BEFS Bulletin – New measure for historic sites

BEFS NEWS

The new National Performance Framework indicator measure for historic sites is now live on the Scotland Performs website. For background information on why the indicator was changed read our recommendation to the Scottish Government from 2016.

Ahead of the local government elections, we would like to draw your attention to a recently published book. The Public Affairs Guide to Scotland is an essential A-Z guide for all public, private and third sector policy and corporate organisations in Scotland.

In the last week Built Environment Forum Scotland has supported hustings in Glasgow and Edinburgh with a focus on the built environment. BEFS Director, Euan Leitch, reflects on what was learnt in our first blog.

The second of our blogs this week offers a great case study for communities taking action in their local built environment.

Finally, book now for Scottish Civic Trust’s annual lecture on Glasgow’s Merchant City on 25th April, supported by BEFS.

CONSULTATIONS

Energy efficiency and condition standards in private rented housing: A Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme Consultation (SG 07/04/17)
This consultation asks for views on proposals to improve the energy efficiency and condition standards in privately rented housing in Scotland.
Closes 30 Jun 2017.

Draft Management Plan for the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site (2017-2022) (Edinburgh City Council, HES & EWH)
The Draft Management Plan identifies issues and opportunities within the Site, and presents an action plan for implementation over a five-year period. Issues include care and maintenance of buildings and streets and awareness of World Heritage Site status.

PUBLICATIONS

Minimum Standards of Energy Efficiency in Private Rented Sector Housing: Partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (SG 07/04/17)
This partial BRIA accompanies part 1 of the Scottish Government consultation on efficiency and condition standards in private rented housing. It provides an assessment of the impact of the proposed regulation on various parties and sectors within the Scottish economy. The analysis and data may also help readers in responding to the consultation.

Condition of Private Rented Housing in Scotland – Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (partial) (SG 07/04/17)
This partial BRIA accompanies part 2 of the Scottish Government consultation on energy efficiency and condition standards in private rented housing. The data provided will help readers assess the impact of proposed changes to the repairing standard which applies to privately rented houses in Scotland.

CDAS Booklet on ‘How Community Development Happens’
The Community Development Alliance Scotland has published a new booklet called ‘How Community Development Happens: Why stronger communities matter and what it takes to develop them’.

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PRESS RELEASES

Household numbers projected to rise in Scotland’s National Parks and around its biggest cities (SG 12/04/17)
Figures published today by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) show that the number of households is projected to rise around Scotland’s biggest cities, and within its two National Parks.

VisitScotland and TripAdvisor team up to put Scotland on world stage (SG 08/04/17)
A European-first collaboration between VisitScotland and TripAdvisor will see Scotland’s world-class tourism offering promoted to almost 70 million new potential visitors, generating a potential additional spend of £150 million.

Improving Scotland’s private rented sector properties (SG 07/04/17)
Consultation on energy efficiency and condition standards. New proposals to ensure all privately rented homes in Scotland meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency have been published today for consultation.

NEWS RELEASES

Kilmarnock Traditional Building Skills Demonstration (STBF 18/04/17)
The Fife & Tayside Traditional Building Forum organised an event in Kirkcaldy town centre 13 & 14 March 2017, which featured apprentices, qualified tradespersons and college lecturers demonstrating traditional building skills including masonry, slate roofing, joinery and painting and decorating.

Culross Traditional Building Skills Event (STBF 18/04/17)
The Fife & Tayside Traditional Building Forum organised an event at the National Trust for Scotland property of Culross Palace on 20 & 21 March 2017, which featured apprentices demonstrating traditional building skills including masonry, slate roofing, joinery and plastering.

HES Unveils Plan for Year Ahead (HES 13/04/17)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has published its Annual Operating Plan for 2017/18. The plan outlines the organisation’s priorities under five strategic themes: Lead, Understand, Protect, Value and Perform.

