BEFS News

Historic Environment Scotland’s new Historic Environment Policy for Scotland and associated policy and guidance will be launched alongside their Corporate Plan tomorrow, Friday, 5th April. You will be able to view all the documents here once the link is live. The new policy has been informed by the What’s Your Heritage? campaign as well as extensive consultation, engagement and conversations with stakeholders working with the historic environment.

The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) and the Landscape Institute Scotland (LIS) are bringing together a range of organisations and individuals interested in the design, management and protection of Scotland’s Landscapes, to form Scotland’s Landscape Alliance (SLA). A launch event to develop the SLA is planned for 25th April 2019. Ahead of this, they are conducting research to gather the views of those with an interest or involvement in landscape in Scotland. The research will inform the work and focus of the SLA by providing potential areas for debate and action by different working groups. Share your views by completing this short online survey.

BEFS Director looks at the implications of two of the recommendations arising from a Parliamentary Committee report on the Glasgow School of Art fire, in our blog this week.

We have a fantastic selection of events and training coming up across the sector so do check out the listings below.

We are delighted to have our Communications and Policy Office, Saskia Smellie, back in the office this week, so if you would like to promote your activities in this bulletin, please do get in touch.

Consultations

Scotland’s Climate Change Adaptation Programme 2019-2024
Closes 9 Apr 2019.

Statements of Heritage Significance: Historic England advice note
This publication provides advice on ways to satisfy the requirement in the National Planning Policy Framework for applicants for heritage-related consents to provide information on heritage significance to help local planning authorities in making decisions on the impact of proposals for change to heritage assets. This is most easily provided in a statement of heritage significance. Comments are welcomed on this draft Historic England advice note.
This consultation will be open until 10 May 2019

Energy Efficient Scotland: Consultation 
This consultation seeks to gather evidence which might support a change to the proposed timeframe to deliver standards for all properties across Scotland.
Opened 26 Mar 2019. Closes 17 Jun 2019.

Energy Efficient Scotland: the future of low carbon heat for off gas buildings – call for evidence 
Evidence is being sought on technologies and actions necessary to support the decarbonisation of the heat supply of buildings that currently do not use mains gas as their primary heating fuel.
Deadline for submission of evidence: Tuesday 18 June 2019.

Consultation responses

Delivering improved transparency in land ownership in Scotland: consultation analysis (SG 03/04/19)

 

Publications

Wheelchair Accessible Housing Target: Guidance Note: MHDGN 201902 (SG 01/04/19)

Climate Challenge Fund: projects funded for 2019-2021 (SG 28/03/19)

Skills Investment Plan for Scotland’s Historic Environment Sector (HES 25/03/19)

The Scottish Heritage Partnership: Immersive Experiences Policy Report (21/03/19)

Heritage and Wellbeing: State of the Evidence (WWW 20/03/19)

Investigation into the Issues Associated with Large scale and Concentrated Landownership in Scotland (SLC 20/03/19)

Review of Scale and Concentration of Land Ownership – Report & Recommendations to Scottish Ministers (SLC) 

 

Scottish Government News Releases

Improving wheelchair access in housing (29/03/19)
Local authorities will be required to provide wheelchair accessible housing across all tenures and report annually on progress.

Climate Challenge Fund (28/03/19)
Communities across Scotland will benefit from new support to tackle climate change and embrace the transition to a carbon-neutral society. The latest round Climate Challenge Fund for 2019-21 will support 87 projects.

Planning decisions: index (25/03/19)
List of correspondence available relating to current, or recently closed, planning decisions.

Scotland’s natural capital worth £273 billion (22/03/19)
A comprehensive assessment has been carried out for the first time of the monetary value of Scotland’s natural capital. The assessment has discovered that in 2015 the asset value of Scottish natural capital was an estimated £273 billion.

 

News Releases

Scotland’s historic buildings to receive £7m boost (HES 03/04/19)
The Heritage Impact Fund is available to organisations that wish to deliver economic and social impact through re-use of Scotland’s heritage buildings.

£1 entry to historic sites for Young Scots (HES 01/04/19)
HES will be partnering with Young Scot, along with the National Trust for Scotland and Historic Houses Scotland, to offer the discount to young people who want to explore Scotland’s historic sites.

New deadline for Community Assets (NLF 27/03/19)
Applying for funds to develop a local building or asset? If you are seeking National Lottery Community Assets funding then your last date to make an initial enquiry and start the application process is October 4, 2019. In addition, all projects seeking Community Assets funding must be ready to submit their final application documents and strategic plans by March 31, 2020

Nominate a heritage site for the 7 Most Endangered programme 2020 (EN 27/03/19)
The 7 Most Endangered programme identifies threatened monuments and sites in Europe and mobilises public and private partners – on a local, national and European level – to find a viable future for those sites. You can nominate a heritage site with the support of an organisation in your country that is a member of Europa Nostra or directly by joining our pan-European network of member and associate organisations.

Scotland out-performs rest of UK for 7th year running (HES 27/03/19)
Attractions in Scotland saw the biggest increase in visitors according to the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA).

Rural Towns are Scotland’s Life Blood (STP 26/03/19)
Phil Prentice, Scotland’s Towns Partnership Chief Executive, has said that small and rural towns must be a key part of any future economic

Building on regeneration and heritage (SURF 25/03/19)
Scotland’s Regeneration Forum (SURF) and Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) are delighted to announce a new partnership agreement. Both organisations are keen to make even more of their shared interests in linking heritage and creative assets with community regeneration.

Skills Investment Plan for Scotland’s Historic Environment Sector (HES 25/03/19)
An action plan to ensure Scotland has the skills it needs to manage, protect and conserve its historic environment is being launched.

IHBC’s Gus Astley Student Award 2018 winner announced (23/03/19)
The winner of the IHBC Gus Astley Student Award for 2018 has been announced as Estefania Macchi, then on the IHBC-recognised conservation course at Strathclyde University, for her suite of research and design works for the Glasgow’s former St. James Board School Conservation Design Project, including her review paper on ‘Information management as the milestone for present and future practice’,

Applications Open for Doors Open Days Enabling Grant (SCT 18/03/19)
Does your building need a little help in getting ready for Doors Open Days? This year we are inviting applications for the Doors Open Days Enabling Grant. This will enable small scale works that will create access to a building during Doors Open Days.

Call for European Heritage Stories 2019 (EHD 18/03/19)
The Call for European Heritage Stories intends to identify the European Dimension of heritage sites and heritage work undertaken by the communities in Europe. It refers to past or existing “stories” that communities would like to share and potentially develop into a project to further contribute to their communities.

The Hill House: Collaborative Scientific Conservation in Action (HES 18/03/19)
Using cutting edge technology to monitor the condition of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Hill House in Helensburgh, a joint partnership with Historic Environment Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland is working to fully understand the extent of water damage to the famous Scottish building.

 

Opinion & Comment

The Planning Bill Could Break the System (HOPS 28/03/19)

Monopoly exercise of landowner power is an affront to a modern, democratic and socially progressive Scotland, says Community Land Scotland (CLS)

Heritage & Wellbeing: State of the Evidence (WWW 20/03/19)

 

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”.

Question S5W-22438: Adam Tomkins, Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 01/04/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the regeneration of vacant and derelict land, and how much it has allocated to each local authority in each of the last five years to deal with this.
Current Status: Expected Answer date 29/04/2019

Question S5W-22377: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 26/03/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what funding is available to protect archaeological sites.
Current Status: Expected Answer date 23/04/2019

Question S5W-22338: Bill Bowman, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 22/03/2019
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-20977 by Derek Mackay on 29 January 2019, what its response is to the Scottish Retail Consortium’s call for business improvement districts and other organisations to be eligible to bid for funding from the £50 million Town Centre Fund.
Current Status: Expected Answer date 05/04/2019

 

Parliamentary Questions & Answers

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

Question S5O-03041: Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 13/03/2019 R
To ask the Scottish Government when it last carried out an assessment of capacity in planning authorities.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (21/03/2019)

 

Other Parliamentary Activity

Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Bill 
Derek Mackay has lodged the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Bill. The Scottish Government has proposed the Bill in response to the Barclay Review, which set out recommendations on reforming the business rates system. The legislation includes provisions on revaluation timescales, independent schools, the business growth accelerator and empty properties. Parliament has published a copy of the Bill alongside explanatory notes, a financial memorandum and a policy memorandum.

 

Debates

Land Reform (21/03/19)
At Decision Time, the Conservative amendment to the Government motion on land
reform fell. The Labour amendment passed but the Green amendment fell with the Greens, Labour,
Liberal Democrats and Mark McDonald voting in favour and the SNP and Conservatives voting against. The amended motion passed.

 

Events

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

Victorian Edinburgh: Powerhouse of the Empire? World Heritage Day lecture
Date & time: Thursday 18 April; 18:00-19:00
Venue: The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 11 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JQ
Scotland’s pre-eminent historian will deliver this year’s World Heritage Day lecture. Sir Tom Devine will explore the extraordinary success of late Victorian Edinburgh – as banking house to the British Empire, as patron of the arts and architecture, and as a city of considerable luxury and opulence.

Talks at the Lane present Karl-Heinz Schmitz on Architecture As Public Commodity
Date & time: 23rd April 2019 at 6.30pm
Venue: Custom Lane, Leith
Karl-Heinz Schmitz, architect and professor at the Bauhaus University, shares his views on public architecture as part of the Talks at the Lane series. The search for the space itself, the precision in the floor plan development and the aesthetic demands on the graphic realisation were the starting point for Schmitz’s career, which began in 1993 as a university teacher in Weimar. In addition to his work as a teacher, Karl-Heinz designed a series of buildings that testify an intensive examination of urban spaces and the work on existing buildings. In 2005, in collaboration with Hilde Barz-Malfatti, Schmitz completed reconstruction and extension of the Duchess Anna Amalia Library located in the middle of the historic palace and library ensemble. It has naturally become part of the urban tissue, uniting spaces and elements of the old and the new while at the same time developing an exciting fresh autonomy.
As part of the talk, Karl-Heinz will display some of his work alongside the work of his Bauhaus University students within our Exhibition Space.

The Mark Turnbull Travel Award Presentation & LIS AGM
Date & time: Wednesday 24 April; 18:15-20:10
Venue: Hunter Lecture Theatre, Hunter Building, 74 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9DF
Scotland’s Future Landscapes: Design for an Ageing Population. Learn from a world perspective to influence in Scotland. Dr Amber Roberts, Winner of the Mark Turnbull Travel Award reflects on her research and travels to Japan, Sweden and USA. How do we design for ageing populations and strengthen Scottish landscape practice under the legacy and influence of Ian McHarg?

CIfA2019 Archaeology: values, benefits, and legacies
Date & time: Wednesday 24 – Friday 26 April; 09:30–17:30
Venue: Royal Armouries Museum, 5 Armouries Drive, Leeds LS10 1LE
Our 2019 conference will provide a forum for delegates to discuss and explore ideas around social value, public benefit, and the creation of knowledge. It offers the opportunity to think about legacy and how the work we undertake now will impact on future generations – from inspiring future careers to learning lessons from our failures. We also want to consider how a multitude of stakeholders – archaeologists, policy makers, clients, the public – value our discipline.

Crumble in discussion: “Are we sitting comfortably?”
Date & time: Thursday 25 April; 17:30–19:00
Venue: RIAS Bookshop, 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh EH1 2BE
Join Crumble at the RIAS Bookshop for an evening of discussion on the notion of comfort, and how we feel about the environments in which we live. What makes us comfortable (or uncomfortable)? What can the architect do to create comfort in the world around us? Is the profession guilty of sitting too comfortably? Crumble is an independent architecture magazine edited and published by students from the University of Edinburgh. The team will be providing an introduction to the magazine and sharing some conclusions from their upcoming issue. This event is FREE to attend.

AF2019 April Meet-up – Glasgow
Date & time: Saturday 27 April; 10:15 (10:30 start) – 13:00
Venue: The Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane, Glasgow G1 3NU
Join us at The Lighthouse for the April meet-up! These free-to-attend monthly meet-ups are very laid back and are open to anyone considering taking part in or contributing to the Architecture Fringe 2019 Open Programme. The Open Programme is a non-curated platform for self-directed projects, exhibitions, events and happenings. The meet-ups are an opportunity for you to hear more about the Architecture Fringe itself, to share your project thoughts and ideas, get feedback and meet new people.

Best practice approaches to place-based regeneration: A SURF Award Shared Learning Workshop
Date & time: Thursday 2 May; 10:00-13:30
Venue: The Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR
This free half-day SURF Awards workshop event in the Storytelling Centre provides an opportunity to explore successful current approaches towards regenerating Scotland’s places with three winning projects from the ‘Most Improved Place’, ‘Housing’ and ‘Community Led Regeneration’ categories highlighted in the 2018 SURF Awards process.

Rhind Lectures 2019 – Hadrian’s Wall: A Study in Archaeological Exploration and Interpretation
Dates & times: Fri. 10 May (18:00-20:00), Sat. 11 May (11:00-17:00), Sun. 12 May (14:00-17:00).
Venue: National Museum Scotland auditorium, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF (use Lothian Street entrance).
Hadrian’s Wall was written about even when it was still in use as a frontier. Interest continued through the next 1000 years. Once archaeological excavations started, the pace quickened. Now we have an enormous data base even though only about 5% of the Wall has been examined. The first two lectures in this series of six will review the excavations and surveys, theories and flights of fancy since the 1840s. The next two lectures concentrate on the different phases of activity on the Wall and through them seek understanding of how the Wall operated. The impact of the Wall on local people and the landscape is the subject of the fifth lecture, while in the final talk the state of Hadrian’s Wall today is considered, with time for questions.Lectures given by Professor David Breeze OBE, FSA, Hon FSA Scot, FRSE, Hon CIfA.

People Powered Planning: Putting Communities on the Front Foot
Date & times: Saturday 11th May 2019 10 – 4.30pm
Venue: Trades Hall, Central Glasgow G1 1UH.
We know there are many people in Scotland who feel baffled, alienated and disenfranchised by the planning system. Others have gained some understanding, learnt to navigate and decode the systems and others have taken ownership and grabbed what opportunities there are to shape their local environments and fulfill community aspirations. We hope that this conference will link people up, provide some information about where to go for help and give some handy tips on how to successfully engage in planning. Importantly we also hope the conference will help to create a sense of a movement of people who are willing to campaign for change to make the planning system more responsive to people who want the best for their local areas.

Community Business Matters – A Community Shares Scotland Workshop
Date & time: Tuesday 14 May; 10:30-14:00
Venue: Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Dalmeny Street Edinburgh EH6 8RG
Do you have aspirations to run a successful community business? Or perhaps you support people and communities with enterprising ideas? Then this is the event for you. Come along to Community Shares Scotland’s free workshop to learn more about the community shares funding model and how it helps community businesses grow and thrive. The workshop will be practical and inspiring – with a focus on sources of free support and lots of success stories from the previous 5 years of the Community Shares Scotland programme.

Community Business Matters – A Community Shares Scotland Workshop
Date & time: Wednesday 15 May; 10:30-14:00
Venue: Scottish Youth Theatre, 105 Brunswick St, Glasgow G1 1TF
Do you have aspirations to run a successful community business? Or perhaps you support people and communities with enterprising ideas? Then this is the event for you. Come along to Community Shares Scotland’s free workshop to learn more about the community shares funding model and how it helps community businesses grow and thrive. The workshop will be practical and inspiring – with a focus on sources of free support and lots of success stories from the previous 5 years of the Community Shares Scotland programme.

Overcoming barriers to employability facing Scotland’s young people: A SURF Award Shared Learning Workshop 
Date & time: Wednesday 15 May; 10:00-13:30
Venue: The Glasgow Women’s Library, 23 Landressy Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow G40 1BP
This free half-day SURF Awards workshop event in the Glasgow Women’s Library provides an opportunity to explore successful approaches towards tackling barriers to employability facing young people in Scotland. The winning and highly commended projects from the ‘Youth Employability’ category highlighted in the 2018 SURF Awards process will provide comment on their experiences and transferable learning.

RICS Rural Mid-Session Conference
Date & time: Thursday 16 May; 09:00-16:45
Venue: Scottish Natural Heritage, Battleby Conference Centre, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW
This year’s Rural Mid-Session Conference comes back at the SNH with a refreshed agenda and will equip you with the right knowledge to leverage current opportunities for growth and resilience. Delivered through presentations and case studies, the event will focus on key sessions so you can be better prepared to mitigate any risks to your business.

The importance of culture & creative arts in community regeneration: A SURF Award Shared Learning Workshop
Date & time: Thursday 30 May; 10:00-13:30
Venue: Paisley Arts Centre, 15 New Street, Paisley PA1 1EZ
This free half-day SURF Awards workshop event in Paisley Arts Centre provides an opportunity to explore successful approaches towards linking creative arts and culture into regeneration initiatives. The winning and highly commended projects from the ‘Creative Regeneration’ category highlighted in the 2018 SURF Awards process will provide comment on their experiences and transferable learning.

RICS Commercial Property Conference, Scotland
Date & time: Thursday 6 June; 10:00-16:00
Venue: Radisson Blu, 80 High Street, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 1TH
With current uncertainty in the market, it is important to join fellow professionals to debate, analyse and address the major challenges and opportunities the real estate market faces in a post Brexit climate. The RICS Commercial Property Conference brings together agents, occupiers and investors to strengthen your understanding of the current economic outlook, latest occupier trends, growth opportunities, and risks to the commercial property sector. Book before Friday 12 April for the Early Bird discount. 4 hours formal CPD.

Patrick Geddes Centre Study Day: Modernism 1 India & Identity
Date & time: Tuesday 11 June; 10:00–16:00
Venue: Patrick Geddes Centre at Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2PG
Patrick Geddes applied his culturally sensitive approaches to many projects during his time in India, drawing the friendship of Tagore and Ghandi. This period of dwindling colonial influence saw the search for a new Indian identity – a hot bed for early modernist architecture and design.
This study day also includes a light lunch; more information will be announced shortly.
Entry: from £22

Patrick Geddes Centre Study Day: Modernism 2 Geddes, Abercrombie & Pepler
Date & time: Tuesday 18 June; 10:00–16:00
Venue: Patrick Geddes Centre at Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2PG
George Pepler & Patrick Abercrombie were instrumental in shaping post-war Britain. By exploring their modernist visions, Dr Alastair Fair (Chancellor’s Fellow in Architectural History, University of Edinburgh) and colleagues will consider the extent of Patrick Geddes’ influence on early modernism. This study day also includes a light lunch. Entry: from £22

RICS Annual Dinner 2019, Scotland
Date & time: Thursday 27 June; 19:00-23:00
Venue: Radisson Blu, 301 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G2 8DL
Join fellow property professionals for the RICS Annual Dinner 2019, Scotland – an opportunity to network with professionals in the region. The dinner will provide the ideal setting to entertain clients, socialise with colleagues and generate new business contacts. Ian Fergusson, RICS Chairman for Scotland looks forward to welcoming guest’s to this year’s Annual Dinner. Set to be held at the prestigious Radisson Blu in Glasgow, with return of this highly anticipated black-tie event, also comes your opportunity to meet up with fellow members, friends and business partners old and new.

IHBC Annual School – Nottingham 2019
Dates: Annual School: Thursday 4 – Saturday 6 July; Day School: Friday 5 July
Venue: Nottingham Conference Centre, Burton Street, Nottingham NG1 4BU
The Institute of Historic Building Conservation will hold its 21st Annual School in Nottingham, hosted by the IHBC East Midlands Branch. This year’s school focuses on the theme of ‘Heritage, Risk & Resilience: confronting conservation calamities, exploring:
–    Heritage challenges and insights into solutions for Fire | Flood | Structural Failure
–    Case studies – Technical, practical and strategic advice
–    Planning for the worst: dealing with the aftermath
The Annual School includes three exciting days of:
–    Tours – Nottingham, Leicester, Derby & the East Midlands
–    CPD support: Up to 20 hours Continuing Professional Development linked
–    Business opportunities: Sponsors, exhibitors, networks & supporters

‘PKARF: Priorities in Progress’ Regional Archaeology Conference
Date & time: Friday 30 August, 09:00-17:00
Venue: Soutar Theatre, AK Bell Library, 2-8 York Place, Perth, PH2 8EP
Save the date and book your travel for the first conference organised as part of the Perth and Kinross (Regional) Archaeological Research Framework (PKARF). Join Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust for a summary of findings from the first year of knowledge assessment and here preliminary research priorities presented by leading experts. Contribute to the shaping of the future Framework by joining ‘think tank’ workshops to review draft period summaries, nominate case studies, highlight knowledge gaps, and share your opinions on where future archaeological research should be directed. Student Attendance Bursaries available to assist with the cost of travel and accommodation.

 

Training

Architectural Conservation CPD: Conservation Theory and Practice
Date & time: Wednesday 24 April, 12:30-13:30 (light refreshments from 12:15)
Venue: The Fair Maid’s House, 15-19 North Port, Perth, PH1 5LU
The first session in a 6-part CPD programme offers an introduction to conservation theory and practice and is delivered by Peter Burman. Whether you are starting out in a buildings related career, looking to refresh your conservation knowledge, encounter historic buildings as part of your work portfolio, or have limited knowledge of the best conservation practice to employ on a project involving buildings built before 1919, this is the CPD programme for you. Sessions are delivered in Perth by industry accredited professionals and are recognised CPD by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).

