BEFS News

Join us for Land Value Capture – An Exploration of Methods & Views, on 31st May in Edinburgh. This event will provide a forum for built environment professionals and others with an interest in land to discuss the potential for land value capture as a means of increasing housing supply across all tenures, funding future infrastructure, and investing in placemaking.

The Local Government and Communities Committee has agreed its Stage 1 report on the Planning (Scotland) Bill. The report will be published on Thursday 17 May at the Committee’s digital reports hub on the Parliament’s website here.

Currently there is no major research into the funding landscape for the heritage sector in Scotland. Evaluation during the four years of Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage (RSH) has made it clear how crucial a report of this kind is for sector understanding and development. You can contribute to ‘The State of Heritage Funding Now’ research, which has been commissioned by the RSH partners (Archaeology Scotland, Arts & Business Scotland, BEFS, greenspace scotland, & Museums Galleries Scotland) by completing this short survey.

The Scottish Heritage Angel Awards 2018 are now open for nominations. Groups and individuals involved in heritage projects across Scotland are encouraged to enter as the scheme returns for a fourth year.

BEFS Trustee, Jocelyn Cunliffe, reflects on the content and discussions at BEFS recent workshop, ‘Keeping Church Buildings Alive’, organised in partnership with Scottish Redundant Churches Trust, Scotland’s Churches Trust and The Prince’s Foundation, in our blog this week.

Special Announcement

Through BEFS bulletin you regularly receive information on our activities and other relevant news on policies, funding and activities related to the built environment. Our bulletin also includes invitations to our events and calls to participate in awards, events and research undertaken by BEFS partners and member organisations.

As you may know, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will take effect on 25 May 2018. This important EU regulation aims primarily to give control back to EU citizens and residents over the use of their personal data.

In compliance with the GDPR, we want to ensure that you are happy to continue receiving BEFS bulletin and the third party jobs, events, publications and news it contains. Subscribers have previously given their consent to receive BEFS bulletin but, we want to make sure that you are aware that you can opt-out from receiving future editions of the bulletin at any time. To opt out simply scroll to the very end of this email and click ‘unsubscribe from this list’.

We process the data you provide when you sign up to BEFS bulletin under the ‘legitimate interest’ legal basis of GDPR. We will shortly have a new Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notice online, providing more details of how we deal with your data. We will share this in a bulletin in due course. However, rest assured that we will never sell or share your data with third parties, or use your contact details for anything other than BEFS bulletin.

Consultations

Consultation on the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing post-2020 (EESSH2)
Opened 2 May 2018 and closes 27 Jul 2018.

Energy Efficient Scotland Consultation: Making our homes and buildings warmer, greener and more efficient
Opened 2 May 2018 and closes 27 Jul 2018.

A Consultation on Land and Buildings Transaction Tax – Property Investment Funds
Opened 3 May 2018 and closes 2 Aug 2018.

Publications

Human Rights and the Work of the Scottish Land Commission: A discussion paper (SLC 08/05/18) 

Energy Efficient Scotland: Route Map (SG 02/05/18)

Energy Efficient Scotland – Partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (SG 02/05/18)

Energy Efficient Scotland – Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (SG 02/05/18)

Energy Efficient Scotland: Equality Impact Assessment (SG 02/05/18)

The 25-Year Environment Plan: Ensuring it works for both the historic and natural environments (THA 05/18)

Housing and life experiences: policy development (Joseph Roundtree Foundation 30/04/18)

Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015 – Progress Report for 2017 (SG 30/04/18)

Scottish Government News

Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning 2018 (SG 08/05/18)
The applications are open until Thursday 24th May 2018, information about this year’s Scottish Awards for Quality for Planning can be found on our blog. If you are looking for inspiration for our new #SAQP2018 children and young people category, have a look at these projects from our Making Places event last year.

Funding for fuel poverty and energy efficiency (SG 02/05/18)
Funding of £54.5 million to help tackle fuel poverty and reduce greenhouse gas emissions has been announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

‘Changing Places’ facilities coming to Dundee Station (SG 02/05/18)
Campaigners welcome project approval. Accessibility campaigners in Dundee will welcome the news Transport Minister Humza Yousaf has approved Changing Places facilities at the city’s key rail station.

£3 billion of new infrastructure built (SG 30/04/18)
Investment includes road, rail and hospital. The Queensferry Crossing, a new hospital and major motorway improvements are among £3 billion worth of infrastructure projects completed in Scotland last year.

News Releases

Smell of heritage: a framework for the identification, analysis and archival of historic odours (ICON 05/05/18)
We don’t know much about the smells of the past. Yet, odours play an important role in our daily lives: they affect us emotionally, psychologically and physically, and influence the way we engage with history. Can this lead us to consider certain smells as cultural heritage? And if so, what would be the processes for the identification, protection and conservation of those heritage smells?

The Old Royal High School is under threat!  (CA 04/05/18)
The Cockburn Association together with Edinburgh World Heritage and New Town & Broughton Community Council have launched a Crowd Justice fundraising appeal today. Thomas Hamilton’s Royal High School, built between 1825-9, is one of the most important Greek Revival buildings in Europe and was one of the buildings to inspire the moniker of ‘Athens of the North’. Please help us win the planning appeal by pledging a contribution!

Conservation Conversations (ICON Scotland Group)
Icon Scotland Group’s Blog aims to promote the high standard of heritage conservation activities in Scotland and showcase a range of events, people and projects from all conservation disciplines. If you are involved in a conservation related project or event or in Scotland, or would just like to share your enthusiasm for all things heritage, they would love to hear from you! All disciplines and people are welcome. For submission guidelines, or if you have any questions, please contact Blog Administrator, Emily hickemily@hotmail.com.

Review offers springboard for improving Green Infrastructure across the CSGN (CSGN 04/05/18)
The Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership has today published its much anticipated Report into the quality of Green Infrastructure (GI) policies across the Central Scotland Green Network region.

Are you considering transforming your property? – Sign up to Architect in the Hoose
and speak to an architect for ideas and inspiration! (RIAS 04/18)
The scheme is very simple and all contributions go to charity – architects across Scotland are offering hour-long consultations to the public in return for a £45 donation (a bargain!) to the Architects Benevolent Society (ABS). The ABS helps people of all ages who have experienced redundancy, illness, accident or bereavement. One in six of those cared for is under the age of 35, and half of those helped by the Society are below retirement age.

International Summer Academy on Managing Historic Urban Landscapes – Open Call for early career participants (EN 04/05/18)
Europa Nostra and partners invite early career professionals (‘up to 40 years old’) across Europe to apply to the Open Call for participation in the International Summer Academy ‘Managing Historic Urban Landscapes’, which will take place from 5-12 August 2018, in Petrovaradin, Novi Sad, Serbia, with applications closing 15 May 2018.

CSGN Development Fund Provides Funding Boost of £355,000 to Central Scotland Green Projects (CSGN 03/05/18)
Central Scotland Green Network Trust (CSGNT) today (2 May 2018) announced that 14 environmental projects across Central Scotland have benefitted from a green funding boost totalling over £355,000.

Tram Extension Plans – Cockburn Response (CA 27/04/18)
The Cockburn Association supports the extension of Edinburgh’s current tram line. Trams to Newhaven: community integration and well-being must be centre stage. Approach must be Civic Design led; supporting community vitality and viability.

Opinion & Comment

Cities need to cool down to survive (Milena Ivkovic, RTPI 08/05/18)

Is Airbnb a threat to historic cities and towns? (Cliff Hague, 07/05/18)

Planners are key players in this urban century (Cliff Hague & Christine Platt for RTPI, 18/04/18)

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-15933: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 17/04/2018
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its guidance regarding engaging communities in decisions relating to land, as required under Part 4 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016.
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham (18/04/2018)

Motions

Motions for debate today
Kevin Stewart: A Route Map to an Energy Efficient Scotland—That the Parliament welcomes the publication of the Energy Efficient Scotland Route Map and continued recognition by the Scottish Government of energy efficiency as a national infrastructure priority; acknowledges that, by 2040, the Energy Efficient Scotland programme will make the country’s homes and buildings warmer, greener and more efficient, remove poor energy efficiency as a driver of fuel poverty, help achieve Scotland’s climate change targets and maximise the local economic benefits across all of Scotland arising from an investment programme that has a ‘whole economy’ value of around £10bn; welcomes Scotland’s ambitions to tackle climate change and fuel poverty as a huge opportunity to transform the energy efficiency of existing domestic and non-domestic buildings, drawing together action at a national and local level that is undertaken by individuals, businesses and the public and third sectors, and notes that this will build on the work of the Scottish Government, Scotland’s 32 local authorities and partners that have improved over one million homes and non-domestic properties since 2008.
– The Conservative amendment suggested an earlier target for all homes to meet the EPC C rating of “no later than 2030”.
– Labour’s amendment suggested the target to reduce fuel poverty levels was not ambitious enough and called for fuel poverty to be eradicated.
– The Green amendment called for public spending to be “substantially accelerated” to achieve these aims.
– The Liberal Democrat amendment criticised the lack of recognition for improving energy efficiency and tackling fuel poverty in remote, rural and island communities.

Events

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

RIAS Convention 2018 – ‘Future Directions’
Date: Fri, 11 May 2018, 09:00 – Sat, 12 May 2018, 14:00.
Venue: Queens Cross Church, 38 Albyn Place, Aberdeen, AB10 1YN.
This year’s RIAS Convention is generously sponsored by Gartcarron Fire Engineering, Kingspan Insulation and Marsh. We are delighted that this year’s RIAS Convention will take place at Queens Cross Church in Aberdeen. The church was put out to competition and won by local architect, John Bridgeford Pirie (Messrs Pirie and Clyne). Completed in 1881, the church is built of grey granite, has a tower and spire rising to a height of 145 feet and cost c. £7000 to build. Both the Friday and Saturday events will take place at the church and we will be able to enjoy its new extension by RIAS Chartered Practice, Lee Boyd Limited. As this is the Scottish Government’s Year of Young People, our Saturday session will focus on architectural education and showcase the work from some of our talented students of architecture. The Convention Dinner will take place at the Aberdeen Douglas Hotel, which has been welcoming guests since 1848.

Dryburgh Abbey – Its Picturesque Landscape Re-assessed
Date: Monday 21 May 2018, 9.45am – 4.45pm.
Location: Dryburgh Abbey, St. Boswells.
This whole day event hosted by Historic Environment Scotland in conjunction with The Gardens Trust focuses on the extensive designed landscape surrounding Dryburgh Abbey in the Scottish Borders. The day will start from the Abbey car park with guided tours of central parts of the designed landscape. This will be followed by morning coffee at Dryburgh Abbey Hotel after which we will learn of the history of the landscape and its development, historical connections and cultural significance by the author of the comprehensive Conservation Management Plan which has been commissioned for the site, landscape architect Peter McGowan. After a light lunch we will go out for the afternoon tour of outer parts of the landscape. We then return to the Hotel for afternoon tea and hear of context of abbeys being used as follies within landscapes, before concluding the day’s events by opening up the discussion on alternative options for how the designed landscape could be managed in the future.

Vernacular Buildings Seminar
Date: Thursday 24 May 2018, from 9.30am – 4.30pm.
Venue: Engine Shed, Stirling.
This one day event will explore the local materials and skills used to make Scotland’s historic rural houses. From earth to thatch, timber to stone, these buildings are the original eco-builds.

Archaeological Research in Progress 2018
Date: Sat 26 May 2018, from 09:15 – 17:30.
Venue: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ.
The national conference examining recent and ongoing archaeological projects across Scotland will take place at the Engine Shed in Stirling on Saturday 26th May 2018. This conference is supported by Historic Environment Scotland and is delivered in partnership with the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. The all-day conference gives the audience the opportunity to hear first-hand about the most recent archaeological projects across Scotland and should not be missed. Offering great value for the full day (lunch and refreshments are included in the ticket price) there are further discounts for Archaeology Scotland and Society of Antiquaries of Scotland members. Book now to ensure your place.

Industrial Riverside Health Walk
Date: Wednesday 30 May 2018, from 2pm – 3pm.
Venue: Engine Shed, Stirling.
Surrounded by the River Forth, the Riverside area had been the port of Stirling for hundreds of years.
From the medieval period till the 1940s, ships and boats carried people and goods from Stirling to ports around the world. During the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries many of these goods, including agriculture, machinery, carriages, barrels and fabric, were manufactured in the Riverside area.
On this Heritage Health Walk join Moses Jenkins from Historic Environment Scotland to learn about the industrial heritage in this area. Free – Booking essential.

Young Surveyors Conservation Day
Date: Friday 1 June 2018, from 9.30am – 4.30pm.
Venue: Engine Shed, Stirling.
A one-day seminar on building conservation basics for surveyors. Learn about the conservation principles for traditional and historic structures, gain an insight into how to use traditional mortars and building components. Suitable for newly qualified and graduate surveyors. Free – but booking essential.

Scotland Branch – MATE session
Date: 7 June.
Location: Glasgow.
IHBC are holding another Membership Application Training Event – the main aim of which is to assist people in upgrading their membership from either Affiliate/Associate to Full membership.
There will be a presentation from Kate Kendall, IHBC Education, Training & Standards Liaison Officer followed by small group discussions. Kate Kendall said: ‘These events are a great way for prospective applicants to find out how to understand their skills, knowledge and experience in the context of IHBC membership criteria and accreditation.  And all this is free too, offered to anyone interested in IHBC membership as part of the IHBC’s charitable support for the care of the built and historic environment.’ To book your FREE place please email Kate at LETS@ihbc.org.uk.

HES’s Building Conservation Summer School
Date: 11th to 15th June 2018.
Venue: Engine Shed, Stirling.
We are delighted to announce that the programme for our annual Summer School has now been announced. This five-day day course provides a great introduction to building conservation; it is taught by leading experts in the heritage sector and as well as lectures, the programme includes exclusive site visits and hands-on workshops. You can get a discounted weekly ticket or a day ticket if you are interested in attending a particular day. In support for the Year of Young People, we are offering a limited number of bursary places to those starting their careers in conservation. You must be between 18 and 26 years of age and have a passion for building conservation.

IHBC Annual School 2018, Northern Ireland Branch
Date: 21-23 June.
Location: Belfast.
Our shared Heritage – communication | negotiation | transformation. Secure your place for the next in IHBC’s celebrated series of Schools. Bursaries are still available and low-cost residential options ensure IHBC members and colleagues can explore our Full School tour options, from the global brand of the Titanic quarter or the nationally important country house, to local contested heritage, all offering some of the best value heritage CPD around, and all courtesy of the IHBC. IHBC Director Sean O’Reilly said: ‘This year we’ve substantially upgraded our online CPD support, as a taster for the future, so be sure to make early and full use of the CPD references, links and area guidance, as well as our social media, to make the best of another unique IHBC learning experience.’

Training

Rubble Wall Building
Date: 5 – 6 June 2018.
Venue: Merryhill Training Centre, Fife KY11 3DR.
This practical two day course will equip you to set out, construct and finish a traditional rubble wall using a variety of building stones and traditional lime mortars. The importance of laying the stones correctly and the use of pinning stones will be emphasised so that no more than 30% of the volume of the wall is mortar! The content of this workshop provides part of the underpinning knowledge required for assessment and accreditation of SQA National Unit 3 – ‘Conservation Masonry’.