Specialist skills shortage could put beloved national treasures into disrepair (RICS 12/04/17)
Britain’s beloved historic buildings are at risk, due to a restoration skills crisis that threatens the future of some of our best-known national treasures, warns a RICS and YouGov survey.

UN Security Council adopts historic resolution for the protection of heritage (IHBC 12/04/17)
The United Nations Security Council has unanimously adopted the historic resolution 2347 – the first ever resolution adopted by the Security Council to focus on Cultural heritage. The unanimous support to the Resolution reflects a new recognition of the importance of heritage protection for peace and security.

EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Award 2017 for Scottish project SAMPHIRE (SCT 05/04/17)
The 29 laureates from 18 countries are being recognised for their notable achievements in conservation, research, dedicated service, and education, training and awareness-raising.Among this year’s winners are two outstanding projects from the United Kingdom: the rehabilitation of  Cromford Mills: Building 17, Derbyshire; and SAMPHIRE: Maritime heritage project in western Scotland.

Culture Secretary launches new fund to promote Scottish arts, heritage and business collaboration (Arts & Business Scotland 03/04/17)
A pioneering new fund that promotes collaboration between Scottish businesses and arts and heritage organisations to deliver new arts and heritage projects has been officially launched by Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government 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”.

S5W-08764 Maurice Golden: To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to (a) review and (b) regulate speculative land purchasing practices to obtain planning permission on greenbelt and agricultural land (SP 18/04/17)

S5W-08573 Anas Sarwar: To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle the issue of damp homes in the (a) private and (b) owner-occupied sector. (SP 10/04/17)

S5W-08674 Maurice Golden: To ask the Scottish Government how many electric vehicle charging points have been included in new housing developments since its Scottish Planning Policy was published in 2014. (SP 10/04/17)

S5W-08675 Maurice Golden: To ask the Scottish Government what research it has carried out on the long-term value of resource efficient building in the housing sector. (SP 10/04/17)

S5W-08676 Maurice Golden: To ask the Scottish Government what modelling it has undertaken of maximising solar energy capture in new housing developments to assess the potential (a) financial benefits to homeowners and (b) wider economic and societal benefits. (SP 10/04/17)

MOTIONS

Motion S5M-05059: Maree Todd, Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 05/04/2017
Lews Castle 
That the Parliament congratulates Lews Castle in the Western Isles on it winning the Channel 4 Great British Buildings competition; understands that it has also been shortlisted for the Great British Buildings Restoration of the Year, a competition that is organised by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; recognises the significance to the heritage of the Western Isles of restoring this important building; believes that the restoration will also have a positive impact on the area’s economy, and commends everyone involved with the restoration process.
Supported by: Bill Kidd, Joan McAlpine, Alexander Stewart, Douglas Ross, Kenneth Gibson, Donald Cameron, Sandra White, Emma Harper, Stuart McMillan, Richard Lyle, Ben Macpherson, Gillian Martin, Tom Arthur, Fulton MacGregor, David Torrance, Ivan McKee, Jackson Carlaw, Gil Paterson

Motion S5M-05043: Gordon Lindhurst, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 04/04/2017
Consultation Open on Draft Management Plan for Edinburgh World Heritage Site 
That the Parliament welcomes the opening of the public consultation on the third Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site Draft Management Plan (2017 to 2022); understands that the plan was drafted by the City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh World Heritage and Historic Environment Scotland following an initial consultation on its contents during the summer of 2016, which generated more than 1,000 responses; recognises the requirement for World Heritage Sites to produce such plans explaining how obligations under the World Heritage Site Convention are being met through the protection of its Outstanding Universal Value; understands that the draft plan focusses on the six key themes that scored lowest in the place standard and environmental quality indicators for the site; notes that further public consultation on the draft plan will run from 3 April to 5 June 2017, and encourages members of the public, as well as all interested stakeholders, to get involved.
Supported by: Peter Chapman, Alexander Stewart, Alison Harris, Liam Kerr, John Lamont, Edward Mountain, Maurice Corry, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Donald Cameron, Douglas Ross, Miles Briggs, Oliver Mundell, Jeremy Balfour, Alexander Burnett, Ross Thomson, Andy Wightman, Bill Bowman, Dean Lockhart, Liz Smith

EVENTS

For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.