Traditional Masonry Repair C2 – Contractor Level 2
Date: Tuesday 30 April – Thursday 2 May
Venue: Merryhill Training Centre, Fife KY11 3DR
This 3-day workshop builds on the knowledge and skills gained on ‘C1 Making and Using Traditional Mortars’. The workshop aims to enable you to complete seamless rebuilding and repair of traditional masonry to match original work. You will gain a conservation ethic and be able to develop repair strategies suitable for a variety of traditional masonry types. The course deals with build types from ashlar to rubble walling, as well as finishes including harling and limewashing. Participants will be able to undertake sensitive surface repairs to ashlar and profiled stone to the highest standards using indenting, part indenting and mortared surface repairs. This workshop provides the underpinning knowledge and a practical rehearsal of the assessment and accreditation procedure for SQA National Unit 2 and Unit 3.

Architectural Conservation CPD: The Repair and Maintenance of Traditional Roofs
Date & time: Wednesday 29 May, 12:30-13:30 (light refreshments from 12:15)
Venue: The Fair Maid’s House, 15-19 North Port, Perth, PH1 5LU
The second session in the 6-part CPD programme is on the repair and maintenance of traditional roofs, delivered by Neil Grieve. Whether you are starting out in a buildings related career, looking to refresh your conservation knowledge, encounter historic buildings as part of your work portfolio, or have limited knowledge of the best conservation practice to employ on a project involving buildings built before 1919, this is the CPD programme for you. Sessions are delivered in Perth by industry accredited professionals and are recognised CPD by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).

RICS CPD Day, Aberdeen 2019
Date & time: Thursday 20 June; 08:30-17:10
Venue: Hilton Hotel Aberdeen Treetops, 161 Springfield Road, Aberdeen, AB15 7AQ
Hear the latest updates most relevant to you and your business right now. Learn from leading experts across land, property and the built environment at your regional conference. Enhance your capabilities and knowledge around today’s ever-changing market trends, legislation, and technical guidance.  Choose from a range of practical breakout sessions, ensuring that the CPD you are set to gain will best meet your needs. 6 hours formal CPD.

Architectural Conservation CPD: Windows in Traditional Buildings
Date & time: Wednesday 26 June, 12:30-13:30 (light refreshments from 12:15)
Venue: The Fair Maid’s House, 15-19 North Port, Perth, PH1 5LU
The third session in the 6-part CPD programme is on windows in traditional buildings and will be delivered by Roger Curtis. Whether you are starting out in a buildings related career, looking to refresh your conservation knowledge, encounter historic buildings as part of your work portfolio, or have limited knowledge of the best conservation practice to employ on a project involving buildings built before 1919, this is the CPD programme for you. Sessions are delivered in Perth by industry accredited professionals and are recognised CPD by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).

Architectural Conservation CPD: Interior Decorative Finishes for Traditional Buildings
Date & time: Wednesday 25 September, 12:30-13:30 (light refreshments from 12:15)
Venue: The Fair Maid’s House, 15-19 North Port, Perth, PH1 5LU
The fourth session in the 6-part CPD programme is on interior decorative finishes and will be delivered by Cait Whitson. Whether you are starting out in a buildings related career, looking to refresh your conservation knowledge, encounter historic buildings as part of your work portfolio, or have limited knowledge of the best conservation practice to employ on a project involving buildings built before 1919, this is the CPD programme for you. Sessions are delivered in Perth by industry accredited professionals and are recognised CPD by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).

Perth Traditional Building Skills Roadshow
Date & time: Thursday 26 and Friday 27 September, 10:00-16:00
Venue: King Edward Street, Perth, PH1 5UT
Join Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust for two days of traditional buildings skills demonstrations in Perth City Centre ranging from stone carving to craft painting & decorating. Members of the Fife and Tayside Traditional Buildings Forum, apprentices, lecturers and building professionals will be on hand to answer questions and demonstrate the skills used to maintain and repair historic buildings in Scotland.

Architectural Conservation CPD: Decorative Plasterwork in Traditional Buildings
Date & time: Wednesday 30 October, 12:30-13:30 (light refreshments from 12:15)
Venue: The Fair Maid’s House, 15-19 North Port, Perth, PH1 5LU
The fifth session in the 6-part CPD programme is on decorative plasterwork and will be delivered by William Napier. Whether you are starting out in a buildings related career, looking to refresh your conservation knowledge, encounter historic buildings as part of your work portfolio, or have limited knowledge of the best conservation practice to employ on a project involving buildings built before 1919, this is the CPD programme for you. Sessions are delivered in Perth by industry accredited professionals and are recognised CPD by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).

Architectural Conservation CPD: Fire Safety Management for Historic Buildings
Date & time: Wednesday 27 November, 12:30-13:30 (light refreshments from 12:15)
Venue: The Fair Maid’s House, 15-19 North Port, Perth, PH1 5LU
The final session in the 2019 CPD programme is on fire safety management and will be delivered by Mike Coull. Whether you are starting out in a buildings related career, looking to refresh your conservation knowledge, encounter historic buildings as part of your work portfolio, or have limited knowledge of the best conservation practice to employ on a project involving buildings built before 1919, this is the CPD programme for you. Sessions are delivered in Perth by industry accredited professionals and are recognised CPD by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).

 

Vacancies

National Trust for Scotland – Trustee Appointment
This summer the National Trust for Scotland will hold elections for candidates to stand for four vacancies on its Board of Trustees. In particular, applications are being sought from candidates with a professional built heritage conservation background.  All candidates must be able to demonstrate a passion for the cause of the Trust along with high level leadership experience. If you have the skills, time and passion to help us take our next steps, please do get in touch with Nicola Blyth, Governance Manager
Tel: 0131 458 0293
Email: elections@nts.org.uk
Applications close: 12pm, Wednesday 17 April 2019.

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BEFS News

Planning Bill update
Yesterday morning (20 March) the Scottish Government Chief Planner, John McNairney, spoke at the Scottish Young Planners’ Conference 2019 – the Finance Memorandum for the amended Planning (Scotland) Bill has now been launched and we are told to expect Stage 3 before the Parliamentary summer recess. BEFS will continue to report, brief and update Members as information becomes available. All previous information can be found on BEFS Planning page

In this month’s blog, Ailsa Macfarlane considers some of the issues raised by the speakers at the ‘Scotland at a Crossroads Heritage Past and Futures’ Symposium.

BEFS regularly meets with the Greenspace Scotland Young Placechangers team, and the other members of the Ideas Fund advisory board. A recent update showed that professionals from across place-related organisations have been signing-up to be part of the Skills Bank – if you could give your time (flexible opportunities) have a look at the Skills Bank page below

This is your last chance (survey closes 22 March) to give us your views on the Principles of Prioritisation – full information and survey details can be found here

BEFS is delighted to be sponsoring the forthcoming Archives Matter: Heritage, Memory and Identity event in Stirling on Wednesday 17 April. This is the second in a series of events organised by the Scottish Council on Archives to promote greater awareness of the importance and usefulness of archives to many different sectors including education; healthcare; architecture; cultural heritage, both local and national; archaeology, academia; and genealogical research.   The conference will feature presentations from academics, historians, archivists, architects and representatives of community archive groups.

Consultations

Infrastructure Commission Call for Evidence 
Written submissions are requested concerning drivers for inclusive growth & low carbon economy; the appropriateness of current infrastructure; and infrastructure assessment & prioritisation
Deadline for submission of evidence: Friday 3 May 2019

Publications

Town Centre Living: A Caring Place (ADS/STP 20/03/19)

Co-housing: Future Homes for Older Scots (Vivarium Trust 19/03/19)

Rethinking Smart Futures: Focused on people, enabled by transport, powered by technology (PwC 12/03/19)

The Glasgow School of Art Mackintosh Building: The loss of a national treasure (SP 08/03/19)

Scottish Government News Releases

Investigation into the Issues Associated with Large Scale and Concentrated Land Ownership in Scotland (LC 20/03/19)
The Scottish Land Commission has published a report on large scale land ownership in Scotland. The report found that concentrated land ownership is having significant effects on communities across rural Scotland. The authors recommended introducing a public interest test for large land transfers and a Statutory Land Rights & Responsibilities Review. The group also suggested promoting more diverse forms of private ownership to help achieve land reform objectives and increasing local engagement in land usage.

Planning and Environmental Appeals Stakeholder Forum meeting: July 2018 (SG 19/03/19)
Note of meeting of Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) and stakeholders on 18 July 2018.

Funding for cross border growth deal (SG 13/03/19)
The Scottish Government is prepared to invest up to £85 million over ten years to drive inclusive growth across the region. It will fund economic development activity across a range of themes, including digital connectivity, tourism, regeneration and skills.

City centre investment for Glasgow (SG 11/03/19)
The Scottish Partnership for Regeneration in Urban Centres Fund is committing £12 million from the Building Scotland Fund for renovation of the Cerium Building.

Tourism Tax (SG 07/03/19)
Messages from the national discussion
Evidence from the national discussion

News Releases

SURF – Scotland’s Regeneration Forum has successfully launched a new Heritage & Creative Alliance (SURF 19/03/19)
The main aim is to enhance practical cooperation between Scotland’s leading funders and policy influencers. Representatives from 11 national heritage and creative agencies met in SURF’s Govan office last week. They agreed that closer joint working on shared interests, expertise and resources could be a productive catalyst for more successful, inclusive and sustainable community regeneration. SURF’s Heritage & Creative Alliance will collaboratively link national agencies’ policies and resources to the place-based priorities, assets and partnerships in SURF’s five Alliance for Action programme sites

BRE leads policy-makers and experts’ debate on building a better Scotland (SHN 12/03/19)
Twenty-one of Scotland’s senior policy-shapers and key building experts, academics, and commentators were welcomed to a roundtable in Edinburgh earlier this year to debate: “What Kind of a Britain are we Building: Scotland?”

Scottish Natural Heritage short film competition: Why invest in nature? (SLI 11/03/19)
A short film contest for young people aged 16-30 about why businesses should invest in nature, to provide businesses and policymakers with a better understanding of how they rely on and have an impact on nature and ensure that Scotland’s environment can thrive. Built Environment Category sponsored by Robertson Group.

CPD boost from Designing Buildings Wiki: Brush up on the evaluation of building performance IHBC (08/03/19)
A building’s performance (or efficiency) is a measure of how well it functions in relation to designated criteria such as physical, social or environmental considerations. DBW features guidance on how a building’s physical efficiency can be evaluated, and how to measure whether the resources necessary to design and construct a building have been used effectively.

Committee calls for public inquiry into Glasgow School of Art fires (SP 08/03/19)
The circumstances surrounding the two fires at the Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh Building should be the subject of a public inquiry with judicial powers, following an inquiry into the issue by MSPs on the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee.

Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards 2019 (ECTN 08/03/19)
The 2019 edition of the Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards is now open for applications. The theme of this year’s edition is “Culture and Heritage for Responsible, Innovative and Sustainable Tourism” and seeks to contribute to the legacy of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018, including the European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage.
Deadline for applications: 1 July 2019

More school trips are needed to inspire a passion for heritage (Ecclesiastical 07/03/19)
Research finds millions of young people never visit museums, galleries or theatres.

Scottish visitor attractions record an increase in visitor numbers for the fifth year in a row
(ASVA 05/03/19)
The two top sites, The National Museum of Scotland and Edinburgh Castle, each attracted more than 2 million visits, only the second time that a visitor attraction in Scotland has surpassed the 2m milestone.

Opinion & Comment

Blog-Scotland Build: Adding Value Through Good Design (ADS 20/03/19)

All aboard for trams to Newhaven as project gets the green light (CEC 14/03/19)

The biggest risks are the ones we never talk about (DM 13/03/19)

International Perspectives Pose Questions for Scottish Land Reform (LC 13/03/19)

Planning Bill ‘dangerously close’ to failure, claim independent panel members (SCN 12/03/19)

We must fix Planning Bill: SPF Chairman (SPF 06/03/19)

Where are you on your planning journey? Can you help someone else who is on theirs? (PD 04/03/19)

How can planning better support thriving rural communities? (NWP 21/02/19)

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”.

Question S5O-03041: Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 13/03/2019 R
To ask the Scottish Government when it last carried out an assessment of capacity in planning authorities.
Current Status: Due in the Chamber on 21/03/2019

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 S5O-03012: Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 13/03/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of a tourist tax on the tourism sector in Edinburgh and Lothian.
Taken in the Chamber on 20/03/2019

Question S5O-03001: Annabelle Ewing, Cowdenbeath, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 06/03/2019
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the operation of the town centre fund.
Taken in the Chamber on 14/03/2019

Question S5W-21930: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 05/03/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what statutory protection is available to home owners to protect them from excessive charges for repairs by (a) registered social landlords and (b) factors.
Answered by Kevin Stewart 14/03/19

Question S5F-03121: Keith Brown, Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 04/03/2019
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the UK Government’s Stronger Towns Fund.
Taken in the Chamber on 07/03/2019

Other Parliamentary Activity

Planning Scotland Bill
The Delegated Powers & Law Reform Committee published a series of suggestions and questions on the delegated powers aspects of the Planning (Scotland) Bill at Stage 2.

Motion S5M-16015: Andy Wightman, Lothian, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 26/02/2019
Who Owns Scotland? 
That the Parliament believes that a modern, democratic society requires open and transparent information on the ownership, use and value of land; commends the report published by Community Land Scotland (Towards Land Ownership Transparency); notes the ambition to create a Scottish Land Information System (SCOTLIS) to provide comprehensive information about land and property; understands that the target to register all land owned by Scotland’s public bodies by 2019 is unlikely to be achieved; regrets that it remains difficult, time-consuming and expensive for citizens in Lothian and across Scotland to obtain land information, and notes the view that information about the ownership, use and value of land should be made freely available to the people of Scotland.
Supported by: Ross Greer, John Finnie, Alison Johnstone, Lewis Macdonald, Mark McDonald, Mark Ruskell, Alex Rowley, Colin Smyth, Jackie Baillie, David Torrance, Patrick Harvie, Monica Lennon, Neil Findlay, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Mike Rumbles, Gail Ross, Angela Constance
Taken in the Chamber on 12/03/2019

Motion S5M-16004: Stuart McMillan, Greenock and Inverclyde, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 25/02/2019
Scottish Tourism Month 2019
That the Parliament recognises that March is Scottish Tourism Month, which is coordinated by the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA); understands that the aim of this is to engage, connect and inspire all of Scotland’s tourism businesses and organisations, as well as celebrate the enormous contribution that tourism makes to the economy; believes that the industry will come together to host a variety of sectoral, destination and business events under the mantra, Tourism is Everyone’s Business; understands that the month offers an opportunity for anyone and everyone to get involved in the networking events and tourism conversations all over the country, including Scotland’s Marine Tourism Conference, which takes place at the Beacon Arts Centre in the Greenock and Inverclyde constituency on 6 March; considers Inverclyde to be the country’s marine tourism capital; notes the calls for everyone to engage with the month, and hopes that the annual conference of the STA on 13-14 March is a success in bringing stakeholders together and proves to be impactful and inspiring.
Supported by: Miles Briggs, Claire Baker, Alison Harris, Bill Kidd, Richard Lyle, John Mason, Kenneth Gibson, Stewart Stevenson, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Gillian Martin, Jackie Baillie, Sandra White, Ruth Maguire, Fulton MacGregor, Alexander Burnett, Jenny Gilruth, David Torrance, Clare Adamson, Gail Ross, Angela Constance, Maureen Watt, Emma Harper
Taken in the Chamber on 19/03/2019

Events

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

AF2019 March Meet-up – Edinburgh
Date & time: Saturday 30 March; 10:15 (10:30 start) – 13:00
Venue: Custom Lane, 1 Customs Wharf, Leith EH6 6AL
Join us for the March meet-up! These free-to-attend  monthly meet-ups  are very laid back and are open to anyone considering  taking part in or  contributing to the Architecture Fringe 2019 Open Programme. The Open  Programme is a non-curated platform for  self-directed projects,  exhibitions, events and happenings. The meet-ups  are an opportunity for  you to hear more about the Architecture Fringe  itself, to share your  project thoughts and ideas, get feedback and meet  new people. The  meet-ups are analogue so just bring ideas or images to  stick up on the  wall. Open to all, free to attend. A lovely way to spend  a Saturday  morning!

Conservation of the Scots’ Cemetery, Kolkata: Beyond the Tangible
Date & time: Thursday 4 April; 18:00
Venue: Adam House, 3 Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1HT
The Scottish Cemetery, Kolkata was laid out in 1820 by the St. Andrew’s Church for the Scots, Presbyterians, and other protestant denominations. It fell into disuse after the independence of India and by 1950 was abandoned and slowly became derelict. In 2008, Kolkata Scottish Heritage Trust, a Scottish Charity, took up the responsibility of restoring the Scottish Cemetery to its former glory.  Dr Neeta Das will speak about her experiences of conserving such a rich selection of monuments.  Neeta has long been an enthusiastic follower of SPAB Principles, and we are very pleased to welcome her to Scotland on this occasion.

Victorian Edinburgh: Powerhouse of the Empire? World Heritage Day lecture with Professor Sir Tom Devine
Date & time: Thursday 18 April; 18:00-19:00
Venue: The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 11 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JQ
Scotland’s pre-eminent historian will deliver this year’s World Heritage Day lecture. Sir Tom will explore the extraordinary success of late Victorian Edinburgh – as banking house to the British Empire, as patron of the arts and architecture, and as a city of considerable luxury and opulence.

The Mark Turnbull Travel Award Presentation & LIS AGM
Date & time: Wednesday 24 April; 18:15-20:10
Venue: Hunter Lecture Theatre, Hunter Building, 74 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9DF
Scotland’s Future Landscapes: Design for an Ageing Population
Learn from a world perspective to influence in Scotland. Dr Amber Roberts, Winner of the Mark Turnbull Travel Award reflects on her research and travels to Japan, Sweden and USA. How do we design for ageing populations and strengthen Scottish landscape practice under the legacy and influence of Ian McHarg?

CIfA2019 Archaeology: values, benefits, and legacies
Date & time: Wednesday 24 – Friday 26 April; 09:30–17:30
Venue: Royal Armouries Museum, 5 Armouries Drive, Leeds LS10 1LE
Our 2019 conference will provide a forum for delegates to discuss and explore ideas around social value, public benefit, and the creation of knowledge. It offers the opportunity to think about legacy and how the work we undertake now will impact on future generations – from inspiring future careers to learning lessons from our failures. We also want to consider how a multitude of stakeholders – archaeologists, policy makers, clients, the public – value our discipline: financially, politically and intellectually and to think about how effective we are in communicating that value through the stories we tell.

Crumble in discussion: “Are we sitting comfortably?”
Date & time: Thursday 25 April; 17:30–19:00
Venue: RIAS Bookshop, 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh EH1 2BE
Join Crumble at the RIAS Bookshop for an evening of discussion on the notion of comfort, and how we feel about the environments in which we live. What makes us comfortable (or uncomfortable)? What can the architect do to create comfort in the world around us? Is the profession guilty of sitting too comfortably?
Crumble is an independent architecture magazine edited and published by students from the University of Edinburgh. The team will be providing an introduction to the magazine and sharing some conclusions from their upcoming issue.
This event is FREE to attend.

AF 2019 April Meet-up – Glasgow
Date & time: Saturday 27 April; 10:15 (10:30 start) – 13:00
Venue: The Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane, Glasgow G1 3NU
Join us at The Lighthouse for the April meet-up! These free-to-attend monthly meet-ups are very laid back and are open to anyone considering taking part in or contributing to the Architecture Fringe 2019 Open Programme. The Open Programme is a non-curated platform for self-directed projects, exhibitions, events and happenings. The meet-ups are an opportunity for you to hear more about the Architecture Fringe itself, to share your project thoughts and ideas, get feedback and meet new people. The meet-ups are analogue so just bring ideas or images to stick up on the wall. Open to all, free to attend. A lovely way to spend a Saturday morning!

Best practice approaches to place-based regeneration: A SURF Award Shared Learning Workshop
Date & time: Thursday 2 May; 10:00-13:30
Venue: The Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR
This free half-day SURF Awards workshop event in the Storytelling Centre provides an opportunity to explore successful current approaches towards regenerating Scotland’s places with three winning projects from the ‘Most Improved Place’, ‘Housing’ and ‘Community Led Regeneration’ categories highlighted in the 2018 SURF Awards process.

Rhind Lectures 2019 – Hadrian’s Wall: A Study in Archaeological Exploration and Interpretation
Date & time: Friday 10 May (6pm-8pm), Saturday 11 May (11am-5pm) and Sunday 12 May (2pm-5pm).
Venue: National Museum Scotland auditorium, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF (use Lothian Street entrance).
Hadrian’s Wall was written about even when it was still in use as a frontier. Interest continued through the next 1000 years, but it was the spirit of enquiry generated by the Renaissance which led to more focussed study. Once archaeological excavations started, the pace quickened. Now we have an enormous data base even though only about 5% of the Wall has been examined. To understand our interpretations of Hadrian’s Wall today, it is necessary to start in the 1840s, and in particular consider the work and influence of John Collingwood Bruce (Rhind lecturer in 1883). The first two lectures in this series of six will review the excavations and surveys, theories and flights of fancy since that decade. The next two lectures concentrate on the different phases of activity on the Wall and through them seek understanding of how the Wall operated. The impact of the Wall on local people and the landscape is the subject of the fifth lecture, while in the final talk the state of Hadrian’s Wall today is considered, with time for questions.
Lectures given by Professor David Breeze OBE, FSA, Hon FSA Scot, FRSE, Hon CIfA.

