BEFS NEWS

The Scottish Government has today published an analysis of responses to the consultation on Place, People and Planning, the review of the Scottish planning system, accompanied by a position statement on proposals it plans on taking forward. BEFS Planning Taskforce will be responding to the latter.

As part of the review the Scottish Government commissioned research into barriers to community engagement in the planning system. BEFS has invited two members of the team, John Lord of Yellow Book and Nick Wright to share their findings and recommendations. Book your free place at Barriers to Community Engagement in Planning on 1st August now.

BEFS responded to the recent consultation on Engaging Communities in Decisions Relating to Land, suggesting that the guidance could go further in setting out the types of engagement considered appropriate in different scenarios; querying the meaning of ‘significant land holdings’; and also seeking clarification on how the guidance is to be used in urban areas. Read the full response here.

If you contributed to the ‘What’s Your Heritage’ consultation, the analysis of responses and workshops is now out. This piece of research will contribute to a revision of the designation criteria and advice and consents policy in the Historic Environment Scotland Policy Statement in 2018. BEFS will be working on this with its members in 2017.

The Scottish Thistle Awards 2017/18 have a new category – Historic Environment Scotland – Best Heritage Tourism Experience. To mark the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017, this award is designed to celebrate Scotland’s rich and vibrant heritage and those who bring it to life.

It might only be half way through the Year of History Heritage and Archaeology, but it’s time to start planning for 2018 the Year of Young People. The aim of the year is to inspire Scotland through its young people.

The ArchiFringe kicks of this weekend and you might have to move fast to book tickets for some of the events which are taking place across Scotland in July. But it’s also an opportunity for a heads-up for the Festival of Architecture taking place in September.

Finally, we’ve picked out some built environment related events from the Edinburgh International Book Festival that might be of interest.

The next bulletin will be at the beginning of August. The team at BEFS wish you a good summer break!

CONSULTATIONS

Places, People and Planning – Position Statement (SG 29/06/17)
Taking into account the wide range of views expressed to the proposals set out in the Places, People and Planning consultation, Scottish Ministers have published a Position Statement which sets out changes they are considering taking forward.
Consultation closes 11 August 2017.

Energy efficiency and condition standards in private rented housing: A Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme Consultation
Closes 30 Jun 2017.

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Planning Review: analysis of consultation responses (SG 29/06/17)

Improving Transparency in Land Ownership in Scotland – Consultation Analysis (SG 28/06/17)

What’s Your Heritage? Consultation Report (HES 20/06/17)

PUBLICATIONS

Planning Review: Young Scot survey results (SG 29/06/17)
Results from the survey commissioned by Young Scot to support our Places, People and Planning consultation.

Questions relating to a possible Land Value Tax: FOI release (SG 29/06/17)
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Managing Change in the Historic Environment: Castles and Towerhouses (HES 13/06/17)
The document provides guidance for anyone considering a castle consolidation or restoration project, such as owners, local authorities or other interested parties.

Managing Change in the Historic Environment: Guidance notes (HES)
Download Managing Change in the Historic Environment guidance on making changes in line with Scottish Historic Environment Policy and Scottish Planning Policy.
SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PRESS RELEASES

Transforming planning (SG 29/06/17)
Proposals to transform the approach to planning for homes and infrastructure projects have been put forward by the Scottish Government. The ‘Places, People and Planning’ position statement sets out aspirations for a more effective system, which supports business while working with communities to ensure development happens in the right places.

Ministerial Working Group on building and fire safety (SG 28/06/17)
The second meeting of a Ministerial Working Group, convened to examine building and fire safety regulatory frameworks, has taken place today.

Homelessness and Housing Options Statistics Published (SG 27/06/17)
Homelessness applications and the number assessed as homeless or likely to become homeless within two months both reduced during 2016/17. However, the number of households in temporary accommodation continues to increase.

Rural Parliament support (SG 25/06/17)
Rural communities will have a stronger voice thanks to funding for the Rural Parliament announced by Environment and Land Reform Secretary Roseanna Cunningham. The £200,000 funding for Scottish Rural Action (SRA) will support delivery of their 2017–19 Action Plan, which contains five policy areas debated and chosen by rural communities at the 2016 Rural Parliament in Brechin.

Comment on cladding and high rise buildings (23/06/17)
Communities Secretary provides further update. Communities Secretary Angela Constance said: “This week, we asked local authorities to give us further information about their high rise domestic buildings. They have reported that they have over 500 high rise domestic buildings in their areas…”

£10 million for affordable housing (SG 23/06/17)
Investment for homes in the Highlands. A £10 million fund to build affordable homes across the Highlands has been announced by Housing Minister Kevin Stewart today (23rd June). The Highland Infrastructure Fund is a partnership with The Highland Council and will support and accelerate the delivery of affordable housing across the region.

Comment on cladding and high rise buildings (SG 22/06/17)
Communities Secretary provides update. Communities Secretary, Angela Constance, said: “Scottish building regulations state that cladding on high rise domestic buildings built since 2005, and cladding added to existing high rise domestic buildings since 2005, should be made of non-combustible materials or a cladding system that has met stringent fire tests.

Protecting the marine environment (SG 21/06/17)
Monitoring of Marine Protected Areas. Fishermen can support the monitoring and surveying of some of Scotland’s most vulnerable marine habitats as part of a new strategy.

Review of building and fire safety regulations (SG 20/06/17)
The first meeting of a Ministerial Working Group, convened to examine building and fire safety regulatory frameworks, has taken place today.

NEWS RELEASES

HES leads climate change initiative (HES 28/06/17)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is leading an international initiative to support communities across Northern Europe in assessing the impact of climate change on historic buildings, archaeological sites and other heritage locations.

Engine Shed Officially Opens (HES 26/06/17)
Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs encourages the public to explore Scotland’s built heritage. An exciting new chapter for Scotland’s heritage sector begins today as Historic Environment Scotland unveils The Engine Shed, its pioneering £11m national building conservation centre.

Public will have say in Scotland’s new National Cultural Strategy, says culture secretary (Herald Scotland 26/06/17)
Fiona Hyslop said that the conversation about the plan would be broadened after a meeting of nearly 100 writers, performers, directors, arts company executives, poets and film writers at the Glasgow Women’s Library to discuss the SNP vow to establish the strategy.

Safety of Scotland’s high rise homes to be examined (SP 26/06/17)
The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee will scrutinise accommodation in Scotland’s high rise communities, by expanding an on-going inquiry into housing and building regulations in Scotland.

Scottish government launches tower block safety review (Urban Realm 26/06/17)
The Scottish Government has launched a tower block safety review in the wake of the Grenfell Tower blaze in London as part of a wider review of building standards in the wake of the tragedy.

Results of Public Campaign, ‘What’s Your Heritage?’ Announced (HES 20/16/17)
A report on what heritage means to Scots has been published today (Tuesday 20 June) by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and reveals which of Scotland’s places, buildings and monuments should be recognised and celebrated.

