|
Latest: Welcome to the latest edition of the BEFS
bulletin. This bulletin includes links to the recently published
HEACS report on the economic impact of the historic environment; the
Parliament's Rural Affairs and Environment Committee call for views on
the Marine Bill; and parliamentary questions and answers on the Marine
Bill, Town Centre Regeneration Fund and Review of Architecture+Design
Scotland. The next General Meeting of BEFS member representatives
will take place on 11th June, and is followed by a presentation on the
theme 'Exploring Scotland's places', by Diana Murray, Chief Executive of
the RCAHMS. If you would like to attend the presentation and discussion,
please get in touch with the BEFS office. For further information on BEFS
visit: www.befs.org.uk.
|
Short-cut to
sections:- Consultations | Publications |
Scottish Government news releases | News
releases | Recent parliamentary questions | Recent parliamentary answers | Other
parliamentary activity | Events | Training
| Job vacancies
Consultations
Committee
calls for views on plans to manage Scotland's coastline (SP 30/04/09)
Views are being sought on proposals to change the way competing demands on
Scotland's coastline and coastal waters are managed. The Rural Affairs and
Environment Committee is seeking opinions from
individuals and organisations with an involvement or interest in the Marine
(Scotland) Bill which was
introduced to the Scottish Parliament this week. Reponses due 11 June 2009.
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmCentre/news/news-comm-09/crae09-s3-002.htm
Back to Top
Publications
Scotland's
Historic Environment Vital to Economic Sustainability (HEACS 11/05/09)
Scotland's rich legacy of historic buildings, monuments and archaeology
contributes more than £2.3 billion to the Scottish economy and is a key
factor in ensuring sustained economic growth, according to research
recently published. Culture Minister Michael Russell welcomed the research,
saying: "I welcome this ground-breaking research. For the first time
we have clear evidence of just how much our historic environment
contributes not only to our sense of identity and place, but also to our
national economy".
http://www.heacs.org.uk/newsreleases/2009/economic.htm
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/news/news_article.htm?articleid=23110
The
Marine (Scotland) Bill: Final
Regulatory Impact Assessment (SG 11/05/09)
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/05/08114901/0
Scottish
Marine Bill Regulatory Impact Assessment Independent Report by ABP Mer on behalf of Scottish Government (SG 11/05/09)
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/04/29130759/0
Climate
Change (Scotland) Bill: Regulatory
Impact Assessment (SG 05/05/09)
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/05/01155216/0
Review of
Fees for Planning Applications (SG 05/05/09)
An examination of the existing methodology employed to calculate planning
fee increases to establish if this methodology remains appropriate.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/04/08155323/0
Review of
Fees for Planning Applications - Research Findings (SG 05/05/09)
An examination of the existing methodology employed to calculate planning
fee increases to establish if this methodology remains appropriate.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/04/08155241/0
Back to Top
Scottish Government news releases
A+DS
Launch Sustainable Development Publication (A+DS 07/05/09)
Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS) has launched its most recent
publication 'People, Places and Planet' at a meeting of the Scottish
Parliament's Cross-Party Group on Architecture and the Built Environment.
The publication is A+DS's position paper on
sustainable development and it seeks to promote debate and to set out a
clear basis for understanding how the principles of sustainability, applied
to the process of place-making, can deliver improvements to our built
environment.
http://www.ads.org.uk/news/612_a-ds-launch-sustainable-development-publication
Culture
Minister Launches Scottish Castles Initiative (HS 03/05/09)
A major project to identify castles and tower-houses which could be
suitable for future restoration and development to drive economic
investment and tourism to Scotland during the current climate, has been
announced by Culture Minister Michael Russell at newly restored Barholm Castle. The initiative, being taken forward by
Historic Scotland and the first of its kind to be prepared by the Scottish
Government, aims to encourage financial investment in and refurbishment of Scotland's built heritage
during the economic downturn. It will also provide advice on process, good
practices and exemplars of similar projects in the past with the aim of
re-using and revitalising existing buildings.