Overcoming barriers to employability facing Scotland’s young people: A SURF Award Shared Learning Workshop
Date & time: Wednesday 15 May; 10:00-13:30
Venue: The Glasgow Women’s Library, 23 Landressy Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow G40 1BP
This free half-day SURF Awards workshop event in the Glasgow Women’s Library provides an opportunity to explore successful approaches towards tackling barriers to employability facing young people in Scotland. The winning and highly commended projects from the ‘Youth Employability’ category highlighted in the 2018 SURF Awards process will provide comment on their experiences and transferable learning.

RICS Rural Mid-Session Conference
Date & time: Thursday 16 May; 09:00-16:45
Venue: Scottish Natural Heritage, Battleby Conference Centre, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW
This year’s Rural Mid-Session Conference comes back at the SNH with a refreshed agenda and will equip you with the right knowledge to leverage current opportunities for growth and resilience. Delivered through presentations and case studies, the event will focus on key sessions so you can be better prepared to mitigate any risks to your business.

The importance of culture and creative arts in community regeneration: A SURF Award Shared Learning Workshop
Date & time: Thursday 30 May; 10:00-13:30
Venue: Paisley Arts Centre, 15 New Street, Paisley PA1 1EZ
This free half-day SURF Awards workshop event in Paisley Arts Centre provides an opportunity to explore successful approaches towards linking creative arts and culture into regeneration initiatives. The winning and highly commended projects from the ‘Creative Regeneration’ category highlighted in the 2018 SURF Awards process will provide comment on their experiences and transferable learning.

RICS Commercial Property Conference, Scotland
Date & time: Thursday 6 June; 10:00-16:00
Venue: Radisson Blu, 80 High Street, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 1TH
With current uncertainty in the market, it is important to join fellow professionals to debate, analyse and address the major challenges and opportunities the real estate market faces in a post Brexit climate. The RICS Commercial Property Conference brings together agents, occupiers and investors to strengthen your understanding of the current economic outlook, latest occupier trends, growth opportunities, and risks to the commercial property sector. Whether you are in retail, leisure or office, there will be a session to update you on the current market outlook.
A key theme running throughout the day is the main factors impacting your commercial property portfolio. The event will explore how issues such as lease flexibility, sustainability and technology will impact those investing in commercial property and what occupiers are now demanding from their properties and agents.
Programme
Book before Friday 12 April for the Early Bird discount.
4 hours formal CPD

Patrick Geddes Centre Study Day: Modernism 1 India & Identity
Date & time: Tuesday 11 June; 10:00–16:00
Venue: Patrick Geddes Centre at Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2PG
Patrick Geddes applied his culturally sensitive approaches to many projects during his time in India, drawing the friendship of Tagore and Ghandi. This period of dwindling colonial influence saw the search for a new Indian identity – a hot bed for early modernist architecture and design.
This study day also includes a light lunch; more information will be announced shortly.
Entry: from £22

Patrick Geddes Centre Study Day: Modernism 2 Geddes, Abercrombie & Pepler
Date & time: Tuesday 18 June; 10:00–16:00
Venue: Patrick Geddes Centre at Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2PG
George Pepler & Patrick Abercrombie were instrumental in shaping post-war Britain. By exploring their modernist visions, Dr Alastair Fair (Chancellor’s Fellow in Architectural History, University of Edinburgh) and colleagues will consider the extent of Patrick Geddes’ influence on early modernism. This study day also includes a light lunch.
Entry: from £22

RICS CPD Day, Aberdeen 2019
Date & time: Thursday 20 June; 08:30-17:10
Venue: Hilton Hotel Aberdeen Treetops, 161 Springfield Road, Aberdeen, AB15 7AQ
Hear the latest updates most relevant to you and your business right now. Learn from leading experts across land, property and the built environment at your regional conference. Enhance your capabilities and knowledge around today’s ever-changing market trends, legislation, and technical guidance.  Choose from a range of practical breakout sessions, ensuring that the CPD you are set to gain will best meet your needs.
6 hours formal CPD

RICS Annual Dinner 2019, Scotland
Date & time: Thursday 27 June; 19:00-23:00
Venue: Radisson Blu, 301 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G2 8DL
Join fellow property professionals for the RICS Annual Dinner 2019, Scotland – an opportunity to network with professionals in the region. The dinner will provide the ideal setting to entertain clients, socialise with colleagues and generate new business contacts. Ian Fergusson, RICS Chairman for Scotland looks forward to welcoming guest’s to this year’s Annual Dinner. Set to be held at the prestigious Radisson Blu in Glasgow, with return of this highly anticipated black-tie event, also comes your opportunity to meet up with fellow members, friends and business partners old and new.
Book before 29 March to take advantage of our early bird discounted rate.

IHBC Annual School – Nottingham 2019
Dates: Annual School: Thursday 4 – Saturday 6 July; Day School: Friday 5 July
Venue: Nottingham Conference Centre, Burton Street, Nottingham NG1 4BU
The Institute of Historic Building Conservation will hold its 21st Annual School in Nottingham, hosted by the IHBC East Midlands Branch. This year’s school focuses on the theme of ‘Heritage, Risk & Resilience: confronting conservation calamities, exploring:
–    Heritage challenges and insights into solutions for Fire | Flood | Structural Failure
–    Case studies – Technical, practical and strategic advice
–    Planning for the worst: dealing with the aftermath
The Annual School includes three exciting days of:
–    Tours – Nottingham, Leicester, Derby & the East Midlands
–    CPD support: Up to 20 hours Continuing Professional Development linked
–    Business opportunities: Sponsors, exhibitors, networks & supporters

‘PKARF: Priorities in Progress’ Regional Archaeology Conference
Date & time: Friday 30 August, 09:00-17:00
Venue: Soutar Theatre, AK Bell Library, 2-8 York Place, Perth, PH2 8EP
Save the date and book your travel for the first conference organised as part of the Perth and Kinross (Regional) Archaeological Research Framework (PKARF). Join Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust for a summary of findings from the first year of knowledge assessment and here preliminary research priorities presented by leading experts. Contribute to the shaping of the future Framework by joining ‘think tank’ workshops to review draft period summaries, nominate case studies, highlight knowledge gaps, and share your opinions on where future archaeological research should be directed. Student Attendance Bursaries available to assist with the cost of travel and accommodation.

Training

Maintaining Traditional Buildings
Date: Friday 29 March
Venue: Charlestown Workshops, Fife KY11 3EN
A must for anyone who owns or is responsible for a traditional building.
This course provides the perfect starting point if you are considering undertaking some simple repairs yourself or will enable you to speak your builder’s language and be confident that you are being given the correct advice.
This seminar will outline the maintenance that traditional buildings require and attendees will gain an understanding of traditional building techniques and the correct materials to use when undertaking repairs. This will also be an excellent opportunity to speak to the Scottish Lime Centre Trust’s expert tutors about your project, attendees are welcome to bring along photos and mortar samples for some specific advice.

Above Eaves Level P1 – Traditional Slate Roofs
Date: Tuesday 2 – Wednesday 3 April
Venue: Merryhill Training Centre, Fife KY11 3DR
This 2-day course aims to provide an introductory guide to traditional Scottish roofs including function, structure, types of trusses, external roof shapes, typical details and decorative features and the causes of deterioration and the main causes of failure. Practical work includes sizing and trimming of slates, setting out and nailing a simple traditional slate roof, undertaking repairs, executing a mortar skew fillet and installing rainwater goods correctly.
By the end of the course attendees will be able to recognise the structure of roofs, identify different types of trusses, different external roof shapes, their detailing, decorative features. Understand how natural slate was formed and the variety of slates used in the past on traditional roofs and the main causes of failure on a roof. Specifying roof repairs with sufficient detail to retain the character of a traditional slate roof.
The practical sessions will enable you to trim and size slates, set out and nail a simple traditional slate roof, execute a mortar skew fillet and install rainwater goods correctly.

Technical Seminar: Stained Glass
Date & time: Wednesday 3 April; 10:00–16:30
Venue: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ
This new technical seminar delves into the use of decorative glass in buildings.  Listen to the experts cover various topics from the properties and characteristics of stained glass, to its decay mechanisms and conservation.
Cost: £35.00 Non-members; £31.50 HES members

Conservation of Surface Finishes
Dates: Thursday 4 – Friday 12 April (4 days)
Venue: Forth Valley College, Drip Road, Stirling FK8 1RD
Discover the history and conservation of a range of internal and external surface finishes traditionally used on Scotland’s historic buildings. Study the science behind paints and coatings and the complex issues involved in the conservation of historic finishes today. This course offers a historic overview of the use of paints and other coatings in Scottish architectural traditions, from the medieval period through to the 20th century. Explore the impact of internationally renowned Scottish artists such as Adam, Cottier, Mackintosh and Traquair. Learn about technological developments, from hand-mixed coatings using natural materials such as lime and earth pigments, to the manufacturing of paints and varnishes on an industrial scale and innovative synthetic materials. You will get the chance to study the physical properties of paints, varnishes and other coatings, high-style decorative finishes such as gilding and stencilling, and the technical skills and knowledge required to conserve, restore and replicate these finishes today.
Cost: £420
To register your interest email technicaleducation@hes.scot

Architectural Conservation CPD: Conservation Theory and Practice
Date & time: Wednesday 24 April, 12:30-13:30 (light refreshments from 12:15)
Venue: The Fair Maid’s House, 15-19 North Port, Perth, PH1 5LU
The first session in a 6-part CPD programme offers an introduction to conservation theory and practice and is delivered by Peter Burman. Whether you are starting out in a buildings related career, looking to refresh your conservation knowledge, encounter historic buildings as part of your work portfolio, or have limited knowledge of the best conservation practice to employ on a project involving buildings built before 1919, this is the CPD programme for you. Sessions are delivered in Perth by industry accredited professionals and are recognised CPD by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).

Traditional Masonry Repair C2 – Contractor Level 2
Date: Tuesday 30 April – Thursday 2 May
Venue: Merryhill Training Centre, Fife KY11 3DR
This 3-day workshop builds on the knowledge and skills gained on ‘C1 Making and Using Traditional Mortars’. The workshop aims to enable you to complete seamless rebuilding and repair of traditional masonry to match original work. You will gain a conservation ethic and be able to develop repair strategies suitable for a variety of traditional masonry types.
The course deals with build types from ashlar to rubble walling, as well as finishes including harling and limewashing. Participants will be able to undertake sensitive surface repairs to ashlar and profiled stone to the highest standards using indenting, part indenting and mortared surface repairs
This workshop provides the underpinning knowledge and a practical rehearsal of the assessment and accreditation procedure for SQA National Unit 2 and Unit 3.

Vacancies

Edinburgh World Heritage Conservation Projects Officer
The Officer will support the delivery of the Conservation Funding Programme projects by:
– supporting the delivery of key conservation projects
– advancing the future-proofing our heritage programme
– strengthening engagement with people and communities
– ensuring a high level of quality control on all project grant documentation
Closing date for applications: 5pm, Friday 29 March

National Lottery Heritage Fund Director: Scotland
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest dedicated funder of heritage in the UK, and everything we do for the heritage is made possible by National Lottery players.  We are seeking exceptional candidates for the role of Director Scotland.  This is an exciting time to join the Fund as it launches its ambitious Strategic Funding Framework and develops new ways of supporting and strengthening the UK’s heritage.  The Director Scotland will play a key role in taking this forward, responsible for our investment and engagement activities across Scotland and will be an inspiring leader with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Contract: Permanent
Hours:  Full time (35 hours p/w)
Location: Scotland. Interviews will be held in Edinburgh on 16 April 2019.
Salary:  Up to £61k per annum (subject to review) Job Ref: BD001.01
Closing date: midnight, 29 March 2019

Perth City Mills Development Officer
Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust are seeking to appoint a historic buildings conservation professional to join our team to:
•    Lead on the production of a Conservation Management Plan and Training and Volunteer Plan and Office Accommodation and Management Plan
•    Lead on community and stakeholder consultation and the development of a costed project proposal and fund-raising strategy leading to funding applications for a 3-5 year project beginning in 2020
•    Contribute to plans to sub-let the Trust’s Library Lodge building and the physical move of staff to Lower City Mills
Salary: £30,000 p.a. Full-time, 1-year fixed term contract.
Application is by covering letter and CV by 5pm, Friday 5 April 2019.
Interviews will be held on Monday 15 April 2019.
Full job description and personal specification

Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) Development Officer
Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust are seeking to appoint a historic buildings conservation professional to join our team to:
•    Update the Conservation Area Appraisal (2009) and Management Plan, research and develop specific projects and initiatives for the bid, working with Trust staff and key staff from Perth and Kinross Council
•    Produce a Learning Plan, Professional Training Plan, and project and administrative proposals while developing community partners and correlating a final bid with additional funding as required.
Salary: £30,000 p.a. Part-time, 2-year fixed-term contract
Application is by covering letter and CV by 5pm, Friday 5 April 2019.
Interviews will be held on: Tuesday 16 April 2019.
Full job description and personal specification

National Trust for Scotland – Trustee Appointment
This summer the National Trust for Scotland will hold elections for candidates to stand for four vacancies on its Board of Trustees.
In particular, applications are being sought from candidates with a professional built heritage conservation background.  All candidates must be able to demonstrate a passion for the cause of the Trust along with high level leadership experience.
If you have the skills, time and passion to help us take our next steps, please get in touch with Nicola Blyth, Governance Manager
Tel: 0131 458 0293
Email: elections@nts.org.uk
Applications close: 12pm, Wednesday 17 April 2019.

Chief Executive – Central Scotland Green Network Trust (CSGNT)
The Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) seeks to change the face of Central Scotland by restoring and transforming the landscape of an area stretching from Ayrshire and Inverclyde in the west, to Fife and the Lothians in the east.
In anticipation of the retirement of Chief Executive, Simon Rennie, they are now seeking a new Chief Executive to lead the development of the Central Scotland Green Network (the largest environmental project of its kind in Europe) and to lead and manage the Central Scotland Green Network Trust.  Working closely with the senior team, you will set the strategic direction of CSGNT in order to bring about ambitious plans of bringing real change to the environment, economy and people of Central Scotland.  Reporting to the CSGNT Board, you will work closely with CSGNT’s Chair and will play a key role in projecting the Trust’s ambitions and in managing key stakeholder relationships.
Salary: £60k – £70k
Please send your completed application form along with your CV and any other supporting material in PDF format to recruitment@csgnt.org.uk by Wednesday, 27 March 2019.
First interviews will take place in Shotts on Thursday 25 April 2019.

BACK

BEFS News

We have now published our responses to Historic Environment Scotland’s recent consultations. Following a well-attended workshop with members to inform our responses, you can view our detailed submissions to both consultations below:

Designations and Scheduled Monuments Consultation

Demolition and Use and Adaptation of Listed Buildings Consultation

Taking a lead from the December workshop dialogues (based on submissions from the sector), BEFS has drawn together some suggested Principles for Prioritisation. What these principles are, and how they might be utilised by the sector will be presented on Monday 25 February. To get the opportunity for a first look at the Principles, and to be involved in feeding back on the process – book here.

During this event we will hear from Emily Tracey (Project Manager with HES) about the progress of the Our Place in Time – Built Heritage Investment Plan Group; and also receive a presentation from Scottish Canals who have worked with EY to develop a matrix and methodological approach to enable them to best manage their assets.

Our first blog from Euan Leitch concerns recent planning decisions and questions the involvement of politicians in the decision-making process.

Ailsa Macfarlane’s blog asks: What good do current concepts of ‘community’ do us? and considers the outmoded employment of the term community in current discussions.

This is the final call for contributions to the cross party Scottish Parliamentary Working Group on Tenement Maintenance’s Consultation. Responses need to be submitted by 27 February 2019; full details can be found here

Consultations

Changing Places Toilets: Building Standards Consultation (SG 18/02/19)
Opinions sought on building standards being amended to ensure more Changing Places Toilets are available in public buildings and spaces.
Opened: 18 February 2019. Closes 13 May 2019

Environmental principles and governance after Brexit: Consultation (SG 16/02/19)
Evidence is being gathered on future arrangements for the application of EU environmental principles and for environmental governance in Scotland, in the event that the UK exits the EU.
Opened: 16 February 2019. Closes: 11 May 2019

Climate Ready Scotland: Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme 2019-2024 (SG 12/02/19)
Opinions invited on the draft programme for autumn publication.
Opened: 12 February 2019. Closes: 9 April 2019

Publications

IPPR Paper: Facing up to the age of environmental breakdown (IPPR 12/02/19)

Delivering Sustainable Flood Risk Management (SG 11/02/19)

The effects of ending the zero carbon homes policy (ECIU 10/02/19)

Our Place in Time Annual Report 2018 (HES 07/02/19)

Heritage Sector Insights – 2018-19 (Ecclesiastical 07/02/19)

Environmental Planning After Brexit (RTPI 31/01/19)

Housing and Ageing: Linking strategy to future delivery for Scotland, Wales and England 2030 (SUII

31/01/19)

Scottish Government News Releases

Infrastructure Commission appointed (SG 11/02/19)

An independent commission to advise on a 30 year strategy for infrastructure investment has appointed its final members.

News Releases

Survey reveals catalogue of concerns for Scottish charities (SCVO 20/02/19)

The majority of respondents to the survey are worried about what increased demand for services and lack of secure funding will mean for the people and communities they support over the next 12 months.

Architecture Fringe 2019 – sponsors sought (AF 18/02/19)

Sponsorship Opportunities brochure sets out how to contribute to make the Architecture Fringe 2019 the best yet.

Call for evidence on Scotland’s progress towards the UN SDGs (SCVO 15/02/19)

Scotland’s SDG Network and the Scottish Government have issued a call for evidence on Scotland’s progress towards the UN SDGs

New £7m loan and social investment fund to secure the future of the UK’s historic buildings (AHF 14/02/19)

The Heritage Impact Fund will support organisations with a clear social mission seeking to deliver demonstrable local economic and community impact, as well as helping deliver projects that support the sustainability of historic buildings.

Scottish Land Fund announces recipients of latest round of funding (NLCF 13/02/19)

Seven communities from the Borders to Raasay have been awarded cash for their projects.

Drochaid a’ Chaolais Chumhaing/Kylesku Bridge in Sutherland has been awarded Category A status (HES 13/02/19).

Drochaid a’ Chaolais Chumhaing/Kylesku Bridge has been recognised as being of special architectural interest and is the first to be legally named in Gaelic.

Applications open for Tesco Bags of Help Centenary Grants (GSS 11/02/19)

Tesco Bags of Help Centenary Grants are inviting applications from not-for-profit organisations for projects that bring significant benefit to communities.

Saltire Society 2019 Housing Awards launched (SSS 11/02/19)

Nominations are now open for the 2019 Saltire Society Housing Design Awards.

Deadline for submissions: 8 March 2019

Glasgow Council approves new strategy to make best use of its property and land estate (GCC 07/02/19)

The new strategy will guide the council on making the best use of its substantial property and land estate, the biggest in the city.

Heritage sector generated over £4bn for Scotland’s economy in 2017-18 (HES 07/02/19)

Scotland’s historic environment continues to make a strong contribution to the nation’s economy, as seen in the latest annual performance report for the sector.

Design Council appoints new Director of Architecture and the Built Environment (DC 06/02/19)

Sue Morgan has been appointed as the organisation’s new Director of Architecture and the Built Environment.

Creative Europe – Brexit update (06/02/19)

Advice for UK lead and partner organisations concerning applications for the forthcoming Creative Europe calls.

AIM launches 2019 Member and Stakeholder Survey

The Association of Independent Museums invites opinions on how it can better help heritage organisations prosper in the next few years. They particularly welcome responses to their short survey from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland; non-AIM members can take part.

The survey will close on 4 March 2019.

Creating Better Towns – Aide Memoire Published (STP 16/01/19)

A free, simple aide-memoire for Councils and stakeholders in towns has been published, to identify and clearly define best practice, methodologies and the key ingredient for Creating Better Towns.

Opinion & Comment

An introduction to Edinburgh’s social housing, 1890-1945 (MD 19/02/19)

Alter rules so rights stack up for tenement living – David Alexander (Scotsman 14/02/19)

Fears of A9 dualling impact on historic sites (BBC 13/02/19)

Tackling poverty is about making places work better for people (RTPI 12/02/19)

Dumfries and Galloway Cases Panel voice their concern about a worrying trend in the appeal process (AHSS 12/02/19)

Brexit not an obstacle to environmental planning, study suggests (HES 11/02/19)

Civic cultural partnerships key to driving growth (AP 08/02/19)

Arms-length body set to buy Glasgows’ iconic buildings (TFN 08/02/19)

Part 2: Them & Us (or why we might need a dose of populism in planning) (PD 06/02/19)

School Pupils to be taught construction skills (HM 05/02/19)

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”.

