominees from the Board of Governors; six nominees from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure; one nominee of the Queen's University, Belfast; one nominee from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC); one nominee from the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS); and up to three additional members co-opted by the Board of Governors. 6.3. The Director of the Observatory and the Director of the Planetarium are the Accounting Officer for their respective areas of the organisation. Each Accounting Officer is responsible for: safeguarding the public funds for which he has charge; ensuring propriety and regularity in the handling of those public funds; and the respective day-to-day operations and management of the Armagh Observatory or Armagh Planetarium.

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7.

Organisational Structure
The structure of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is displayed below. There are approximately 45 staff and students.

Board of Governors

Management Committee

Director of Observatory

Director of Planetarium

Library, Public Relations & Outreach

Grounds Maintenance and Meteorological Readings and Support

Science in Community / Universe Awareness

Finance, Administration & Technical Support

Research Astronomers / Fellows

Education Support Officers

Research Assistants and PhD students

Creative Director

Science Communication Director

Finance & Administration

8.

Budget
Zero Based Budgeting Exercise Outcome

8.1. In 2013/14 an exercise was carried out to consider the alignment of activities carried out by the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium against DCAL Ministerial priorities. This showed that 92% of the organisation's budget is expended on meeting its statutory obligations, with a proportionate level of governance, oversight and administration. Armagh Observatory and Planetarium has adapted to the DCAL Minister's new direction and is actively seeking to promote these obligations and target those most in need, wherever practicable and relevant to its core functions. 8.2. The indicative budget allocation from DCAL for 2014/15 is ¸1.527m of Resource per annum. The following tables set out the DCAL grant-in-aid Resource allocation to the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium.

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Observatory Salaries (permanent research/support) Salaries (Fixed Term research/support staff) Student fees/grants Other research costs LESS Research income/grants received Net Research Expenditure Buildings and grounds maintenance costs Salaries (administration/governance) Other administration/governance costs Net expenditure

635 95 160 135 1025 (235) 790 128 95 30 1,043

Planetarium Salaries (Education) Salaries (Shop/Front Desk) Salaries (Administration/governance) Subtotal Other educational costs/shows/ promotional material Buildings and grounds maintenance costs Other general administration expenditure Gross expenditure LESS other income/grants/admissions Net expenditure

311 30 62 403 65 139 46 653 (169) 484

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