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/news/news_article.htm?articleid=22988
Back to Top
News releases
New
consultation on charity law and accounting regulations (04/05/09 SCVO)
Summary of the Charity Law Minor Amendments Consultation.
http://www.scvo.org/scvo/PolicyAndParliament/ViewPolicyInformation.aspx?al=t&from=PLA&Info=1929&CatID=10
Heritage
sector unites to stem drop in local services (EH 07/05/09)
Joint press release from English Heritage, the IHBC and ALGAO: heritage
bodies have united to urge Government to use its proposed statement on the
historic environment to encourage local authorities not to cut historic
environment services. A new report into local authority conservation and
archaeology resources in England has revealed a
recent drop in staff levels that could, heritage bodies claim, lead to a
future crisis.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.16341
New
single planning policy for economic growth (DCLG 05/05/09)
A new planning policy setting out a comprehensive approach for planning for
sustainable economic growth in all parts of the country has been published
for consultation by Housing and Planning Minister Margaret Beckett. The
proposed Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for Prosperous Economies
streamlines existing guidance to create a coherent and modern planning
framework which will enable communities to meet the economic challenges
they are facing now and in the long-term. It encourages positive and
proactive planning for sustainable economic growth in urban and rural areas
and promotes investment, competition and innovation while safeguarding
city, town and village centres.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1221514
Back to Top
Recent parliamentary questions
Answers
will appear in a subsequent Bulletin, with questions reproduced. Questions
marked with a triangle are initiated by the Scottish Executive in order to
facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.
Questions
in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an
"R".
S3W-23829
Peter Peacock: To ask the Scottish Executive what the potential legal,
operational and financial consequences would be of local authorities and
their community planning partners failing to undertake an environmental
assessment of single outcome agreements. (SP 12/05/09)
S3W-23562
Ms Wendy Alexander: To ask the Scottish Executive what the benefits of the
e-planning system will be for third parties to the planning process,
including neighbours, local communities and NGOs. (SP 07/05/09)
S3W-23563
Ms Wendy Alexander: To ask the Scottish Executive what financial and other
assistance it has provided or plans to provide to assist third parties,
including neighbours, local communities and NGOs, to access e-planning
services. (07/05/09)
Back to Top
Recent parliamentary answers
Q
S3W-22580 Elaine Murray: To ask the Scottish Executive how it will
ensure that Marine Scotland, which is part of the Scottish Government, will
work effectively with the UK Marine Management Organisation, which is to be established as a non-departmental public body.
(SP 03/04/09)
A Answered by Richard Lochhead
(08/05/09): Arrangements will be agreed between the Scottish Government and
the UK Government to ensure that Marine Scotland and the UK Marine
Management Organisation will work effectively together when and where
necessary.
Q
S3W-22587 Elaine Murray: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends
to introduce a coastal protection zone in its marine Bill. (SP 03/04/09)
A Answered by Richard Lochhead (08/05/09): The Marine (Scotland) Bill was
submitted to the Scottish Parliament on 29 April 2009. It does not include provisions for a
coastal protection zone.
Q
S3W-22733 Elaine Murray: To ask the Scottish Executive how Marine Scotland
will provide opportunities for interested parties such as local communities
and fishing interests and economic interests such as renewables
companies, environmental organisations and animal welfare groups to be able
to take part in the marine planning and decision-making process. (SP 14/04/09)
A Answered by Richard Lochhead
(08/05/09): Schedule 1 of
the Marine (Scotland) Bill sets out
the consultation requirements when creating a marine plan. These proposals
will allow interested parties to take part in the marine planning process.
Q
S3W-22746 Elaine Murray: To ask the Scottish Executive how the
Scottish marine regions will engage with NGOs. (SP 14/04/09)
A Answered by Richard Lochhead 08/05/09): I refer the
member to the answer to question S3W-22745 on 8 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary
questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility
for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.