Intensive Training Week – C1,C2 & National Units
Date: 11 – 15 June 2018.
Venue: Merryhill Training Centre, Fife KY11 3DR.
This intensive week of training and assessment will combine our courses ‘C1 Making and Using Traditional Mortars’ and ‘C2 Traditional Masonry Repair’ with continual assessment to allow you to gain SQA National Units 1, 2 & 3 in Conservation Masonry within five intensive days. You require to have trowel skills to participate and be assessed.

Rendering & Harling with Lime
Date: 21 – 22 June 2018.
Venue: Merryhill Training Centre, Fife KY11 3DR.
This course will enable you to apply a variety of external lime finishes including formal ‘lined out’ work to less formal textured harled finishes to a wide range of background types including matching in to existing finishes. Attendance at this two day workshop will let you get to grips with both hand casting and mechanical application techniques to effect a range of surface finishes and is relevant for the reinstatement of traditional lime finishes and for new build applications.

3-Day Practical Gilding Course
Date: September 3-5.
Location: Glasgow.
This course will familiarise participants with the materials, methods and techniques of both water and oil gilding. It will provide opportunities to learn skills relating to gilding using traditional materials and techniques.   This is a practical course and particularly suited to newly-qualified conservators but it is also suitable for anyone with an interest in gilding.
To quote the Tutor, Tim Ritson, “Gilding skills are very transferable and even as an experienced gilder I’m always interested in picking up new techniques.”
All tools and materials are included in the cost. Lunch, tea and coffee will be provided.  The course will run from 10:00 – 16:00 each day. The course is taught by Tim Ritson, Head of Frames Conservation at the Royal Museums Greenwich and experienced trainer. Tim is passionate about teaching and sharing his knowledge to promote the continuance of traditional craft skill.

Vacancies

Govanhill Baths Capital Project Director
Govanhill Baths Community Trust‘s goal is to re-open the Govanhill Baths as a Wellbeing Centre and at the same time contribute to the wider social, cultural and built regeneration of Govanhill as a community through a range of activities. It is the role of the Capital Project Manager to ensure successful delivery of the above refurbishment and new build programme. This will involve managing the Design Team and other external consultants, developing partnerships with local organisations, and working closely with programming and operational staff to ensure that the capital works are capable of underpinning the delivery of a sustainable programme and business model for Govanhill Baths.
Deadline for applications is 5pm 15th May 2018.

Scottish Civic Trust Project Officer
The purpose of the role is to coordinate the Trust’s Civic Connections project, working closely with the Director. This project involves supporting and developing the Trust’s network of local heritage groups, amenity societies and civic trusts through events, including an annual conference and lecture, and promotional material and resources. The project will recognise that intergenerational activity, particularly at the local level, is very important. The project will set out to encourage all members of the community, and young people (under 25) in particular, to take an active interest in their local heritage.
Closing date for applications: 5pm on Wednesday 16 May 2018

Regional Services Coordinator (part-time)
The post holder will work within the regional RICS team in Scotland to coordinate meetings, events and activities to actively contribute to the organization’s objectives as outlined in the RICS UK business plan.  This is a part-time position, working 21 hours per week, Wednesday to Friday.
Application close date: 1 June 2018.

Information in the Bulletin is extracted from a number of websites including the Scottish Government (SG); the Scottish Parliament (SP); Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS); Historic Environment Scotland (HES); Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH); Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO); English Heritage (EH); Design Council (DC); Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG); Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS); Department of Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA); National Assembly for Wales (NAW); Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS); Scottish Government Building Standards  (SGBS); Europa Nostra (EN); Historic England (HE).

If you have any questions or comments on the above, or would like to submit information to be included, please get in touch with Saskia Smellie or tel: BEFS Office on 0131 220 6241.

BEFS News

BEFS is keen to continue the momentum for exploration and discussion around land value capture and invites you to Land Value Capture – An Exploration of Methods & Views, on 31st May in Edinburgh. This event will provide a forum for built environment professionals and others with an interest in land to discuss the potential for land value capture as a means of increasing housing supply across all tenures, funding future infrastructure, and investing in placemaking.

On Monday, BEFS hosted a workshop on ‘Keeping Church Buildings Alive’ at Renfield St Stephens Centre in Glasgow. The event provided practical tips and expertise on maintaining local church buildings from the Church of Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Architectural Heritage Fund and many more. Download the rich and informative range of presentations from our website. The workshop was organised in partnership with Scottish Redundant Churches Trust, Scotland’s Churches Trust and The Prince’s Foundation.

In March, BEFS held a lively workshop with stakeholders from across the sector to review Historic Environment Scotland’s Policy Statement (HESPS), ahead of the HES consultations and review to be held in 2018. You can now read about the outcomes of the intensive workshop and the report here.

BEFS invited Lucy Casot, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Scotland, to present research on proposed changes to the organisation’s future direction, to the Historic Environment Working Group. The responses to HLF’s wide-ranging questionnaire have been summarised in a report. BEFS supported many aspects of the changes but advised HLF to clearly retain their specific focus on heritage.

Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage (led by Arts & Business Scotland in partnership with Archaeology Scotland, Built Environment Forum Scotland, greenspace Scotland and Museums Galleries Scotland) has commissioned Consilium to map the current funding landscape for the heritage sector in Scotland. This is part of the legacy of the four-year RSH capacity building programme. The resulting report will aim to raise awareness of the current funding landscape for the heritage sector from public, private and charitable sources. You can contribute by completing this short survey.

Historic Environment Scotland, Archaeology Scotland and Northlight Heritage have announced a call for contributions to Scotland’s Community Heritage Conference 2018. More details here.

BEFS Director, Euan Leitch, provides an update on recent developments in the ongoing campaign to improve property maintenance in Scotland, including the establishment of a parliamentary working group on the maintenance of tenement communal property and newly commissioned research.

Wojciech Borowski, Project Coordinator at PAS, reflects on the two-year Heritage Lottery funded youth project, In the Footsteps of Geddes, in the first of our blogs this week.

Team BEFS recently spent a day exploring the history and heritage of Falkland. The visit offered an opportunity to explore the village, the Estate and the Palace; the way in which the three interact, the pressures of tourism, and the opportunities arising from their recent charrette process. More about what we learnt in our second blog this week.

Consultations

A Connected Scotland: Tackling social isolation and loneliness and building stronger social connections
Closes 27 April 2018.

Petition: Permitted development rights in conservation areas
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to review the permitted development rights legislation, which we consider impacts unfairly on residents of conservation areas and listed buildings in Scotland.
Closing Date for Online Petition: 08 May 2018 

Call for Evidence on Experience of Concentrated Land Ownership (Scottish Land Commission 22/03/18)
The call for evidence will be open until 23 May 2018.

Publications

HES Annual Operating Plan 2018-19 (HES 23/04/18)

Guidance for Acquiring Authorities: Can I use Compulsory purchase? (SG 26/04/18)

Guidance for Acquiring Authorities: How do I prepare a Compulsory Purchase Order? (SG 26/04/18)

Guidance for Acquiring Authorities: How do Scottish Ministers consider a Compulsory Purchase Order? (SG 26/04/18)

Guidance for Acquiring Authorities: What should I do before developing a Compulsory Purchase Order? (SG 26/04/18)

The Planning (Scotland) Bill: Understanding Planning Jargon (SPICe 25/04/18)

Community Planning Officials Survey: Understanding the everyday work of local participatory governance in Scotland (WWS 24/04/18)

Guidance on Engaging Communities in Decisions Relating to Land (SG 18/04/18)

Glasgow’s Historic Built Environment: A Snapshot (GCHT 04/18)

What is the city but the people? Engineering inclusivity debate (ICE 04/18)

Listen to the Stones (ScARF 04/18)
A popular summary booklet and PDFs of the core text and 39 case studies for Future Thinking in Carved Stones in Scotland: A Research Framework can now be downloaded here. Unusually this Framework is structured around the Heritage Cycle, referencing Our Place in Time (see Section 1.4). A poster summarizing the approach can be found here

National Outcomes Consultation 2018 – SPICe Briefing (SPICe 13/04/18)

Home Improvements – Action to address the housing challenges faced by young people (Resolution Foundation 04/18) 

News Releases

Show your support for EU colleagues (SCVO 24/04/18)
We have launched an online resource dedicated to Brexit and the effect on third sector EU colleagues as part of our #EUareValued campaign. It has background, useful information, links to other resources, case studies of organisations affected and a quick guide to applying for settled status. Find out why Camphill Scotland and the British Heart Foundation Scotland support #EUareValued.

HES Publishes Annual Operating Plan 2018/19 (HES 23/04/18)
The plan outlines the key commitments for HES over the next 12 months to support its work as the lead public body for the historic environment, and details how the work of the organisation will ensure the historic environment thrives and delivers economic and social benefits for all of Scotland. This is underpinned by five strategic themes: Lead, Understand, Protect, Value and Perform.

Neighbours bring life back into redundant churches (Herald 23/04/18)
Experts are gathering in Glasgow today for an event designed to guide communities on how to tackle taking over such historic buildings, with many already being restored for a wider range of uses other than worship including as a concert venue and for attracting tourists.

New Director for the Scottish Civic Trust (SCT 23/04/18)
The Scottish Civic Trust is delighted to announce that its new Director is Dr Susan O’Connor, latterly Senior Projects Advisor for Scotland with the Princes Regeneration Trust.

Search for Best Regeneration Project Begins: Herald Property Awards for Scotland 2018 (STP 23/04/18)
SINCE 2007, The Herald Property Awards for Scotland have been setting the standard for excellence in housebuilding. For more than a decade, developers, industry professionals and sales teams have recognised these awards as the highest accolade achievable in their field.

HEEPS loan scheme now open for applications (SNH 20/04/18)
The Scottish Government’s Home Energy Efficiency Programme Scotland (HEEPS) loans scheme for Registered Social Landlords 2018/2019 is now open for applications.

Young person’s heritage manifesto launched on World Heritage Day (EWH 18/04/18)
A manifesto was launched today outlining steps necessary to ensure Scotland’s young people feel a stronger connection to the country’s heritage. The manifesto was written by a group of young people living and studying in Edinburgh, and was launched at a World Heritage Day celebration attended by Scottish Minister Maree Todd.

Record-breaking visitor figures at Scotland’s historic sites (HES 17/04/18)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES), who manage over 300 Historic Scotland visitor attractions across the country representing more than 5,000 years of Scottish history, are celebrating a 17% increase in footfall from the previous financial year, recording 5,041,297 visitors throughout the 2017/18 financial year.

2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage #EuropeforCulture
BEFS, with others, supported the 2018 EYCH Launch by Commissioner Phil Hogan on 9th April at the French Cultural Institute. BEFS members are encouraged to seek accreditation for events large and small across Scotland. The European Commission website is http://europa.eu/cultural-heritage and the UK 2018EYCH website is www.2018-eych-uk.eu. The UK Coordinator, Graham Bell of North of England Civic Trust may be reached via 2018eychuk@gmail.com. He is ready to give advice about, and issue completion forms regarding the accreditation process.

How do we create places that deliver healthier lives? (DC 16/04/18)
Design Council and Social Change UK today launched our Healthy Placemaking report which highlighted the outcomes from their survey of over 600 built environment practitioners across the UK including architects, town planners and urban designers. The aim being to gain insight and understanding of their experiences across multiple areas on healthy placemaking, and the possible barriers and challenges found.

3.3 million Available to Support volunteering in Scotland (Voluntary Action Fund 04/18)
This scheme managed by the Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) will enable Scotland’s small to medium-sized third sector organisations to recruit additional volunteers (who will contribute towards delivering a new volunteering project, or extending/expanding an existing one) and improve how volunteers are supported in their role. The deadline for applications is 5pm Friday 4 May 2018.

Creative Industries Sector Deal launched (DDCMS 28/03/18)
Britain’s world-leading creative industries are set to consolidate the country’s position as a global creative powerhouse, following a groundbreaking new Industrial Strategy deal agreed between government and the Creative Industries Council (CIC) on behalf of the sector.

Opinion & Comment

Why existing homes matter just as much as building new ones (CIH Scotland’s policy and practice manager Ashley Campbell in SHN 24/04/18)

What would 300,000 houses per year do to prices? (Ian Mulheirn, Director of Consulting at Oxford Economics 19/04/18)

Guest Blog – The National Performance Framework (Jennifer Wallace, Head of Policy at the Carnegie UK Trust for SPICe 16/04/18)

Regeneration – it’s not rocket science but we still get it wrong (Pete Frost, Senior Urban Advisor at Natural Resources Wales 13/04/18)

5 Key Take-Aways from our New Report on Co-Living (Atif Shafique, RSA 03/18)

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”.

Graeme Dey S5W-15933
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its guidance regarding engaging communities in decisions relating to land, as required under Part 4 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016. (SP 17/04/18)

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-15589: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 23/03/2018
To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the effectiveness of home reports.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (17/04/2018)

Question S5W-15699: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 28/03/2018
To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Land Commission will lay its revised Programme of Work in the Parliament.
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham (29/03/2018)

Events

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

RIAS Convention 2018 – ‘Future Directions’
Date: Fri, 11 May 2018, 09:00 – Sat, 12 May 2018, 14:00.
Venue: Queens Cross Church, 38 Albyn Place, Aberdeen, AB10 1YN.
This year’s RIAS Convention is generously sponsored by Gartcarron Fire Engineering, Kingspan Insulation and Marsh. We are delighted that this year’s RIAS Convention will take place at Queens Cross Church in Aberdeen. The church was put out to competition and won by local architect, John Bridgeford Pirie (Messrs Pirie and Clyne). Completed in 1881, the church is built of grey granite, has a tower and spire rising to a height of 145 feet and cost c. £7000 to build. Both the Friday and Saturday events will take place at the church and we will be able to enjoy its new extension by RIAS Chartered Practice, Lee Boyd Limited. As this is the Scottish Government’s Year of Young People, our Saturday session will focus on architectural education and showcase the work from some of our talented students of architecture. The Convention Dinner will take place at the Aberdeen Douglas Hotel, which has been welcoming guests since 1848.

A Repton Celebration
Date: Saturday 12 May 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Broomhall House & Valleyfield – the only Scottish landscape designed by Humphry Repton.
We have put together a super celebratory event to mark the death of Humphry Repton, the last great landscape designer of the 18th century. After coffee, Lord Bruce will welcome us and take us on a virtual tour of Broomhall House. Dr. Patrick Eyres, landscape historian and editor, will speak about Repton and his Theatrical Self-promotion through Red Books and Printed Publications. This will be followed by an illustrated talk: The Valleyfield Red Book by Christopher Dingwall. A buffet lunch is included, after which there is an optional guided tour of Valleyfield, about 20 minutes’ drive from Broomhall.

Heritage as Citizenship: The Challenge of the New Urban Agenda
Date: 15th May at 6pm (with registration from 5.45pm).
Venue: National Galleries of Scotland.
On Tuesday 15th May, Dr Francesco Bandarin, a UNESCO Consultant, and until February 2018 Assistant Director-General of Culture at UNESCO, is speaking at the National Galleries of Scotland at a joint RSA Fellows’ MCICH Network and National Galleries Scotland event. From 2000 to 2010 Dr Bandarin was Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and Secretary of the World Heritage Convention. From 2010 to 2014 he served as Assistant Director-General of UNESCO for Culture. He was re-appointed in this position for an interim period until February, 2018, and delivered the Keynote Opening Speech at the 2016 Edinburgh International Culture Summit. Dr Bandarin’s publications include: The Historic Urban Landscape: Managing Heritage in an Urban Century, 2012 and Reconnecting the City. The Historic Urban Landscape Approach and the Future of Urban Heritage, 2015, both published by Wiley-Blackwell.