Question S5W-21618: Jamie Halcro Johnston, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 11/02/2019

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for the implementation of the updated Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU) 2018/844 and the creation of strategies (a) to improve indoor air quality, (b) for renovating existing buildings to improve energy efficiency and (c) to make buildings ready for smart energy systems.

Current Status: Expected Answer date 11/03/2019

Question S5W-21530: Dean Lockhart, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 07/02/2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many large housing development sites with outline planning permission there are in each local authority area, broken down by the number of houses.

Current Status: Expected Answer date 07/03/2019

Question S5W-21531: Dean Lockhart, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 07/02/2019

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the build-out rate for large housing development sites in each local authority area.

Current Status: Expected Answer date 07/03/2019

Parliamentary Questions and Answers

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

Question S5W-21277: Kezia Dugdale, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29/01/2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding the banning of most domestic wood burning stoves by 2022, in light of plans by the UK Government to do so.

Answered by Roseanna Cunningham: 14/02/2019

 

Events

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

Talks at the Lane present Colm Moore on Temporal Architecture

Date & time: Thursday 28 February; 18:30

Venue: Custom Lane, 1 Customs Wharf, Leith EH6 6AL

Custom Lane invites you to join Colm Moore of Clancy Moore Architects to discuss their practice as part of the Talks at the Lane series.

Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland Forth & Borders Group: Hope in Honest Perfection? Rebuilding the Mackintosh

Date & time: Monday 4 March; 18:30

Venue: St Andrew’s & St George’s West Church, 13 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PA

Since the second, devastating fire at Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Glasgow School of Art, the project to restore this iconic building has been seismically changed in timescale and expansiveness – but in the underlying intent to restore to the City it’s much cherished and creative ‘castle on the hill’.  Liz Davidson’s lecture will explore the aftermath of the fire and the ways in which the restoration team have re-examined their approach to the much greater challenge ahead of them.

All welcome – admission £5 (free for students), no booking required.

Archaeological Science: looking to the future

Dates & times: Monday 11 March; 18:00-19:00 in Edinburgh & Tuesday 12 March; 19.00-20.00 in Lerwick.

Venues: Monday in the National Museum Scotland auditorium, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF (use Lothian Street entrance); Tuesday in the Shetland Museum and Archives, Hay’s Dock, Lerwick, ZE1 0WP.

The application of science as a tool for analysing and interpreting archaeological remains is becoming much more commonplace. From the first measurements of the radiocarbon dates almost 70 years ago, providing an increasingly robust understanding of the chronology of the past, through to ancient DNA and isotopes, giving an insight into people’s diet and where they come from. This lecture will explore some of the challenges and opportunities of working with science in archaeology, before looking towards where we might see advances in the future.

Lecture given by Dr Lisa Brown FSA Scot MCIfA, Archaeological Science Manager at Historic Environment Scotland.

Planning for Low Carbon Heat

Date & time: Tuesday 12 March; 10:00 – 16:00

Venue: Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2JL

The way we heat our buildings is going to change dramatically in the coming years. The new Planning (Scotland) Bill, Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies and district heating regulations will have a significant impact on how planning approaches energy and place, with the potential to improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions and create new, local economic opportunities.

Zero Waste Scotland is hosting a free workshop to help planners understand more about the changing policy landscape and how these changes might be addressed in practice. The session is free for all planning professionals, whether in the public or private sector.

RICS CPD Day, Dunblane

Date & time: Thursday 14 March; 08:30 – 17:10

Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro, Perth Rd, Dunblane, FK15 0HG

Join RICS CPD Day, Dunblane to enhance your capabilities and knowledge around today’s ever-changing market trends, legislation and technical guidance. Learn from leading industry professionals and take away practical solutions which can be implemented into your daily practice – benefiting both your business and personal professional development. The conference offers a choice of 18 breakout sessions to allow you to tailor the day specifically to your personal CPD needs, network with colleagues and peers in your region and put your questions to leading experts in their field.

RTPI Scotland Young Planners Conference 2019

Date & time: Wednesday 20 March; 09:00–17:30

Venue: Apex Hotel, Dundee

Our 2019 Young Planners’ Network conference takes place in the beautiful city of Dundee. This year we will be looking at how young planners can ‘deliver great places now and for the future’. A jam packed line up with some of the most esteemed built environment professionals in the country will be complemented by afternoon workshops, helping improve and refine skills critical for your development as a professional planner. We are expecting another sell-out event so don’t delay and book tickets today.

Our Past, Our Future: Young People & Heritage

Date & time: Wednesday 27 March; 09:30-17:00

Venue: AK Bell Library, Perth

This one-day conference at the AK Bell Library in Perth will bring together a range of speakers to share their experiences working on different heritage engagement projects across Scotland. We will reflect upon activities undertaken during the Year of Young People (2018) and explore how best to support young people’s interest in the past as they become the heritage caretakers of the future. The keynote address will be given by Dr Jeff Sanders who has delivered high-profile projects for the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, including the successful Dig It! engagement programme since 2015.

Best practice approaches to place-based regeneration: A SURF Award Shared Learning Workshop

Date & time: Thursday 2 May; 10:00-13:30

Venue: The Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR

This free half-day SURF Awards workshop event in the Storytelling Centre provides an opportunity to explore successful current approaches towards regenerating Scotland’s places with three winning projects from the ‘Most Improved Place’, ‘Housing’ and ‘Community Led Regeneration’ categories highlighted in the 2018 SURF Awards process.

Rhind Lectures 2019 – Hadrian’s Wall: A Study in Archaeological Exploration and Interpretation

Date & time: Friday 10 May (6pm-8pm), Saturday 11 May (11am-5pm) and Sunday 12 May (2pm-5pm).

Venue: National Museum Scotland auditorium, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF (use Lothian Street entrance).

Hadrian’s Wall was written about even when it was still in use as a frontier. Interest continued through the next 1000 years, but it was the spirit of enquiry generated by the Renaissance which led to more focussed study. Once archaeological excavations started, the pace quickened. Now we have an enormous data base even though only about 5% of the Wall has been examined. To understand our interpretations of Hadrian’s Wall today, it is necessary to start in the 1840s, and in particular consider the work and influence of John Collingwood Bruce (Rhind lecturer in 1883). The first two lectures in this series of six will review the excavations and surveys, theories and flights of fancy since that decade. The next two lectures concentrate on the different phases of activity on the Wall and through them seek understanding of how the Wall operated. The impact of the Wall on local people and the landscape is the subject of the fifth lecture, while in the final talk the state of Hadrian’s Wall today is considered, with time for questions.

Lectures given by Professor David Breeze OBE, FSA, Hon FSA Scot, FRSE, Hon CIfA.

Overcoming barriers to employability facing Scotland’s young people: A SURF Award Shared Learning Workshop

Date & time: Wednesday 15 May; 10:00-13:30

Venue: The Glasgow Women’s Library, 23 Landressy Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow G40 1BP

This free half-day SURF Awards workshop event in the Glasgow Women’s Library provides an opportunity to explore successful approaches towards tackling barriers to employability facing young people in Scotland. The winning and highly commended projects from the ‘Youth Employability’ category highlighted in the 2018 SURF Awards process will provide comment on their experiences and transferable learning.

The importance of culture and creative arts in community regeneration: A SURF Award Shared Learning Workshop

Date & time: Thursday 30 May; 10:00-13:30

Venue: Paisley Arts Centre, 15 New Street, Paisley PA1 1EZ

This free half-day SURF Awards workshop event in Paisley Arts Centre provides an opportunity to explore successful approaches towards linking creative arts and culture into regeneration initiatives. The winning and highly commended projects from the ‘Creative Regeneration’ category highlighted in the 2018 SURF Awards process will provide comment on their experiences and transferable learning.

 IHBC Annual School – Nottingham 2019

Dates: Annual School: Thursday 4 – Saturday 6 July; Day School: Friday 5 July

Venue: Nottingham Conference Centre, Burton Street, Nottingham NG1 4BU

The Institute of Historic Building Conservation will hold its 21st Annual School in Nottingham, hosted by the IHBC East Midlands Branch. This year’s school focuses on the theme of ‘Heritage, Risk & Resilience: confronting conservation calamities, exploring:

• Heritage challenges and insights into solutions for Fire | Flood | Structural Failure
• Case studies – Technical, practical and strategic advice
• Planning for the worst: dealing with the aftermath

The Annual School includes three exciting days of:

• Tours – Nottingham, Leicester, Derby & the East Midlands
• CPD support: Up to 20 hours Continuing Professional Development linked
• Business opportunities: Sponsors, exhibitors, networks & supporters

Training

Dates and time: Monday 25 February-Friday 1 March or Monday 3-Friday 7 June; 08:30 – 17:00 daily

Venue: RICS, 125 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4AD

A facilitative and evaluative approach to mediation in the built environment. Highly practical and intensive, the RICS Mediation Training Programme will prepare you to mediate the most complex disputes to the highest standards across land, property, construction and infrastructure.

Our expert trainers will provide you with in-depth, practical coaching and you will receive feedback from both your trainer and your peers.

CPD: 50 hours

Conservation of Non-Ferrous Metals

Dates: Wednesday 6 – Wednesday 20 March (3 days)

Venue: Forth Valley College, Drip Road, Stirling FK8 1RD

Discover the issues associated with non-ferrous metals in Scotland’s historic built environment. Study materials including bronze and brass, their cultural significance and how they’ve been used in traditional buildings. You will get an overview of the cultural significance of non-ferrous metals in Scottish architecture from the medieval period to the 20th century, and the diversity of items manufactured in non-ferrous metals.  Learn the fundamental characteristics and physical properties of non-ferrous metals, and the metallurgical processes for producing alloys. This course will also teach you current conservation principles and how to undertake appropriate repairs, from an initial survey, through to specification, procurement and on-site repair of existing or installation of new material – all according to best current principles of best conservation practice.

Cost: £330

To register your interest: email technicaleducation@hes.scot

A Place for all Mortars Masterclass        

Date: Friday 15 March

Venue: Charlestown Workshops, Fife KY11 3EN

This masterclass aims to demonstrate that there is a place for all mortars by explaining more about the mortars we have available today. These range from hot mixed mortars, closely replicating historic mortars, to formulated ready mixed mortars. We have a huge variety of lime binders available to us today compared to the fairly limited range on offer when the lime enlightenment first began. Research and analysis has helped us understand why we should specify mortars to closely replicate those originally used, however, modern pressures force us to look at mortars more practically. This masterclass looks at all mortars and the advantages and disadvantages of various applications.

Lime Pointing   

Date: Saturday 16 March

Venue: Merryhill Training Centre, Fife KY11 3DR

Learn the skills to help you carry out your own mortar pointing repairs.

This popular one day workshop is aimed at those who would like to undertake repointing works as part of a renovation project or simply as general maintenance to traditional masonry structures. A practical ‘hands on’ training day, attendees will learn to undertake repointing works to with confidence. This course will give a sound understanding of traditional building technology, repair techniques and the materials to use when carrying out repointing. Attendees are encouraged to bring along images of their projects to discuss with the SLCT tutor on the day.

Historic Glass and Glazing Conservation

Dates: Wednesday 27 March – Wednesday 10 April (5 days)

Venue: Forth Valley College, Drip Road, Stirling FK8 1RD

This course will explore a range of issues associated with the manufacture, use and conservation of plain and decorative glass, and traditional glazing systems, in Scotland’s historic built environment. You will get a historic overview of these materials, for their early beginnings in the Roman period and early 17th-century glassmaking industries, to technological advancements and innovation in their manufacture today.   Study the science of glass manufacture, its composition, and its physical properties. Students will learn how to carry out archival research in order to identify the artist, craftsman or studio responsible for the original work and thereby establishing the cultural significance of the work or site. This course will teach you current conservation principles and how to undertake appropriate repairs, from an initial survey, through to specification, procurement and on-site repair of existing or installation of new material – all according to best current principles of best conservation practice.

Cost: £405

To register your interest: email technicaleducation@hes.scot

Vacancies

Grants Officer

Edinburgh World Heritage is looking to appoint a Grants Officer. The role will involve providing support for the successful delivery of the Conservation Funding Programme (70% of the role) and delivery of the maintenance programme (30% of the role).

Main responsibilities will include:

– Providing technical advice and support

– Promoting ongoing maintenance

– Ensuring that all grant documentation is compliant at every stage of the project cycle

Closing date for applications: 5pm, Wednesday 27 February 

Prince’s Foundation Building Craft Programme 

Applications are now open for the Prince’s Foundation Building Craft Programme, where you will work with a wide range of building crafts and expert craftspeople to take your skills to the next level.

The Foundation believe it is crucial to preserve these valuable skills, which are gradually being lost as the average age of workers in the Historic Buildings sector approaches retirement age. The course is designed for craftspeople looking to bridge the gap between basic qualifications and becoming a master craftsperson working in the heritage sector.

Deadline: Friday 1 March

BACK

BEFS News

Many will have picked up the news that the Heritage Lottery Fund has rebranded as the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as part of its Strategic Funding Framework 2019-24. There are further details in the News Release section below and they are holding open workshops in West Lothian, Dumfries and Galloway, Glasgow, Inverness and Dundee over the next few months. Places are free but limited so booking is necessary.

You can still register to attend our Prioritisation & the Historic Environment Event at The Scottish Story Telling Centre on Monday 25 February. Discover more about our findings from the December workshop on the heritage sector and hear an update on how it complements the Our Place in Time – Built Heritage Investment Plan Group.

HES currently has 2 consultations running, covering four policy and managing change documents. BEFS has already held a workshop to gather Member views but, as ever, we encourage all organisations and individuals to form their own Consultation responses with further detail relating to their areas of knowledge and expertise.

The first, covers both Demolition and the Adaptation of Listed Buildings documents and closes at 6pm on Friday 15th February.

The second, covers Designations and Scheduled Monument Policy  and this closes on Tuesday 19th February.

There is also still time to contribute to the cross-party Scottish Parliamentary Working Group on Tenement Maintenance’s Consultation. Your responses are required by 27 February 2019; full details of the interim recommendations and how to respond can be found here.

Finally, don’t miss out on the range of upcoming events and training featured below.

Consultations

Valuation of Development Land (RICS)
Help shape valuation surveyors’ day to day work
Opened: 7 January 2019. Closes: 18 February 2019

Reinvigorating Commonhold: the alternative to leasehold ownership (Law Commission)
Opened: 10 December 2018. Closes: 10 March 2019

Consultation Responses

Scotland’s Forestry Strategy – 2019-2029 (SG 06/02/19)

Publications

Cultural Cities (CC 05/02/19)

Annual Cities Outlook Report (CFC 28/01/19)

Building Beautiful (PE 28/01/19)

Inform Guide: Damp Gables (Engine Shed 15/01/19)

Scottish Government News Releases

Action Against Flooding (SG 06/02/19)
Communities across Scotland to benefit from more than £700,000 additional funding to improve flood protection.

Compulsory Purchase in Scotland: A guide for property owners and occupiers (SG 04/02/19)
Guidance for property owners and occupiers who believe they may be affected by a Compulsory Purchase project.

New Fire Safety Standards for Scottish Homes (SG 01/02/19)
New rules to reduce deaths in household fires, with improved standards introduced for fire and smoke alarms in Scottish homes.

High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013 – Revised Guidance to Local Authorities 2019 (SG 31/01/19)
Revised guidance, following discussions with local authorities and interest groups, updating the High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013 and addressing problems caused by high hedges.

Planning Application Decision Times Published (SG 29/01/19)
Statistics on quarterly planning performance, detailing number of planning applications decided across Scotland and average decision times for most types of application, including housing.

More Homes for Scotland (SG 25/01/19)
Funding increase assisting the drive to increase the supply of affordable homes via the 2019/20 Scottish Budget.

News Releases

Scottish Land Commission champions engagement process for successful land management (SLC 31/01/19)
Launch of new Protocol and toolkit setting out practical advice on how landowners, land managers and communities can work together to make better – and fairer – decisions about land use.

Heritage Alliance Travel Grant (IHBC 31/01/19)
The Heritage Alliance, with support from the British Council, is offering travel grants to support UK heritage professionals to develop mutually beneficial international projects and partnerships for their organisations. Apply here
Deadline: 5pm, Friday 15 February. Travel must be completed by 1 November 2019.

Scottish led project to be part of CACHE knowledge exchange funded projects (Cache 30/01/19)
University of Stirling project concerning Tenant Participation in the Private Rented Sector is one of five projects being funded.

New-look National Lottery Heritage Fund unveils plans for the next five years (HF 30/01/19)
A major devolution of decision-making across the whole of the UK is at the heart of new plans to distribute more than £1billion of National Lottery money to the UK’s heritage over next five years.

Heritage Alliance opens survey estimating Brexit impacts on heritage employees (IHBC 29/01/19)
The Heritage Alliance is calling on sector bodies to complete, share & retweet its 5-minute survey on EU Workers to help understand how Brexit will affect heritage sector employees.

Scotland’s Towns Partnership’s Funding Finder (STP 29/01/19)
The Funding Finder is the go-to place to source potential funding. Comprising nine categories, the Finder provides easy to read information on current funding streams, highlighting announcements of new funds and application deadlines. Download the January 2019 Funding Finder for more details.

2020 World Monuments Watch (WMF 29/01/19)
Nominations have opened for the 2020 World Monuments Watch. 25 sites from around the world in need of urgent action will be partnered with local stakeholders to design and implement targeted activities—including advocacy, planning, education, and conservation interventions in the historic built environment.
Deadline: 5pm, 1 March 2019

Social housing and green infrastructure design fund launched (GSS 28/01/19)
An opportunity for a path-finding social housing provider to access a package of financial and design support, helping to deliver an innovative social housing development and maximising the benefits of the vegetated land and water within and around housing sites.

Design Council launches Inclusive Environments CPD (DC 28/01/19)
Launch of a course for built environment professionals, providing them with an increased understanding and knowledge of inclusive design as standard practice at a national level.

My Place Awards and My Place Photography Competition (SCT 28/01/19)
The My Place Awards celebrate buildings, landscape, public realm and civic projects that have had a positive impact in local neighbourhoods, and delivered tangible benefits for communities.
Deadline: 22 February 2019

Funding announced for new collaborative centre for cultural value (AHRC)
The Arts and Humanities Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, has announced new funding for the creation of a collaborative Centre for Cultural Value, the first of its kind in the UK.

Opinion & Comment

Ministers reject plans for £450m Loudoun Castle resort (BBC 07/02/19)

How private landlords are destroying our tenements (SHN 05/02/19)

Community Engagement in decisions relating to land (SLC 05/02/19)

Prince Charles could ditch Scottish Eco-Village (TFN 04/02/19)

Leith Walk Development Campaign – latest (TER 30/01/19)

Holmhead Stone Circle: A Megalithic Mistake (HES 28/01/19)

A wider perspective on the planning bill: why we are where we are with planning – Dr Andy Inch (PD 27/01/19)

Political uncertainty ‘takes toll’ on building activity (RICS 24/01/19)

Edinburgh Council could buy your tenement flat and rent it back – to get it fixed (EEN 24/01/19)

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”.

Question S5W-21388: Oliver Mundell, Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 04/02/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what help it offers to communities that are seeking to (a) improve the appearance of buildings that are considered to be “eyesores” and (b) bring derelict buildings back to use.
Expected Answer date 04/03/2019

Question S5W-21336: Gail Ross, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 30/01/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how complete the Scottish Land Register is.
Expected Answer date 27/02/2019

Question S5W-21277: Kezia Dugdale, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29/01/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding the banning of most domestic wood burning stoves by 2022, in light of plans by the UK Government to do so.
Expected Answer date 26/02/2019

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-21030: Murdo Fraser, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 16/01/2019
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is responsible for the protection and enhancement of the country’s historic environment.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (28/01/2019)

Question S5W-21031: Murdo Fraser, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 16/01/2019
To ask the Scottish Government whether Historic Environment Scotland, as a statutory consultee in the A9 dualling project, is responsible for the protection and enhancement of the (a) historic environment and (b) inventory battlefield at Killiecrankie.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (28/01/2019)

Question S5W-21032: Murdo Fraser, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 16/01/2019
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers it conferred sufficient power on Historic Environment Scotland to be able to protect and enhance the (a) historic environment and (b) inventory battlefield at Killiecrankie.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (28/01/2019)

Question S5W-20978: Bill Bowman, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 14/01/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Scottish Retail Consortium’s call for local authorities to be able to use a portion of the town centres fund for reducing non-domestic rates.
Answered by Derek Mackay (23/01/2019)

Question S5W-20977: Bill Bowman, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 14/01/2019
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish details of its proposed town centres fund, and what its position is on the Scottish Retail Consortium’s call for business improvement districts and other organisations to be eligible to bid for funding.
Holding Answer issued by Derek Mackay (28/01/2019)

Other Parliamentary Activity

Motions: Graham Simpson: Housing Through the Lens of Ageing (17/01/19)

Debates: Housing through the Lens of Ageing (29/01/19)

Events

AF2019 February Meet-up – Inverness
Date & time: Saturday 9 February; 10:15 (10:30 start) – 13:00
Venue: The Bike Shed, 21D Grant Street, Inverness IV3 8BN
Join the first Architecture Fringe meet-up in the North of Scotland!
These free-to-attend meet-ups are very laid back and are open to anyone considering taking part in or contributing to the Architecture Fringe 2019 Open Programme. The Open Programme is a non-curated platform for self-directed projects, exhibitions, events and happenings. The meet-ups are an opportunity for you to hear more about the Architecture Fringe itself, to share your project thoughts and ideas, get feedback and meet new people. The meet-ups are analogue so just bring ideas or images to stick up on the wall. Open to all, free to attend. A lovely way to spend a Saturday morning!