Q
S3W-22757 Elaine Murray: To ask the Scottish Executive how Marine Scotland
will ensure that the views of organisations with an interest in
conservation and recreation are taken into account with regard to the
management of inshore fisheries. SP 14/04/09)
A Answered by Richard Lochhead (08/05/09): Marine Scotland
has long established links with conservation and recreation groups on
inshore fisheries matters. A number of these groups are members of SIFAG
(Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group) which meets to provide advice
and guidance on inshore fisheries issues.
At a local level the newly constituted Inshore Fisheries Groups (IFGs) must liaise with all relevant stakeholders, such
as conservation groups and recreational sea anglers as they develop their
management plan. Where locally appropriate we would expect these interests
to be included formally within the IFG's Advisory
Group, which exists to provide expert advice to the IFG and to provide the
necessary checks and balances to ensure robust management plans that accord
with wider environmental, social, economic and management objectives.
Q
S3W-22779 Elaine Murray: To ask the Scottish Executive what provision it
has made for possible changes to the role of Marine Scotland should such
changes be made through the marine Bill. (SP 14/04/09)
A Answered by Richard Lochhead (08/05/09): I refer the member to the answer
to question S3W-22780 on 8 May 2009. All answers to
written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website,
the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.
Q
S3W-23144 Karen Gillon: To ask the Scottish
Executive when it will publish the criteria for applications to the Town
Centre Regeneration Fund. SP 23/04/09)
A Answered by Alex Neil (07/05/09): The Scottish Government
announced on 30 April 2009 that the Town Centre
Regeneration Fund was open for applications. Full details of this fund,
including application form and guidance notes can be accessed from the
Scottish Government website at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/regeneration/town-centres/tcrf.
Q
S3W-23296? Stewart Maxwell: To ask the Scottish Executive whether its
policy and financial management review of Architecture and Design Scotland has reached an
outcome and, if so, what the key findings of the review are. (SG 28/04/09)
A Answered by Michael Russell (29/04/09): The review of
Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS) is now complete and the outcomes
and recommendations of the review have been received in report format and
are as follows:
1. There is a clear role for a national body such as A+DS in promoting good
quality design; both the Commission for Architecture and Built Environment
(CABE) in England and the Design Commission for Wales (DCfW)
are seen as successful bodies and A+DS can build on its strengths to
perform the same role in Scotland.
2. Going forward, A+DS needs to focus on a limited number of key priorities
"ensuring better focus on its role, acknowledging the limits of
resources available and targeting them accordingly. Those priorities must
be aligned with government's purpose of sustainable economic growth, and
recognise the importance of supporting the aims of planning reform "to
deliver and be seen to deliver better outcomes more efficiently.
3. This will require a change in governance structure and arrangements of
the functions the organisation carries out to meet its objectives. The
choice of functions should follow from their potential contribution to
achieving the organisation's key priorities. In particular, if design
review is to continue, it should be re-engineered to better deliver the key
priorities.
4. There needs to be a clearer understanding of the organisation's
relationship with government and the boundaries of its relationship with
other built environment organisations.
A copy of the A+DS Policy and Financial Management Review is available in
Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 47928).
Q
Ian McKee: (S3O-6858) To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers
that suitable mechanisms are in place to allow effective review of the
future of listed buildings when their preservation threatens other
community interests. (SP 30/04/09)
A Answered by Michael Russell (07/05/09): There are mechanisms in place to review
the future of listed buildings; these take into account wider community
benefits. The listed building consent process in particular exists to allow
appropriate alteration, re-use and, in certain circumstances, demolition of
the building. The tests by which a building can be demolished were most
recently set out in the Scottish Historic Environment Policy, published in
October 2008. One such circumstance is where it can be demonstrated that
the demolition of the building is essential to delivering significant
benefits to economic growth or the wider community. There is, in addition,
an appeal process against the refusal of listed building consent which can
be pursued where an applicant is unsatisfied with the decision.
Q
S3W-22536 Aileen Campbell: To ask the Scottish Executive what role it sees
for urban design and community involvement in town centre regeneration. (SP
02/04/09)
A Answered by Alex Neil (30/04/09): We see urban
design and community involvement as having an essential role to play and
will actively promote this through our newly launched Town Centres and
Local High Streets Learning Network.