New Life For Empty Buildings – How Can Do Spaces Can Transform Our High Streets
Date: Tue 22 May 2018 from 10:00 – 15:30.
Location: Strathearn Artspace, 6 Comrie Street, Crieff PH7 4AX.
Crieff is not alone in its efforts to regenerate its town centre. Towns across Scotland face similar challenges and there are other community groups sharing our struggles. Want to find out more? Join us on the 22nd May for Can Do Places’ practical workshop at Strathearn Artspace for anyone that wants to see their local economy and town, city or village thrive. It will be engaging, interesting, useful and most of all – fun!

‘Governance and Power’ – A SURF Debate
Date: Thursday 24th May.
Location: Glasgow.
This debate is part of a progressive programme of work by SURF to promote and inform the current national Review of Local Governance. To help SURF consider the varied possibilities and challenges in this cross sector and multi-level debate, we will hear first from Robin McAlpine, as Director of the Common Weal, and then from Cllr. Alison Evison, President of COSLA who will draw on their respective considerable experience and differing perspectives. The rest of the event will be a platform for constructive and participative open debate.

IHBC Annual School 2018, Northern Ireland Branch 
Dates: 21-23 June 2018.
Location: Belfast.
The IHBC’s Annual School for 2018, with the linked Day School on 22 June, is the national annual conference of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, supporting built and historic environment conservation specialists and their networks and colleagues, and for 2018 it will focus on the principle of ‘Shared heritage’ to promote an inclusive approach to the main themes for the European Year, those of ‘Engagement – Sustainability – Protection – Innovation’. The School will encompass and offer, through talks, visits, tours, networking and presentations, UK-wide examinations of practice issues with a specific Belfast and Northern Ireland context, that include: Heritage challenges and insights; Leading practitioners, policymakers, businesses & advisers; New national and international practices and partnerships; Innovative strategies in the city, region and beyond; On-site case studies, themes and solutions, as well as access to exhibition stalls and stands & IHBC ‘Spotlights’ on current issues.

Training

Developing Appropriate Lime Specifications for Traditional Buildings with Dr William Napier
Date: Wednesday 9th May, 12.3pm – 1.30pm
Venue: Glasgow City Heritage Trust, 54 Bell Street, G1 1LQ
Lime mortar has been used with stone since Roman times for building in Scotland. Many of Scotland’s traditional buildings were constructed and finished using lime mortars, for bedding, pointing, harling and renders. In this lunchtime CPD session Dr William Napier will explore how the characteristics of lime need to be understood when undertaking conservation projects
Dr William Napier is a Chartered Building Surveyor, Accredited in Conservation, with thirty years’ experience in applying, specifying and reporting on lime based finishes. He began his career with a traditional decorative plastering apprenticeship with L. Grandison and Son in Peebles, before training as a building surveyor and completing a two-year post-graduate conservation fellowship with Historic Scotland.  He is now a Director with Adams Napier Partnership, a Chartered Building Surveying Practice specialising in building conservation, research and training.

Architectural Pattern Making for Conservation and Restoration with Ruth Davies
Date: Thursday 14th June, 12.30pm – 1.30pm
Venue: Glasgow City Heritage Trust, 54 Bell Street, Glasgow, G1 1LQ
Ruth Davies is a pattern-maker and woodcarver supplying work to clients including architects and conservation and restoration specialists across the UK. She specialises in traditional wooden patterns for architectural cast iron and has worked on a number of award winning projects over the years. In her lunchtime talk Ruth will give an insight into the production of patterns and moulds with an emphasis on decorative cast iron and share some knowledge about and examples of what can be achieved with this material.

Vacancies

Scotland Community Land Advisor
We are looking for a Community Land Advisor to facilitate access to land for community use in Scotland, primarily through:

• Providing specialist advice, support and training to community groups and landowners, focusing on negotiating for sites, leases and licences, planning and associated matters such as allotments/land law.
• Working with local authorities, other public and private landowners and community groups and networks to identify appropriate sites and help bring under-used land into community use.
• Working with decision makers to influence future policies, funding and legislation (eg planning) that will further support community access to land.

The role of Community Land Advisor is wide-ranging in nature and as such the post-holder is required to be flexible and able to adapt to opportunities as they arise, weighing up evolving demands.  We are seeking someone with a solid understanding of land transfer (leases, negotiation, legal and planning issues etc), knowledge of the community growing sector and experience of working with land owners.
Closing date: Midday Tuesday 1 May 2018.

Policy and Development Officer (x2)
The Carnegie UK Trust works to improve the wellbeing of people throughout the UK and Ireland by influencing policy and demonstrating innovative practice. We are looking to recruit two policy and development staff to join our busy Wellbeing and Towns team. We are looking for people who can work:

• across the UK and Ireland
• with different stakeholders, from practitioners to politicians
• across different themes (the team works on a wide range of topics covering aspects of place-making, public services, and understanding social progress)
• using a variety of methods from research to stakeholder engagement to supporting innovative practice development

Successful candidates will therefore have strong transferable skills on analysis, communications and project management. The Trust is strongly committed to diversity within its workforce and especially welcomes applications from all in the community who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. The closing date for applications is 5pm on 1 May 2018.

Appointment of Chair to the Board (A&DS)
Scottish Ministers are looking to appoint a new Chair of the Board of Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS). The Chair, along with the Company Board, will ensure the A&DS’s strategy and business plan continue to support and promote the value good architecture and sustainable design add to everyone’s lives. The Chair, will be expected to have a keen interest and understanding of the built environment; able to see the bigger picture, and have strong communication and influencing skills. You will be able to lead the Board and uphold good governance.
The closing date for applications is: Friday 4 May 2018.

Project Engagement and Monitoring Officer (Maternity Cover)
Edinburgh World Heritage is an independent charity with the aim of ensuring the city’s World Heritage status is a dynamic force for good that benefits everyone.
Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing development is a category B listed complex of housing blocks located on Canongate in the Old Town of Edinburgh, built between 1967 and 1969. It is characterised by high energy use, low EPC rating, poor maintenance, high running costs and low community engagement. We have a vision to improve the energy efficiency of these buildings and consistently restore or repair features across the development, with the potential for this to serve as an exemplar in terms of its methodology of community engagement, and its energy outcomes. We are looking to appoint a Project Engagement and Monitoring Officer to support the delivery of this innovative project by building on Edinburgh World Heritage’s past engagement with the residents of the Canongate Housing development and by monitoring energy use before, during and after works.
The position is to cover maternity from 28th May for a minimum of five months, with the possibility of extension. To apply for this role, please send us your CV, together with a completed application from and covering letter in support of your application by 5PM, Wednesday 9th May 2018.

Administrator & Secretary to the Council
Unique opportunity to work at the centre of a Scottish architectural heritage charity. If you are passionate about the built environment, the post of Administrator and Secretary to the Council of the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS) offers a responsible position which requires a high degree of self-motivation, administrative skills, and good communication abilities. The position offers the potential to help with the development of the Society, alongside the core requirements of administration, attracting and organising volunteers to assist in the head office, managing the Society’s IT, website and social media, and promoting national outreach and engagement.
To apply please send a CV and cover letter to the National Chair, Martin Robertson at nationaloffice@ahss.org.uk by 11th May 2018. 

Could you be Chair of The Heritage Alliance?
The Heritage Alliance is looking for a new Chair, to be appointed at its Heritage Day and Annual General Meeting in December 2018. The Chair will be responsible for overseeing the work of the charity, and for convening meetings of the board of trustees. They will be a dynamic ambassador for the independent heritage sector, being a vocal advocate for the cause of the Alliance’s diverse membership of 120 separate heritage organisations. They will take the lead in driving the next phase of the Alliance’s development and ensuring its sustainability as one of England’s most prominent and recognisable advocates for heritage.
Closing date for applications Friday 18th May.

Information in the Bulletin is extracted from a number of websites including the Scottish Government (SG); the Scottish Parliament (SP); Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS); Historic Environment Scotland (HES); Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH); Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO); English Heritage (EH); Design Council (DC); Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG); Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS); Department of Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA); National Assembly for Wales (NAW); Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS); Scottish Government Building Standards  (SGBS); Europa Nostra (EN); Historic England (HE).

If you have any questions or comments on the above, or would like to submit information to be included, please get in touch with Saskia Smellie or tel: BEFS Office on 0131 220 6241.

BEFS News

Are you responsible for managing a church, or thinking about taking on the management of a former church? Join BEFS and partners, The Prince’s Foundation, Scotland’s Churches Trust, and Scottish Redundant Churches Trust, for our Keeping Church Buildings Alive – Workshop. It will provide practical learning opportunities, allow groups to access expert advice and meet people from similar projects, all with a focus on maintaining the local church buildings at the heart of our communities.

The Scottish Government has published its engagement report on ‘A Culture Strategy for Scotland’, with an overview of the main themes and ideas gathered through public events, written submissions and online forums. The report will inform a draft strategy which will issue for public consultation during 2018. BEFS Director, Euan Leitch’s initial reflections on developing a culture strategy for Scotland can be found here.

BEFS, CIfA, Archaeology Scotland and ALGAO collectively responded to the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee’s call for evidence on EU Environmental and Animal Welfare Principles. The response emphasises the need to ensure that the protective measures currently enshrined within EU law are not lost or diluted due to Brexit. Read our full submission here.

BEFS is supporting the 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage launch by Commissioner Phil Hogan in Edinburgh. The launch is designed to promote the European Year of Cultural Heritage (@2018EYCHUK #EYCH2018#EuropeforCulture) in Scotland. For further information about the year and to register your events, visit the European Commission website or the UK website.

Last but my no means least, we would like to welcome BEFS newest Associate Members, Planning Democracy.

Consultations

On 29 March the Scottish Government published their updated National Outcomes as part of its broader look at the National Performance Framework. The Scottish Government is required to consult the Scottish Parliament on the proposed revisions to these Outcomes. The Local Government and Communities Committee is taking the lead. As the timescale for completing this work is very short, we are seeking views by 11 April using email, letter or by social media. 

A consultation on an amendment to Land and Buildings Transaction Tax Group Relief
Closes 13 April 2018.

A Connected Scotland: Tackling social isolation and loneliness and building stronger social connections
Closes 27 April 2018.

Petition: Permitted development rights in conservation areas
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to review the permitted development rights legislation, which we consider impacts unfairly on residents of conservation areas and listed buildings in Scotland.
Closing Date for Online Petition: 08 May 2018 

Call for Evidence on Experience of Concentrated Land Ownership (Scottish Land Commission 22/03/18)
The call for evidence will be open until 23 May 2018.

Publications

Asset Transfer Policy Statement and Guidance (HES 04/04/18)

Register of Assets (HES 04/04/18) 

Home Energy Efficiency Programmes Scotland – Warmer Homes Scotland – 2016/17 Annual Review (SG 26/03/18)

Regulation of Letting Agents Monitoring Compliance and Enforcement Framework (SG 26/03/18)

Focus Magazine 2018 (Engine Shed 23/03/18)
An annual magazine showcasing technical conservation with Historic Environment Scotland and our partners. This edition focuses on traditional skills.

Land: For the many, not the few? Limitations on the Scale of Land Ownership A discussion paper (SLC 22/03/18)

Research on interventions to manage land markets and limit the concentration of land ownership elsewhere in the world (SLC 22/03/18) 

Applied Digital Documentation in the Historic Environment (Engine Shed 19/03/18)
This short guide looks at different data capture techniques that can be used in the analysis, recording, conservation and visualisation of historic objects, sites and landscapes in their present condition.

Unsuitable, insecure and substandard homes: The barriers faced by older private renters (Independent Age xx/03/18)

Scottish Government News

Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning 2018 Now Open! (SG 04/04/18)
The Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning are one of the Government’s most prestigious awards. They celebrate achievements in planning, right from the detail of processing through to the bigger picture of creating places which will become the legacy of our professionalism.

Help to Buy extended (SG 04/04/18)
The Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme will be extended beyond 2019, helping more people purchase a new-build home without the need for a large deposit. From April 2019, a further £100 million will be invested over two years, helping up to 4,000 households to purchase a new home.

Certainty urged on EU research relationships (SG 25/03/18)
Minister visits Brussels to promote Scottish science and innovation. Certainty is urgently required on the UK’s future participation in EU research programmes after Brexit, Higher Education and Science Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville has said.

Sector News

HES publish Asset Transfer Policy and Guidance (HES 04/04/18)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has today (Wednesday 4 April) published its policy and guidance on Asset Transfer under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, which outlines our commitment to facilitating Asset Transfer Requests where they benefit communities and secure positive outcomes for the historic environment.

Saltire Infrastructure Awards 2018 (ICE 04/04/18)
The awards run in partnership with CECA Scotland celebrate outstanding civil engineering achievements. We showcase the people who design, build and maintain the infrastructure on which we depend. The awards are now open for 2018. Entries are sought for projects completed in 2017/18. We’re looking for the most innovative, creative and sustainable contributions to Scotland’s built and natural environment.

Scotland’s History Mapped Out (HES 04/04/18)
We’re proud to unveil the shiny new version of PastMap, a brilliant digital resource that brings together designations, archives and local historic environment records to help you map out Scotland’s past in one place.

Pilot scheme launched to help build sustainable future for listed places of worship (DDCMS 31/03/18)
A new scheme to help build a sustainable future for listed places of worship will be piloted in urban and rural areas in England, Heritage Minister Michael Ellis announced today.

What’s been happening with social housing rents? (SPICe 29/03/18)
Next week, at the start of the new financial year, Scotland’s 610,000 social housing tenants will begin paying a new rent for their home. Over the last few years, the Scottish Housing Regulator (the Regulator) has been emphasising that social landlords need to take into account tenant affordability when they are setting their rents.

£2m funding for rural communities to restore historic buildings (DEFRA 29/03/18)
A new grant scheme is being piloted this year in five National Parks, offering funding for land managers to restore their historic farm buildings.

Heritage Alliance publishes first ever international report (THA 28/03/18)
The Heritage Alliance has published the first ever report on the independent heritage sector’s impact overseas. The report, sponsored by the Scottish Confucius Institute for Business & Communication at Heriot-Watt University, makes recommendations for building on the success of the overall sector which already generates £21.7 billion a year.

New plan unveiled for Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage Site (EWH 27/03/18)
A new plan for Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns World Heritage Site was launched today which includes commitments to improve the quality of new development, better manage tourism growth, and deepen residents’ awareness and understanding of the site among other actions.

The Alliance writes to Immigration Minister (HA 23/03/18)
Heritage Alliance Chairman, has written to Immigration Minister to set out our concerns about the impact of potential post-Brexit immigration reforms. We attached our Immigration Briefing which sets out the key issues for the sector, such as avoiding the exacerbation of existing skills shortages and ensuring that our highly skilled, but lowly paid, sector is not unduly impacted by requiring too high a salary for a visa. It also includes the results of our recent survey monkey on EU employment in the heritage sector.

Scale and Concentration of land ownership in Scotland (SLC 22/03/18)
Scotland’s land reform body is calling for evidence about the impact of concentration of land ownership in Scotland, as it publishes a report and discussion paper on the issue today Thursday 22 March, 2018. The Scottish Land Commission research report looks at international approaches to limiting scale and concentration of land ownership.