The State Funeral and Heraldry of Mary Queen of Scots
Date & time: Monday 11 February (18:00-19:00) in Edinburgh, Tuesday 12 February (19:30-20:30) in Aberdeen.
Venue: Monday in the National Museum Scotland auditorium, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF (use Lothian Street entrance); Tuesday in the Regent Building Lecture Theatre, Regent Walk, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX.
Lecture by John Malden FSA Scot, President Heraldry Society of Scotland Royal Heraldry.

Preserving and Interpreting the Berlin Wall in a World of New Walls
Date & time: Wednesday 13 February; 18:00 (£6 – booking via website)
Venue: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ
The Berlin Wall was the Icon of the Cold War, symbolising a divided world until its political fall in November 1989. Today, not much is left of the world famous155km structure. Thanks to efforts initiated in December 1989, seven sections of the Wall and other border installations were listed and officially designated Historic Monuments by 1992. Today, the Berlin Wall Foundation is responsible for four prominent sites with a total of approximately 4 Million visitors a year. How are these precious physical remains being treated? What stories are being told, and what does the Berlin Wall stand for today?

Tackling Flooding Together
Date & time: Saturday 16 February; 10:30-14:30
Venue: The National Christian Outreach Centre, Riggs Road, Perth PH1 1PR
The Scottish Flood Forum (SFF) is holding another of its successful community networking events with support from Floodre who are engaging with flood risk communities across Britain as part of their transition plan. This community focussed event will give people the opportunity to share experience and discuss what we can do to tackle flooding together in a mutually supportive environment, so come along and give your views.

Heritage Trust Network Event: Scotland Members’ Meeting – Dundee
Date & time: Monday 18 February; 10:00-15:00
Venue: Dundee Central Baptist Church
Join us for our quarterly members’ meeting, to hear key speakers and build your contacts within Scotland’s network of Building Preservation Trusts and Community Groups involved in the rescue of historic buildings. This meeting will focus on the new National Lottery Heritage Fund (former Heritage Lottery Fund) and will offer the chance to hear all about the new funding streams available and ask any questions. Non-members are welcome to attend their first meeting without joining up, Attendance is free.

Highlands’ Heritage Hooley
Date & time: Tuesday 19 February; 18:00-20:00
Venue: Inverness Town House, High Street, Inverness IV1 1JJ
Join us for some lively conversation about what’s happening in Scottish heritage in a beautiful setting with music and refreshments. We’re inviting groups involved with the built environment to learn from each other’s experiences and build up local connections, with the opportunity to pick the brains of the sector’s major stakeholders. Representatives from Historic Environment Scotland, Heritage Lottery Fund, the Architectural Heritage Fund and the Heritage Trust Network, as well as local authorities, will all be there to answer your burning questions over a glass of something cheering in deepest darkest February.

Transforming Transport – Getting from A to EV
Date & time: Thursday 21 February, 14:00
Venue: The Studio, Level 9, 67 Hope Street, Glasgow, G2 6AE
From operators of energy assets, electricity networks to those working in transport, infrastructure and smart technology, this is a must attend event for anybody concerned with the detail surrounding the decarbonisation of our transport fleet. This event boasts speakers at the forefront of the transport transition – and is an excellent opportunity to learn about practical challenges and commercial opportunities delivering low-carbon transport will bring.

Central Belt Heritage Hooley
Date & time: Tuesday 26 February; 18:00-20:00
Venue: Linlithgow Burgh Halls, Linlithgow, EH49 7AH
Join us for some lively conversation about what’s happening in Scottish heritage in a beautiful setting with music and refreshments. We’re inviting groups involved with the built environment to learn from each other’s experiences and build up local connections, with the opportunity to pick the brains of the sector’s major stakeholders. Representatives from Historic Environment Scotland, Heritage Lottery Fund, the Architectural Heritage Fund and the Heritage Trust Network, as well as local authorities, will all be there to answer your burning questions over a glass of something cheering in deepest darkest February.

Talks at the Lane present Colm Moore on Temporal Architecture
Date & time: Thursday 28 February; 18:30
Venue: Custom Lane, 1 Customs Wharf, Leith EH6 6AL
Custom Lane invites you to join Colm Moore of Clancy Moore Architects to discuss their practice as part of the Talks at the Lane series.
Colm Moore is a partner of Dublin based architecture practice Clancy Moore. Established with Andrew Clancy in 2008, the practice works across Ireland and Europe seeking to understand ‘context‘ the fullest sense of the word – physical, historical, social, legislative and economic.
Since 2008 the practice has been the recipient of a number of national and international awards including the 2012 AAI Downes Medal for excellence in architectural design. In 2015 the practice was one of four emerging Irish practices involved in the London Festival of Architecture. Then in 2018, they were presented with the accolade of BD Young Architect of the Year. The practices work has been published and exhibited worldwide.
This talk follow on from Izat Arundell & Collaborators, Rural Office for Architecture and STUDIO NIRO.
Booking Details

Archaeological Science: looking to the future
Dates & times: Monday 11 March; 18:00-19:00 in Edinburgh & Tuesday 12 March; 19.00-20.00 in Lerwick.
Venues: Monday in the National Museum Scotland auditorium, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF (use Lothian Street entrance); Tuesday in the Shetland Museum and Archives, Hay’s Dock, Lerwick, ZE1 0WP.
Lecture given by Dr Lisa Brown FSA Scot MCIfA, Archaeological Science Manager at Historic Environment Scotland.

Planning for Low Carbon Heat
Date & time: Tuesday 12 March; 10:00 – 16:00
Venue: Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2JL
The way we heat our buildings is going to change dramatically in the coming years. The new Planning (Scotland) Bill, Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies and district heating regulations will have a significant impact on how planning approaches energy and place, with the potential to improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions and create new, local economic opportunities.
Zero Waste Scotland is hosting a free workshop to help planners understand more about the changing policy landscape and how these changes might be addressed in practice. The session is free for all planning professionals, whether in the public or private sector.

RICS CPD Day, Dunblane
Date & time: Thursday 14 March; 08:30 – 17:10
Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro, Perth Rd, Dunblane, FK15 0HG
Join RICS CPD Day, Dunblane to enhance your capabilities and knowledge around today’s ever-changing market trends, legislation and technical guidance. Learn from leading industry professionals and take away practical solutions which can be implemented into your daily practice – benefiting both your business and personal professional development. The conference offers a choice of 18 breakout sessions to allow you to tailor the day specifically to your personal CPD needs, network with colleagues and peers in your region and put your questions to leading experts in their field.

RTPI Scotland Young Planners Conference 2019
Date & time: Wednesday 20 March; 09:00–17:30
Venue: Apex Hotel, Dundee
Our 2019 Young Planners’ Network conference takes place in the beautiful city of Dundee. This year we will be looking at how young planners can ‘deliver great places now and for the future’. A jam-packed line up with some of the most esteemed built environment professionals in the country will be complemented by afternoon workshops, helping improve and refine skills critical for your development as a professional planner. We are expecting another sell-out event so don’t delay and book tickets today.

Our Past, Our Future: Young People & Heritage
Date & time: Wednesday 27 March; 09:30-17:00
Venue: AK Bell Library, Perth
This one-day conference at the AK Bell Library in Perth will bring together a range of speakers to share their experiences working on different heritage engagement projects across Scotland. We will reflect upon activities undertaken during the Year of Young People (2018) and explore how best to support young people’s interest in the past as they become the heritage caretakers of the future. The keynote address will be given by Dr Jeff Sanders who has delivered high-profile projects for the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, including the successful Dig It! engagement programme since 2015.

Training

Conservation of Timberwork
Dates: Monday 18 February – Tuesday 26 March 2019 (5 days)
Venue: Forth Valley College, Stirling
Timber is one of Scotland’s most significant building materials.  It has a rich history from cruck frame houses to decorative internal timbers, and is used across a range of building features. This course will provide an introduction to the essential biology of timber used in Scotland over the centuries, and will trace its sources, from early early samples of Scots origin to imports from the Baltic states and North America.
Examine timber’s physical properties, its natural weathering and decay processes, and its resilience to man-made damage or interference. You will learn about the complex issues surrounding decay caused by wet and dry rots, and current best practice methods to remove and prevent fungal problems in timber.
You will learn current conservation principles and how to undertake appropriate repairs, from an initial survey, through to specification, procurement and on-site repair of existing or installation of new material – all according to best current principles of best conservation practice.
Cost: £420.

Historic Concrete and Cements Conservation
Dates: Monday 19 February – Tuesday 26 March (5 days, TBC)
Venue: Forth Valley College, Stirling
Examine the relatively recent traditions of cement, gypsum and lime concrete construction in Scotland’s in Scotland’s built environment, and the practical conservation issue surrounding this important traditional building material.
This course will give an overview of the development and use of concrete since the 18th century and the manufacture of its most common forms. You will discover the wide range of structures built using this material across Scotland, from lighthouses and viaducts, to houses and office blocks.
You will also learn about the practical challenges faced in repairing and conserving historic concrete structures. Discover the appropriate methods of surveying historic concrete structures, diagnosing defects and the urgency and practicality of repairs or treatment. You will also learn how to devise specifications for repairs using appropriate and sustainable materials, safe work practices and working with contractors with the necessary expertise.
Cost: £405.

Drystone Walling
Date: Saturday 2 March, 09:30 – 4:30
Venue: Merryhill Training Centre, Fife KY11 3DR
Have you always wanted to try drystone walling? Would you like to add to your skills set? Why not join us for this one day workshop aimed at those who would like to learn the basics of dry stone walling to be able to undertake their own projects. During the course you will construct a new drystone wall and also gain the techniques needed to repair existing structures.

Dates: Monday 4 March – Monday 3 June; 09:00 – 17:00
Venue: RICS, 125 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4AD
Gain status in the market as a qualified expert witness
This 12-week blended learning programme designed to give you a sound knowledge of the law and best practice. Practically orientated and founded on the official RICS Professional Guidance, this course will ensure you develop the core competencies needed to be an effective expert witness.
What are the core competencies?
•    Managing the appointment
•    Managing the post appointment process
•    Constructing a comprehensive expert report
•    Cooperating productively with other experts
•    Delivering effective expert evidence in court
CTA:

Repairing Traditional Masonry P1 – Professional Level 1  
Dates: Tuesday 5 – Wednesday 6 March
Venue: Charlestown Workshops, Fife KY11 3EN
This is our most popular 2 day workshop for building professionals and provides an introduction to the effective conservation and repair of traditional masonry structures and buildings, for the most part using traditional lime based mortars.
By the end of the course attendees will be able to recognise vernacular and historic finishes to masonry buildings and will gain an understanding of building diagnostics in order to be able to develop specifications in relation to exposure, season, substrates and the nature of masonry repairs required.

Making & Using Hot Mixed Lime Mortars
Date: Friday 8 March
Venue: Merryhill Training Centre, Fife KY11 3DR
This one day workshop aims to provide an introductory guide to the preparation and use of ‘hot mixed’ lime mortars, that is, mortars prepared by slaking quicklime, sand and natural hydraulic lime binders (and possibly other additives like tallow or pozzolans) to more closely mimic the appearance and technical performance of conservation mortars and in some cases offer advantages in use and technical performance over more conventional ‘cold mortars’. More and more clients and specifiers are asking building contractors to make and use ‘hot mixed’ mortars on their repair jobs, so get ahead of the game and brush up your knowledge and skills with us.

Vacancies

Prince’s Foundation Building Craft Programme
Applications are now open for the Prince’s Foundation Building Craft Programme, where you will work with a wide range of building crafts and expert craftspeople to take your skills to the next level.
The Foundation believe it is crucial to preserve these valuable skills, which are gradually being lost as the average age of workers in the Historic Buildings sector approaches retirement age. The course is designed for craftspeople looking to bridge the gap between basic qualifications and becoming a master craftsperson working in the heritage sector.
Deadline: Friday 1 March 

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BEFS News

The cross party Scottish Parliamentary Working Group on Tenement Maintenance published interim recommendations last week that it sees as central to improving how owners maintain communal property. The recommendations include statutory:
•    property inspections,
•    owner associations,
•    sinking funds.
The working group is seeking responses by 27th February 2019  with full details of the interim recommendations and how to respond here.

In December BEFS held a workshop with individuals from across the heritage sector who had responded to our earlier call for ideas on prioritisation. The follow up event, open to all, will be on Monday 25th February at the Scottish Story Telling Centre in Edinburgh. We plan on sharing the findings of the workshop, update on how it complements the Our Place in Time – Built Heritage Investment Plan Group and look at one organisational prioritisation matrix. Booking details here.

Historic Environment Scotland has opened a consultation on its Designations and Scheduled Monuments Policy. BEFS Membership will be examining this along with the consultation on Demolition, Use and Adaptation of Listed Buildings guidance in early February.

In September 2018 BEFS responded to the Scottish Government Culture Strategy consultation. On 23/01/2019 the Scottish Government released a number of publications analysing the responses to the 2018 consultation. Full details can be found here.

Early in the summer of 2018 BEFS Members, SCAPE, were part of the project ‘Learning From Loss’ which examined the impacts of climate change on heritage and the interface with local communities. They have now published papers and an excellent short film. You can find both here.

The Planning (Scotland) Bill will give communities the right to develop proposals for the development and use of land through a new type of plan, known as a Local Place Plan. PAS have designed a short survey to gather views on what support communities would like to see and what barriers they believe would stop them taking part.

Greenspace Scotland are seeking professionals in the natural/built environment and youth work sector to form a Scotland-wide Skills Bank to support the Young Placechangers programme. As a member of the Advisory Board, BEFS would recommend taking the opportunity to join as a Skills Bank member. Deadline for applications is: 5pm 11 February 2019

BEFS Trustee and Director of Scottish Confucius Institute for Business & Communication at Heriot-Watt University, Ian Baxter has blogged in response to BEFS recent workshop on prioritisation. It is a thought provoking piece discussing the need to proactively put ourselves in others’ shoes and asking if behaviour change is the heritage sector’s next strategic challenge.

In our second blog, Bill Pagan, BEFS Trustee and a founder of the Cupar Development Trust, provides an update on activities in the town following the 2017 charrette with interesting details on being a pilot Digital Improvement District.

Finally, if you have been keeping up with some of the online chatter about different approaches to heritage you might find this podcast on of interest.

Consultations

Scotland’s Construction Sector Inquiry – Call for Views
The Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee is seeking views on the construction sector in Scotland.
The closing date for receipt of submissions is Wednesday 13 February 2019

Consultation on Scottish Charity Law
Opened 7 Jan 2019. Closes 1 Apr 2019

Consultation on Principles and Practice for Designation and Scheduled Monument Policy and Procedures (HES)
Deadline: 6pm on Tuesday 19 February 2019

Demolition of Listed Buildings and The Use and Adaptation of Listed Buildings (HES)
Deadline: 6pm on Friday 15 February 2019

Consultation Responses

Building Standards Compliance and Fire Safety Consultation Analysis Report

A Culture Strategy for Scotland Responses

Publications

The Finance & Constitution Committee Report on Subordinate Legislation: The Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Tax Rates and Tax Bands Etc) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2018 (SG 21/01/19)

Architecture and Design Scotland’s Annual Review (A&DS 18/01/19)

Planning, Economy, Place Literature Review (SG 17/01/19)

Energy Performance of Buildings Directive: second cost optimal assessment (MHCLG 14/01/19)

Building for our future: A vision for social housing (Shelter 08/01/19)

Marine Protected Area Network – 2018 Report to the Scottish Parliament (SG 21/12/18)

Review of Tenancy Deposit Schemes in Scotland (SG 21/12/18)

Guidance for public bodies covering the purchase of products or services where heritage is an issue of concern (SG 19/12/18)

Launch of a new strategic framework for heritage science (NHSF 05/12/18)

Scottish Government News Releases

Boost for Tay cities region (SG 07/01/19)
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed £40 million will be invested in the new road, which will link the A9 over the River Tay to the A93 and A94 north of Scone, reducing congestion in Perth and opening up sites for housing and economic development.

Less Favoured Areas scheme (SG 07/01/19)
Hill farmers and crofters in Scotland’s most remote areas will continue to receive assistance under the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) into 2020.

News Releases

GovTech Catalyst funding secured (SNH 22/01/19)
An innovative project that will help improve planning around Scotland’s most valuable natural sites has secured funding of up to £1.25 million. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has been granted the award through the UK-wide GovTech Catalyst Challenge to develop a new online service for protected areas.

IHBC Marsh Awards (IHBC 15/01/19)
Submissions are open for the IHBC Marsh Award ‘Successful Learning in Heritage Skills’. The award is designed to recognise the contribution of an individual for their significant learning in traditional building activities and craft skills. Deadline: 28 February 2019

Architecture Fringe 2019 – Open Call pack (AF 09/01/19)
The Architecture Fringe 2019 Open Call is now open for confirmed submissions to the 2019 Open Programme. You can submit your events, projects, exhibitions and happenings using the button below. The Open Call closes for confirmed submissions at 12 noon on Monday 8th April 2019

Shelter Report: RICS backs findings as starting point (RICS 08/01/19)
RICS believe the Shelter report recommendations must be picked up and driven forward by government. RICS has long called for more government resources to improve the housing sector, including more awareness and oversight at ministerial level, a national organisation to keep plans on track, and an independent ombudsman service to ensure fairness.

23 Remarkable Places Listed in 2018 (HE 20/12/18)
A former lifeboat house in Essex, two Rolls Royce testing hangars in Nottingham and a thatched memorial bus shelter in Dorset are among our highlights of the places listed in 2018

The My Place Awards and My Place Photography Competition 2019 (SCT)
The Scottish Civic Trust are delighted to announce the launch of their new My Place Scotland website. Entries for both the My Place Awards and My Place Photography Competition 2019 can now be made online. The closing date for both is Friday 22 February 2019

Place Value Wiki call for submissions
Place Value Wiki is a collaborative platform for anyone interested in the empirical links between aspects of place quality and aspects of place value.

Opinion & Comment

Handling Scotland’s derelict sites (James Simpson & Ian Hood, Scotsman 06/01/19)

Scotland’s proposed new Rights Act and land reform (SLC 11/12/18)

Dundee: Think global, act local (Design Council 11/12/18)

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”.

Question S5W-20977: Bill Bowman, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 14/01/2019
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish details of its proposed town centres fund, and what its position is on the Scottish Retail Consortium’s call for business improvement districts and other organisations to be eligible to bid for funding.

Question S5W-20978: Bill Bowman, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 14/01/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Scottish Retail Consortium’s call for local authorities to be able to use a portion of the town centres fund for reducing non-domestic rates.

Events

Country house politics: negotiating boundaries between the public and the private
Date: Monday 28 January; 16.00
Venue: Board Room, Scottish Confucius Institute for Business & Communication (Postgrad Centre Room 1.02, First floor)
Seminar organised jointly by Confucius Institute & Intercultural Research Centre
Speaker: Dr Ben Cowell, Director-General of Historic Houses

Sustainable Construction Launch: Meet & Greet with Sandy Halliday
Date: Thursday 31 January; 17.30– 19.00
Venue: RIAS Bookshop, 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, EH1 2BE
Come along to the RIAS Bookshop for a meet and greet with Sandy Halliday to celebrate the launch of Sustainable Construction (Second Edition). Sandy will give a short talk followed by a Q&A and book signing. Copies of the book will be available to purchase on the evening for the special discounted price of £32.99.

RSA Edinburgh Area: Shaping New Places Through the Human-Centred Smart City
Date: Tuesday 5 February; 18.00–19.45
Venue: Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation, Old High School, 12 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LZ
“How can the ‘Smart City’ be imagined as a place for people, where technology is servant, not master? How is the ‘Smart City’ understood by different cities internationally? How are wellbeing and human flourishing, climate change, inclusive growth, and other pressing agendas addressed through this concept? If not ‘smart’ then what would a city be?” These are the questions being addressed at the RSA Edinburgh Area Network re-launch in February.

Culture & Business Fund Scotland – Perth Roadshow
Date: Wednesday 6 February; 13.00-16.00; Evening Reception: 17.00-19.30
Venue: Workshop-Perth Museum and Art Gallery, 78 George Street, Perth, PH1 5LB. Reception-Perth Theatre, 185 High Street, Perth PH1 5UW
The event will offer tips on developing creative partnerships with businesses, a detailed session on the application criteria and a Q&A to answer queries about the fund.  This afternoon workshop will be followed by an evening reception for businesses taking place at 5pm in Perth Theatre. The event will offer businesses information about CBFS and how partnerships with cultural organisations can bring significant social and economic impact for all involved.
To book your place at one or both of these events, contact: Events or call: 0131 556 3353.