How Good is Our Place? Place Standard wins top planning award (A&DS 16/06/17)
The Place Standard developed by Scottish Government, NHS Health Scotland and Architecture and Design Scotland has won in the Excellence in Planning for Wellbeing category in the Royal Town Planning Institute’s (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2017. The Awards for Planning Excellence are the most established and respected awards in the UK planning industry.

Heritage Alliance and British Council webinar on cultural heritage post Brexit (HA 15/06/17)
Lizzie Glithero-West FSA, Chief Executive of the Heritage Alliance, and Silke Pillnger, Director of EU Arts from the British Council, chaired a webinar ‘What role can Heritage play in the future of the cultural sector post-Brexit’. The discussion started with an in-depth interview with our expert panel – Ben Cowell, Director General of the Historic Houses Association, Henry Owen-John, Head of International Advice at Historic England and Peter Hinton, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. This was followed by an open Q&A session.

Mapping the creative value chains (HA 15/06/17)
The EU has published A study on the economy of culture in the digital age. This maps the different value chains for visual arts, performing arts, cultural heritage, artistic crafts, book publishing, music, film, TV and broadcasting as well as multimedia. The study examines how the competitive position of the cultural and creative sectors (CCS) is affected by digitisation.

Co-producing quality places: Learning for the Place Standard (A&DS)
Community empowerment sits at the heart of the Scottish approach to making places work. Changing places with people is about sharing a sense of the issues and ambitions, supported by examples of the art of the possible.

Digging Deeper: What communities think about regeneration projects (A&DS)
As part of the process of informing and engaging communities in the regeneration of Pennywell, Community Action North [CAN] organised a study trip to Mannheim and Vauban in Germany to learn about the way different communities co-produced places for people. The trip was facilitated by Governance International, who bring a wealth of experience in co-producing better outcomes with citizens.

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-09693 Daniel Johnson: To ask the Scottish Government how many schools have
aluminium composite cladding panels installed, and what information it has on other buildings that have had these panels installed. (SP 19/06/17)

S5T-00595 Jackie Baillie: To ask the Scottish Government what checks have been undertaken on residential tower blocks and new public buildings, including schools, in light of the recent tragic event at Grenfell Tower. (SP 20/06/17)

S5W-09759 Gordon MacDonald: To ask the Scottish Government when the Queensferry
Crossing will open to traffic. (SP 20/06/17)

S5W-09723 Jackie Baillie: To ask the Scottish Government what guidance (a) has been and (b) will be delivered to (i) housing developers and (ii) local authorities to ensure that social housing developments announced as part of its £1.75 billion investment in affordable housing take account of the needs of ethnic minority families, including the provision of housing that is appropriate for (A) larger families and (B) families that often have to rent housing in the private sector but which are on lower incomes. (SP 20/06/17)

S5W-09767 Daniel Johnson: To ask the Scottish Government how many building control officers there have been in each local authority in each of the last 10 years, also broken down by the number of each type of building that have responsibility for. (SP 20/06/17)

S5O-01165 David Stewart: To ask the Scottish Government whether the ministerial working group on fire safety will review building standards regulations regarding the provision of automatic fire suppression systems. (SP 21/06/17)

S5O-01170 Dean Lockhart: To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the availability of social housing in rural communities. (SP 21/06/17)

S5O-01171 Bruce Crawford: To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that local authorities and the housebuilding sector can be confident that the goal of 50,000 new affordable homes by 2021 is reached. (SP 21/06/17)

OTHER PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS

The Parliament has agreed the following parliamentary recess dates in 2017:

• 1 July to 3 September 2017 (inclusive)
• 7 to 22 October 2017 (inclusive)

DEBATES

Members’ Business Debate on the subject: The Scottish Civic Trust, 50 Years of Protecting Scotland’s Built Heritage

Motion debated:

S5M-05856 Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Civic Trust, 50 Years of Protecting Scotland’s Built Heritage—That the Parliament congratulates the Scottish Civic Trust on its 50th anniversary; notes that the trust began in 1967 to respond to the destruction of buildings and townscapes around Scotland; acknowledges that it helped to save New Lanark from dereliction and assisted in developing a network of local civic trusts around Scotland; welcomes initiatives that it has established, including Doors Open Day and the My Place Awards; recognises that the trust has an ongoing commitment to save buildings and townscapes, keeping communities at the heart of its movement, and thanks all volunteers, past and present, for their sterling work. (SP 20/06/17)

Read the full transcript of the debate here.

EVENTS

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

Global Challenges in Cultural Heritage Conference 
When: 1st – 3rd September 2017.
Where: University of Stirling.
The Global Challenges in Cultural Heritage conference programme has been released with over 20 sessions presented by international speakers from United Kingdom, Europe, China and Australia. The programme offers the opportunity to hear from leading academics and heritage professionals who will discuss the significance and value of cultural heritage using local and international examples. Workshops run by Historic Environment Scotland will offer practical based learning opportunities in digital documentation, building pathology and craft skills. This is a fantastic opportunity for academics and practitioners to collaborate in finding solutions to global cultural heritage challenges.

RTPI Scotland Annual Conference – The New Agenda: Planners as Visionaries, Facilitators and Enablers
When: Tuesday 3 October 2017.
Where: COSLA Conference Centre, Edinburgh.
The conference will look at the key issues we face in Scotland to develop an agenda for change. It will hear about opportunities, challenges faced and the new thinking and doing required from inspirational and forward thinking people.  Conference delegates will have the opportunity to discuss these with others and help develop and agree the way forward.

VACANCIES

Banff CARS vacancy – Aberdeenshire Council
You will concentrate on a wide range of issues primarily in relation to building conservation, regeneration, listed buildings and conservation areas. Working in a team, you will be responsible for both statutory work and project implementation. The range of work involves progressing the Banff Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme, giving advice on listed building applications and undertaking conservation area reviews

BEFS NEWS

A new report, commissioned by Historic Environment Scotland, identifies projects about or connected to heritage in Scotland that have received funding from the EU from 2007-16. The report estimates at least £36.8 million has been awarded to over 280 historic environment projects during 2007-2016. Read a summary of the findings and the full report here. A similar report has been produced for Historic England.

NHS Health Scotland and partners have published a short film about the Place Standard and an evaluation of how it is being implemented across Scotland. Find out more here.

The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) and the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) have issued a joint statement to the new Government outlining a vision for an integrated approach to managing our cultural and natural landscapes.

Nominations have now opened for the third Scottish Heritage Angels Awards in a bid to find those groups and individuals who have played a special part in caring for, recording and celebrating Scotland’s historic environment. The 2017 SURF Awards are also now open for applications from regeneration projects of all sizes.

In our blog this week, Elaine MacGillivray, Project Archivist at the University of Edinburgh, tells us about a two-year project that aims to preserve, conserve, catalogue and virtually reunite two collections of papers of Sir Patrick Geddes.

Finally, don’t miss the Falkirk Traditional Building Skills Demonstration on 22nd – 23rd June. The event will feature demonstrations of traditional building skills with school children, and their teachers, and traditional building experts providing advice on how to repair and maintain traditionally built homes.

CONSULTATIONS

Guidance on Engaging Communities in Decisions Relating to Land
Closes 16 Jun 2017.