Talking Shops – a History of Scottish Shopfronts (Engine Shed 19/03/18)
The Engine Shed has launched its latest exhibition, which looks at the architecture and materials used in creating the distinctive shopfronts. If you cannot make it to the Engine Shed, you can see our video: Stories of Scotland’s Shopfronts, or for information about the conservation and maintenance of shopfronts, download our Short Guide 12: Scottish Traditional Shopfronts.

Opinion & Comment

A Lane Strategy for Glasgow City Centre (Willie Miller, Principal of WMUD 26/03/18)

City Region Deals – A Good Deal? (Craig McLaren, RTPI Scotland 23/03/18) 

People at the heart of the Climate Change Plan? (Ragne Low, University of Strathclyde, for RTPI Scotland 23/03/18)

Response to Minister Kevin Stewart MSP’s letter to the Local Government and Communities Committee on Third Party and Equal Right of Appeal in the Planning (Scotland) Bill (SAPP 20/03/18)

Access over Ownership (Stephen Miles, Director of ADP 19/03/18)

Introducing Place Purpose, and why we need it now more than ever (Joy Nazzari, Founder of dn&co and Place Press 13/03/18)

Local Place Frameworks – Unlocking the potential of People & Place (Jonathan Clarkson, Director at Urbantu – Place-making by Design 12/03/18)

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”.

Graeme Dey S5W-15699
To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Land Commission will lay its revised Programme of Work in the Parliament. (SP 29/03/18)

Graham Simpson S5W-15589
To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the effectiveness of home reports. (SP 26/03/18)

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-15374: Andy Wightman, Lothian, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 19/03/2018
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its data regarding the Affordable Housing Supply Programme for 2016-17 records that 72% of the completed homes that were classified as “rural” were built in towns and urban areas.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (28/03/2018)

Question S5W-15373: Andy Wightman, Lothian, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 19/03/2018
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of its spending on the Affordable Housing Supply Programme for 2016-17.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (28/03/2018)

Debates

Housing (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1 (SP 29/03/18)
Debate on motion S5M-11350, in the name of Kevin Stewart, on the Housing (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill.
Read full debate

UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (SP 29/03/18)
Debate on motion S5M-11347, in the name of Fiona Hyslop, on Scotland’s support for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Read full debate

Events

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

“It’s our heritage, too” – World Heritage Day Event and Party
Date: 18 April 2018, from 6pm-8pm.
Venue: Reid Concert Hall, Bristo Square, Edinburgh EH8 9AJ.
Edinburgh World Heritage invite you to join them for an evening event to celebrate the role of young people in caring for and promoting Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site. As part of Scotland’s 2018 Year of Young People, and to celebrate World Heritage Day, a group of young people from Edinburgh would like to share with you their vision for our World Heritage Site. After the event there will be a drinks reception where you will be able to meet our ambassadors as well as special guests from the heritage world.

Community Heritage Scotland – Going Forward
Date: 21st April 2018.
Venue: Birnham Arts Centre near Perth.
Do you belong to a group or organisation that connects heritage with people – independent museums, historical societies, development or buildings trusts, community archaeology groups, clan societies etc? Or you may be an individual working on your own project. Community Heritage Scotland – Going Forward is a discussion day for people involved with heritage in their communities. We will debate core questions such as how you define community heritage, discuss how to encourage new and diverse audiences and look at how a potential network would be best delivered. The day will involve a series of informal discussions, workshop sessions and plenty of cakes and biscuits.

The Scottish identity – as illustrated through recent discoveries in Scottish silver
Date: April 23 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
Venue: National Museum Scotland Auditorium, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF.
The lecture will be given by Colin T Fraser FSA Scot, R. L. Christie Works of Art. Since the seminal exhibition ‘Silver; Made in Scotland’ held by the National Museum of Scotland in 2008 there has been a greater appreciation and understanding of the Scottish Goldsmiths craft. Over the past 10 years many new discoveries have been made and new light has been shed on previously well-known pieces. This talk aims to illustrate and discuss these new finds while placing them in a context of the wider survival of the Scottish applied arts and cultural landscape they were created. Immediately after the lecture there will be a drinks reception in the Events Space. This has been made possible thanks to Gillespie Macandrew LLP solicitors as event sponsor.

RTPI Training – Learning from Best Practice – The Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning
Date: 25 April 2018.
Location: Edinburgh – Discounted places still available.
This briefing will highlight the best practice recognised in the winners and finalists of the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning to enable others to learn. The event will provide an opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge on what they have achieved and what they would do differently – the process they went through, looking at the problem each award winner faced; the solution they devised; how they implemented this and what the result was. There are several discounted places still available.

New approaches towards tackling barriers to employability
Date: 3rd May.
Venue: The Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh.
This free half-day SURF Awards workshop event provides an opportunity to explore successful new approaches towards tackling barriers to employability with presentations from SURF Award projects and national partners.

A Repton Celebration
Date: Saturday 12 May 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Broomhall House & Valleyfield – the only Scottish landscape designed by Humphry Repton.
We have put together a super celebratory event to mark the death of Humphry Repton, the last great landscape designer of the 18th century. After coffee, Lord Bruce will welcome us and take us on a virtual tour of Broomhall House. Dr. Patrick Eyres, landscape historian and editor, will speak about Repton and his Theatrical Self-promotion through Red Books and Printed Publications. This will be followed by an illustrated talk: The Valleyfield Red Book by Christopher Dingwall. A buffet lunch is included, after which there is an optional guided tour of Valleyfield, about 20 minutes drive from Broomhall.
Book early on our website to avoid disappointment, as places are limited.

The role of creative arts in regeneration
Date: 17th May.
Venue: Barras Arts and Design (BAaD), Glasgow.
This free half-day SURF Awards workshop event provides an opportunity to explore successful approaches towards linking creative arts into regeneration initiatives with presentations from SURF Award projects and national partners.

Successful approaches to regenerating Scotland’s places
Date: 31st May.
Venue: The Portal Townhouse, Irvine.
This free half-day SURF Awards workshop event provides an opportunity to explore successful current approaches towards regenerating Scotland’s places with presentations from SURF Award projects and national partners.

ARP 2018 Conference – bookings now open!
Date: Saturday 26th May 2018.
Venue: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ.
Cost: Archaeology Scotland/Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland £35; Non-members £40; Students/unwaged £35.
The national Archaeological Research in Progress conference will examine recent and ongoing archaeological projects across Scotland. It is supported by Historic Environment Scotland and is delivered in partnership with the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. The all-day conference gives the audience the opportunity to hear first-hand about the most recent archaeological projects across Scotland and should not be missed. Book now to ensure your place.

2018 CSGN Forum – Children, young people + green space = a healthy equation
Date: 14 June 2018.
Venue: Hamish Wood Building, Glasgow Caledonian Uni., 70 Cowcaddens Rd, G4 0BA.
The importance of greenspace for young people is set to be highlighted in the annual CSGN Forum which is now open to bookings. ‘Children, Young People + Greenspace = A Healthy Equation’ will be held at Glasgow Caledonian University on Thursday 14 June and will feature world-renowned experts including the multi-award winning landscape architect, Adam White and architect Hanna Johansson, who has been instrumental in creating the vision to transform Billund into Denmark’s Capital of Children. The event, timed to celebrate 2018’s Year of Young People, will explore many of the concepts being promoted through the UNICEF Child Friendly Cities and Communities initiative, the worldwide programme that puts the needs and rights of children and young people at the heart of decision-making.

Industrial Archaeology Conference
Dates: Friday 22 June 2018 to Wednesday 27 June 2018.
Venue: Wick Baptist Church, Dempster Street, Wick, KW1 5QB.
Historic Environment Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Industrial Heritage Society, and the Scottish Vernacular Buildings Working Group is pleased to host an Industrial Archaeology Conference in Caithness from 22nd June to 27th June. A series of talks, tours and site visits around Caithness and Orkney will radiate from Wick. The conference allows different options, such as starting or ending with a connecting tour from and to Inverness.

Training

Working Towards World Heritage Status: Perception, Process and Practice
Date: Tuesday 17th April, 9.30am – 4.30pm.
Venue: Engine Shed, Stirling.
Price: £40
This one-day seminar and workshop will develop understanding of the roles and responsibilities of UNESCO, The UK State Party, Scottish Government and Historic Environment Scotland in the UK Tentative List and the World Heritage nomination process.  It will also highlight some of the benefits and challenges that World Heritage status brings and consider digital innovation in recording, accessing and understanding at World Heritage sites in Scotland and worldwide. The event is aimed at Local Authorities and other organisations associated with sites that have inspirations to join the UK Tentative List (reopening in 2019/20) or that are already on the Tentative List and are now seeking to take forward a World Heritage nomination. Booking essential, register for this event here.

Penicuik CARS and Carlops CA – IHBC CPD
Date: 19 April 2018
Location: Penicuik and Carlops.
IHBC’s CPD training days in 2018 aims to reflect upon 50 years since the first Conservation Areas were designated in Scotland. The first, Carlops and Skirling in Peebleshire, appeared in the Edinburgh Gazette on 19 April 1968 followed by a part of Carlops then in Midlothian. And we look forward to the latest linkage of Conservation to Regeneration through a CARS in Penicuik, hoped soon to begin by Midlothian Council.

Conservation of Surface Finishes – CPD Module
Dates: 19 April – 5 days over 2 weeks; 21 taught hours.
Venue: Engine Shed, Stirling.
Price: £440
This module explores the history and conservation of paints and a range of other surface finishes traditionally used on the interiors and exteriors of Scotland’s historic buildings. Taught through lectures, site visits and practical sessions. More in depth information about the module can be accessed here.
Booking essential, register for this course here.

IHBC CPD: Training Day on CA: Ayrshire
Date 11 May 2018.
Location: Ayrshire.
IHBC’s CPD training days in 2018 aims to reflect upon 50 years since the first Conservation Areas were designated in Scotland. The Ayrshire day on 11 May, will be looking at conservation area management in Ayr and Maybole. We will assess the impact of the recent THI, and look at strategic ways forward in both towns. We propose to complete the series covering East, West and North East later in the year with a day looking at Conservation Areas in Aberdeen.

Vacancies

Tender for Research Consultancy Services – Great Place Nations
National Heritage Memorial Fund brief on ‘the evaluation of the Great Place Scheme in Scotland, Wales and NI’ as they seek to ‘understand what the value of the Great Place Scheme in Scotland, Wales and NI has been’, with the project valued at £40,000 and closing on 16 April. 

Chartered Landscape Architects
Wardell Armstrong’s Landscape Team is a busy and we are growing! There is now an exciting range of opportunities for key posts across the practice. Have you got the flair and the enthusiasm to build and support our growing team?
Glasgow: A chartered and experienced landscape architect that knows the Glasgow market and has the ambition to support the development of one of the practices key design teams.

Business Development Officer
The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is seeking to recruit a Business Development Officer to help with the delivery of its investment objectives by attracting and delivering new lending business to the AHF and the UK’s heritage sector. The AHF presently has three lending streams (Heritage Project Fund, Community Heritage Support Fund and Heritage Mortgage) and will soon be initiating a fourth: Heritage Impact Fund. Deadline for applications – 5pm 24th April.

Information in the Bulletin is extracted from a number of websites including the Scottish Government (SG); the Scottish Parliament (SP); Architecture and Design Scotland(A+DS); Historic Environment Scotland (HES); Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH); Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO); English Heritage (EH); Design Council (DC); Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG); Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS); Department of Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA); National Assembly for Wales (NAW); Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS); Scottish Government Building Standards  (SGBS); Europa Nostra (EN); Historic England (HE).

If you have any questions or comments on the above, or would like to submit information to be included, please get in touch with Saskia Smellie or tel: BEFS Office on 0131 220 6241.

BEFS News

BEFS Chair, Graeme Purves, gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee on the Planning (Scotland) Bill on 14 March, alongside the National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Water, and Scottish Environment LINK. Watch the session on Parliament TV here.
You can also read BEFS written submission to the committee and a summary of responses and reactions to the Planning (Scotland) Bill from BEFS membership.
The committee also took evidence on the Bill yesterday from Kevin Stewart, Minister for Local Government and Housing, John McNairney, Chief Planner, Andy Kinnaird, Bill Manager, and Norman Macleod, Senior Principal Legal Officer, Scottish Government. This session can be viewed here.

Are you responsible for managing a church, or thinking about taking on the management of a former church? Join BEFS and partners, The Prince’s Foundation, Scotland’s Churches Trust, and Scottish Redundant Churches Trust, for our Keeping Church Buildings Alive – Workshop. The workshop will provide practical learning opportunities, allow groups to access expert advice and meet people from similar projects, all with a focus on maintaining the local church buildings at the heart of our communities.

Skills has been identified as a key priority for the Historic Environment sector in Scotland. Skills Development Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland have appointed EKOS to develop a Historic Environment Skills Strategy and Action Plan which sets out the main skills issues for the sector and solutions for how these can be best addressed. They are keen to hear from employers on the skills challenges facing the sector, and the main skills gaps. Find out more and get involved.

BEFS 2018 conference considered the future of Historic Environment Scotland policy both in terms of short-term pragmatism and long-term vision. Inherit was invited to deliver a short ‘provocation’ on one of the conference themes of Vision, Designation and Management. Read Director of Inherit, Chris Dalglish’s contribution: Designation & Justice.

Consultations

The Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee, wants to hear from you on the general principles of the Scottish Crown Estate Bill which the Scottish Government introduced on 24 January 2018. The deadline for responses is 12 noon Friday 23 March 2018.

Consultation on LBTT First Time Buyers Relief
Opened 9 Feb 2018 and closes 23 March 2018.

Call for Evidence – EU Environmental and Animal Welfare Principles
The call for written views will close at midday on Thursday 29 March 2018.

Creative Scotland – Regular Funding 2018-21 (SP 06/03/18)
The Scottish Parliament’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee is collecting views on Creative Scotland’s Regular Funding process for the period 2018-21. The closing date for submissions is Friday 30 March 2018.

Trams to Newhaven: Public consultation (EC 07/03/18)

Funding of EU Competences, Finance & Constitution Committee (SP 13/03/18)
The Committee is seeking views on the public finances issues raised for the devolution settlement arising from the Brexit process. The closing date for responses is Monday 16 April 2018.

Consultation on proposals for reviewing the current landlord registration fee structure and expanding the range of prescribed information applicants must provide to local authorities (SG 15/03/18)
Opened 15 Mar 2018 and closes 7 Jun 2018. 

A consultation on an amendment to Land and Buildings Transaction Tax Group Relief (SG 19/03/18)
Opened 19 Mar 2018 and closes 13 Apr 2018.

Consultation Responses

Consultation on Fire and Smoke Alarms in Scottish Homes: Analysis of Responses (SG 18/03/18)

Young People’s Participation in Decision Making in Scotland: Attitudes and Perceptions – Research Findings (SG 06/03/18)

Publications

The Impact of Brexit on Scotland’s Growth Sectors (SG 21/03/18)

City Space Race Balancing the need for homes and offices in cities (Centre for Cities 21/03/18)

The Delivery of Public Interest Led Development in Scotland (SLC 14/03/18)

Scottish Government News Releases

Changes to eDevelopment.scot (SG 21/03/18)
On Thursday at 5pm the eDevelopment.scot portals (including ePlanning and eBuildingStandards) will be taken offline to undertake some changes. We’re excited to share some of the improvements to the site.