Scottish Civic Trust Annual Lecture 2017
When: Tue 25 April 2017 from 17:30 – 19:30.
Where: Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR.
Merchant City, one of Glasgow’s most historic areas has experienced many changes in its time, so much so that on more than one occasion it almost disappeared from the face of the earth. Its renaissance in more recent years has become part of the city’s folklore – but the story is not over yet! We will explore how we arrived at the present, and look at some of the issues for the future.
This lecture by architect and historian David Martin is part of a series of events which celebrate, in 2017, the 50th anniversary of both the inaugural meeting of the Scottish Civic Trust and the passing of the Civic Amenities Act 1967 which introduced the concept of conservation areas.

BRICK Workshop 27
When: 9th May, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Where: The Grange Court, Pinsley Road, – Leominster
Our 27th BRICK workshop will take place on 9th May 2017 in Grange Court, Pinsley Road, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 8NL. The day will focus on governance, project management as it relates to the project objectives of groups involved in heritage regeneration and using and understanding your Quantity Surveyor. These relevant topics are part of the Prince’s Regeneration Trust’s efforts to help with ensuring a sustainable future for historic buildings and sites. This event will also serve as a networking opportunity for community groups and not-for-profit organisations.

Central Scotland Green Network Forum – How green infrastructure is transforming the way we live
When: 15th June 2017 from 09:00 – 16:30.
Where: John McIntyre Conference Facility, Pollock Halls, 18 Holyrood Park Road, Edinburgh.
This year’s Forum, our seventh, provides an opportunity to explore how green infrastructure projects are transforming the way we develop and repair our cities and towns.
As well as a key note Ministerial speech, during the day delegates will learn about three exciting projects which focus on the use of green infrastructure, innovation and liveability:
•    Bosco Verticale in Milan
•    Big Lottery Living Landmarks funded Connswater Community Greenway in east Belfast
•    Copenhagen’s Gronne Cykeruter or Green Cycle Routes

TRAINING

Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage is delivering a series of training courses and events across Scotland.
Our training is best suited to registered charities and constituted community groups. Take a walk through our simple question and answer page to determine which course is right for you. We have two main training courses and a series of ‘In Focus’ events. If you are interested in any particular event or fundraising topic, please do get in touch – we may be able to bring an event to your area info@scotheritage.org.

Traditional Building Skills Training
Scottish Lime Centre Trust offer a wide range of vocational and professional courses combining theory and practical working sessions designed to ensure that there are courses to suit everyone.

VACANCIES

Digital Advisors South for Digital Towns Pilot Programme
Scotland’s Towns Partnership, in partnership with the Scottish Government, is seeking to appoint two digital advisors on a contract / project basis.  The advisor / expert role is to deliver new collaborations and to provide advice around strategy, design, procurement, digital inclusion, and innovation in the context of Digital Towns. If you are interested in applying for this role, Scotland’s Towns Partnership would welcome a very short summary of your skills and expertise along with a fully inclusive day rate on the basis of between 20 – 40 days’ work. Please send your professional summary by 5pm, 28 April 2017 to Elaine Bone at: elaine@scotlandstowns.org.

Policy Adviser, Heritage Skills and Training
The Heritage Lottery Fund is recruiting for a Policy Adviser; Skills and Training to lead our strategic and policy work on heritage skills and training across the UK and manages HLF’s Skills for the Future grant programme. To be competitive in the role, you will need to demonstrate high level knowledge, skills and experience against our selection criteria.
Closing date for online applications will be Midnight Monday 1st May 2017 and interviews will be held in our London office on 8th of May 2017.

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