Consultation on funding of The Scottish Energy Performance Certificate Register.
Closes 19 Jun 2017.

Energy efficiency and condition standards in private rented housing: A Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme Consultation
Closes 30 Jun 2017.

PUBLICATIONS

Energy efficiency and condition standards in private rented housing consultation – Part 1 Equality Impact Assessment Record (SG 07/06/17)

Energy efficiency and condition standards in private rented housing consultation – Part 2 Interim Equality Impact Assessment Record (SG 07/06/17) 

Equality Impact Assessment Results – The Relaxation of Planning Controls for Digital Communications Infrastructure (SG 01/06/17)

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT NEWS RELEASES

Household numbers continue to rise (SG 14/06/17)
The number of households in Scotland has continued to increase to 2.45 million in 2016, according to figures published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS) in ‘Estimates of Households and Dwellings in Scotland, 2016’. Households are single people or groups of people living together.

Climate change ambitions (SG 13/06/17)
Scotland’s status as an international climate change leader will be reinforced through new proposals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90% by 2050, Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has said.

£1.75 billion boost for investment in affordable housing (SG 13/06/17)
Major long-term commitment to grow number of homes. More than £1.75 billion is being allocated to councils in a major Scottish Government commitment to stimulate investment in affordable housing. It comes as figures published today show the highest levels of activity in the affordable house-building sector in Scotland since the early 1980s.

29% increase in affordable housing approvals (SG 13/06/17)
There were 10,276 approvals for affordable housing over the year ending March 2017, an increase of 29%, or 2,331 homes, on the previous year. Scotland’s Chief Statistician today released the latest Quarterly Housing Statistics for Scotland, which presents the latest quarterly information on new build housing, affordable housing supply and local authority right to buy sales.

Historic Islands Bill introduced (SG 12/06/17)
Supporting, strengthening and protecting island communities. An historic bill has been introduced to Parliament to meet the unique needs of Scotland’s islands now and in the future. The Islands (Scotland) Bill published today (12 June) will help create the right environment for sustainable growth and empowered communities.

Increase in modern apprenticeships (SG 06/06/17)
On track for 30,000 by 2020 target. The number of Modern Apprenticeship starts increased to 26,262 and exceeded the 2016/17 annual target, new statistics have confirmed.

NEW RELEASES

2017 SURF Awards are now open for applications (SURF 13/06/17)
The SURF Awards offer an opportunity for regeneration projects of all sizes to demonstrate value to funders and partners, support team-building and develop a national profile. SURF Award winners also receive additional showcase opportunities through SURF activities throughout the following year. SURF’s annual awards process is delivered in partnership with the Scottish Government. It is open to all community regeneration projects in Scotland that are currently in place or that have been completed within two years of the closing date.

More provisions of the Historic Environment Act in force from 31 May 2017 (WG 01/06/17)
While some provisions of the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016 have been in force since May 2016, preparations were needed before others could be brought into effect. Two consultations informed that work, which included the formulation of a suite of supporting secondary legislation to take effect on 31 May 2017.

Brand New Building Conservation Diploma (HES 01/06/17)
Historic Environment Scotland’s conservation hub, the Engine Shed, launches Advanced Diploma Course in Technical Building Conservation – the first of its kind.

MEMBERS’ NEWS

Wemyss Caves 4D (SCAPE 14/06/17)
The SCAPE Trust and Save the Wemyss Ancient Caves Society have just launched an exciting new multi-media website about the Wemyss Caves in Fife. Explore the Pictish carvings, archaeology, wider history  and local stories about the caves and coastline in 3D interactive spaces, through video and  RTI. An online catalogue brings together much of the documentation and history of the caves in one place for the first time. The website is great example of how to integrate 3D survey data with other digital media to tell the multiple stories of the Wemyss Caves. The project was funded and supported by  Fife Council, Historic Environment Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Place matters in tackling poverty (RTPI 13/06/17)
Naomi Eisenstadt, Independent Advisor to the Scottish Government on Poverty and Inequality, has reiterated the important role planning and planners have in tackling poverty. Speaking at the 14th Sir Patrick Geddes Commemorative Lecture organised by RTPI Scotland, Naomi explained why the quality of neighbourhoods is vital to reducing poverty, and why local authorities must be strengthened to deliver them alongside more traditional policies such as boosting employment.

Entries now open for Scottish Heritage Angel Awards 2017 (SCT 12/06/17) 
Nominations have opened for the third Scottish Heritage Angels Awards in a bid to find those groups and individuals – or ‘Angels’ – who have played a special part in caring for, recording and celebrating the nation’s historic environment. Launched in 2014 and funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation (ALWF), and run by the Scottish Civic Trust in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland, Archaeology Scotland and the Scottish Government, the scheme seeks to celebrate both groups and individuals who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to promote, protect and, in many cases, rescue Scotland’s heritage. Nominations will close on Friday 11th August.

CIfA and CBA release joint general election statement (CIfA 09/06/17)
The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) and the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) have outlined to the new Government a vision for the promotion of an integrated approach to managing our cultural and natural landscapes, upholding the principles of sustainable development in the planning system, and ensuring that our archaeology and wider environment will be better protected after Brexit than they are now, and that they can thrive for the benefit of us all.

Scotland’s most beautiful high street (STP 28/06/17)
Scotland’s Towns Partnership and Keep Scotland Beautiful have come together to launch the first ever Scotland’s Most Beautiful High Street competition. Our high streets and town centres are the beating hearts of communities and local economies. Now, together with the Sunday Herald, we want to celebrate the contribution of our High Streets and recognise the efforts made to make these spaces clean, attractive, accessible, vibrant and inclusive for all to enjoy.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Question S5W-09395: Oliver Mundell, Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 23/05/2017
To ask the Scottish Government what recent steps it has taken to increase the number of affordable homes for (a) rent and (b) purchase in rural communities.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (31/05/2017)

Question S5W-09397: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 23/05/2017
To ask the Scottish Government how many homes meet the Living Home Standard.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (01/06/2017)

Question S5O-01058: Ruth Maguire, Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 24/05/2017
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the role of community right to buy schemes in towns and cities.
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham (31/05/2017)

Question S5W-09463: Alex Rowley, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 25/05/2017
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of the report that it commissioned from yellow book ltd, Barriers to community engagement in planning: a research study.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (06/06/2017)

OTHER PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITY 

The Parliament has agreed the following parliamentary recess dates:

•    1 July to 3 September 2017 (inclusive)
•    7 to 22 October 2017 (inclusive)

EVENTS

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

Friends of Glasgow West Talks Programme
When: June 2017.
Where: Hillhead Library, 348 Byres Road (free). All talks are fully illustrated. Talks begin at 6.30pm and last 75 minutes. Arrive early to be sure of a seat! Talks organised by Ann Laird, and supported by Glasgow Life. Contact Ann Laird for full details of upcoming talks.

