Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report and noted that the schedule of charges in respect of the above-mentioned matter had been published on the Council’s Mod.gov website:

“1.    Relevant Background Information

1.1    The Committee will recall the report presented at the September 2013 meeting regarding the review of the Zoo’s animal adoption package.Following the Committee’s consideration in September, a further review has taken place and officers have made further enhancements to the various adoption packages, taking into account Members comments.

2.      Key Issues

         The adoption package costs remain unchanged from the original proposal in September and include a new package for our younger visitors.  This includes a gift bag, a free child entrance ticket, a fact sheet and certificate. This is priced at £25.00 and is aimed at the gift market.

The bronze package has been enhanced, and now includes one free entrance ticket, and the chance for the adopter and one guest to attend an exclusive behind the scenes evening tour of the Zoo, as well as a number of features that were previously outlined.

The silver package now includes four free entrance tickets to the Zoo, a personalised guided tour of the zoo during the summer for the adopter and one friend, and the chance for the adopter and three guests to attend an exclusive behind the scenes evening tour of the Zoo, as well as a number of features that were previously outlined;

The gold package now includes eight free entrance tickets to the zoo, a personalised guided tour of the Zoo during the summer for the adopter and up to ten guests, the opportunity to meet the zookeeper who manages the adopter’s chosen animal and learn more about how it is looked after (including the chance to access areas normally restricted to visitors), and the chance for the adopter and three guests to attend an exclusive behind the scenes evening tour of the Zoo, as well as a number of features that were previously outlined.

2.2    Further work is ongoing to consider enhancements to the adoption packages through offers at the Zoo’s gift shop and catering outlets and proposals will be brought forward in due course.

2.3    Work is also in progress to review the current names of the four packages with a view to considering options regarding their branding.

            3.      Resource Implications

         Financial

The Zoo’s income has been under pressure for the last few years and it is hoped that the review of the adoption packages and the promotion around these can help to stimulate their use.  A new package aimed at children has been recommended and the price of the Bronze package has been reduced to reflect the benchmarking information. 

All these changes will be reflected in the fees and charges for the Zoo which will be brought to committee in the autumn.  The new prices will be effective from April 2014 however the use of previously agreed delegated authority from the Director may be required for any special promotions and in particular to launch the new basic package in time for the Christmas period.  A review of membership packages is also underway and will be included in the fees and charges report.

Human Resources

The adoption scheme is overseen by the Zoo’s commercial and marketing team and there are no additional human resource needs following the review.

            4.      Recommendations

4.1     The Committee is requested to approve the new adoption packages”

            The Committee adopted the recommendation and endorsed the associated schedule of charges.