Examples of current practice include the work of Irvine Bay Regeneration
Company which has committed funding to improve the design quality of public
realm and the urban environment of Kilwinning.
This has been developed in collaboration with local businesses and has
involved extensive community engagement in determining local priorities.
And we recently presented a Scottish Award for Quality in Planning to those
partners behind the Ellon Masterplan,
Pattern Book and Model; a project which was developed using a collaborative
planning and public engagement tool and design workshops to ensure that
design is placed at the heart of the development process.
Back to Top
Other parliamentary activity
Petition
PE1250
Petition by Mel Spence calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the
Scottish Government to consider additional measures, if necessary
legislative, to enforce existing planning policy and guidance, such as SPP11, to ensure
there are robust sanctions in place to prevent local authorities from
proceeding with development on land currently used as playing fields or
open spaces. (SP 05/05/09)
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/businessBulletin/bb-09/bb-05-05i.htm
Back to Top
Events
Scottish
Parliament Explained
Friday 12 June, Macdonald Holyrood Hotel,
Edinburgh
The Holyrood magazine's new political training
courses, Politics Explained, provide in depth insight and practical skills
for understanding and engaging with the governance of Scotland.
For the full agendas and to book online please visit www.scottishpolitics.co.uk
Energy-Efficient
Planning and Building Exhibition
11 May-5 June 2009, 13:00 - 16:00, Waverleygate Building, 2-4 Waterloo
Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG.
A display of cutting-edge technology to increase energy efficiency and the
use of renewable technology in Bavarian construction projects.
Contact Michelle Williams Scottish Government Building Standards Division,email: michelle.williamson@scotland.gsi.gov.uk,
tel: 01506 600 422
SEDA
events: Places, Resources and People: SEDA AGM
29-31 May 2009
Talks and tours of projects, places, buildings, landscapes collaborative
working and events in the Scottish Borders - focusing on how the natural
resources and characteristics of a place generate energy, action, art and
design.
Contact Mary Kelly, Scottish Ecological Design Association email: mary@segalselfbuild.co.uk
Back to Top
Training
Structural
Repair of Historic Buildings delivered by Ian Hume16-17 June 2009
£250 + Vat
Ian Hume at Charlestown Workshops, two day masterclass,
suitable for anyone involved in the structural repair of historic
buildings. The course will consist of lectures, case studies and group
activities. Please note that due to the popularity of this masterclass early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.
Ruins - Structural Problems and Repairs delivered by Ian Hume 18 June 2009
Only £65 + Vat!
Using the ruined Penicuik House as a case study,
this one day seminar will examine structural problems that can arise with
ruined buildings and discuss suggested repair strategies. This
seminar will be delivered within our new training facility at Penicuik House and the day consists of lectures, case
studies and group activities.
For more information please contact admin@scotlime.org
or phone us on 01383 872722. You can now book online www.scotlime.org. Funding assistance is
available through a generous funding award from The National Association of
Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS).
Job vacancies
Back to Top
Information
in the Bulletin is extracted from a number of websites; including the
Scottish Government (SG); the Scottish Parliament (SP); Architecture
and Design Scotland (A+DS); Historic Scotland (HS); Scottish Natural
Heritage (SNH); Scottish Council for Voluntary
Organisations (SCVO); English Heritage (EH); Commission for Architecture
and the Built Environment (CABE); Department of Communities and Local Government
(DCLG); Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS); Department of
Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA); National Assembly for Wales (NAW);
Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS); Scottish
Building Standards Agency (SBSA). For further
information, links are provided to the relevant documents. Back copies of
the Bulletin are available approximately one month after publication on the
BEFS website.
If you have any questions or comments on the above, or would like to submit
information to be included, please get in touch with Anne Wilkinson awilkinson@befs.org.uk or call
the BEFS Office on 0131 220 6241. We hope that you find the Bulletin
useful, however if you wish to be removed from the circulation list, please
get in touch.
|