Tour of Pitfour Estate and Modern Dairy
When: Saturday 17th June from 13:30 – 16:00.
Where: Pitfour Estate, Mintlaw.
Tour of some remains and restorations at the once-magnificent Pitfour Estate, Mintlaw, by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Alan Watson and family. This will be followed by a visit to a nearby award-winning modern dairy at Middleton of Rora by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Bruce Mackie. Bruce and Jane Mackie won one of two ‘Distinction Awards’ in the ‘As Built’ category for Sustainable Innovative Development at the Aberdeenshire Design Awards 2016. The new dairy at Middleton of Rora was designed by Douglas Shand of Shand Building Design and the Dutch vet Nico Vreeburg of Vetvice, a cow welfare consultancy famous for their ‘Cowsignals’ methodology.

Dean Valley Regeneration Plan Walk
When: Tuesday 18th July from 18:00 – 20:00.
Where: Water of Leith.
Andrew Kerr will lead us on a walk along the Water of Leith from Stockbridge to look at the designed landscape of the Dean Valley in the context of the proposed Dean Valley Regeneration Project.

Falkirk Traditional Building Skills Demonstration
When: 22nd and 23rd June, from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
Where: the grounds of Trinity Church, Falkirk town centre.
Forth Valley Traditional Building Forum is hosting an event to raise awareness of the traditional building skills and materials involved in maintaining the historic buildings in Falkirk town centre and across Scotland. The free event will see secondary school pupils from across the district able to gain hands on experience of these traditional trades and perhaps identify potential tradespeople of the next generation. Advisers will be on hand to explain the opportunities that are available and how to access apprenticeships locally in these trades which are vitally important in maintaining our historic environment. Visitors will be able to meet the professionals and enjoy demonstrations in stonemasonry, joinery, slate roofing & painting and decorating. There will also be free advice from the experts on how using traditional methods and materials could enhance your own property.

IHBC Annual School: Transport Infrastructure – the backbone of civilisation
When: Thursday 22nd – Saturday 24th June 2017. Day School – Friday 23rd June 2017.
Where: Manchester.
The 2017 IHBC Annual School examines the rich legacy of transport infrastructure, exploring both its continuing role as a future driver of change and economic growth as well as its impact upon historic places. The Annual School includes three exciting days of lectures, networking and practical learning to share skills, knowledge and understanding; tours exploring all facets of historic and new infrastructure and its impact on the historic environment around Manchester and the North; NETWORKING EVENTS; EVENING RECEPTION & IHBC ANNUAL DINNER with opportunities to pause, take stock and stimulate debate in fascinating venues.

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Summer Excursion 2017
When: July 1 @ 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Where: Low Parks Museum and Hamilton Mausoleum, South Lanarkshire.
Join us on a visit to these Grade A listed buildings the first dating back to 1696 built as Portland, the private residence of David Crawford, lawyer and secretary to the 3rd Duke and Duchess of Hamilton.  Later, in 1784, purchased by the 8th Duke of Hamilton and made into a coaching inn housing famous travellers, such as Dr Johnson and James Boswell, and Dorothy and William Wordsworth. The second building is the Palace Riding School, built by Alexander, 10th Duke of Hamilton, in 1837 which was also equipped with a gymnasium and regulation boxing ring. In 1983, the building was acquired by the Regimental Trustees of the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) as a regimental museum.

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

Volunteer Manager (PAS)
PAS are seeking a Volunteers & Interns Manager to succeed the current manager who is leaving after 11 years in post. The successful candidate will be required to recruit, retain, manage and support PAS’s 420 volunteers, all of whom are built environment professionals, and also manage the PAS Intern programme. An understanding of social media is essential. PAS volunteers assist with delivering an advice service, awareness raising, training and education programmes. With a new Planning Bill in the offing, this is an exciting time for PAS. Deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 16 June.

The Development Trusts Association Scotland is currently looking to fill the following 2 posts:
•    Development Officer
This post is based in Edinburgh, and involves providing advice and support to DTAS members in the southern half of Scotland
•    COSS Adviser – Fixed Term Post (to end April 18)
This post is based in Glasgow, and involves providing advice and support to both community organisations and public bodies with the aim of achieving the sustainable transfer of assets into community ownership.The closing date for applications is 9am on Monday 26th June 2017.

Project Officer Temp (Maybole Regeneration)
The Maybole Regeneration (MR) Project is a partnership initiative led jointly by Maybole Community Council and South Ayrshire Council. The role of Project Officer is vital to the success of MR. The post holder will engage with partner organisations, the communities of North Carrick, external Consultants and other stakeholders to take forward key work streams within the overall project plan. The key deliverable will be the submission of a 2nd Stage application to HLF’s Townscape Heritage Scheme during the first quarter of 2018. Closing date for applications is Sunday 25 June 2017.

Activity Officer – Maybole Regeneration
The Maybole Regeneration (MR) Project is a partnership initiative led jointly by Maybole Community Council and South Ayrshire Council. MR is a Townscape Heritage and Conservation Area Regeneration project. It aims to create an attractive, safe and sustainable town centre. MR will provide resources for conservation / restoration work to a range of significant buildings in Maybole, and a programme of activities to encourage engagement with the heritage of the town.  An Activity Officer is required to support the Partners as they develop a 2nd Stage bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund and other funding bodies. Closing date for applications is Sunday 25 June 2017. 

BEFS NEWS

BEFS welcomes new research on financing local infrastructure using land value capture and the potential levels of investment for the Edinburgh City region. Read the press release and full report here.

The author of the report, Thomas Aubrey, Director of the Centre for Progressive Capitalism, reflects on who should benefit from rising land value in our blog this week.

Ahead of the general election, RICS has carried out analysis of Scottish party manifestos from a built environment perspective, which can be found in the news section below and on their website. For insight on UK party manifestos check out the analysis by Heritage Alliance here.

CONSULTATIONS

Guidance on Engaging Communities in Decisions Relating to Land
Consultation closes on 16 June 2017.

CONSULTATIONS RESPONSES
Consultation on the Relaxation of Planning Controls for Digital communications Infrastructure – Analysis of Responses (25/05/17)
An analysis of the responses to the 2016 Scottish Government public consultation on ‘The Relaxation of Planning Controls for Digital Infrastructure’ (e.g. phone masts, street cabinets and antennas)

PUBLICATIONS
Climate Ready Scotland: Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme. Third annual progress report 2017 (SG 30/05/17)

Barriers to community engagement in planning: research study (SG 22/05/17)
This independent research identifies the barriers to communities engaging in the planning system. Produced by Yellow Book Ltd, it was commissioned to inform the review of the planning system.

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PRESS RELEASES
Discretionary Housing Payments (SG 30/05/17)
Over the past year almost 113,000 awards have been made under the Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) scheme, with a total value of £51.9 million.

Surge in overseas visitors (18/05/17)
Statistics published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today highlight an additional 155,000 overseas visits were made to Scotland last year compared with 2015, strongly supported by a rise in the number of tourists from North America.

NEWS RELEASES
Fuelling uncertainty with a dateless commitment to referendum: SNP Manifesto (RICS 30/05/17)
The Scottish National Party (SNP) has published a manifesto that focuses on Brexit and the party’s track record, with their pledges resoundingly placing people over land and property.