More action on affordable housing (SG 20/03/18)
£15 million increase to Charitable Bond investment programme. Investment through charitable bonds has enabled more than 1,000 new affordable homes to have been built since 2014.

Improving home safety (SG 18/03/18)
Changes to fire and smoke alarm regulations. All homes will have the highest level of protection from smoke and fire. Following a consultation on fire and smoke alarms, the existing high standard required in private rented housing will be extended to all homes.

Alternative plans at Queen Street Station made public (SG 16/03/18)
New development set to deliver increased economic benefits. A revised plan at one of Glasgow’s key rail stations is set to yield significant economic and business opportunity for the city.

New build housing completions up 5% in latest year (SG 13/03/18)
A National Statistics Publication for Scotland. There were 17,601 new build homes completed across all sectors over the year ending September 2017, an increase of 5%, or 908 homes, on the previous year.

£26 million for local regeneration (SG 12/03/18)
A total of 24 projects will be awarded funding in 2018/19 as part of the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF), which supports projects that engage and involve local communities in disadvantaged areas, tackle inequality and support inclusive growth.

News Releases

Saltire Infrastructure Awards launched (ICE 22/03/18)
The search is on for Scotland’s top engineering and construction projects with the launch of the Saltire Infrastructure Awards 2018. Part of the Institution of Civil Engineers’ (ICE) bicentenary celebrations, the Awards celebrate outstanding civil engineering achievement, innovation and ingenuity and shine a light on the hidden professionals behind transport, water, energy and flooding infrastructure. Built environment professionals are invited to nominate projects by 4pm on Friday 25th May, 2018.

Scottish Shortlist for RIAS/RIBA Awards 2018 (RIAS 20/03/18)
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) has announced a 25 strong shortlist for its 2018 awards (from 75 entries).

My Place Award Winners 2018 Announced (SCT 20/03/18)
The winning and commended projects in the Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards 2018 were announced today, 20 March, by John McNairney, Scottish Government Chief Planner in The Lighthouse, Glasgow. The Awards are supported by the Scottish Government. The winning project is The Leaf Room, Dundee.

Scotland out-performs rest of UK for 6th year running (HES 16/03/18)
The annual release of visitor figures from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) has seen Edinburgh Castle leap four places in the rankings to be named the 12th most-visited attraction in the UK for 2017.

Connecting people to their heritage – with our new website (EWH 16/03/18)
Welcome to the newly relaunched website of Edinburgh World Heritage. We’d like to show you around…

Europe’s 7 Most Endangered heritage sites 2018 announced (EN 15/03/18)
Europa Nostra, the leading heritage organisation in Europe, and the European Investment Bank Institute have announced the most threatened heritage sites in Europe for 2018.

2018 Beautiful Scotland campaign is now open (xx/03/18)
Organised by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful, this year a new category for Business Improvement Districts, Town Centres and City Centres has been created. Beautiful Scotland is a long-established community environmental improvement campaign which KSB runs in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) under the Britain in Bloom campaign. The programme supports community groups across Scotland as they seek to improve and enhance their local environment.

Scottish Public Opinion Monitor – March 2018 (IpsosMORI 14/03/18)
As the UK government continues its formal negotiations to leave the European Union, Ipsos MORI’s new poll for STV News shows that Scots are pessimistic about the economic impact of Brexit and remain divided on Scotland’s constitutional future.

State must lead on major, public interest development argues new paper (SLC 14/03/18)
Big civic projects such as regenerating the former docklands in Glasgow and Dundee, or building affordable homes – at scale – similar to the construction projects seen post WW2, must be led by the public sector, according to a discussion paper published today.

National Museum of Scotland goes live with Google’s museum view experience (FutureScot 14/03/18)
The National Museum of Scotland has become available for exploration online via Google Arts & Culture’s museum view platform. The museum’s galleries have been captured digitally in partnership with Google, which works with institutions around the world to make cultural and historical material accessible online.

Hundreds of local people attend events to discuss the future of Rosefield Mills (PAS 09/03/18)
Hundreds of local people have attended a series of events designed to consider the future of Rosefield Mills. Dumfries Historic Buildings Trust commissioned PAS to deliver the event series and develop a report outlining the local community’s recommendations for the future direction of Rosefield Mills.

A new website for the National Trust for Scotland (NTS 06/03/18)
The new look of our website is the first glimpse of a fresh visual style that we will be rolling out over the next few months … but this website has more than a pretty face.

Opinion & Comment

Addressing Scale and Concentration of Land Ownership in Scotland (Scottish Land Commissioner, Dr Sally Reynolds 22/03/18)

Land Value Capture – what’s the big idea? (Policy Officer, Kathie Pollard, Scottish Land Commission 16/03/18) 

Public interest led development (Scottish Land Commissioner, Prof David Adams 14/03/18)

Blog: The Future of Social Housing in Scotland: the discussion so far 

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-15373
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of its spending on the Affordable Housing Supply Programme for 2016-17. (SP 20/03/18)

Andy Wightman S5W-15374
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its data regarding the Affordable Housing Supply Programme for 2016-17 records that 72% of the completed homes that were classified as “rural” were built in towns and urban areas. (SP 20/03/18)

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-14764: Peter Chapman, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 20/02/2018
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress that is being made with the development of the regional land use partnerships, which were recommended in Getting the best from our land, a Land Use Strategy for Scotland 2016–2021.
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham (06/03/2018)

Question S5W-15045: Maurice Golden, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 05/03/2018
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any diverging costs for rural and urban house builders as a result of low-carbon building standards.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (14/03/2018)

Question S5W-15043: Maurice Golden, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 05/03/2018
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on using a single definition of “rural community” for the purposes of delivering energy efficiency programmes.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (14/03/2018)

Question S5W-15042: Maurice Golden, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 05/03/2018
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of enforcing a minimum energy performance certificate (EPC) rating on private sector home sales, and what consideration it has given to the financial costs associated with upgrading rural off-gas grid properties to a minimum energy efficiency rating as part of any assessment.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (14/03/2018)

Question S5W-15040: Maurice Golden, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 05/03/2018
To ask the Scottish Government how many rural homes in each local authority area have received support from the Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland area-based schemes.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (14/03/2018)

Question S5W-15041: Maurice Golden, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 05/03/2018
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress it has made investigating possible reform of the energy performance certificate (EPC) rating system.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (14/03/2018)

Events

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

Conservation of all Buildings Great and Small
Date: Saturday 24th March.
Venue: Gordon Memorial Hall, Castle Douglas
Time: 14:15 – 16:30
Cost: £5 members ( £7 non-members)
This talk will be given by Robert Adams, a highly experienced chartered building surveyor, formerly of the National Trust for Scotland and now partner in the Adams Napier Partnership Ltd. specialising in historic buildings.

Dundee Conservation Lecture Series – Gardens with Water
Date: Tuesday 27th March.
Venue: Room LT2, Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee, DD1 4EN
Time: 18:00 – 21:00
Cost: Free
Two talks will be given at this event. The first will be on the history and restoration of Ella Christie’s Japanese garden at Cowden Castle and the second will be the spirit of place, or intangible aspects of gardens and landscapes.

Battle of the Bridges, Glasgow
Date: 27 March 2018.
Venue: University of Strathclyde, Technology & Innovation Centre, 99 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RD.
Meet the engineers involved in three of Scotland’s most iconic bridges at South Queensferry and hear why they think their bridge is best before having your say with an audience vote. Members of the public are encouraged to join us as part of our Café 200 series, which shows how civil engineers transform our lives and the fascinating and rewarding career they enjoy.

Workshop on Introduction to Photogrammetry and RTI 
Date: Wednesday 28th March – 10.30am to 3pm.
Venue: St Cuthbert’s Burial Ground, Lothian Road Edinburgh.
Cost: £10
The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) is offering a last minute opportunity to take part in a training workshop in digital recording practices. This workshop will provide you with a basic introduction to using photogrammetry and reflectance transformation imaging (RTI) within a heritage context. It will help you develop an understanding of best practice approaches to data capture and familiarise you with the leading software often used for photogrammetric and RTI models. This event is part of CIfA’s wider training programme, supported by Historic Environment Scotland. If you would like to take part in the workshop, please email Cara Jones at cara.jones@archaeologists.net for further information. Booking essential with limited spaces available.

Glasgow’s Traditional Shopfronts
Date: Thursday 29th March.
Venue: Garnethill Room, Renfield St. Stephen’s Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow
Time: 19:30
Cost: £4 (students free)
Join us at 19:00 for tea and coffee before the lecture. Iain Wotherspoon, Chairman of the AHSS Strathclyde Group strolls along the city pavements, illustrating some of our finest (and most under-rated) streetscape assets: our Victorian and Edwardian shopfronts.

Loneliness and Isolation, Planning a Solution
Date: April 18th 2018.
Venue: Saracen House, Glasgow.
The Equal Opportunities Committee report on Social Isolation was the first of its kind anywhere in the world. The committee found that social isolation and loneliness was a problem in Scotland. The design and planning of public spaces and communities has the capacity to be a vital tool in tackling this issue. With this event, PAS aims to facilitate further discussion between the relevant government agencies, central government, local government, RSLs, planners, development trusts and other private, public and third sector stake holders. The outcomes from these discussions then have the capacity to help inform responses to this consultation.

Inspiring Fundraising: A National Heritage Conference
Date: 26th April 2018.
Venue: Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh.
Inspiring Fundraising, Scotland’s national fundraising conference specifically dedicated to the heritage sector, will take place on Thursday 26th April 2018 at the Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh. By attending the conference, you will have a unique opportunity to learn from leading professionals in their specialist fields to help you overcome your fundraising challenges and set you on your journey to reaching your aspirations and targets. Inspiring Fundraising will also provide you with a motivational space to develop new ideas and new ways of working and the chance to engage with more than 200 peers from different heritage organisations from across Scotland and beyond. Using interactive learning techniques, the diverse programme will cover topics ranging from Embracing Creativity and Innovation to The Voice of the Funders and from The Power of Business and Cultural Partnerships through to Telling your Story on Film.

Archaeological Research in Progress 2018
Date: Saturday 26th May.
Venue: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ.
The national conference examining recent and ongoing archaeological projects across Scotland will take place at the Engine Shed in Stirling on Saturday 26th May 2018. This conference is supported by Historic Environment Scotland and is delivered in partnership with the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. The all-day conference gives the audience the opportunity to hear first-hand about  the most recent archaeological projects across Scotland and should not be missed. Offering great value for the full day (lunch and refreshments are included in the ticket price) there are further discounts for Archaeology Scotland and Society of Antiquaries of Scotland members. Book now to ensure your place.

Training

Architectural Conservation CPDs in Perth – Principles and Best Practice for Traditional and Historic Buildings
If you are looking to refresh your conservation knowledge or encounter historic buildings as part of your work portfolio, but have limited knowledge of the best conservation practice to employ when approaching a project involving traditional buildings, then this is the CPD programme for you. Traditional and historic buildings are an integral part of Perth and Kinross’s built environment with many of its population centres, such as Perth, celebrated for their rich historic character. Whilst valued, historic buildings are often considered difficult to maintain, expensive to repair and their traditional methods of construction complicated to refurbish and align with modern building regulations. This series of CPDs will give you the tools to help unlock their potential. These cost £15 to attend to cover the costs associated with running the events.

Traditional Roofing Masterclass
Date: 20 April 2018
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Venue: Charlestown Workshops.
This day will look at the barriers and opportunities to preserve the character and appearance of our traditional roofs including skills and availability of materials. Join us for an alternative Masterclass with opportunities to view demonstrations of traditional roofing practices and a chance to ‘have a go’ (so don’t wear a suit!). All PPE will be supplied (except for site boots).

RTPI Training – Learning from Best Practice – The Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning
Date: 25 April.
Venue: Edinburgh – Discounted places still available.
This briefing will highlight the best practice recognised in the winners and finalists of the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning to enable others to learn. The event will provide an opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge on what they have achieved and what they would do differently – the process they went through, looking at the problem each award winner faced; the solution they devised; how they implemented this and what the result was. There are several discounted places still available.

Rubble Wall Building
Date: 5 – 6 June 2018.
Venue: Merryhill Training Centre, Fife KY11 3DR.
This practical two day course will equip you to set out, construct and finish a traditional rubble wall using a variety of building stones and traditional lime mortars. The importance of laying the stones correctly and the use of pinning stones will be emphasised so that no more than 30% of the volume of the wall is mortar! The content of this workshop provides part of the underpinning knowledge required for assessment and accreditation of SQA National Unit 3 – ‘Conservation Masonry’.

Intensive Training Week – C1,C2 & National Units
Date: 11 – 15 June 2018.
Venue: Merryhill Training Centre, Fife KY11 3DR.
This intensive week of training and assessment will combine our courses ‘C1 Making and Using Traditional Mortars’ and ‘C2 Traditional Masonry Repair’ with continual assessment to allow you to gain SQA National Units 1, 2 & 3 in Conservation Masonry within five intensive days. You require to have trowel skills to participate and be assessed.

Rendering & Harling with Lime
Date: 21 – 22 June 2018.
Venue: Merryhill Training Centre, Fife KY11 3DR.
This course will enable you to apply a variety of external lime finishes including formal ‘lined out’ work to less formal textured harled finishes to a wide range of background types including matching in to existing finishes. Attendance at this two day workshop will let you get to grips with both hand casting and mechanical application techniques to effect a range of surface finishes and is relevant for the reinstatement of traditional lime finishes and for new build applications.

Vacancies

Youth Programmes Manager (PAS)
PAS has received funding from the Scottish Government for a fixed term appointment of a manager to oversee our youth programmes. The post holder will head up a small team to build on PAS’s existing work by developing our successful Young Placemakers initiative into a Volunteering Programme and expanding our Bridging the Gap programme. Bridging the Gap encourages a unique sustained intergenerational partnership to give young people the skills to engage with placemaking and to learn about active decision-making from an older generation. The post holder will also deliver other existing youth programmes – IMBY® and YEP!™ as required.
Closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 25 March. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 4 April.

Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage Seeks Researchers – Research Report Tender
Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage (RSH) is commissioning research to be completed as part of the legacy of the 4-year capacity building programme. The research will map the current funding landscape for the heritage sector in Scotland and will build on the existing evaluation work already conducted as part of the RSH programme.  The RSH Project Manager and the Head of Programmes at Arts & Business Scotland will work with the commissioned consultancy to ensure the resulting research report meets the needs of the RSH Programme, and of all partners involved.
Deadline 29th March. 

ARCH are looking to recruit a Project Officer
Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands are looking to recruit a Project Officer to work on the Regional Archaeological Research Framework for the Highlands as part of the wider ScARF project supported by Historic Environment Scotland as part of Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy. The successful applicant to the post of Project Officer will need to have good research skills and a familiarity with heritage databases, archaeological publications and other sources which can help build a picture of archaeological research in the Highlands from earliest settlement through to the end of the 20th century.
Applicants for the post should submit a CV and cover letter to info@archhighland.org.uk by 29th March 2018.

HLF Project Manager and HLF Project Officer (Dunfermline)
Dunfermline has an extraordinary heritage and is one of Europe’s fastest growing towns – increasingly a commuter town. To ensure stable growth it is important that future development is rooted in the past and the town grows with integrity, inclusion and innovation. We have recently been awarded Heritage Lottery Funding under their Great Place award and have a set out a three-year programme of works to use heritage to inspire future growth. We are currently recruiting for a Project Manager and Project Officer to deliver the Heritage Lottery Funded programme of works. The post is available with immediate effect and is funded until 31 December 2020. For full job descriptions contact Sarah Young on info@dunfermline.com.
The deadline for application for the positions is Friday 6 April and interviews w/c 23rd April.