The State Funeral and Heraldry of Mary Queen of Scots
Date & time: Monday 11 February (18.00-19.00) in Edinburgh, Tuesday 12 February (19.30-20.30) in Aberdeen
Venue: Monday in the National Museum Scotland auditorium, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF (use Lothian Street entrance); Tuesday in the Regent Building Lecture Theatre, Regent Walk, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX
Lecture by John Malden FSA Scot, President Heraldry Society of Scotland Royal Heraldry.

Preserving and Interpreting the Berlin Wall in a World of New Walls
Date & time: Wednesday 13th February; 18.00 (£6 – booking via website)
Venue: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ
The Berlin Wall was the Icon of the Cold War, symbolising a divided world until its political fall in November 1989. Today, not much is left of the world famous155km structure.  Thanks to efforts initiated in December 1989, seven sections of the Wall and other border installations were listed and officially designated Historic Monuments by 1992. Today, the Berlin Wall Foundation is responsible for four prominent sites with a total of approximately 4 Million visitors a year. How are these precious physical remains being treated? What stories are being told, and what does the Berlin Wall stand for today?

Archaeological Science: looking to the future
Date & time: Monday 11 March (18.00-19.00) in Edinburgh, Tuesday 12 March (19.00-20.00) in Lerwick
Venue: Monday in the National Museum Scotland auditorium, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF (use Lothian Street entrance); Tuesday in the Shetland Museum and Archives, Hay’s Dock, Lerwick, ZE1 0WP
Lecture given by Dr Lisa Brown FSA Scot MCIfA, Archaeological Science Manager at Historic Environment Scotland.

Training

Business Briefing: Preparing Your Business for Audit (Edinburgh)
Date: Tuesday, 22 January 2019, Registration: 08.45 | Event 09.00-11.00
Venue: RSM, First Floor, Quay 2, 139 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 9QG
Cost: Free for Arts & Business Scotland members, £25 + VAT for non-members.
Audit is more than a grudge purchase! How to prepare for and get the most from your audit. All charities with over £500k of income require an external audit and RSM, as one of the leading UK charity auditors, are committed to helping the Charities sector to ensure it gets real value from external audit to help management and Trustees to fulfil their governance responsibilities. If you are a finance manager/ director or Trustee of a charity which requires an audit this session is for you.

A Guide to Tax for Arts & Heritage Organisations (Edinburgh)
Date: Wednesday, 23 January 2019, Registration: 12.30 | Event 13.00 – 16.30
Venue: Arts & Business Scotland, Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5EZ
Cost: Members. £55 + VAT for Arts & Business Scotland members (Arts & Heritage). £85 + VAT for Arts & Business Scotland members (Corporate). Non-Members: £85 + VAT for non-members (Arts & Heritage). £105 + VAT for non-members (Corporate)
This half-day seminar is a must for all financial or budget holding staff and anyone who wants to know how tax affects (and can benefit) arts and heritage organisations with charitable status in Scotland. The accompanying general tax guide provides a practical summary of the training and guidance on how tax affects the arts and heritage organisations.  The event and guide are also a great refresher and reference for those who need reminding of basic principles and want to know how different taxes interact with each other.

Legacies: How to Develop a Campaign and Secure Long-Term Financial Security
Date: Tuesday, 5 February 2019    Registration: 10.15 | Event 10.30 – 16.30
Venue: Arts & Business Scotland, Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5EZ
Cost: Members. £145 + VAT for Arts & Business Scotland members (Arts & Heritage); £195 + VAT for Arts & Business Scotland members (Corporate). Non-Members. £195 + VAT for non-members (Arts & Heritage); £245 + VAT for non-members (Corporate)
Legacies are the fastest growing source of income in the voluntary sector – up over 50% in the last ten years. Not just for big named charities, the fastest growing sector in this area of fundraising is the cultural sector, embracing both arts and heritage organisations. This course, specifically for the cultural sector in Scotland, has been created in partnership with and will be delivered by Richard Radcliffe who has over 30 years’ experience in helping non-profits grow legacy income.

Beyond The GDPR – How to Market and Fundraise Lawfully (Edinburgh)
Date: Thursday, 7 February 2019 Registration: 12.30 | Event 13.00 – 16.30
Venue: Arts & Business Scotland, Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5EZ
Cost: Members. £55 + VAT for Arts & Business Scotland members (Arts & Heritage); £85 + VAT for Arts & Business Scotland members (Corporate). Non-Members. £85 + VAT for non-members (Arts & Heritage); £105 + VAT for non-members (Corporate)
Laura Irvine, partner at Davidson Chalmers LLP, will provide an update on marketing, fundraising and data protection law. The activity around the GDPR and getting ready for implementation proved a significant challenge for cultural organisations and sometimes the approach taken was based on incorrect advice or pressure as some organisations dealt with databases issues. As the dust settles and as a new law, the ePrivacy Regulation is pending, this training day will be an opportunity to reflect on marketing and fundraising activities in a post-GDPR world. With ample opportunities to discuss the approach your organisation took and is now taking and to find out what the legal position is and is likely to be going forward. Book now for this new post- GDPR training event.

Sponsorship: Developing Creative Partnerships (Edinburgh)
Date: Tuesday, 26 February 2019. Registration: 10.15 | Event 10.30 – 16.30
Venue: Arts & Business Scotland, Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5EZ
Cost: Members. £95 + VAT for Arts & Business Scotland members (Arts & Heritage); £145 + VAT for Arts & Business Scotland members (Corporate). Non-Members. £145 + VAT for non-members (Arts & Heritage); £195 + VAT for non-members (Corporate)
This ‘how-to’ guide to sponsorship will take you through the key steps to sponsorship from attracting a business to nurturing and developing long lasting cultural and business partnerships. If you have little experience or just want a refresher on this area of fundraising, then this seminar is aimed to help you on your journey to sponsorship success. Peppered with sponsorship stories gathered from Arts & Business Scotland match funding programmes.

Telling It Like It Is – Effective Copywriting (Edinburgh)
Date: Wednesday, 27 February 2019 Registration: 10.15 | Event 10.30 – 16.30
Venue: Arts & Business Scotland, Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5EZ
Cost: Members. £95 + VAT for Arts & Business Scotland members (Arts & Heritage); £145 + VAT for Arts & Business Scotland members (Corporate). Non-Members. £145 + VAT for non-members (Arts & Heritage). £195 + VAT for non-members (Corporate)
This one-day training session is aimed at anyone looking to improve their copywriting skills to support their fund-raising activities. Offering a combination of project-based, hands-on writing exercises with tips, techniques and critical theory, the session explores the five stages of the copywriting process. While the training provides a specific focus on writing a case for support, the resulting learning can be applied to all kinds of fundraising communications.

Vacancies

Project Intern Officer – RTPI Scotland
A fantastic opportunity to work at RTPI Scotland in a crucial year for the Scottish planning system. An ideal role for any budding policy or planning professionals.
Application Deadline: Monday 28 January 2019

Building Repair (Grants) Manager – Glasgow City Heritage Trust
An exciting opportunity has become available for a professional to support the implementation of the Trust’s building repair grants programme for the benefit of all people living and working in and visiting Glasgow.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the Director Torsten Haak on: 0141 552 1331 for an informal discussion.
Application Deadline: Thursday 31 January 2019

Next Step Initiative is offering The Ethnic Minority Career Museum, & Built Environment Heritage Traineeships (With Bursary).
Applications are open for 7 full time 12-month accredited work-based placements in heritage management starting March 2018.
Training Bursary grant of £13,500 gross per annum.
Available Positions:
Conservation & Culture Traineeship x 1 (Edinburgh)
Museums & Galleries Traineeship x 2 (Edinburgh)
Technical Conservation Skills Traineeship x 2 (Stirling)
Museum and Heritage Traineeship x 2 (Glasgow)
Please see the following link for more information: Traineeships
If you have problems downloading the Application Pack, please email: Recruitment
Extended application deadline: Monday 4 February 2019 at 5pm

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BEFS News

The Scottish Government has published the Draft Budget for 2019-20. Historic Environment Scotland’s grant will be reduced by 3.2% but this is anticipated to be balanced by a 4.6% increase in income. A Town Centre Fund of £50m is being created to “invest in inclusive growth which supports town centres to become more diverse and sustainable”, delivered through local authorities. Planning Development will receive an increase of 26% in support of planning reform but this increase includes resource previously allocated to administration. Architecture and Design Scotland’s budget remains static as does Planning and Environmental Appeals and Scottish Natural Heritage. Creative Scotland’s budget is reduced by 6%. The Scottish Parliament will likely vote on the budget in February. Full details.

The Scottish Government has published the results from the latest housing conditions survey. Key findings include that 50% of all of Scotland’s homes have disrepair to critical elements (which refers to weather tightness and structural stability). 68% of all of Scotland’s traditionally built homes (pre-1919) have disrepair to critical elements, compared with 67% in 2016. 40.3% of all dwellings failed to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard, compared with 44.7% in 2016.

The Scottish Government is encouraging all stakeholders to respond to the Migration Advisory Committee call for evidence on the Shortage Occupation List.

Historic Environment Scotland are asking for your views on the content and functionality of two Managing Change in the Historic Environment Guidance Notes: the Demolition and the Use and Adaptation of Listed Buildings.

BEFS recent Historic Environment Working Group (HEWG) focused on a workshop gathering responses to the HES Historic Environment Policy Consultation (which closed at the start of December). The responses from this well attended workshop were synthesised into a formal consultation response, which  can be found here.

Graham Simpson MSP has kindly sponsored the Tenement Maintenance Parliamentary Reception taking place on Wednesday 16 January 2019. Further details on how to book on can be found here.

Rebecca Tenant, Chair Landscape Institute Scotland, calls for a united approach to landscape, place & change to ensure that Scotland’s landscapes are embedded in our communities, in our first blog this week.

Ewan Allinson reflects on asymmetries of power and tensions between conservation and community interests, following BEFS Community Empowerment and Landscape event, in our second blog.

In our final guest blog following this event, Andrew Ormston, Director and Lead Consultant at Drew Wylie Projects, discusses the cultural value of land.

Katherine Pollard, Policy Officer, Scottish Land Commission, explores the potential of Compulsory Sale Orders to be a powerful instrument to help tackle the blight of vacant and derelict sites in Scotland, in our fourth blog this week.

At our AGM earlier this month, BEFS wished Graeme Purves a fond farewell following four years as BEFS Chair. We would like to thank him for his enthusiasm, expertise and support of the team.

We would also like to welcome our new Chair, Iain McDowall, who chaired his first BEFS Board meeting last week. Iain has a wealth of experience in the built environment as a Chartered Surveyor as well as in governance. Further details and a short bio can be found here. We welcome him to the team and look forward to working together.

We also welcome our newest Board member, Sarah Kettles.

Finally, team BEFS would like to wish you a very merry festive season and a fantastic start to 2019!

Consultations

The Demolition and The Use and Adaptation of Listed Buildings (HES)
This consultation will close at 6pm on Friday 15 February 2019.

Commonhold Consultation (Law Commission 10/12/18)
Opened 10 December 2018 and closes on 10 March 2019.

Construction and Scotland’s Economy – Call for Views (SP 06/12/18)
The closing date for receipt of submissions is Wednesday 13 February 2019.

Publications

A Connected Scotland: Our strategy for tackling social isolation and loneliness and building stronger social connections (SG 18/12/18)

Energy Performance Certificates: An Alternative Approach (Common Weal 17/12/18)

FixMyStreet! The geography of citizen reporting on neighbourhood issues in the UK report (Research my society 11/12/18) 

Investigation of Potential Land Value Tax Policy – Options for Scotland (SLC 10/12/18)

Land Focus: Land Value Tax Briefing Paper (SLC 10/12/18)

Heritage Lottery Fund Policy Directions (DCMS 07/12/18)

Pro-Poor or Pro-Rich? The social impact of local government budgets, 2016-17 to 2018-19 (SPICe 07/12/18)

Housing Conditions Survey 2017 (SG 04/12/18)

House of the rising son (or daughter) – Housing, Wealth and Debt (Resolution Foundation 04/12/18)

The case for reforming private renting: Interim report (IPPR 04/12/18)

Local authority land acquisition in Germany and the Netherlands: are there lessons for Scotland? (SLC 03/12/18)

Building for the Baby Boomers (Policy Exchange 03/12/18) 

Brexit and the UK’s environmental ambitions (IPPR 30/11/18)

Increasing the Supply of Social Housing: What are the current options? (Class 26/11/18)

Housing supply requirements across Great Britain: for low-income households and homeless people (Crisis UK 11/18)

Scottish Government News Releases

Tackling social isolation and loneliness (SG 18/12/18)
Scotland has become one of the first countries in the world to develop a national strategy to deal with the serious problem of social isolation.

£2m to assist Glasgow’s fire recovery (SG 14/12/18)
Around £1.85 million of the Scottish Government’s Fire Recovery Fund is to be used by Glasgow City Council to provide business rates relief and support business recovery.

Statistical News Release – Life Expectancy (SG 12/12/18)
Statistics published today by the National Records of Scotland indicate that life expectancy for those born in 2015-2017 varies between Scotland’s council areas by up to 7.2 years for males and 5.0 years for females.

More affordable homes (SG 11/12/18)
Latest figures show a 21 percent rise in the number of affordable homes delivered in Scotland during the last year.

4% increase in number of new build homes completed (SG 11/12/18)
There were 18,182 new build homes completed across all sectors over the year ending June 2018, an increase of 4%, or 695 homes, on the previous year.

Scotland signs up to forestry pledge (SG 11/12/18)
A global ambition to restore landscapes and forests has been supported by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Building Scotland Fund (SG 10/12/18)
Industrial and commercial developments around the country will be given support, under the first release of funding from the £150 million Building Scotland Fund. The Scottish Partnership for Regeneration in Urban Centres (SPRUCE) has received £25 million to help fund a wide range of commercial and industrial projects.

Building and fire safety (SG 06/12/18)
Sound alerts for evacuation in high rise buildings and extending the mandatory installation of sprinklers in new flats, will be introduced in legislation next year.

News Releases

RIAS / RIBA Awards for Scotland 2019 (RIAS 12/18)
Open for Entries – The RIAS / RIBA Awards for Scotland 2019, celebrating the best in Scottish architecture! The deadline for entries is 21st February 2019. An early bird discount of 10% is available until 7th February 2019.

IHBC Marsh Award for Successful Learning in Heritage Skills 9IHBC 12/18)
IHBC Marsh Award for Successful Learning in Heritage Skills is designed to recognise the contribution of an individual for their significant learning in traditional building activities and craft skills, related to the appropriate care, maintenance or improvement of buildings and their context. Anyone can make a nomination by filling a short form online. Deadline 28 February 2019.

COSLA claims Scottish Budget will lead to cuts (COSLA 13/12/18)
COSLA has said the “Budget Reality” is that it will lead to a £237m cut to local authority funding, in contradiction to the Cabinet Secretary’s claims that it supports local government.

New ‘exceptional talent’ visa for architects (RIBA 11/12/18)
Today (11 December 2018) RIBA and the Home Office announced that from 10 January 2019, the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent and Exceptional Promise) visa will be available to applicants from architecture, with RIBA playing a role in assessing applications made under the scheme.

Report examines merits of land value tax in Scotland (SLC 07/12/18)
A new report looking at land value tax, published today, Monday 10th December, suggests that land value taxation could help deliver Scotland’s land reform objectives and raise revenue in a more progressive way.

Winners Announced: The 2018 ‘20th Anniversary’ SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration (SURF 07/12/18)
Representatives of the five category winning initiatives for 2018 were personally congratulated on their inspiring work by the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Communities, Aileen Campbell MSP.

Quitting UNESCO would be an act of cultural vandalism (Holyrood Magazine 05/12/18)
Hidden amid all the Brexit hysteria, movements within the UK Government to withdraw the UK from UNESCO should give cause for alarm.

Archaeology Scotland helps teachers to bring Scotland’s history to the classroom (CiFA 05/12/18)
Archaeology Scotland, along with the major Scottish heritage organisations including Historic Environment Scotland, Dig it! Surgeons’ Hall Museums, and National Museums Scotland, have put forward their best resources on Scotland’s past, which will now be accessible in one place – Heritage Resources Portal:

New planning bill duties could see Scottish system grind to a halt, planners warn (RTPI Scotland 05/12/18)
The latest draft of the Planning (Scotland) Bill will place up to 88 new duties and responsibilities on planners without the resources required to undertake them, according to figures published today from the Royal Town Planning Institute Scotland (RTPI Scotland).

AJ Architecture Awards 2018: Architect of the Year (AJ 04/12/18)
Congratulations to Collective Architecture. The Glasgow and Edinburgh-based architects really couldn’t be better named. Not only does the 42-strong firm itself operate as a collective – a limited company owned by an employee-owned trust – but the firm has steadily established a reputation for forging high-quality and socially conscious architecture from its close collaboration with clients in Scotland and beyond.

Land value capture to have a proactive role in place making (04/12/18)
Ways in which Scotland can successfully harness land value capture to create places where people want to live are being explored by the Scottish Land Commission.

Calls for meaningful action on land value capture (HCLG 29/11/18)
The Housing, Communities & Local Government Committee has called for “meaningful action” on implementing measures on land value capture.

Opinion & Comment

Battlefield Registration – what is it trying to protect? (Nick Bridgeland 14/12/18)

Where’s the Party? The ever changing face of our social spaces (Iain Anderson, HES, 11/12/18)

How we are influencing the Scottish Planning Bill (Craig McLaren, RTPI Scotland 04/12/18)

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-20182: Andy Wightman, Lothian, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 26/11/2018
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on extending the Housing Voluntary Grant Scheme beyond a one-year cycle to assist voluntary organisations in better planning and preparing the delivery of long-term housing-related projects and services.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (06/12/2018)

Question S5W-20186: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 27/11/2018
To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) purpose and (b) remit is of its Short Term Lets Delivery Group; which groups are represented on it; on what dates it has met; what future meetings are planned; which stakeholders it has engaged with, and by what date it will present its findings.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (06/12/2018)

Question S5W-20200: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 27/11/2018
To ask the Scottish Government what the mandatory minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) level is for new home completions.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (03/12/2018)

Events

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

Planning for Low Carbon Heat
Date: Tuesday 12 March 2019
Venue: Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2JL
The way we heat our buildings is going to change dramatically in the coming years. The new Planning (Scotland) Bill, Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies and district heating regulations will have a significant impact on how planning approaches energy and place, with the potential to improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions and create new, local economic opportunities.
Zero Waste Scotland is hosting a free workshop to help planners understand more about the changing policy landscape and how these changes might be addressed in practice. The session is free for all planning professionals, whether in the public or private sector.

IHBC Annual School – Nottingham 2019 ‘Heritage, Risk & Resilience. Confronting conservation calamities’
Date & time: Full School: Thursday 4 – Saturday 6 July 2019
Day School: Friday 5 July 2019
Venue: Nottingham.
The IHBC will hold its 21st Annual School in Nottingham, from 4-6 July 2019, hosted by the IHBC East Midlands Branch.
The Annual School focuses on the theme of ‘Heritage, Risk & Resilience: confronting conservation calamities’ and explores:
•    Heritage challenges and insights into solutions for Fire | Flood | Structural Failure
•    Case studies – Technical, practical and strategic advice
•    Planning for the worst: dealing with the aftermath
The Annual School includes three exciting days of:
•    Tours – Nottingham, Leicester, Derby & the East Midlands
•    CPD support: Up to 20 hours Continuing Professional Development linked
•    Business opportunities: Sponsors, exhibitors, networks & supporters

Vacancies

Next Step Initiative is offering The Ethnic Minority Career Museum, & Built Environment Heritage Traineeships (With Bursary)
High Quality Grant-Supported Traineeship at Scottish Heritage Organisations
Available Positions:
Conservation & Culture Traineeship x 1 (Edinburgh)
Museums & Galleries Traineeship x 2 (Edinburgh)
Technical Conservation Skills Traineeship x 2 (Stirling)
Museum and Heritage Traineeship x 2 (Glasgow)
Applications are now open for 7 full time 12-month accredited work-based placements in heritage management starting March 2018. Training Bursary grant of £13,500 gross per annum.
Application deadline: Midday Friday 11th January 2019.

Heritage Officers x2 East Lothian Council 
Two exciting opportunities to lead heritage projects with East Lothian Council.
Heritage Lottery Fund Great Place Scheme – Preston Seton Gosford Heritage Connections Project Officer (FT, fixed term 2 years, flexible working available)
Historic Environment Scotland – Cockenzie Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme Project Officer (FT fixed term 4 years, flexible working available) .
Applications open:  11th of January 2019
Closing date:  27th of January 2019

Board Members – Architecture and Design Scotland
How would you like to help shape Scotland’s built environment?
Architecture and Design Scotland: Appointment of 4 Board Members. Scottish Ministers are looking to appoint 4 new members to the Board of Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS). We are interested to hear from Architects and other related professions as well as those with significant experience of communications, media or marketing as we look to build a new team to drive A&DS forward.
The closing date for applications is 25 January 2019

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BEFS News

The Scotland’s Historic Environment Audit (SHEA) 2018 is now out! Historic Environment Scotland takes a look at the trends and the latest findings from the SHEA, highlighting the top five tends in Heritage Healthcheck: Five trends of the sector.