Stretching the concept of buildings (RICS 30/05/17)
“The way we interact with the built environment is changing”, claimed Phillip Ross, CEO UnGroup. With new technologies and innovations set to have huge ramifications on both the way we live and work in the future, it has never been more important for built environment professionals to stand up and take notice in order to ensure that UK real estate remains relevant and fit for purpose in this time of unprecedented change.

2020 European Green Capital & 2019 European Green Leaf Awards – Open (STP 29/05/17)
The Green City – Does your city have what it takes to be the next European Green Capital or European Green Leaf winner? For the first time, in order to celebrate the 10th year of the European Green Capital competition, the Commission will award €350,000 to the winning city of the 2020 European Green Capital title  and €75,000 to the winner of the European Green Leaf 2019 title.

Scottish Green Party manifesto: small in size; big on tax (RICS 29/05/17)
The Scottish Green Party (SGP) has published a concise 15-page manifesto outlining key UK priorities with a focus on the greening of national policy, an alternate UK tax framework, and housing. Fielding just three candidates in Scotland, the SGP has concentrated its campaign target areas, and the same strategy appears to have been applied to their manifesto pledges.

Scottish Traditional Building Skills Demonstration (STBF 25/05/17)
The Scottish Traditional Building Forum organised a hugely successful traditional building skills demonstration in St Andrews Square Gardens, Edinburgh on 22 & 23 May 2017. The event featured local apprentices demonstration traditional building skills including stonemasonry, slate roofing, joinery and painting and decorating.

Rights and protections must remain following Brexit (SCVO 24/05/17)
Jackie Brock, Chief Executive of Children in Scotland, reflects on Brexit. On the radio last week a group of ‘Remainers’ were asked if they would vote in the General Election for parties promising a second EU referendum. Most said “no” – their line being: the vote has been decided, we need to proceed and exit.

IHBC welcomes ’Heritage Works’ 2017, a toolkit of best practice in heritage regeneration launched (IHBC 24/05/17)
The third edition of ’Heritage Works’ has been launched by Deloitte for the British Property Federation (BPF), Historic England and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Welcome pledges, but more detail needed: Scottish Labour manifesto (RICS 23/05/17)
Scottish Labour has launched an election manifesto which emphasises unity, and opposition to a second referendum on Scottish independence and a “hard Brexit”.

Sunday Herald Scotland’s Towns Series: New Towns Published (STP 23/05/17)
STP and the Sunday Herald have partnered up to raise the profile of Scotland’s towns through a series of pullouts in the Sunday Herald paper. The latest edition of the Scotland’s Towns series, which focuses on how Scotland’s New Towns are recreating their image, is now available.

Helping all housing: Scottish Conservatives manifesto (RICS 19/05/17)
The Scottish Conservatives have published a manifesto which places a heavy emphasis on housing, promising to build 100,000 over the next five years, and provides a plethora of pledges to help reach this ambitious target.

Edinburgh to be part of major EU-funded historic cities project (EWHT 19/05/17)
Edinburgh World Heritage announced today that it had secured significant European Regional Development funding for a major international project to investigate how Europe’s historic cities, many of them World Heritage Sites, can achieve a sustainable future.

Seeding Success: how communities transform town centres (A&DS 05/17)
From a story telling project to a plan for a community centre, communities across Scotland have been rolling up their sleeves, getting together to tackle empty and neglected parts of their town centres and breathe new life into them. Delegates at a one-day event in Paisley on 10 May 2017 heard how 50 projects across the country have used vacant and derelict spaces to bring life back into town centres, under the Stalled Spaces Scotland programme.

MEMBER’S NEWS
AHF Supports Major Investment At Knockando Woolmill (AHF 30/05/17)
Knockando Woolmill in rural Moray, Europe’s oldest district woolmill, is set to increase its productivity, competitiveness and turnover, creating a new post and retaining existing staff. The company has secured up to £100,000 in grant from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and, through the generous support and funding of Historic Environment Scotland, a loan facility of up to £250,000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund.

PAS takes part in TEDx event at Queen Margaret University (PAS 26/05/17)
PAS Chief Executive Petra Biberbach was invited to speak at this year’s TEDx QMU event a few weeks ago. The theme was ‘Our Transgenerational World’. Petra spoke about ‘Bridging the Gaps’ between our different generations, placemaking from an intergenerational perspective – and why all ages must be more involved in shaping their communities.

Facelifts, tobacco, and BAR… 50 years of the Scottish Civic Trust 9SCT 16/05/17)
Please excuse the somewhat click-bait title, but my goodness what a fascinating and influential past the Scottish Civic Trust enjoys! I have put together a timeline of the Trust’s history of the last fifty years. This is by no means a comprehensive list; rather it comprises of some landmark moments which I hope will spark the interest of both those who have known of us for half a century, and those who have only just learned our name.

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-09463 Alex Rowley: To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of the report that it commissioned from yellow book ltd, Barriers to community engagement in planning: a research study. (SP 30/05/17)

S5O-01058 Ruth Maguire: To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the role of community right to buy schemes in towns and cities. (SP25/05/17)

S5W-09395 Oliver Mundell: To ask the Scottish Government what recent steps it has taken to increase the number of affordable homes for (a) rent and (b) purchase in rural communities (SP 24/05/17)

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.

Question S5W-09184: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 09/05/2017
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many tenement buildings have been demolished as a result of falling into disrepair in each year since 2007.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (18/05/2017)

Question S5W-09183: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 09/05/2017
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it takes to help maintain tenement buildings.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (16/05/2017)

Question S5W-09176: Edward Mountain, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 09/05/2017
To ask the Scottish Government what aspects of the management of the Crown Estate will be devolved to local authorities.
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham (23/05/2017)

Question S5W-09171: Edward Mountain, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 09/05/2017
To ask the Scottish Government what the cost is of the transfer of the powers over the management of the Crown Estate; how these costs will be met, and what additional costs the Crown Estate has to meet.
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham (23/05/2017) 

OTHER PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITY
The Parliament has agreed the following parliamentary recess dates:

•    1 July to 3 September 2017 (inclusive)
•    7 to 22 October 2017 (inclusive)

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

City Vision Workshop With Peter Head Lecture
When: Wednesday, 31 May 2017 from 17:00 to 20:30.
Where: Project Room 1.06, University of Edinburgh, 50 George Square EH8 9JY.
In the third of a series of new lectures and workshops the EAA welcomes Peter Head, an engineer who is a recognized global leader in the implementation of resilient and sustainable city development. The aim of Peter’s lecture and workshop is to bring forward and consolidate the developing visions for Edinburgh in 2050 and to map out a practical implementation process, including how financing and decision making could move forward through a collaborative process.
Following Peter’s session there will be contributions from local professionals, consultants and groups, leading on to a workshop which will look at the visioning for Edinburgh, and how we can collectively contribute and support change to make a better future.