Scottish Archaeological Research Framework Project Manager
The Society is seeking an exceptional candidate for the post of ScARF Project Manager. Responsible for every aspect of the Scottish Archaeological Research Framework project, from sourcing contributors and content to final publication and marketing, ensuring consistency and high academic standards throughout.  The main aims of the role are to manage and keep updated the existing Scottish Archaeological Research Framework (ScARF) project period panel reports, to create, manage and publish new regional research frameworks, and to manage the ScARF Museums Project. The post will also help develop and deliver the Society’s role within Aim 2 of Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy.
Closing Date: midnight Sunday 8th April 2018.

Assistant Consultant / Consultant, Heritage
Turley Heritage is a 15 strong team involved in some of the most exciting and high profile heritage projects across the UK with teams based in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. We are looking to expand the newly formed heritage team in Scotland with the appointment of a talented and ambitious assistant or consultant to support our Director based in Edinburgh. If you would like a confidential discussion with the hiring manager, please get in touch. Or, to apply please send your CV with a covering letter, including current salary details, in confidence to: Matthew Eves, HR Advisor, matthew.eves@turley.co.uk.

BEFS News

This year Historic Environment Scotland is undertaking a review of the Historic Environment Scotland Policy Statement. Join BEFS for our Historic Environment Scotland Policy Statement Conference on 15th March and influence what direction it may take. The conference will bring together the sector for an intensive workshop looking at creative and pragmatic approaches to caring for Scotland’s historic environment. There are limited places still available so book your tickets now.

The power for communities to have the right to buy abandoned, neglected, or detrimental land and buildings is soon to become available: what opportunities will it offer your community? In partnership with Glasgow City Heritage Trust, BEFS invites you to Power to the People: Understanding Community Right to Buy at Govanhill Baths on 14th March, to find out more about the new legislation.

The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee is? hearing from a range of stakeholders, including BEFS, over the coming weeks on the Planning (Scotland) Bill. You can also provide your thoughts on their Dialogue group page now.

Celia Sweeney, Equalities Manager with Historic Environment Scotland shares insights from BEFS Board Diversity in Public and Third Sector Organisations event on 20th February 2018 in our first blog this week.

BEFS Policy & Advocacy Officer, Ailsa Macfarlane, follows this up with further reflections on Board diversity in her blog, Board Diversity – A Reflection, A Provocation.

Finally, Karen Grant, Reforesting Scotland and the Thousand Huts campaign, updates us on the latest developments, new legislation and a whole new movement of hutters, in our third blog this week.

Consultations

Call for Evidence – EU Environmental and Animal Welfare Principles (SP 05/03/18)
The call for written views will close at midday on Thursday 29 March 2018.

The Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee, wants to hear from you on the general principles of the Scottish Crown Estate Bill which the Scottish Government introduced on 24 January 2018.
The deadline for responses is 12 noon Friday 23 March 2018. 

Have your say on the future priorities of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF 31/01/18)
The consultation runs until Thursday 22 March 2018. 

Consultation on LBTT First Time Buyers Relief (SG 09/02/18)
Opened 9 Feb 2018 and closes 23 Mar 2018.

Consultation Responses

Updating of the School Premises (General Requirements and Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 1967: Analysis of Responses to the Public Consultation Exercise. (SG 26/02/18)

Publications

Climate Change Plan: The Third Report on Proposals and Policies 2018-2032 (SG 01/03/18) 

Review of Strategic Investment Plans for Affordable Housing (Shelter Scotland xx/02/18)

Planning (Scotland) Bill: Proposed Infrastructure Levy (SPICe 21/02/18)

Revised explanatory notes for the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill (SG 19/02/18)

Cadw’s historic environment online resources: Best practice guidance publications (HEW xx/02/18)

Architecture and Design Scotland Annual Review 2017 (A&DS 20/02/18)

Technical Paper 27 – Hot-Mixed Lime Mortars Microstructure and Functional Performance (Engine Shed 30/01/18)
This paper presents technical evidence for the use of hot-mixed lime mortars in the conservation of masonry structures. It examines how lime mortars function in practice, looks at historic lime mortars and highlights key characteristics of hot-mixed lime mortars.

Technical Paper 28 – Specifying Hot-Mixed Lime Mortars (HES 30/01/18)
This report examines the use of hot-mixed lime mortars for the repair, conservation and restoration of traditional masonry structures in the UK and Ireland. It also explores the evidence for the historic use of hot-mixed mortars and why these materials are still relevant.

Ten Years On: The Impact of the Heritage Grants Programme 2002-2007 (HLF 17/01/18) 

Scottish Government News Releases

Rural tourism support (SG 01/03/18)
Island projects first to be backed under new £6m fund. Three sites on Skye and in Orkney are being given support to help them prepare for the tourist season, thanks to a new Scottish Government fund.

Affordable housing for the future (SG 27/02/18)
In a speech to the Chartered Institute of Housing Conference, Communities Secretary Angela Constance will reflect on a decade of success on housing and regeneration, set out the challenges that lie ahead and how government and the housing sector might work together to respond.

Archaeologists unearth amazing finds on Aberdeen bypass (SG 26/02/18)
Artefacts and structures found during archaeological excavations on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) project are shedding light on land use and settlement in the north east over the past 15,000 years, including Mesolithic pits, Roman bread ovens, prehistoric roundhouses and a cremation complex.

Protecting music venues (SG 19/02/18)
Strengthened planning guidance published. Developers building new residential buildings near music venues will be responsible for taking appropriate measures to ensure local people are not disturbed by noise.

News Releases

See DBW for news on a ‘Building MOT’ scheme from BSRIA (IHBC 27/02/18)
IHBC members may find an interesting angle on Scotland’s earlier BEFS-linked ‘Building MOT’ headline initiative in the new feature from Designing Buildings Wiki (DBW) from the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA), on the Association’s own new ‘Building MOT’ scheme.

HES Welcomes 2018-19 Budget Settlement (HES 26/02/18)
The 2018-19 Budget provides HES a total operating budget of £98.2m for the year, with £41.1m provided by the Scottish Government Grant in Aid and the remaining £57.1m drawn from commercial income. This is a £12m increase in the commercial income retained by HES, more than offsetting a reduction of £3.6m in the Grant in Aid

Planning Ahead (RTPI Scotland xx/02/18)
We have highlighted six examples from across Scotland which show how planning is working with communities and other professions to overcome the challenges that Scotland faces. But, we believe that we need to make it easier for planners to deliver these successes. This means making sure that the Planning Bill, and changes to policy and guidance that follow it, help to reposition the planning system.

IHBC Annual School – Belfast 2018 – Our shared Heritage (IHBC)
‘The IHBC has opened booking for its 2018 School – in Belfast on 21-23 June, on ‘Sharing’ – offering ‘early bird’ fees, bursaries, low-cost residential options as well as diverse study tours, so delegates can access up to 24 hours of formal CPD and networking over the 3-day Full School or up to 9 hours for the Day School and AGM.

Record attendance for Scottish visitor attractions (BBC 20/02/18)
The Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions has reported a 9.7% rise in visitors in 2017, taking the total number to over 30 million. Edinburgh Castle and the National Museum of Scotland also received over two million visitors each, a record for a Scottish attraction. Distilleries and whisky-related attractions received an 11.8% increase.

New Brexit reports show English culture organisations receive £40m from EU each year (Arts Council 20/02/18)
Two new reports have been released today revealing further details about the exposure of cultural organisations in England to markets in the European Union and elsewhere. EUCLID’s report assesses the European Union’s contribution to the arts, museums and creative industries in England. It found £345m was awarded between 2007-16, equating to £40m each year.

Active Travel Funding for Towns (STP 19/02/18)
Sustrans Scotland – Sustrans Scotland is delighted to launch the Community Links programme for 2018 -19, run in partnership with the Scottish Government. This year, we will prioritise ambitious, inclusive projects that make our towns and cities friendlier and safer places for people to walk and cycle.

Church spires to boost digital connectivity in rural areas (DDCMS 18/02/18)
Church spires across the UK will be used to boost digital connectivity in rural areas following an agreement between the Government and the Church of England.

DCMS Sectors Economic Estimates 2016: Business Demographics (DDCMS 14/02/18)
DCMS has published official statistics used to provide an estimate of the contribution of DCMS Sectors to the UK economy, measured by the number of businesses. These do not separate out the heritage sector but note that it is likely to be an underestimation for the heritage sector.

Theatres at Risk 2018 (Theatres Trust xx/01/18)
Theatres Trust has announced its Theatres at Risk Register 2018 with a call for local authorities to better support their theatre buildings by developing the opportunities they offer to their communities. The Register lists 35 theatre buildings across England, Scotland and Wales that are most at risk of being lost – even though each has real potential for a sustainable future as a working performance space.

Opinion & Comment

What happens when the polluter can’t pay? The sad case of Station Brae (Lauren Welsh, College of Arts at the University of Glasgow xx/03/18)

Planning Ahead – Why we need to invest in the Planning Service (Craig McLaren, RTPI Scotland 16/02/18) 

McLeish: Longer term plans key for engaging communities (SAPP 15/02/18)

Community charrettes: how we can maximise their impact (Nick Wright, 14/02/18)

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”.

Maurice Golden S5W-15040
To ask the Scottish Government how many rural homes in each local authority area have received support from the Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland area-based schemes. (SP 05/03/18)

Maurice Golden S5W-15041
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress it has made investigating possible reform of the energy performance certificate (EPC) rating system. (SP 05/03/18)

Maurice Golden S5W-15042
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of enforcing a minimum energy performance certificate (EPC) rating on private sector home sales, and what consideration it has given to the financial costs associated with upgrading rural off-gas grid properties to a minimum energy efficiency rating as part of any assessment. (SP 05/03/18)

Maurice Golden S5W-15043
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on using a single definition of “rural community” for the purposes of delivering energy efficiency programmes. (SP 05/03/18)

Maurice Golden S5W-15045
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any diverging costs for rural and urban house builders as a result of low-carbon building standards. (SP 05/03/18)

Peter Chapman S5W-14763
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to carry out an urban land use pilot, which was recommended in Getting the best from our land, a Land Use Strategy for Scotland 2016–2021. (SP 21/02/18)

Peter Chapman S5W-14764
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress that is being made with the development of the regional land use partnerships, which were recommended in Getting the best from our land, a Land Use Strategy for Scotland 2016–2021. (SP 21/02/18)

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-14674: Lewis Macdonald, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 15/02/2018
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will implement the Agent of Change principle in the Scottish planning system to ensure that new development does not threaten the viability of live music venues.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (16/02/2018): 

Question S5W-14291: Alexander Stewart, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 01/02/2018
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-01736 by Kevin Stewart on 31 January 2018 (Official Report, c. 10), what discussions have taken place to ensure that community councils are empowered to (a) support community engagment with and (b) play an active role in the planning process.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (19/02/2018):

Events

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

Analysis of a Clackmannanshire Estate
Date: Tuesday 6th March
Venue: Room LT2, Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee, DD1 4EN
Time: 18:00 – 21:00
Cost: Free
This Clackmannanshire estate is ancient and the house is 18th century, with alterations. Or is it? And where exactly was (is?) the now missing tower house of Hartshaw? Brucefield House was mothballed by the Victorians and then reclaimed in the 1920s, with style.

William Adam and Formal Landscape Design in Scotland 1720-1745
Date: Monday 12th March.
Venue: St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PA.
Time: 18:30 – 21:00
Cost: £5 (£2.50 students)
Non-members welcome!
This lecture investigates how William Adam’s garden designs related to contemporary and earlier fashions in Scottish and English garden design. Starting with two important gardens in which he played a key role – Newliston in West Lothian and his own estate at Blair Crambeth – a wide range of Adam’s work in landscape design will be examined.

Historic Plasterwork
Date: Tuesday 13th March.
Venue: Room LT2, Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee, DD1 4EN.
Time: 18:00 – 21:00.
Cost: Free .
Will Napier, chartered building surveyor and heritage consultant, will present on techniques of historic decorative plasterwork in Scotland. Steven Blench, independent plasterwork historian, conservator and contemporary practitioner, will present on nineteenth century decorative plasterwork.

Scottish Plant Hunters by Anne Lindsay
Date: Thursday 15th March, 6.30pm- 8.30pm.
Location: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Lecture Theature, 20a Inverleith Row, Edinburgh.
Price: £9 or £6 for SGLH members of Friends of RBGE.  Tickets available on the door.
Why did so many plant hunters herald from Scotland? Anne Lindsay, author of ‘Seeds of Blood and Beauty’ will explain why so many Scots become embroiled in tales of daring-do across the globe in search of plants to brighten gardens, conservatories and lives in the 18th and 19th centuries. A joint event hosted by Scotland’s Garden and Landscape Heritage and the Friends of RBGE.

Introduction to Digital Documentation of Buildings, BIM and Virtual Reality for Heritage
Dates: 19 & 20 March, Day 1: 9.30am – 4pm; Day 2: 9.30am – 3pm.
Venue: Engine Shed, Stirling.
Price: £60 per day/£100 2 days; Members and concessions 10% discount.
Delegates will explore the digital documentation of heritage through terrestrial laser scanning and photogrammetry, learning the basics involved in capturing and processing data, as well as how it can ultimately be used in BIM modelling. Virtual reality applications for heritage will also be investigated. The event will include an optional evening event to celebrate the launch of the Digital Documentation Short Guide.

Insight Tour: British Geological Survey
Date: 20 March, 10am – 12pm.
Venue: Lyell Centre, Edinburgh.
Price: Free (booking essential).
Join Luis Albornoz-Parra, Building Stones Scientist and Enquiries Officer at the British Geological Society (BGS), in an exclusive tour of the BGS Collections at The Lyell Centre, Edinburgh. Learn about a wide range of rocks, building stones, mineral ores and curious specimens. See how Historic Environment Scotland and BGS come together to look after our built heritage.

Inspiring Fundraising: A National Heritage Conference
Date: 26th April 2018.
Venue: Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh.
Inspiring Fundraising, Scotland’s national fundraising conference specifically dedicated to the heritage sector, will take place on Thursday 26th April 2018 at the Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh. By attending the conference, you will have a unique opportunity to learn from leading professionals in their specialist fields to help you overcome your fundraising challenges and set you on your journey to reaching your aspirations and targets. Inspiring Fundraising will also provide you with a motivational space to develop new ideas and new ways of working and the chance to engage with more than 200 peers from different heritage organisations from across Scotland and beyond. Using interactive learning techniques, the diverse programme will cover topics ranging from Embracing Creativity and Innovation to The Voice of the Funders and from The Power of Business and Cultural Partnerships through to Telling your Story on Film.

New approaches towards tackling barriers to employability
Date: 3rd May.
Venue: The Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh
This free half-day SURF Awards workshop event provides an opportunity to explore successful new approaches towards tackling barriers to employability with presentations from SURF Award projects and national partners.

The role of creative arts in regeneration
Date: 17th May.
Venue: Barras Arts and Design (BAaD), Glasgow.
This free half-day SURF Awards workshop event provides an opportunity to explore successful approaches towards linking creative arts into regeneration initiatives with presentations from SURF Award projects and national partners.

