PPARC. 1998 business plan

The 1998 PPARC Business Plan is based on the allocation of Pound Sterling 191.268M for 1998/99 set out in 'Allocation of the Science Budget 1998-99'. The objectives and programme to be pursued by PPARC in the years 1998/99 to 2001/02 inclusive are set out; the internal programme guidelines remain largely as in the 1997 Business Plan. Detailed spending plans have only been drawn up for 1998/99, pending the outcome of the government's Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), and may have to be revised in the light of that Review. Firm commitments for domestic expenditure already made, or to be made before the outcome of the CSR is known, will not exceed 95% of the domestic expenditure allocation for 1998/99 in 1999/00, and 90% thereof in 2000/01. The past decade has been one of exceptional progress in both astronomy and particle physics, with the very real prospect of making further major advances in the next decade. PPARC supported scientists have played a significant role in securing this progress, and Council is concerned to ensure that they should continue to do so. The recognised world-class strength of current and past UK research and training in astronomy and particle physics is in large measure due to investments made ten or more years ago, and this investment must continue into the future. Since its inception in 1994, Council has been striving to create additional headroom for new investment, and this Business Plan is the first in which Council's efforts will be fully realised, with the restructuring of the Royal Observatories being completed in 1998199, continued efficiency gains at all sites, and reduction in the CERN and ESA budgets, all contributing to increased flexibility in the domestic science programme. The PPARC programme is dominated by long term international commitments with a planning horizon which extends well beyond 2001/02. Council therefore plans on a correspondingly long timescale, drawing on the 'Road Map' of opportunities of the highest scientific priority produced and published by its Science Committee in December 1997. Council has confirmed the importance of maintaining scientific excellence and breadth in its research programme, and is particularly concerned to ensure that the UK secures a cost-effective scientific return on its past and continuing investments in CERN and ESA. It has confirmed the priority given to the production of high quality trained scientists and engineers (increasingly recognised as of national importance); to its industrial collaboration programme to enhance industrial competitiveness; and to the promotion of public awareness and understanding of science. Council has maintained the growth in these 'White Paper' objective areas. The principal short-term objectives addressed in this Plan are: to complete the rationalisation of support for the ground-based astronomy programme, centred around the formation of the Astronomy Technology Centre (ATC) in Edinburgh; to commence the implementation of the long term strategy for ground-based astronomy in the Gemini era of 8 m telescopes; to commence the substantial programme for UK participation in the CERN LHC scientific programme, now recommended by Council to OST and Treasury for authorisation; and to prepare for appropriate investment in the next missions of ESA's Horizons 2000 Space Science Programme. Substantial resources have been set aside in 1998/99 to expedite the restructuring of the Royal Observatories as rapidly and effectively as possible. Technological support of the ground-based astronomy programme, formerly carried out by the Royal Observatories (RGO and ROE), will be concentrated at the new ATC in Edinburgh from 1 April 1998, with other activities continuing in a variety of institutes, including the Universities of Cambridge and Edinburgh. The longer term savings resulting from this restructuring have been reinvested in the research programme. Council will continue to give high priority to securing efficiency gains and other savings in its programme and operations. This is essential if it is to be able to support new projects in the future. National investment levels in astronomy and particle physics have been declining steadily over a period of more than 20 years and the present strategic planning guidelines do not allow Council to reverse this trend. In the preparation of the Science Committee's 'Road Map' and this Business Plan it became clear that it would prove impossible to pursue a number of opportunities of outstanding scientific merit, with consequent loss of scientific output and international standing. Nevertheless, Council is confident that its current programme offers outstanding scientific value for money, and is determined that it should continue to do so into the future. (author)