Sir Patrick Geddes Commemorative Lecture 2017 – Poverty, Places and Equality: A role for place based approaches?
When: Wednesday, 07 June 2017 at 5:45PM – 8:15PM.
Where: The Lighthouse, Mitchell Lane, Glasgow G1 3NU.
Naomi Eisenstadt – Independent Advisor to the Scottish Government on Poverty and Inequality. After a long career in the NGO sector, in 1999 Naomi became the first Director of the Sure Start Unit. The Unit was responsible for delivering the government’s commitment to free nursery education places for all 3-4 year olds, the national childcare strategy, and reducing the gap in outcomes between children living in disadvantaged areas and the wider child population. Naomi spent 3 years as the Director of the Social Exclusion Task Force working across government to identify and promote policies to address the needs of traditionally excluded groups. Since retiring from the Civil Service, Naomi has chaired the Camden Equalities Commission, the Milton Keynes Child Poverty Commission, published a book and several articles relevant to child development and child poverty.

Medieval painted wooden vaults in Norwegian parish churches
When & Where:

• 12 June from 6-7pm at Auditorium National Museum Scotland, Edinburgh
• June 13 from 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm at Regent Building Lecture Theatre, Regent Walk, Aberdeen.
• June 14 from 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm at Overblikk restaurant, Orkney College, East Road, Kirkwall.

Professor Margrethe Stang, of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, will present the Lindsay Fischer lecture in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Kirkwall, entitled “Medieval painted wooden vaults in Norwegian parish churches”. Professor Stang is a medievalist and iconographer specializing in panel painting in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.  Her doctoral dissertation from 2009 discusses 31 surviving painted altar frontals (panel paintings) made in Norway c. 1250-1350, with emphasis on the iconography of the panels in relationship of the context for which they were made (mainly rural parish churches). The question of patronage features prominently in the discussion, a much neglected topic in previous scholarship on this material. Other research interests include the iconography of St Olav, medieval Scandinavian wall- and ceiling painting, the use of art in religious practice – liturgical and non-liturgical.

Summer Excursion 2017
When: July 1 @ 9:30 am – 5:30 pm.
Where: Low Parks Museum and Hamilton Mausoleum, South Lanarkshire.
Cost: £40 – £45.
Join us on a visit to these Grade A listed buildings the first dating back to 1696 built as Portland, the private residence of David Crawford, lawyer and secretary to the 3rd Duke and Duchess of Hamilton.  Later, in 1784, purchased by the 8th Duke of Hamilton and made into a coaching inn housing famous travellers, such as Dr Johnson and James Boswell, and Dorothy and William Wordsworth. The second building is the Palace Riding School, built by Alexander, 10th Duke of Hamilton, in 1837 which was also equipped with a gymnasium and regulation boxing ring. In 1983, the building was acquired by the Regimental Trustees of the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) as a regimental museum. Tickets include return coach transport, the tours, morning refreshments and lunch. Book via the website or email your details to: info@socantscot.org or phone 0131 247 4133.

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
Design Officer (A&DS)
We are looking for an enthusiastic design professional to help us provide advice and promote the benefits of good design in the built environment. The post offers the opportunity to develop your career and gain experience working across a broad range of topics. If successful you will be developing and supporting projects and promoting the benefits of a well-designed built environment.
Closing date is noon, Wednesday 7 June 2017

BEFS NEWS

A number of heritage and built environment organisations are publishing manifestos ahead of the General Election in June. Here are a few that you may find of interest:
•    RICS: Priorities for the Built Environment
•    RTPI: Manifesto for the 2017 General Election
•    Cultural Learning Alliance: Manifesto for Arts and Cultural Learning
•    The Heritage Alliance: Heritage Manifesto 2017
•    Town & Country Planning Association: Building the future – the TCPA’s manifesto for the 2017 general election

An update on the planning review has been published by the Chief Planner, which provides information on current work streams being taken forward by the Planning and Architecture Division.

Scottish Traditional Building Forum is hosting a Traditional Building Skills Demonstration in St. Andrew’s Square, Edinburgh, on 22nd- 23rd May 2017. The event will feature demonstrations by local apprentices of their traditional building skills with school children, and their teachers, and traditional building experts providing advice on how to repair and maintain traditionally built homes.

In our blog this week, Eila Macqueen, Director of Archaeology Scotland, reflects on the recent parliamentary debate on outdoor learning (see section on debates for link to transcript and Parliament TV video) and Archaeology Scotland’s experience of offering place-based learning.

CONSULTATIONS

Consultation on funding of The Scottish Energy Performance Certificate Register
The purpose of this consultation is to update stakeholders on the current status of the Scottish Energy Performance Certificate Register (SEPCR), to advise on pending action to amend the statutory fees payable on lodgement of energy performance data and to seek views on the manner in which the register is funded.
Opened 8 May 2017 and closes 19 Jun 2017.

Consultation on a Scottish Energy Strategy: The future of energy in Scotland
Consultation closes 30 May 2017.

Consultation on Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme
Consultation closes 30 May 2017.

Draft Management Plan for the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site (2017-2022)
Consultation closes on 5 June 2017.

Guidance on Engaging Communities in Decisions Relating to Land
Consultation closes 16 Jun 2017.

CONSULTATIONS RESPONSES

Consultation on the future of the Scottish Planning System
View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

PUBLICATIONS

Planning Circular 1 2017: Environmental Impact Assessment regulations 2017 (SG 16/05/17)
Guidance on The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017

Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill – Equality Impact Assessment – Results (SG 11/05/17)
Results of the Scottish Government’s Equality Impact Assessment of the Forestry and Land Management(Scotland) Bill

Architecture and Design Scotland – Corporate Strategy 2017 – 2020

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT NEWS RELEASES

New chair for SNH (SG 11/05/17)
Environment Secretary confirms appointment. Dr Mike Cantlay has been appointed as the chair of the board of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) by Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Roseanna Cunningham.

Modernising forestry (SG 11/05/17)
Forestry and Land Management Bill introduced to parliament. The Scottish Parliament will consider forestry legislation for the first time in its history after the introduction of a Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill.

Scotland’s first urban right to buy (SG 09/05/17)
Consent granted for Portobello church purchase. A community group in Edinburgh is set to become the first organisation in an urban area to benefit from community right to buy powers.

NEWS RELEASES

Cutting-edge technology takes medieval Rosslyn Chapel around the world (HES 16/05/17)
A new mobile app, launched today at the Rosslyn Chapel, will let members of the public see the Chapel’s renowned stonework wherever they are in the world.

Plácido Domingo and EU Commissioner Navracsics announce Grand Prix winners of the European Heritage Awards 2017 in Turku (EN 15/05/17)
The winners of the 2017 EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards, Europe’s top honour in the field, were celebrated this evening during a high-profile event at St. Michael’s Church in Turku, Finland. Maestro Plácido Domingo, President of Europa Nostra, and Tibor Navracsics, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, co-hosted the European Heritage Awards Ceremony.

Protect your charity against cyber-attacks (SCVO 14/05/17)
You could not fail to miss the coverage of the worldwide ransomware attack over the weekend which particularly affected the NHS. The scale of the attack, and its impact on public services, is unprecedented. However, similar attacks happen on a daily basis and third sector organisations must protect themselves from risks of operating in the digital world.