Successful approaches to regenerating Scotland’s places
Date: 31st May
Venue: The Portal Townhouse, Irvine
This free half-day SURF Awards workshop event provides an opportunity to explore successful current approaches towards regenerating Scotland’s places with presentations from SURF Award projects and national partners.

Training

Trustees’ Event: GDPR Briefing 
Date & time: Mar 14 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: A&BS, 1st Floor, Rosebery House 9 Haymarket Terrace EH12 5EZ
General Data Protection Regulation is coming into force on 25th May. The GDPR brings with it a series of important changes in the UK’s data protection laws and will have a significant impact on how organisations manage personal data. Anderson Strahtern Lawyers Douglas McLachan and Barry Nichol will guide delegates though the issues and how best for organisations to stay compliant

Title Telling it like it is: Effective Copywriting 
Date & time: Mar 15 10:30 am – 16:30 pm
Location: A&BS, 1st Floor, Rosebery House 9 Haymarket Terrace EH12 5EZ
This one-day training session is aimed at all individuals, regardless of their existing skills or experience, who need to develop a case for support for their heritage project or cause. Offering a combination of project-based, hands-on writing exercises with tips, techniques and critical theory, the training session explores the five stages of the copywriting process in the context of putting together an effective case for support.

*NEW FOR 2018* – Making & Using Hot Mixed Mortars
Dates: 16 March 2018 and 24 April 2018.
Venue: Charlestown Workshops, Fife KY11 3EN.
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.

In Focus: Introduction to Sponsorship
Date & time: March 20 10:30 am – 4:30 pm
Location: A&BS, 1st Floor, Rosebery House 9 Haymarket Terrace EH12 5EZ
This session will explore the opportunities presented by corporate sponsorship for heritage groups and organisations.  It is aimed primarily at those who have no or very little sponsorship experience. It is also a great refresher for those who need reminding of the basic principles and practice of this area of fundraising within the heritage sector.

*NEW FOR 2018* – Specifying Hot Mixed Lime Mortars
Dates: 27 March 2018 and 04 May 2018.
Venue: Charlestown Workshops, Fife KY11 3EN.
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’.

Historic Glass and Glazing Conservation (CPD module, part of PDA in Technical Conservation)
Dates: 5 days over 3 weeks between the 27th March and 16th April (22.5 taught hours).
Venue: Engine Shed, Stirling.
Price: £425
This module looks at the manufacture, use and conservation of glass and glazing systems in Scotland’s historic built environment. Taught through lectures and site visits. This is part of a wider Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Technical Conservation course currently being taught at the Engine Shed. Email us for further details or to book a place. mailto:Technicaleducation@hes.scot.

*NEW FOR 2018* – Introduction to Indigenous Earth Building Traditions and Techniques EB1
Date: 10 – 11 May 2018.
Venue: Charlestown Workshops, Fife KY11 3EN.
This 2 day workshop aims to provide an introductory guide to a range of earth building techniques including materials science, conservation of earth structures and buildings and construction methods using earth based materials.

Repairing Traditional Masonry P1 – Professional Level 1
Date: 15 – 16 May 2018.
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.

Masonry Building Conservation- Principles and Techniques P2-Professional Level 2
Date: 29 – 31 May 2018.
Venue: Charlestown Workshops, Fife KY11 3EN.
This course is aimed at building professionals who have completed ‘P1 Traditional Masonry Repair’ and provides confidence in the repair principles, materials and techniques for traditional masonry buildings, covering mortar manufacture, practical repair methods and techniques, and aftercare of lime based materials. A 3-day workshop that aims to provide confidence in the relevant repair principles, materials and techniques for traditional masonry buildings, covering mortar manufacture, practical repair methods and techniques, and aftercare of lime based materials through a programme of classroom and practical activities. The course provides sufficient underpinning and practical knowledge of materials to enable effective development of specifications, supervision and snagging of the conservation works including repointing, stone indents, surface repair of stone, grouting, renders and harls and limewash

Vacancies

Appointment of 2 Board Members (Architecture and Design Scotland)
Do you want to help shape Scotland’s built environment? Scottish Ministers are looking to appoint up to 2 new Board members of Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS).
The Company Board, will ensure the A&DS’s strategy and business plan continue to support and promote the value good architecture and sustainable design add to everyone’s lives. Board Members will be expected to have a keen interest and understanding of the built environment; able to see the bigger picture, and have strong communication and influencing skills, along with monitoring performance and uphold good governance skills. Architecture & Design Scotland have filmed video messages with the Chair, Karen Anderson and current Board Members, Alan Sim and Sue Evans. Here they explain the benefits of joining the board.
The closing date for applications is Friday 9 March 2018.

Project Officer (Planning Skills Programme, Improvement Service)
We have an opportunity for a Project Officer to make an impact on the Planning Skills Programme year ahead. Inputting into the development, communication and delivery of changing skills and behaviours required to implement the Planning Review. The role will also involve working with and supporting Heads of Planning as they respond to the Planning Bill going through Parliament.
Closing date: 09 March 2018.

Stonemason Principal Trainer (Scottish Lime Centre Trust)
We have an excellent opportunity for a time served stonemason to join our busy team to deliver our range of ‘hands on’ courses as well as work alongside the Building Advisory team. Outline of Job Description:

• Delivery of Scottish Lime Centre Trust’s (SLCT) busy timetabled programme of practical training ‘hands-on’ courses related to the construction and repair of traditional masonry buildings to a wide range of learners from time served tradesmen, homeowners and school children in an engaging manner (see www.scotlime.org for details of scope of courses);
• Delivery of SLCT’s busy commissioned practical ‘hands-on ’training courses related to the construction and repair of traditional masonry buildings for individual, commercial and heritage project clients both on and off site in an engaging manner.

Please send in your CV with a covering letter to Roz Artis, MRICS, SLCT Director by email to admin@scotlime.org by Friday, 9 March 2018.

Digital Archivist required for Stobs Camp Project (Archaeology Scotland)
The Stobs Camp Project, near Hawick, requires a digital archivist for this part-time fixed-term post.  This community project is focussed on the period of the First World War when the camp was a Prisoner of War camp where many Germans and Austrians were interned.  Fascinating facts, photos, artefacts, pictures and memorabilia have been uncovered and these need organised for future research purposes.  If you are community-minded and a great organiser with good digital skills then this could be just the job for you.  The post can be based in our offices in Musselburgh or primarily home-based with a weekly visit to our office. Closing date for applications: noon 18 March 2018   

Patrick Geddes Centre Director, Riddle’s Court, Edinburgh
Scottish Historic Buildings Trust has recently completed the restoration of Riddle’s Court, Edinburgh giving it a new life as the Patrick Geddes Centre for Learning.
Thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, we wish to recruit a Centre Director who will be responsible for leading and delivering the Strategic Vision for the Patrick Geddes Centre for Learning, promoting the legacy of Patrick Geddes and his approach to learning, highlighted in stone above the gateway to Riddle’s Court – ‘Vivendo Discimus’ – by living we learn. Geddes’ thinking has guided the Trust through its delivery of the building as a new crucible for learning in Edinburgh’s Old Town.
We are looking for an enthusiast and expert in the work of Patrick Geddes in both a local and global context with a proven record of accomplishment of working within the educational/cultural sectors to lead a successful multi-disciplinary team to deliver dynamic learning programmes and activities in an astounding setting.
For a copy of the Job Description, please contact recruitment@shbt.org.uk. Interested parties can send a CV supported by a covering letter setting out how you meet the requirements of the role to recruitment@shbt.org.uk by midday on Friday 23rd March 2018.

New board members sought (Scottish Canals)
The two new board members will be expected to make a wide-ranging contribution to the leadership and governance of the organisation, focussed on meeting the needs of a diverse range of stakeholders in line with evolving Scottish Government priorities. As a member of the board you will assist the chair in –

• providing strategic leadership and direction
• motivating and inspiring the executive team
• maintaining high standards of corporate governance
• communicating effectively both internally and externally

These positions will be of interest to individuals who are accustomed to thinking and working at a strategic level within an organisation, but they do not require previous board experience. For ambitious individuals with enthusiasm and strong leadership potential they are likely to offer an excellent professional development opportunity. Closing Date for applications is 23 March 2018

BEFS News

The Our Place in Time Performance Report 2017 is now out. This report covers the first three years of the Historic Environment Strategy for Scotland – Our Place in Time, from its publication in October 2014. It sets out the progress made in delivering the Strategy and complements the narrative of the Annual Reports that were published in 2015 and 2017.

This year Historic Environment Scotland is undertaking a review of the Historic Environment Scotland Policy Statement. Join BEFS for our Historic Environment Scotland Policy Statement Conference in March and influence what direction it may take. The conference will bring together the sector for an intensive workshop looking at creative and pragmatic approaches to caring for Scotland’s historic environment. Advanced booking is now open, with further information and a programme to follow soon.

The Planning (Scotland) Bill appeared in December 2017, a little over 2 years since the independent panel carried out a “game-changing review of Scotland’s planning system”. Read BEFS response and an overview of the built environment sector’s responses and reactions to the Bill.

Following the May 2016 review, a Digital Taskforce was established to explore opportunities to develop a world leading Digital Planning Service for Scotland. As part of the work to explore digital opportunities, the Scottish Government’s Digital Planning Team are keen to hear about people’s experiences of planning in Scotland. To help shape the digital future of the Scottish planning system, please take part in this short survey.

Members of the Scottish Parliament have shown an increased interest in the challenges of maintaining buildings under shared ownership, with a Parliamentary reception for the RICS ‘Tenement Health Check’ in November and a motion debating ‘Maintenance of Tenement Communal Property’ in January 2018. Join the next meeting of the Cross-Party Group on Architecture and the Built Environment, in collaboration with BEFS and RICS, which will consider how the Scottish Parliament can help find solutions to the known challenges and how stakeholders can support a cross party working group on the topic.

Booking opens today for Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage conference, Inspiring Fundraising – A National Heritage Conference, specifically dedicated to the heritage sector.

Erin Fulton, Volunteer Manager at PAS, introduces PAS’ new youth volunteering initiative and PAS Youth Volunteer Award in the Year of Young People, in our first blog this week.

Isobel Leckie tells us about the work of the Causey Development Trust, community engagement and the design for transforming The Causey in Edinburgh, in our second blog.

Consultations

Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme: Second Consultation on Local Heat & Energy Efficiency Strategies, and Regulation of District and Communal Heating
Closes 20 Feb 2018.

Consultation on LBTT First Time Buyers Relief (SG 09/02/18)
Opened 9 Feb 2018 and closes 23 March 2018.

The Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform Committee agreed to launch a call for evidence on the Scottish Crown Estate Bill, with a deadline of Friday 23rd March 2018.

Publications

The Our Place in Time Performance Report 2017.
This report covers the first three years of the Historic Environment Strategy for Scotland – Our Place in Time, from its publication in October 2014.

Social Tenants in Scotland 2016 (SG 13/02/18)

The Third State of Scotland’s Greenspace Report (Greenspace Scotland 01/02/18) 

Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal (SEA/SA) (RTPI 15/01/18)
Our advice aims to help town planners to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of SEA/SA for land use plans.

Scottish Government News Releases

Social Tenants in Scotland, 2016 (SG 13/02/18)
Scotland’s Chief Statistician today released Social Tenants in Scotland 2016, the second annual statistical compendium publication on social tenants and social rented housing in Scotland, covering topic areas such as stock, household characteristics, housing flows, and rents and income levels.

LBTT consultation launched (SG 09/02/18)
Views sought before introduction of new policy. The next step towards helping more people buy their first home is underway. A consultation on the details of the first-time buyer relief from Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) announced in the draft Scottish Budget 2018/19 is being launched by the Scottish Government.

Brexit and rural Scotland (SG 06/02/18)
Access to EU migrant workforce is vital to rural Scotland’s continued success, stability and sustainability, according to Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing. People from elsewhere in the EU make up around 3% of those employed in the rural economy. Additionally, some 10,000 people are directly employed in Scotland’s food and drink growth sector – as well as thousands more in public services such as hospitals and schools in remote and rural communities.

News Releases

Home-owners and poverty (JRF 15/02/18)
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has published a report examining the relationship between home-ownership, low incomes and poverty and reveals that half of all households in poverty are home-owners in the UK. The report notes that within the UK, Northern Ireland had the highest rate of home-owners in poverty and Scotland the lowest rate.

Scottish Government housing scheme criticised for ‘reviving right to buy’ (The Ferret 14/02/18)
Following an investigation by The Ferret, the Scottish Government has been accused of reintroducing Right to Buy. The report found that 131 homes for mid-market rent, financed by the National Housing Trust, have been sold off.

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2018 (ICE 14/02/18)
ICE200 is a year of events and activities showing how civil engineering transforms the way we live and promoting it as a career. Highlights include Invisible Superheroes – a real and virtual exhibition; 200 projects and people – how they were built and by whom; Explore Engineering – see or visit civil engineering in your area; Café 200 – engineers meet the public and explain civil engineering; and Pitch 200 – competition where civil engineers pitch innovative ideas in just 200 seconds. And the Global Engineering Congress – unique gathering of international engineers to agree a response to deliver five UN Sustainable Development Goals, London 22-26 October.

Historic Environment Scotland unveils new Investment Plan (HES 12/02/18)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has today (Monday 12 February) unveiled an investment plan for some of Scotland’s most iconic historic sites. Backed by investment of £12 million in 2018/19, the plan sets out an investment programme scheduled to run until 2021/22 which will enhance the condition of sites and improve the experience of visitors.

Historic Environment Scotland reveal plan to manage historic assets (HES 12/02/18)
The Asset Management Plan outlines the steps Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is taking to maintain not just the historic properties and structures in its care, but also the modern infrastructure such as car parks, visitor facing facilities, mechanical and electrical installations that are critical to its operations.

CIfA announces the formal launch of CIfA Deutschland (CIfA 12/02/18)
CIfA is pleased to announce the formal launch of CIfA Deutschland/Germany Group. A provisional organising committee will manage the affairs of the Group until formal elections at its first AGM in Munich on 12 May 2018.

Coalition calls for urgent action on shortage of housing for older and disabled people (Age Scotland 09/02/18)
The Older People’s Housing Coalition was officially launched on Friday 9th February. The new alliance, whose members include Age Scotland, Castle Rock Edinvar and the Scottish Older People’s Assembly, has urged the Scottish Government to make housing for older people and those with disabilities an urgent priority in the Planning (Scotland) Bill.

Help the Heritage Alliance understand how Brexit will affect heritage sector employees (THA 09/02/18)
Heritage Organisations & businesses, please fill out our 5-minute survey on EU Workers to inform our Brexit work on immigration.  Do share & retweet to help us build our evidence base. @Heritage_NGOs

Europa Nostra Learning Kits (08/02/18)
At the beginning of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018, Europa Nostra is proud to issue Learning Kits for heritage civil society organisations on three crucial topics: Fundraising, Awareness-Raising & Advocacy, and Citizen Engagement & Education. The Learning Kits provide innovative and practical approaches to these topics and bring together dozens of outstanding examples from 21 countries across Europe. These digital publications, which were produced with the support of the Creative Europe programme of the European Union, are now available online.

New online learning on professional ethics launched (RTPI 07/02/18)
The RTPI has launched a new bite-size online learning module on professional ethics to provide members with more clarity and support in this area. This supplements RTPI’s updated practice advice on professional ethics, which reiterates planners’ need to ‘act fearlessly and impartially in their professional judgement’.

