The following key targets have been agreed with the chief executive of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory for the FY2009-10.

DSTL

KT1—Quality

Deliver high quality outputs that have impact on Dstl’s MOD customer’s 12 benchmark programmes.

KT2—Cost and timeliness

Satisfactorily deliver at least 90 per cent. of all projects that complete in the financial year 2009-10 to time and to budget.

KT3—Customer satisfaction

Maintain the current high level of overall satisfaction with Dstl level of service, with at least 93 per cent. of project feedback responses achieving a score of seven or above for overall satisfaction.

KT4—Capability

Using independent and authoritative experts agreed with the MOD CSA, Dstl will complete a benchmark assessment by external peer review of the national and international standing of 10 key capability groups in areas where Dstl leads the work for MOD with a view to obtaining “strong” assessments for at least seven out of the 10 groups and no “development needed” assessments for any of the 10 groups.

KT5—Financial Performance

Achieve an average return on capital employed (ROCE) of at least 3.5 per cent. over the period 2009-10 to 2013-14.

KT6—Efficiency

Deliver ongoing efficiency savings associated with the iLab programme and other initiatives in line with the corporate plan for 2009-14.

This will be demonstrated in the short term by delivering the budget loss before interest for 2009-10, while controlling indirect costs and charge rates to customers. Specific targets are:

Corporate indirect cost not to exceed 35.7 per cent. of net income.

Achieve the budgeted loss (£2.3 million before interest) while maintaining an average charge rate that is no higher than 2007-08 in real terms; that is, no higher than £64.3 per hour.

KT7—Organisational Excellence

To embed sustainability and responsible management of information into Dstl’s business ethics by:

Reducing our total generated waste by at least 5 per cent. by the end of 2010.

Reducing energy-related carbon dioxide emissions from buildings on our core sites by 15 per cent. by the end of 2010.

Establishing travel plans that reduce Dstl’s carbon footprint including reducing single occupancy commuter journeys to core sites by an overall 7 per cent. by October 2009.

Establishing certificated environmental management systems compliant with ISO 14001:2004 at a second Dstl site by March 2010.

Reviewing and improving the condition of all individual areas within the Dstl estate that maybe classified as areas of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by 2010.

Receiving assurance from internal and external audit that Dstl is operating in accordance with the current Cabinet Office requirements for managing personal and other information.