You may note that this article refers to historic environment case studies hosted by BEFS. A wide range of organisations, communities and individuals care for the historic environment across the private, public and voluntary sector. In order to celebrate, share and learn from the rich array of successful projects and initiatives taking place across Scotland, we have collated a selection of case studies.

The Planning Bill has now completed Stage 2 – we await formal notification of when Stage 3 will commence, but this close to Christmas we appreciate that no movement is likely before 2019. Throughout the Bill process BEFS compiled a document of all the amendments as they were submitted. We have also created a summary of our briefings provided to the Local Government and Communities Committee. Both documents can be found here.

Over the last year, the issue of tenement repair and maintenance has been rising up the Scottish parliamentary agenda, and seen the establishment of the cross party Working Group on Tenement Maintenance, of which BEFS and RICS are the secretariat. The working group will be publishing an interim report at RICS Tenement Maintenance Parliamentary Reception sponsored by shadow Minister for Housing and Communities, Graham Simpson MSP in January 2019.

Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy has launched ‘Celebrating Archaeology in Scotland 2018’, The new magazine celebrates the best of Scotland’s Archaeology and shows how Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy is being delivered. If you would like your project to feature in future publications, you can fill out a case study form as well as provide feedback on the magazine here.

Linda Fabiani MSP, invites you to attend the AGM for the Cross Party Group on Architecture and the Built Environment. The meeting will include a debate and discussion asking, ‘How can the CPG become an agent of change?’

Congratulations to the winners of the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning. The Judges have recognised Glasgow City Council with an Overall Award for its Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership project.

Consultations

Draft Action Plan on Open Government – we want to hear your views

Shortage occupation list 2018: call for evidence

Consultation Responses

Landlord Registration in Scotland: Consultation on a review of landlord registration applications and fees: Analysis of Responses (SG 23/11/18)

Consultation Analysis: Energy Efficient Scotland: Making our homes and buildings warmer, greener and more efficient (SG 22/11/18) 

Heat and energy efficiency strategies: second consultation analysis (SG 22/11/18)

Consultation Analysis: Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing post-2020 (EESSH2): Analysis of Responses to the Public Consultation Exercise

Publications

Soft Power Superpowers – Global trends in cultural engagement and influence (British Council 11/18)

Principles of Selection for Listed Buildings (DCMS 11/18)

Brexit Update (SPICe 27/11/18)

Community Ownership and Community Right to Buy – Recommendations to Scottish Ministers (SLC 23/11/18) 

The Zubairi Report: the lived experience of loneliness and social isolation in Scotland

Ending Homelessness Together: High Level Action Plan (SG 21/11/18)

Social Housing in Scotland (UK Centre for Housing Evidence 20/11/18)

Transient Visitor Taxes in Scotland: Supporting a National Discussion (SG)

Small Landholdings Landownership & Registration Research Summary (SG)

Private sector rent statistics: 2010 – 2018 (SG)

Laying the Foundations for Healthy Homes and Buildings – White Paper (APPG for Healthy Homes & Buildings 10/18)

Scottish Government News Releases

Average two bedroom private rents up by 1.5% (SG 27/11/18)
From 2017 to 2018, all areas of Scotland, with the exception of Aberdeen and Shire, Greater Glasgow and Renfrewshire/Inverclyde, have seen increases in average rents for 2 bedroom properties.

Ending homelessness (SG 27/11/18)
A shift towards rapid rehousing will see homeless people housed in long-term and settled accommodation solutions that meets their needs as quickly as possible. This is one of the key aims in the Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan.  The plan sets out measures for national and local government and the third sector who provide frontline services.

Scottish Crown Estate (SG 21/11/18)
Local authorities and communities will have a stronger voice in the management of Scottish Crown Estate assets.

News Releases

Regeneration Plan for Nairn Wins National ‘Future Town’ Design Competition (STP 29/11/18)
A plan to revitalise the Highland town of Nairn has been voted by the public as winner of the national ‘FutureTown’ Design Competition.

RIBA House of the Year (RIBA 28/11/18)
Lochside House by HaysomWardMiller Architects has won RIBA House of the Year 2018. Lochside House is a modest, sustainable home which sits in a magical location on the edge of a Scottish lake in the West Highlands.

European Architectural History Network Conference 2020 – Call for Session and Roundtable Proposals
The European Architectural History Network is delighted to announce its next biannual meeting at the University of Edinburgh, UK, 10th -13th June 2020. Anyone wishing to chair a Session or a Roundtable debate at EAHN2020 are invited to submit proposals by 31st December, 2018.

Not So Pretty Vacant. Taskforce starts task of reducing vacant and derelict land (SLC 26/11/18)
The Vacant and Derelict Land Taskforce will start the process of finding 100 sites with the best potential for development at its meeting today (Monday November 26).

Orkney islanders given £260,000 for estate purchase (BBC 26/11/18)
An island community has been awarded £260,000 to purchase more than 1,700 acres of peatland and pasture.

Community ownership should become routine option for communities across Scotland, says new report (SLC 23/11/18)
Community ownership should become a normal and realistic option for communities to acquire land and assets, according to recommendations on community ownership published today Friday 23 November, 2018.

Tay Cities Deal signed (Tay Citites 23/11/18)
Partners in the £700 million Tay Cities Region Deal have gathered in Perth to sign up to deliver the Heads of Terms for the agreement.

PAS & Article 12 – Success at the Planning Awards (PAS 22/11/18)
PAS and Article 12 were awarded in the Partnership category for the engagement of young Gypsy/Travellers with planning and placemaking through our Heritage Lottery funded project “In the Footsteps of Geddes”.

Heritage Impact Fund – new partnership fund to be launched in early 2019 (AHF 19/11/18)
As part of our ongoing work to increase the levels of social investment supporting the heritage sector, the AHF is delighted to announce a new partnership fund: The Heritage Impact Fund (HIF).
Public Votes Turriff as ‘Scotland’s Most Beautiful High Street’ (STP 11/18)
Aberdeenshire town Turriff has been voted by the public as Scotland’s Most Beautiful High Street, recognising the heritage, beauty and unique experience the town centre offers.

Unlocking hidden history with Scotland’s Urban Past (HES 21/11/18)
Over the past four years Scotland’s Urban Past (SUP) has worked with community groups to bring the history around them to life and show how the urban environment has evolved. Find out about just three of the unique methods adopted by SUP.

Upgrade to Scottish Town Data Tool USP Unveiled (STP 19/11/18)
A fresh upgrade to an innovative website providing in-depth information on Scotland’s towns has been unveiled. From greenspace to migration, new indicators in the open-access tool provide additional support to all those who work for positive change in Scotland’s towns.

UK Withdrawal from UNESCO – World Heritage UK Press Statement (UKWH 13/11/18)
Following newspaper reports concerning the UK’s continued membership of UNESCO, World Heritage UK are pleased to note the following reported clarification statement from the Department for International Development.

Reduce VAT to 5% on repairs and approved alterations to listed buildings – Government response (UKP 08/11/18)
We recognise the valuable contribution to UK Heritage made by owners of listed buildings. We continue to promote our country’s heritage and we will ensure that everyone can enjoy and benefit from it.

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”.

Andy Wightman S5W-20182
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on extending the Housing Voluntary Grant Scheme beyond a one-year cycle to assist voluntary organisations in better planning and preparing the delivery of long-term housing-related projects and services.

Rachael Hamilton S5W-20186
To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) purpose and (b) remit is of its Short Term Lets Delivery Group; which groups are represented on it; on what dates it has met; what future meetings are planned; which stakeholders it has engaged with, and by what date it will present its findings.

Graham Simpson S5W-20200
To ask the Scottish Government what the mandatory minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) level is for new home completions.

Parliamentary Questions & Answers

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

Portfolio Questions – Culture, Tourism & External Affairs – Wednesday 28 November
Johann Lamont – Glasgow School of Art update; Brian Whittle – industrial heritage sites; Alison Harris – major tourist attractions promotion; Gail Ross – support to archaeological projects.

Question S5O-02615: David Stewart, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 21/11/2018
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the North Coast 500 on tourism and infrastructure, and how best the route can be used to develop these.
Answered by Ben Macpherson (28/11/2018)

Events

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

Conservation Ethics and Approaches
Date: Wednesday 12 December 2018.
Venue: Engine Shed.
This one-day seminar will explore recent thinking around approaches to managing the loss and decay of heritage assets. The heritage sector today faces a number of significant and diverse challenges including the effects of reduced budgets and the increasing impact of climate change.

Edinburgh World Heritage’s ‘Christmas at the Tron’
Date: Thursday 13 December.
Venue: The Tron Kirk, 122 High Street, Edinburgh.
Join us this December for a fundraising Christmas party for the Tron Kirk in the centre of Edinburgh’s World Heritage site. The Tron has always held a special place in the hearts of Edinburgh residents as a meeting point where crowds would gather to ring in the New Year. However, this iconic Category A listed building features on the ‘at risk’ register and we need your help to secure its long-term future. We at Edinburgh World Heritage aim to restore the building and transform it into a permanent exhibition, retail, and community space where visitors and local residents can learn more about our city’s rich heritage.

Vacancies

Board of Directors lay director recruitment
Do you want to help the leading professional body representing archaeologists working in the UK and overseas? Do you have the governance skills required to help to direct a small but ambitious organisation? CIfA, the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, is looking for a director from outside the profession

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BEFS News

A new digital toolkit for the cultural heritage sector has been launched. The Inspiring Fundraising Toolkit is specifically designed to build up knowledge and skills in fundraising within the heritage sector. This online resource is the legacy of the four-year Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage partnership programme, led by Arts & Business Scotland with Archaeology Scotland, Built Environment Forum Scotland, greenspace scotland and Museums Galleries Scotland.

An accompanying report, The State of Heritage Funding Now Report, has also been published. This specially commissioned report shows a continued strong reliance by the heritage sector on grant and lottery funding with only a third of heritage organisations surveyed currently sourcing any funding from corporate support. BEFS Policy Officer Ailsa Macfarlane considers the findings of the report.

Due to high demand, we have released more tickets (and moved to a larger venue) for our upcoming event with the Scottish Land Commission and Inherit. Book your place for Community Empowerment and Landscape on 3rd December at the Scottish Storytelling Centre now!

Stage 2 of the Planning (Scotland) Bill came to a close yesterday (14/11/18). Watch this space for an overview of the amendments and the voting results.

Midway through 1926 the provision of Edinburgh’s council housing passed from the Burgh Engineer to the City Architect. Was there a difference in approach?, asks Steven Robb, from Historic Environment Scotland, in our first blog this week.

In our second blog, BEFS Trustee Jocelyn Cunliffe reflects on the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland’s and Scottish Civic Trust’s recent conference, ‘Destination High Street – restoring vibrancy to Scotland’s towns’.

Finally, BEFS Vice-Chair Peter Burman draws our attention to an inspiring Sheffield-based project. This short film by Masters in Architecture students at the University of Sheffield documents creative community engagement and a community-focused vision for Meersbrook Hall, a grade II listed building and part of the Guild of St George’s ‘Ruskin Museum at Meersbrook Hall’ project, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund.

Consultations

Local Governance Review: Democracy Matters: Your Community. Your ideas. Your Future.
Closes 30 November 2018. 

George Street and First New Town Design Project (City of Edinburgh Council)
Opened 9 Nov 2018 and closes 25 Jan 2019.

Open Space Strategy Consultation (Glasgow City Council)
Opened Monday 15 October and closes 10 December 2018. 

Uncovering the Environment: The Use of Public Access to Environmental Information

Publications

A connected society: a strategy for tackling loneliness (DCMS 15/11/18)

Quantifying kindness, public engagement and place (Carnegie UK Trust 13/11/18)

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 – Part 3A – Community Right to Buy Abandoned, Neglected or Detrimental Land – Full Guidance (SG 11/11/18)

Scotland’s Place in Europe: Science and Research (SG 05/11/18)

Priorities for the Historic Environment of Wales (Cadw)

Managing Scheduled Monuments in Wales (Cadw)

Understanding Listing in Wales (Cadw)

Heritage and the Economy (HE)

Changes to the tax treatment of heritage maintenance funds: a cost benefit analysis  (Historic Houses)

Land Value Capture (HCLGC 09/18)

Valuing culture and heritage: Results from new research on museums, historic cities and cathedrals (Nesta)

News Releases

Scotland’s Towns Week: What’s On and How To Get Involved (STP 15/11/18)
On Monday 19 November Scotland’s Towns Week begins: the annual national campaign to celebrate the country’s towns and improvement districts.

Fight for Scotland’s Nature (Scottish Environment LINK 13/11/18)
Fears sparked by Brexit as well as mounting evidence of the global ecological crisis has promoted 35 environmental charities from across Scotland to come together to ‘Fight for Scotland’s Nature’ and gather support for a Scottish Environment Act.

Design for Ageing (LIS 12/11/18)
In August, Amber Roberts was announced as the winner of the £5,000.00 Mark Turnbull Travel Award for her proposal Scotland’s Future Landscapes: Ensuring Resilience for the Profession. The award aims to use overseas travel to gain insight into innovative landscape practice to address the current landscape challenges facing Scotland. Amber’s proposal will investigate design for ageing populations as well as strengthening Scottish Landscape Education through the legacy and influence of Ian McHarg.

Holyrood committee votes against planning appeal amendments (SHN 08/11/18)
Proposals to introduce new rights for communities to appeal planning decisions have failed to pass a key stage of the parliamentary legislative process.

Concern expressed over proposed land register (ECCLRC 08/11/18)
Much of Scotland’s land will remain outside the proposed Register of Controlled Interests in Land, whose purpose is to make land ownership more transparent, according to a report by the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee.

Heritage at Risk 2018 (HE 08/11/18)
Today Historic England publishes the 2018 Heritage at Risk Register, the annual snapshot of the health of England’s historic places.

20 Years of Heritage at Risk (HE 08/11/18)
Twenty years ago, we published our first ever Register of Buildings at Risk across England. It featured 1,930 buildings and structural scheduled monuments that were neglected, broken and unloved. Two decades on, we’re delighted to announce that over two thirds of buildings and structures on the 1998 Register are now safe.

RPA and CIfA launch new Archaeological Ethics Database (CIfA 07/11/18)
CIfA is proud to report that The Register of Professional Archaeologists (the Register) and CIfA have released a new Archaeological Ethics Database as an ongoing joint project. It combines over 500 sources on archaeological ethics in a central, searchable place for students, researchers, and professionals, and is designed to be used internationally.

Housing on tenanted farms to meet the Repairing Standard (SLC 07/11/18)
Scotland’s Tenant Farming Commissioner (TFC), Bob McIntosh, is advising that the agricultural holdings sector needs to come together to agree a way forward to ensure agricultural housing is subject to the same standards as private rented housing.

Nuclear archive wins Scotland’s best building award (BBC 06/11/18)
A national archive for the civil nuclear industry has won a top Scottish architecture prize. Nucleus in Wick has been constructed to hold more than 70 years’ worth of information and up to 30 million digital records. It has won the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award for 2018.

Future Parks Accelerator – now open (HLF)
The Future Parks Accelerator (FPA) is a new UK-wide initiative between HLF and the National Trust. Local authorities and communities are now invited to submit expressions of interest for the FPA, which will provide funding and support for organisations to develop bold and ambitious plans for parks and green spaces.

So what’s the value of a Can Do space?
Scotland has 479 localities with a resident population of 1000+, all with empty buildings. That’s £6 billion+ worth of property vacant in Scotland. We also know that 48% of home based businesses plan to grow. What if they collaborated? Watch our short video for our Can Do Places vision.

£5m boost from CITB to get hard-to-reach candidates into construction (CITB 31/10/18)
CITB’s biggest-ever funding opportunity opens today, with a £5 million commission to help under-represented groups into the construction industry.

National Churches Trust_ Visit Churches Survey (ComRes)
Churches Trust commissioned this survey to understand the reasons why the public visit churches, chapels or meeting houses and what would make them more likely to visit for tourism or leisure.

World Monuments Watch – Nominations Now Open
The World Monuments Watch uses cultural heritage conservation to increase community resilience, enhance social inclusion, and build new skills in the conservation field and beyond.

Community Grants now available! (GCHT)
Glasgow City Heritage Trust has recently launched a new Community Grants Scheme, with grants of up to £2000 available to support projects largely developed by community members that engage communities with Glasgow’s historic built environment.

Opinion & Comment

RTPI welcomes Scotland’s lead on statutory Chief Planning Officers (RTPI Scotland 14/11/18)

RTPI Scotland welcomes the LGCC resistance of third party rights of appeal (RTPI Scotland 07/11/18)

Housing in Agricultural Tenancies that are occupied by the tenant (SLC 07/11/18)

Thinking the Unthinkable – Destination High Street: Restoring Vibrancy to Scotland’s Towns (Leigh Sparks 05/11/18)

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-19087: Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 27/09/2018
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out on the relationship between the Planning (Scotland) Bill, and the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (15/10/2018)

Question S5W-19127: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 01/10/2018
To ask the Scottish Government how many households in each local authority area have (a) applied for and (b) received support for (i) loft, (ii) cavity wall, (iii) room in roof, (iv) solid wall and (v) other forms of insulation from area-based energy-efficiency schemes in each of the last 10 years.
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse (09/11/2018)

Question S5W-19128: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 01/10/2018
To ask the Scottish Government how many households in each local authority area have (a) applied for and (b) received support from the Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland (HEEPS) in each of the last 10 years.
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse (09/11/2018)

Events

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

Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders Archaeology Conference
Date: Saturday November 17, 2018
Venue: Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh
This annual conference is organised by City of Edinburgh Council, East Lothian Council and Scottish Borders Council. It provides an important opportunity to hear and discuss first-hand accounts of the archaeological fieldwork and research being undertaken in Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, and the Scottish Borders.

Improving Energy Efficiency
Date: 22 November, from 9.30am – 4.30pm.
Venue: The Engine Shed, Stirling, FK8 1QZ
Our one-day seminar will be an in-depth look ahead at the challenges of improving energy efficiency in traditional buildings, with a strong focus on meeting current and future standards. A wide range of experts who work across Scotland’s built environment will present on various subjects. Join us to hear from speakers from the Scottish Government and the private and rural housing sector. We will explore issues around Standard Assessment Procedures (SAPs) and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). We’ll also look at fabric interventions from our pilot refurbishment projects, as well as the experiences of building owners. Booking essential.

IHBC Scotland Branch AGM & Conference ‘Design at the Water’s Edge’
Date: 29 November 2018
Location: Dundee.
The AGM will follow a CPD day on the theme of Design in Dundee (UNESCO City
of Design). How do we assess new design in historic contexts, and how can design work to enhance a sense of place? The morning includes a tour at the new V&A Dundee to discuss the ways that members interface with design issues on a daily basis: design review, design awards etc. Bring an example to share of good/ bad/ ugly design on an A4 page. The afternoon include the SC Branch AGM, the conference on Design in Historic Contexts and option to attend the ICON Scotland Plenderleith Conservation lecture (bookable separately) and a dinner together.
Free to IHBC members. Non-members £10 (pay on the day). Please book with Scotland@IHBC.org.uk.

Talks at the Lane: Niall Maxwell on Rural Office for Architecture
Date & time: 11th December 2018 at 6.30pm
Venue: Custom Lane, Leith.
Talks at the Lane, an eclectic and informative series of lectures and conversations around the themes of design and making, is bringing the innovative Wales-based architect Niall Maxwell to Custom Lane in Leith as part of their Season One programme. Niall, whose practice the Rural Office for Architecture (ROA) has won an RIBA award for every project it has completed since 2012, will be discussing his views on cultural identity and regionalism in the context of design, and will showcase some in-progress and completed work from ROA. For more info about the Talks at the Lane.

Training

Moisture in Buildings: Analysis & Challenges
Date: 29 November, from 9.30am – 4.30pm.
Venue: The Engine Shed, Stirling, FK8 1QZ.
This short one-day course aims to demystify some of the heritage science techniques available to today’s professionals. Scotland’s climate is changing at an unprecedented rate, with altering patterns of precipitation and an increasing frequency of unpredictable and extreme weather events.
Since the 1960s, annual precipitation has increased by over 20%. This has had serious implications for decay processes in the built environment. You will learn how conservation science can help to detect and monitor the moisture in buildings. This seminar will highlight research into the impact of soluble salts, the biodeterioration processes and the behaviour of moisture following building refurbishments. Please note: Booking essential.

APD – Unfired Earth Conservation
Date: 29 November. 3 days over 3 weeks: 18.5 taught hours
Venue: The Engine Shed, Stirling, FK8 1QZ
Examine the use of unfired earth construction in Scotland’s historic built environment, a practice with ancient and obscure origins yet more relevant than ever. You will touch on repair and restoration techniques using traditional and modern tools, and follow the full life cycle of a repair project – from survey and diagnosis to on-site installation. Conservation repair principles are an important area of discussion throughout. Booking essential | T: 01786 234 800. Price £270.

Vacancies

Development Management Archaeologist
Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust is looking to appoint a Development Management Archaeologist on a full-time, 1 year fixed term (maternity cover) basis to deliver our archaeological development management service to Perth and Kinross Council and Transport Scotland as well as contributing to our exciting community archaeology and outreach activities.
The closing date for applications is 17:00 on Friday 16 November 2018.    