Adapting to Climate Change in Rural Scotland – Leaning from the US (RTPI Scotland 12/05/17)
Graham Marchbank follows up on his blog from March with more details on climate conversations as a tool for building resilience to the effects of climate change in rural Scotland.

Statistical News Release: The Proportion of Scotland’s Protected Sites in Favourable Condition 2017 (SNH 12/05/17)
Scottish Natural Heritage has today released the latest figures tracking the proportion of Scottish protected natural features in favourable or recovering status.

IHBC’s 2017 School bursaries still available (IHBC 12/05/17)
Some bursaries are still available for the IHBC’s 2017 School in Manchester on ‘Transport Infrastructure’, on 22-24 June, so if you need help, apply now!

Global Challenges in Cultural Heritage Conference –Proposals for Panels & Papers (Stirling University 12/05/17)
As part of the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, Global Challenges in Cultural Heritage celebrates the newly formed partnership between the University of Stirling, The Palace Museum in Beijing and Historic Environment Scotland. The conference seeks to explore approaches to specific challenges in relation to a range of shared issues including Significance, Value and Meaning in Cultural Heritage, Technology and Innovation in Heritage and Conservation Challenges and Opportunities. Proposals for panels and individual papers addressing cultural heritage themes to be submitted by 22 May 2017.

Brexit and the Third Sector – will we have a place in Europe? (SCVO 10/05/17)
As the unedifying spectacle that is UK general election continues to depress us with its stage managed press conferences and lack of genuine debate, you have to question the state of our democracy.

Scottish Confucius Institute for Business & Communication at Heriot-Watt University joins the Heritage Alliance (THA 10/05/17)
The Heritage Alliance would like to welcome the newest member, the Scottish Confucius Institute for Business & Communication at Heriot-Watt University. The SCIBC is part of a global family of Confucius Institutes. It is developing a significant stream of activities related to the heritage and tourism sectors, based on promoting understanding, professional development, research and dialogue on areas mutual interest between the UK and China.

Edinburgh’s 101 Objects (EWHT 05/05/17)
Discover the rich history of Edinburgh through 101 of its most treasured objects. To celebrate the year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, this unique visitor experience will bring Edinburgh’s vibrant past to life.

MEMBERS NEWS

Scottish Civic Trust Celebrates 50 Years (SCT 12/05/17)
The Scottish Civic Trust, the national body for the civic movement in Scotland, celebrates its 50th birthday today, 12 May 2017. Exactly 50 years ago, the trust held its inaugural meeting at the University of Glasgow.  Since then it has been at the heart of protecting, celebrating and recording Scotland’s architecture and places, old and new.

IHBC on CPD: ‘Talk to people’ and use the tools (IHBC 10/05/17)
IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly has written an opinion piece for the new RICS Building Conservation Journal on Continuing Professional Development (CPD), in which he observes that some of the best CPD comes from talking to people who have contrasting views on conservation, while other IHBC members such as Henry Russell and John Edwards offer invaluable practice updates and insights on useful tools such as BS 7913.

Corporate Sponsorship opportunities for the Guidelines for Impact Assessment for Cultural Heritage (CiFA 08/05/17)
The project to develop new Guidelines for Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment was launched at the CIfA Annual Conference on 26 April. The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) have signed an agreement to author these new guidelines.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION

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”.

S5O-00980 Alison Harris: To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the guidance on what constitutes a dangerous building. (SP 11/05/17)

S5W-09171 Edward Mountain: To ask the Scottish Government what the cost is of the transfer of the powers over the management of the Crown Estate; how these costs will be met, and what additional costs the Crown Estate has to meet. (SP 10/05/17)

S5W-09176 Edward Mountain: To ask the Scottish Government what aspects of the management of the Crown Estate will be devolved to local authorities. (SP 10/05/17)

S5W-09183 Graham Simpson: To ask the Scottish Government what steps it takes to help maintain tenement buildings. (SP 10/05/17)

S5W-09184 Graham Simpson: To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many tenement buildings have been demolished as a result of falling into disrepair in each year since 2007. (SP 10/05/17)

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab): 
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government is doing to better resource planning authorities, in light of an increase in planning fees for major applications from 1 June 2017. (S5F-01264)

The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon): 
We need a planning system that supports both businesses and communities to deliver high-quality development on the ground. There has been a general understanding that fee levels are too low and that, in many instances, they are not in proportion to the work that is involved in processing planning applications. We have always been clear that fees and performance go hand in hand. Therefore, we are increasing the maximum fee for major planning applications to provide further resources to councils to improve performance. The Government will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that planning services deliver for Scotland’s communities.
Read the full response.

Question S5W-08764: Maurice Golden, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 11/04/2017
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.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (28/04/2017)

Question S5W-08883: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 20/04/2017
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of its research into barriers to engagement and the role of community councils in planning.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (02/05/2017)

DEBATES

Members’ business debate on motion S5M-05008, in the name of Brian Whittle, on heritage and environmental conservation charities’ support for outdoor learning. 

Motion debated:
That the Parliament acknowledges the work of various national conservation charities, including RSPB Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland, in the provision and promotion of outdoor education; believes that outdoor education should be seen as an important component of the curriculum, with meaningful benefits to both pupils’ learning and their health; considers that sites such as Culzean Castle in South Ayrshire, which is run by the National Trust for Scotland, the RSPB’s Mersehead Reserve in Dumfries and Galloway, and the Dumfries House Estate in East Ayrshire endeavour to work with local schools to arrange visits to their sites, along with various educational activities; understands that many organisations have seen a marked decline in the number of pupils participating in recent years; believes that, while visits are often provided at little or no direct cost to schools, the cost of transport has become prohibitive as school budgets have been squeezed; notes the calls on schools across Scotland to consider making use of schools attainment funding to support greater use of outdoor education, and thanks RSPB Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland and other similar organisations for their commitment to supporting outdoor learning.

Read the full transcript of the debate.
You can also watch the debate on Parliament TV.

EVENTS

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

Sacred Heritage: Archaeology, Identity and Medieval Beliefs – Rhind Lectures
When: May 19 @ 6:00 pm – May 21 @ 5:00 pm.
Where: Auditorium National Museum Scotland, Edinburgh.
Medieval churches and monasteries are key features of the British landscape, contributing to local identities and sense of place. Yet the relationship between heritage and medieval religion has received relatively little critical reflection. These lectures will place research on medieval beliefs within a wider framework of sacred heritage, reflecting on issues of value, authenticity and interpretation. The lectures develop chronologically from the 12th century to the use of archaeology today, with case studies focusing on Scottish monasticism and Glastonbury Abbey.

 Archaeological Research in Progress 2017
When: 27 May 2017.
Where: National Museums Scotland Auditorium, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF.
The Society is hosting the 2017 ARP conference, the national conference examining recent and ongoing archaeological projects across Scotland. Please book online or phone 0131 247 4133. Tickets £35 for Fellows, Archaeology Scotland members and students. £40 full price.