Policy and Influencing Manager
The Landscape Institute (LI) is looking for a Policy and Influencing Manager. This is a new permanent post which will work with the policy team and LI members, to develop policy and to help ensure that the LI is recognised as a knowledgeable and influential professional body.
The deadline for applications is midnight, Sunday 2nd December.

 

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BEFS News

BEFS is pleased to invite you to Community Empowerment & Landscape, in partnership with Community Land Scotland and INHERIT, on 3rd December at the ECCI in Edinburgh. This event will look at pragmatic steps that can be taken to empower community participation. Places are limited so book now!

Just a few days left to submit your ideas on prioritisation within built heritage, and take part in a robust and open discussion on the topic.

With the publication of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming, BEFS Director Euan Leitch reflects on two recent events and urges action before our past catches up with us, in this week’s blog: Slavery and Climate Change.

BEFS attended the first Why Archives Matter conference day from the Scottish Council on Archives. Here we heard about Archives being used in Health, Wellbeing and Community contexts – with very positive outcomes. BEFS is delighted to be partnering a further Why Archives Matter conference at the Engine Shed in Spring 2019. Keep an eye out for their new film on the central role of archives in Scotland.

BEFS was delighted to attend the Scottish Heritage Angel Awards 2018, and hear from the deserving finalists. Many congratulations to the winners.

Finally, do not forget to check out the array of events and training coming up this month, towards the end of the bulletin.

Consultations

HES Draft Corporate Plan 2019 onwards
Consultation closes on 2 November.

Complete a short TNS TR*M survey to identify how HES are performing as an organisation through stakeholder feedback

A Consultation on the City for Edinburgh Council proposal for a Transient Visitor Levy/ Tourist Tax within the city
Opened 15 Oct 2018 and closes 10 Dec 2018. 

Draft Historic Environment Policy (HEP)
The closing date for feedback is midnight on Monday 3 December 2018.

Open Space Strategy Consultation (Glasgow City Council)
Comments should be received by no later than 10 December 2018.

Consultation Responses

Consultation on Building Standards Compliance and Fire Safety – responses

Tackling social isolation and loneliness: consultation analysis

Publications

Kindness, emotions and human relationships: The blind spot in public policy (Carnegie UK Trust 01/11/18)

Climate Change Plan Monitoring Report October 2018 – Chapter 2 Buildings (SG 31/10/18)

Community Right to Buy Abandoned, Neglected Or Detrimental Land – Information For Communities (SG 31/10/18)

Community Right to Buy Abandoned, Neglected or Detrimental Land: Information for Landowners and Creditors (SG 31/10/18)

Glasgow City Region sets out first comprehensive climate risk assessment as world leaders discuss city resilience (Climate Ready Clyde 31/10/18) 

Planning Bill: A revised Fifth Marshalled List of Amendments and a revised Fifth Groupings of Amendments have been published for Stage 2.

Environment and Land Reform: Examining the Relations Between Non-Governmental Organisations and Community Groups (SG 30/10/18)

Transport (Scotland) Bill: Pavement Parking and Double Parking (SPICe Breifing 30/10/18)

Planning (Scotland) Bill: amendments lodged for Part 3 – Development Management factsheet (SG 22/10/18)

Scotland’s place in Europe: our way forward (SG 15/10/18)

Broadsheet – Scottish Association of Country House Archivists Special Issue (Scottish Council on Archives)

Priorities for the Historic Environment of Wales (WG 10/18)

Reforming Heritage Maintenance Funds: campaign briefing 2018 (Historic Houses)

Response to the Brexit White Paper & MAC report (The Heritage Alliance 12/10/18)

Local Authority Housing Income and Expenditure: 1997-1998 to 2017-2018 (near actuals) and 2018-2019 (estimates) (SG 12/10/18)

The economic value of culture: a benefit transfer study (DCMS 04/10/18)

Scottish Government News Releases

Tay Cities Region Deal (SG 26/10/18)
Scottish Government pledges £200 million investment. Infrastructure Secretary, Michael Matheson, is challenging the UK Government to match his funding commitment for the Tay Cities Region Deal.

Mitigating the impact of Brexit (SG 11/10/18)
Councils will play an essential role in preparing for the “extremely serious consequences for communities across Scotland” of Brexit, according to the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Sharp rise in European visitors to Scotland (SG 11/10/18)
The number of overseas visitors from Europe increased sharply by 39% in the 12 months to the end of June 2018 according to official statistics released today.

News Releases

National Lottery Strategic Funding Framework 2019-2024 (HLF 10/18)
Earlier this year we asked for your views on our future vision and role, how we can support heritage and how our funding programmes might work. We ran two surveys and over 3000 people responded. Over 1500 of these responses were to our longer questionnaire, which looked in more detail at our proposals. Some of the initial results are emerging.

The Museums + Heritage Awards
The 17th annual Museums + Heritage Awards will celebrate innovative and ground-breaking initiatives from museums, galleries and heritage visitor attractions across the UK and overseas. The Awards shine a spotlight on the diversity of this sector, of museums large and small – from the nationals to one-room volunteer-run museums, from iconic buildings and monuments to the great outdoors, all of which have an equal opportunity of winning one of 14 prestigious awards.

MSPs agree to greater regulation of short-term lets in Planning Bill (SHN 26/10/18)
Landlords will be forced to acquire full planning permission to lease homes by the night on websites including Airbnb after changes to the Scottish Government’s Planning Bill were agreed by MSPs.

Using the past to inspire the future (HES 26/10/18)
Fresh from a major climate change summit in San Francisco, Historic Environment Scotland Climate Change Scientist David Harkin explores the links between cultural heritage and climate action, highlighting how we can use the past to inspire the future.

Land Value Capture measures added to Planning (Scotland) Bill (SCN 25/10/18)
Scottish Greens have welcomed changes to the Scottish Government’s planning bill which they say will help tackle Scotland’s housing crisis by making land for housebuilding more affordable, however housebuilders have called the measures “premature”.

Airbnb set to be regulated as short-term lets amendment to Planning Bill goes through (CS 24/10/18)
AN AMENDMENT to the Planning Bill which would see all short-term lets have to apply for council planning consent has passed stage two of the Bill’s passage through parliament.

IHBC, HE & ALGAO’s LA conservation stats out now – 2018 (IHBC 20/10/18)
Local Authority conservation capacity in England: A small annual increase in conservation capacity follows years of conservation cuts.  But still aggregates at 35% cuts over the last 12 years.

Tax Campaigns (Historic Houses 10/18)
At Historic Houses we aim to improve the legislative, policy and regulatory framework within which owners of historic houses look after the nationally important heritage in their care. A key part of this framework is the tax system, which can have a significant impact on owners’ ability to fund the conservation of these places people love to visit.

Coming up for air at Scapa Flow (HES 15/10/18)
Following our online survey, Senior Designations Officer Andrew Fulton reflects on how public engagement is helping to shape thinking about future management of Orkney’s 20th-century wartime underwater heritage.

Opinion & Comment

Monitoring the outcomes of planning – and evaluating its impact (Nick Wright 25/10/18)

Michael Pawlyn of Exploration Architecture on averting climate breakdown (RIBA 23/10/18)

Fairer Scotland – Stage 2 scrutiny of the Planning Bill continues (Housing Minister Kevin Stewart MSP 19/10/18)

Pulling together: the least we can do in the face of climate change (Daniel Slade RTPI 17/10/18)

How to Turn a Car Town into a Cycling City (Next City 15/10/18)

Supporting Quality Places to Create a Legacy – Ann Allen, Chair of A&DS (A&DS)

The Planning (Scotland) Bill is breaking with key aims (The Planner 11/10/18)

Defending degrowth at ecomodernism’s home (Entitle Collective 2018)

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-19081: Claudia Beamish, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 26/09/2018
To ask the Scottish Government what role the Land Commission and SEPA partnership taskforce on vacant and derelict land will have in advancing the introduction of compulsory sale orders.
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham (23/10/2018)

Question S5W-19082: Claudia Beamish, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 26/09/2018
To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for the introduction of the Compulsory Sale Order power.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (08/10/2018)

Question S5W-18849: Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 17/09/2018
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with local authorities to promote the use of locally sourced stone in buildings and in streetscapes.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (27/09/2018)

Events

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

Architecture Fringe 2019 – The Journey Starts Here
Welcome to the Architecture Fringe 2019! The journey starts here for June 2019. Our provocation for the fourth edition of the ArchiFringe is In Real Life. Got an idea for a self-directed project, exhibition, event or happening? Interested in joining in or helping out? Join us at one of Architecture Fringe’s monthly meet-ups to share your thoughts and proposals, give and receive help and advice, and connect with others. If you can’t make one of the meet-ups, feel free to drop us a line at hello@architecturefringe.com.

Masterplanning and Urban Development – Putting people first
Date: 13 November 2018
Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh, 80 High street Edinburgh, EH1 TH1
We all want to create liveable cities in which people thrive and prosper, but how to make that ideal come true? The Liveable City’s opening seminar focuses on the political process of moving from vision to action, bringing in experiences from recent years where Danish cities as well as cities around the world have undergone a remarkable transformation. Here, examples of successful project proposals to encourage economic development and investment to an area will be presented, including how to attract landmark projects and early adopters.

PSPC Property Repair Seminar: Caring for your Historic Building
Date: Tues 13 November 2018, 17:15-19:00 (light refreshments from 17:00)
Venue: Civic Chambers, 2 High Street, Perth, PH1 5PH.
Buildings constructed before 1919 are full of traditional features that make them great places to live.  Such character also brings specific needs and requirements when it comes to the maintenance and repair of historic buildings. If you own or are considering a historic home, this free evening of short talks and Q&A is for you, offering key guidance at an introductory level to help you maintain the condition and value of a historic property. Come along and pick-up some pointers from industry professionals speaking on a range of useful topics:

• An introduction to practical online repair and maintenance resources for owners of historic homes;
• Essential strategies and considerations when repairing historic buildings;
• Timber window maintenance;
• Finding free technical guidance on maintaining and repairing traditional buildings;
• Involving conservation professionals in repair projects;
• Information on available grant assistance for repairing historic buildings through the Perth City Heritage Fund.

If you are interested in attending then please RSVP to: admin@pspc.co.uk | 01738 635301.

Salvage: Collections & Consequences
Date: 15 November, 9.30am – 4.30pm
Venue: The Engine Shed, Stirling, FK8 1QZ
Join us at the Engine Shed as speakers share their knowledge and experiences around salvage planning and training for collections, and the consequences when it goes right or wrong. Those involved with the care of archives and historic collections in public or private ownership will find this of interest. Price: £27.00 Historic Scotland member; £27.00 Concession; £30.00 Non-member Booking essential.

Insight Tour: Glasgow Cathedral
Date: 15 November, 10.00am – 12.00pm
Venue: Glasgow Cathedral, Castle St, Glasgow G4 0QZ
Glasgow Cathedral dates back as far as the 12th century. It is the most complete surviving medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland, having survived the Protestant Reformation of 1560 almost intact. Over time, various bishops left their mark through alterations and expansion, including the addition of the rows of Gothic arches and windows with stone divisions (called slender tracery). On this Insight Tour, our District Architect will guide you through the ongoing programme of conservation works, including the replacement of stone in a pinnacle of the North transept. Booking essential | Suitable for ages 16+ | Personal Protective Equipment provided | T: 01786 234 800. Price: £18.00 Historic Scotland member; £20.00 Non-member

Heritage Trust Network Conference 2018
Date: 19-20 November 2018
Venue: The Engine Shed, Stirling
Join us in Scotland for our SKILLS-themed conference where we will address some of the many and varied skills needed to successfully run a heritage building preservation project today. On day one we focus on getting your organisation ready, project off the ground and fundraising, and on day two, we explore the skills needed to manage your project on site, how to work well with volunteers and communities, and making the most of your heritage asset after the building works are completed.

Insight Tour: Bothwell Castle
Date: 20 November, 10.00am – 12.00pm
Venue: Bothwell Castle, Castle Ave, Uddingston, Bothwell, Glasgow G71 8BL
Explore a castle hotly fought over during the Wars of Independence. Bothwell Castle, built on a grand scale in the late 1200s, frequently passed back and forth between English and Scottish hands. Although much of the castle has disappeared over time, it is one of the most impressive Scottish medieval strongholds standing today. One of the most striking features remaining is the grand donjon, a circular keep tower that is without parallel in Scotland. On this Insight Tour, climb the scaffolding with our District Architect for a close-up look at the masonry repairs on the Latrine Tower and to hear about the ongoing conservation works. Booking essential | Suitable for ages 16+ | Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided | T: 01786 234 800. Price: £18.00 Historic Scotland member; £20.00 Non-member.

Improving Energy Efficiency
Date: 22 November, 9.30am – 4.30pm
Venue: The Engine Shed, Stirling, FK8 1QZ
Our one-day seminar will be an in-depth look ahead at the challenges of improving energy efficiency in traditional buildings, with a strong focus on meeting current and future standards. A wide range of experts who work across Scotland’s built environment will present on various subjects. Join us to hear from speakers from the Scottish Government and the private and rural housing sector. We will explore issues around Standard Assessment Procedures (SAPs) and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). We’ll also look at fabric interventions from our pilot refurbishment projects, as well as the experiences of building owners. Booking essential | T: 01786 234 800. Price £54.00 Historic Scotland members, £60.00 Non-members.

Moisture in Buildings: Analysis & Challenges
Date: 29 November, 9.30am – 4.30pm
Venue: The Engine Shed, Stirling, FK8 1QZ
This short course aims to demystify some of the heritage science techniques available to today’s professionals. Both commonly used techniques and emerging technologies will be demonstrated and explained, including thermal imaging, moisture analysis, X-ray techniques, mortar analysis and stone matching. Delegates will have the opportunity to try some of the techniques first hand, both lab-based and portable; and will learn how to employ the right technique and correctly interpret results to support decision-making and specification. Booking essential | T: 01786 234 800. Price £54.00 Historic Scotland members; £60.00 Non-members.

Training

Confronting Fire: Risks and Prevention for Heritage Buildings
Date: 2 November
Venue: The Dome, New Register House, 3 West Register Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3YT
Join us for the next instalment of our training series on November 2nd as we take a comprehensive look at the risks, management procedures and preventative measures we can employ to protect historic buildings from fire as well as approaches to restore damaged fabric once a fire has occurred.

APD – Mortars, Plasters & Renders
Date: 6 November, 5 days over 4 weeks: 27.5 taught hours
Venue: The Engine Shed, Stirling, FK8 1QZ
Discover the wide range of raw materials used both in the past and today to make mortars, plasters and renders for traditional Scottish structures. This module has a significant practical element, letting you gain first-hand knowledge of how different mortars, plaster and renders should be worked. You will also try out methods of mortar analysis such as acid digestion, X-ray diffraction and petrographic analysis.
Booking essential | T: 01786 234 800. Price: £645.

Introduction to Being a Board Member
Date: Tuesday, 6 November 2018, 10:30 to 16:30.
Venue: Arts & Business Scotland, 1st Floor, Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5EZ.
Cost: £80+VAT for Arts & Business Scotland members; £120+VAT for non-members
This seminar is designed to help new board members/trustees in the charitable arts & heritage sector (and those who would like a refresher) to understand your roles and responsibilities, including the dividing line between your role and that of the professional staff, demystifying your legal and financial responsibilities, & the board and artistic issues.

APD – Documentation on the Historic Environment
Date: 7 November, 7 days over 6 weeks: 36.5 taught hours
Venue: The Engine Shed, Stirling, FK8 1QZ
Learn how to accurately document a site – via archival research or survey – as a vital first step towards the monitoring and evaluation of its condition. You will examine traditional and innovative site documentation techniques, and ways to archive, manipulate and share survey data. You will also learn how to use key Scottish archives and libraries for architectural research to support conservation or repair projects. Booking essential | T: 01786 234 800. Price: £480.

Crowdfunding for Arts & Heritage Organisations
Date: Friday, 9 November 2018, 09:30 to 16:30
Venue: Arts & Business Scotland, 1st Floor, Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5EZ.
Cost: £80 + VAT for Arts & Business Scotland members; £120 + VAT for non-members
This event is aimed at organisations who are considering undertaking a crowdfund and who have a project in mind and who want to understand how to plan a crowdfund. The event will cover: The who, what and why of crowdfunding, practical group exercises, methodologies, crowdfunding stories, & developing your network and target audience.

CPD : Patterns of Use of Slate in Scotland
Date: Wednesday 14th November 2018 | 12.30-1.30pm.
Venue: 54 Bell Street, Glasgow.
Scottish slate has been used to roof Scottish buildings for over 400 years. Initially any local stone; flagstone, mica schist or indeed slate, which could be split into slabs, no matter how irregular, was used.  Over time however, true geological slate, from the Highland Boundary, Ballachulish, Foudland or Slate Islands groups of quarries came to predominate. But with the improvement in transport in the 19th century, slate from elsewhere in the UK, principally North Wales, became readily available. Welsh slates are larger and more regular than Scottish and can be split thinner, making their use more economical. Today, although Welsh, Cornish and Cumbrian slate is still available, most roofing slate is imported from Spain. Recent work on Moy Castle on Mull, the Briggait and Paisley Museum and Art Gallery will be used to demonstrate these trends.

The Use of Lime Mortar in the Conservation, Repair & Maintenance of Traditional Buildings
Dates: Thursday 15th & Friday 16th November
Venue: Banff Castle
This highly popular, 2-day “hands-on” Course will address both the theory and practical use of Lime Mortar in the conservation, repair and maintenance of Traditional Buildings, Walls, and other Stone Built Structures. In addition to the importance of using the correct tools and materials, the Course will focus on mixing Lime Mortar, as well as the skills and techniques involved in its use in a wide range of applications, including pointing and harling. For more details and to book simply get in touch by phone, on 01888 511347, or by e-mail, to soundcraft@towiebarclay.co.uk.

A Guide to Tax for Arts and Heritage Organisations
Date: Friday, 16 November 2018, 09:30 to 12:30
Venue: Arts & Business Scotland, 1 Floor, Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5EZ
Cost: £40 +VAT for Arts & Business Scotland members; £60 +VAT for non-members
This half-day seminar is a must for all financial or budget holding staff and anyone who wants to know how tax affects (and can benefit) arts and heritage organisations with charitable status in Scotland. It will specifically look at current and common issues including the tax status of grant income, box office arrangements, room hires, trading activities, memberships, fundraising and sponsorship.  It will highlight the tax savings that can be available (including the creative industries tax relief) and the issues and opportunities that frequently affect arts and heritage organisations.

Webinar: Cyber Insurance – why your organisation needs it!
Date: Tuesday, 20 November 2018, 10:00 to 11:00
Venue: Remote
Cost: Free for Arts & Business Scotland members; £10 + VAT for non-members
This webinar will help demystify the cyber risks to business by talking through live scenarios and how cyber insurance can help your business triage any situation, meet legal obligations and get back up and running as quickly as possible. The session covers: the cyber risks to an organisation, an introduction to cyber insurance and claims process as well as cyber theft and the need for a commercial crime insurance policy.

Business Briefing: Social Media – What’s your message?
Date: Wednesday, 28 November, 10:00 to 12:30
Venue: RSM | 69 Wellington Street | G2 6HG Glasgow | United Kingdom
Cost: Free for Arts & Business Scotland members; £10 + VAT for non-members This session will help you think about setting simple goals for your social media strategy. You will come away from the session with a clearer idea of how content can help you bring about change, sell more, recruit volunteers, increase understanding of difficult issues, engage with influencers and beyond. You’ll get to see real-world examples of content in action on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat & YouTube.

APD – Unfired East Conservation
Date: 29 November, 3 days over 3 weeks: 18.5 taught hours
Venue: The Engine Shed, Stirling, FK8 1QZ
Examine the use of unfired earth construction in Scotland’s historic built environment, a practice with ancient and obscure origins yet more relevant than ever. You will touch on repair and restoration techniques using traditional and modern tools, and follow the full life cycle of a repair project – from survey and diagnosis to on-site installation. Conservation repair principles are an important area of discussion throughout. Booking essential | T: 01786 234 800. Price: £270

Vacancies

Heritage Lottery Fund / National Heritage Memorial Fund Trustee for Scotland
The Trustee for Scotland presents an exciting and challenging opportunity for an individual with a strong commitment to, and enthusiasm for Scotland and rest of the UK’s diverse heritage, to make a lasting contribution.
Application deadline has been extended by DCMS to 7th November.

External Mentors in Geography or Urban Studies
Do you have over 2 years’ work experience in a geography or urban studies profession and have a degree? Want to help inspire and support undergraduates with their future career direction and studies? The School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS) at Heriot-Watt University is looking for interested mentors to take part in the Urban Studies Undergraduate External Mentoring Programme. EGIS has strong and well established links with professional practice, with many of our graduates employed in senior positions in the public and private sector. The programme helps Urban Studies undergraduates at Heriot-Watt University to focus on long-term career planning, and provide a focus for linking their academic studies to the world of work. The feedback from the scheme has been extremely positive, from both mentors and mentees, making it a really valuable experience for all involved! For more information on how to participate please contact Dr Gina Netto- G.Netto@hw.ac.uk

 

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