AHSS Strathclyde Group – Briglands House & St. Andrews Guided Walk
When: Saturday 27th May 2017, from 9:00 – 15:00.
Where: Briglands House & St Andrews.
Cost: £30.00 per person, to include coach travel, all entries, morning coffee and lunch.
Meet at the bus stance on North Hanover Street across the road from the side entrance to Queen Street Station. The coach tour from Glasgow will include Briglands House, Rufflets Hotel for lunch and St Andrews. There will be a two hour walk round St. Andrews. We hope to end the walk in an 18th century house with a lovely restful garden owned by one of our members.

Arts & Business Scotland Development Forum (Edinburgh)
When: Thursday, 1 June 2017 from 15:00 to 18:00.
Where: Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, National Galleries of Scotland, The Mound, Edinburgh.
Development Forums provide an opportunity for participants from the cultural, public and private sector to engage and share best practice. The next Arts & Business Scotland Development Forum is designed to promote and support the Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage programme. This event is open to both members and non-members of Arts & Business Scotland. The Topic in Focus is Capital Fundraising, which will provide a unique opportunity to hear from two speakers with considerable experience in this area: Alan Horn, Director of Development, The Glasgow School of Art, and Gill Poulter, Heritage Director, Dundee Heritage Trust. They will share their insight into and knowledge of the capital projects they have been instrumental in delivering.

Lessons from Planning Complaints to the Ombudsman in Scotland
When: Tuesday 6 June, 6 – 8pm.
Where: Edinburgh.
Cost: Free for PAS volunteers, £5 for non-volunteers
Planning is one of the public services which continues to attract a high number of complaints to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO). Graham U’ren has provided independent professional advice to the Ombudsman on such complaints for 10 years. In this session, he will outline the statutory framework within which the SPSO operates with particular relevance to planning and related services. He will then highlight some common areas of complaint and the way in which the planning system has responded. The aim is to assist PAS volunteers to advise clients on situations which may potentially involve formal complaint procedures and how to manage expectations in doing so. Book your place at events@pas.org.uk.

Sir Patrick Geddes Commemorative Lecture 2017 – Poverty, Places and Equality: A role for place based approaches?
When: Wednesday, 07 June 2017 at 5:45PM – 8:15PM.
Where: The Lighthouse, Mitchell Lane, Glasgow G1 3NU.
Naomi Eisenstadt – Independent Advisor to the Scottish Government on Poverty and Inequality.

AHSS Forth & Borders Group – Save the Royal High School Fundraising Concert and Reception
When: Thursday 8th June 2017, from 18:30 – 21:30
Where: Stockbridge Parish Church, 7B Saxe Coburg Street, Edinburgh EH3 5BN
Tickets: £45 including post-concert reception.
Two world-class pianists: Malcolm Martineau and Steven Osborne, with eminent
soprano Lorna Anderson, will perform works by Beethoven and Schubert. Proceeds will go towards funding the campaign to save the Royal High School from a hotel scheme that The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland believes will irretrievably damage one of the most important Greek Revival buildings in the UK and the world and, by extension, the set piece of Calton Hill, which lies at the core of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site.

SAH Glasgow Seminar “Making and Re-Making Glasgow: Heritage and Sustainability”
When: Saturday, June 10, 2017 from 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
Where: Mackintosh Queen’s Cross, 870 Garscube Rd, Glasgow.
Cost: Tickets £20.
Join speakers from University of Glasgow, Glasgow Museums, Historic Environment Scotland, Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, and The National Trust for Scotland for a discussion of heritage and sustainability in Glasgow on June 10.

AHSS Dumfries & Galloway Group – Newark Castle Trip
When: Wednesday 14th June 2017 from 14:00.
Cost: £20 (members to provide own transport)
Meet at Newark Castle, near Maybole, Ayrshire. Afterwards there will be  tea at Glenapp Castle, near Ballantrae. Newark Castle was a tower house which has been extended considerably since it was built in the 15th/16th centuries. The most recent additions by David Cousins c.1850 and James Miller 1907-08 transformed it into the popular Baronial style. Glenapp Castle is another Baronial Castle designed by David Bryce in 1870 for its owner James Hunter. It is now open to the public as a luxury hotel and restaurant.

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. Here are the upcoming dates:
•    Crowdfunding, Wed. 24th May, Glasgow – Betty’s Room
•    In Focus: Membership & Friends + Sustainability, Wed. 31st May, Aberdeen – Aberdeen Science Centre
•    Planning to Progress, Tuesday, 6th June, Edinburgh – Arts & Business Scotland
•    In Focus: Storytelling, Tuesday 13th June, Dundee – Discovery Centre

VACANCIES

Two vacancies at the National Trust for Scotland

Building Surveyor – Ayrshire & Arran
Building Surveyor – Glasgow & West
The Surveyor is part of the Buildings Conservation & Services team, and reports to the Lead Surveyor (who in turn reports to the Head of Consultancy Services). The Lead Surveyor (in conjunction with the Head of Consultancy) decides the most effective way of servicing client group needs (driven by their plans) through the team of Surveyors. Whilst each Surveyor (and indeed the Lead Surveyor) is assigned to a client group of properties, s/he is required to be flexible as far as practicable to help even out any workload fluctuations that may occur across all the groups. It is also expected that team members with a specialist interest or technical expertise in any particular area be prepared to share this expertise across the team if this enables the most effective way of delivering response to client group needs.
Closing date for both vacancies: Monday 22 May 2017

IPO – Intern Project Officer (RTPI)
RTPI Scotland is recruiting an Intern Project Officer for a fixed term 6 month period. The successful applicant will be based in our small and friendly team in Edinburgh, and in an exciting time for planning will support our work to influence the ongoing review of the planning system. More information, including how to apply, here.
Deadline: 22/05/2017 09:30.

The AHF Needs A New Chief Executive – Could It Be You? (AHF)
We are now able to advertise details of our Chief Executive role, which will shortly be becoming vacant. The AHF believes that better places can be built through community enterprise. Historic buildings and places play an essential role in daily life, cultural identity and the economy. The historic environment can inspire creativity and enterprise, bring communities together, and make people happier about where they live. The Chief Executive will have overall responsibility for the operational management of the AHF and, with the Board, devise and implement the organisation’s strategy. The ideal candidate will bring a broad range of experience of working with a board, leading and managing a team and managing a large budget.
Deadline for applications 5th June.

Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust Seeks New Board Members
Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust is at an exciting stage of its development as we respond to societal and funding challenges. Our Board of Trustees guides our future and we are looking to make new appointments that will strengthen and complement the skills and experience of our Trustee Board and help us deliver our strategic plan. Trustees should be passionate about saving and enlivening historic buildings in the spirit of heritage preservation and community empowerment.
Full details here.

We’re hiring – Design Officer (B1) (A&DS)
We are looking for an enthusiastic design professional to help us provide advice and promote the benefits of good design in the built environment. The post offers the opportunity to develop your career and gain experience working across a broad range of topics. If successful, you will be developing and supporting projects and promoting the benefits of a well-designed built environment.
The deadline for receipt of your application is noon Wednesday 7 June 2017.