IHBC’s Branch events update: Find our local CPD, across the UK (IHBC 06/02/18)
The IHBC has launched the first of its new regular NewsBlog IHBC Branches Update, so anyone can find IHBC’s local CPD events, across the UK. Practitioners also can scan local IHBC-linked events using the ‘Branches’ panel on our home page.

‘ALGAO Scotland – Latest Figures! (ALGAO 31/01/18)
Each year information about the work carried out by ALGAO Scotland members is gathered through an annual survey, the results of which are submitted to Scotland’s Historic Environment Audit (SHEA) and Measuring Success. The information from ALGAO Scotland, along with information from other organisations helps to build a picture of the Historic Environment in Scotland. The results from the annual survey for 2016/17 indicate the substantial and wide-ranging body of work carried out by the Local Authority Archaeologists and a snapshot of the impact of some of the work is highlighted in a new info-graphic available to view and download through the ALGAO Scotland webpage here.

UK puts forward Jodrell Bank Observatory as 2019 World Heritage nomination (DDCMS 29/01/18)
The Observatory, part of the University of Manchester, is a site of global importance in the history of radio astronomy and helped revolutionise our understanding of the Universe.

Impact of Brexit on the creative, tourism and digital industries (CMSSC 01?18)
The Culture Media and Sport Select Committee has released its report on the impact of Brexit on the creative, tourism and digital industries. The report notes that development of a new system of entry to the UK for EEA visitors will be a key aspect of the UK’s relationship with the EU after Brexit.

Opinion & Comment

Land value capture: why we need a system that works for all (Sally Thomas, SFHA 08/02/18) 

Power to the People! (GCHT 08/02/18)

McLeish: Involve local people earlier in planning decisions (SAPP 07/02/18)

Planning Bill lacks detail and shows modest ambition (SHN 06/02/18) 

Accreditation where it’s due – Ensuring conservation skills are retained and shared is just as important as protecting historic buildings (Bryan Dickson in RICS 31/01/18)

Thinking globally, acting locally – the case for regenerating Scotland (Graham Ross, Austin-Smith:Lord 24/01/08)

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”.

Alexander Stewart S5W-14291: To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-01736 by Kevin Stewart on 31 January 2018 (Official Report, c. 10), what discussions have taken place to ensure that community councils are empowered to (a) support community engagement with a) and (b) play an active role in the planning process. (SP 01/02/18)

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-13988: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 22/01/2018
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to protect the 160 historic sites that have been reported by Historic Environment Scotland as being at high risk.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (30/01/2018):

Events

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

World Heritage: India 
Date: Tuesday 20th February, 6.00-9.00pm.
Venue: Room LTS, Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee, DD1 4EN.
James Simpson is one of the founding partners of Simpson & Brown Architects, one of the UK’s leading specialist consultants in building conservation. James has retired from practise and is now devoting some of his considerable energies to researching the predominantly Scots-developed communities around the Hooghly River in West Bengal, including the modern-day city of Culcutta. His talk will include a fascinating account of the Hooghly Jute Mill, still employing some 2500 people, with 300 mechanics maintaining machinery made by Urquhart, Lindsay & Co 100 years ago in Dundee, some few 100 yards north of our lecture theatre at the Blackness Foundry in Larch Street.

Scotland’s Buildings
Date: Tuesday 27th February, 6.00-9.00pm.
Venue: Room LTS, Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee, DD1 4EN.
Simon Green, architectural historian with the Survey and Recording section of Historic Environment Scotland, is also president of the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland. One of his responsibilities is the Buildings at Risk Register, now an in-house function of HES, and the opportunity has been taken to look at how the effectiveness of the BAR service and the register can be developed and improved. He will discuss different ways that departments of HES contribute to the removal of buildings from the register and thereby to the enhancement of the historic built environment. His second talk will be an enthusiast’s examination of the development of the Scots Baronial style. Antiquarianism, Romanticism, Aestheticism: recording and research have all played a part in the creation and longevity of this distinctive architecture.

Geography, Funding & Heritage
Date: Wednesday 21st February 2018 from 6-8pm.
Venue: GCHT offices, 54 Bell Street, Glasgow.
There are various reasons why we protect our built heritage, including safeguarding its intrinsic values, connections to the past and its positive influence on our environment. But does our ability to do so hinge on where that building is located and the socio-economic conditions found there?

In Focus: Storytelling using Media 
Date: 22nd February.
Location: Edinburgh.
This hands-on practical session will allow you to identify your key messages and present them using video as a medium for storytelling. Identifying and presenting your key messages in an appealing and visual way can support your fundraising efforts and help you to effectively communicate the value of the work that you/your organisation does.

Talking Shops – A History of Scotland’s Shopfronts
Date: Monday 26 February 2018 from 9am – 4pm.
Venue: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ.
This is a one day seminar to launch our new exhibition. Leading experts in the field will delve into the current challenges facing our High Streets. The day will explore topics including researching shopfronts, architecture of Co-operatives, shop interiors and their maintenance and the future of the High Streets. It will also include case studies of renovations and support schemes currently available. This is a level 2 event for professionals, it is also appropriate for members of the public with an interest on the topic. Refreshments will be provided during the day, please let us know of any dietary requirements at the time of booking.

Tenement Maintenance and Repair
Date: 6th March 2018 at 6pm.
Venue: Committee Room 1, Scottish Parliament.
Linda Fabiani MSP, invites you to attend a meeting of the Cross-Party Group on Architecture + the Built Environment, to be chaired by Tavish Scott MSP. Members of the Scottish Parliament have shown an increased interest in the challenges of maintaining buildings under shared ownership with a Parliamentary Reception for the RICS ‘Tenement Health Check’ in November and a motion debating ‘Maintenance of Tenement Communal Property’ in January 2018. Our next meeting will consider how the Scottish Parliament can help find solutions to the known challenges and how stakeholders can support a cross party working group on the topic. Our speakers will be David Gibbon MRICS MCABE a RICS Certified Historic Building Professional from the Tenement Action Group, Professor Douglas Robertson who has spent his career researching private housing issues and the third speaker is yet to be confirmed. Their short presentations will be followed by an open discussion chaired by Tavish Scott MSP.

Landownership: Opportunities and Challenges for Urban Communities
Date: Tue 6 March 2018 from 12:00 – 16:00.
Venue: Barmulloch Residents Centre, 54 Quarrywood Road, Glasgow, G21 3ET.
Community landownership has been transformative for many rural communities in Scotland. Can it have the same impact in Scotland’s towns and cities? Come along to this event to find out about the results of our research into urban community landownership, hear inspiring case studies and take part in a discussion about the future of urban community landownership. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Power to the People: Understanding Community Right to Buy
Date: Wednesday 14th March 2018 | 6-8pm.
Venue: Govanhill Baths, 99 Calder Street, Glasgow, G42 7RA.
The power for communities to have the right to buy abandoned, neglected, or detrimental land and buildings is soon to become available: what opportunities will it offer your community? Glasgow City Heritage Trust in partnership with BEFS invite you to join us at Govanhill Baths to find out more about this legislation, which will give communities significant power and rights to acquire land and buildings. Throughout the evening we will hear from a variety of organisations about what land is eligible, which community bodies can apply and the process for doing so. There will be opportunity for discussion and to learn from other communities that have taken on ownership responsibilities.

Impact and Opportunities of the Collaborative Economy and Disruptive Technologies: how Edinburgh should respond to short-term letting
Date: Wednesday 14 March 2018 between 2pm to 5 pm.
Venue: Methodist Church, Nicolson Square, Edinburgh.
Cost £8 for Cockburn Association members, and members of Edinburgh Civic Forum. £45 for others (£100 for block booking of 3 places).
The Cockburn Association will be holding the first in a new series of mini-conferences addressing current and emerging issues affecting the management and conservation of Edinburgh’s places and landscapes. The first will look at the impact of short term letting on the City, its role in supporting a buoyant tourism industry and the impact on residential and community amenity. Confirmed speakers include Professor Douglas Robertson – co-author of a Scottish Government scoping report on the supply and demand of short term lets in Scotland.  Professor Robertson’s research expertise focuses on sociological understanding of place, belonging and identity and examining how these influence society in relation to social and housing policies. Register your interest at admin@cockburnassociation.org.uk.

Scottish Young Planners’ Conference 2018: The Changing Face of Planning: Planning Ahead.
Date: Wednesday, 14 March, 9:30AM – 5:00PM.
Venue: Technology & Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, 99 George St, Glasgow.
Tickets are now on sale for the Scottish Young Planners Conference 2018. This unmissable CPD for early career planners will this year tackle how advances in tech and approaches to design and construction could transform the planning system. Speakers will cover case studies of how new ways of working and thinking can help produce more joined up and productive working across sectors, disciplines and professions.  Confirmed speakers include the Minister for Local Government and Housing, Stefan Webb of the Future Cities Catapult, Liz Pringle of the Scottish Government’s ePlanning project and Kenny Steele of Pinnacle Visualisation, specialists in virtual reality software.

Scottish Plant Hunters by Anne Lindsay
Date: Thursday 15th March, 6.30pm- 8.30pm.
Venue: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Lecture Theature, 20a Inverleith Row, Edinburgh.
Price: £9 or £6 for SGLH members of Friends of RBGE.  Tickets available on the door.
Why did so many plant hunters herald from Scotland? Anne Lindsay, author of ‘Seeds of Blood and Beauty’ will explain why so many Scots become embroiled in tales of daring-do across the globe in search of plants to brighten gardens, conservatories and lives in the 18th and 19th centuries. A joint event hosted by Scotland’s Garden and Landscape Heritage and the Friends of RBGE.

CifA annual conference 2018: Pulling together: collaboration, synthesis, innovation
Date: 25 to 27 April 2018.
Venue: Brighton Racecourse.
Booking is open for the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists’ annual conference. This year’s theme is ‘Pulling together: collaboration, synthesis and innovation’. Sessions will feature contributors from around the archaeological sector and beyond it, and will provide an opportunity for heritage professionals to discuss, consider and learn about ways in which the archaeological profession can work together – and with others – to develop innovative and exciting projects that have wide reaching benefit and become ‘greater than the sum of their parts’. Make sure to book soon to secure the 10% Early bird discount. Bursaries are available – for more information see the website.

Training

Introduction to Leadwork
Date: Monday 19 March 2018.
Venue: Tullos Training Ltd., Aberdeen.
Contact: Douglas Campbell, Aberdeen City Heritage Trust, 01224 522755, dcampbell@aberdeenheritage.org.uk
Training delivered by the Lead Sheet Association, the recognised industry expert.  This is a rare opportunity for Architects, Chartered Building Surveyors, Architectural Technologists, contractors, heritage professionals and anyone involved in specifying or inspecting leadwork to consolidate and build on existing understanding of this important traditional material from the leading authority on Lead Sheet.

Leadwork: Basic Bossing and Welding
Date: Tuesday 20 to Friday 23 March 2018
Venue: Tullos Training Ltd., Aberdeen
Contact: Douglas Campbell, Aberdeen City Heritage Trust, 01224 522755, dcampbell@aberdeenheritage.org.uk
Training delivered by the Lead Sheet Association; a hands-on, practical course.  Bossing and welding are two key skills that leadworkers need to master to be able to create the range of forms and shapes necessary to detail roofing leadwork properly.  The course is aimed at building and roofing contractors who wish to develop their skills and represents a rare opportunity to access training from the recognised industry expert in the detailing and use of lead sheet for contractors in the North East.

Maintaining Traditional Buildings
Date: 23 March 2018, from 10.00 – 15.00.
Venue: Charlestown Workshops, Fife.
A must for anyone who owns or is responsible for a traditional building.
The seminar 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.

Vacancies

Practice Manager (Benjamin Tindall Architects)
Benjamin Tindall Architects is a busy, well-established architectural practice located in a studio in Edinburgh’s Old Town. We are seeking an experienced Practice Manager to join our team. The vacancy is being created by the retirement of the current staff member. This is a full-time position and offers the successful candidate the opportunity to be busy but never bored. The role requires a friendly, hands-on attitude and someone with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to work collaboratively with the existing team and provide support and assistance across all business support functions as and when required. Excellent IT skills are essential including MS Office, SAGE accounting and Adobe Creative Suite. Knowledge of Archetype, the documentation system used by the practice would advantageous. Web maintenance and the use of social media is essential.   Experience of all HR requirements for a small practice is necessary.  Knowledge of and experience in managing QA systems would be desirable. Competitive salary based on experience, as well as pension and holiday entitlement will be offered to the successful candidate.
Closing date for applications: Monday 26th February.

Heritage Consultancy (Simpson & Brown Architects)
Simpson & Brown is looking for an enthusiastic, dynamic and experienced person to join the Heritage Consultancy team in Edinburgh. Working in this team requires versatility and a willingness to be involved in a variety of work relating to the historic built environment. The position would be part time, three days per week. The work primarily consists of researching and writing a variety of documents relating to the built environment. These documents include strong components of historical analysis (based on primary and secondary sources), analysis of views and setting, assessments of significance (Historic England and Historic Environment Scotland methodologies) and recommendations based on local and national planning/heritage policy.
Please email your CV with a covering letter to admin@simpsonandbrown.co.uk by close of business, Monday 26th February 2018.

Programme Manager (HES)
Based at the newly opened building conservation centre, the Engine Shed in Stirling, this post will be responsible for managing and delivering the programme of events, volunteer programme and front of house operations there. This varied and challenging role will help establish the Engine Shed as a hub for technical conservation advice, training and digital innovation with a reputation for quality and professionalism, reflecting Historic Environment Scotland’s vision.
Closing Date: 28 February 2018 at midnight.

Programme Officer (HES)
Based at the newly opened building conservation centre, the Engine Shed in Stirling, this post will be responsible for managing and delivering the programme of events, volunteer programme and front of house operations there. This varied and challenging role will help establish the Engine Shed as a hub for technical conservation advice, training and digital innovation with a reputation for quality and professionalism, reflecting Historic Environment Scotland’s vision.
Closing Date: 28 February 2018 at midnight.

Community Engagement Adviser (Scottish Land Commission)
An exciting opportunity has arisen with the Scottish Land Commission for a Community Engagement Adviser. This two year fixed term appointment will support land owners and communities in implementing effective engagement in relation to land ownership and use and advise on the implementation of the Scottish Government guidance on ‘engaging communities in decisions relating to land.’ Applications are invited by CV and covering letter. Completed applications should be submitted to scott.strachan@landcommission.gov.scot.
Closing date for applications is 12 noon on Friday 2 March 2018

BEFS News

Scotland is to become the first part of the UK to legally require that women make up at least half the board members for all public authorities. MSPs at the Scottish Parliament passed the new Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Bill on Tuesday. In 2017 BEFS analysed the composition of our Members’ and Associates’ Boards – in regard to gender we found that on average 36% of Board members were women; and in relation to age, 25% were under 50. Join BEFS on the evening of Tuesday, 20th February 2018 for a discussion on Board Diversity in Public and Third Sector Organisations. Our experienced panel members; Jane Ryder (Chair – HES, previously CE – OSCR), Talat Yaqoob (Director – Equate Scotland, Chair – Women 50:50) and Beltus Etchu Ojong (CEO – Next Step Initiative); will explore both how organisations have changed, and how we need to continue to develop.

BEFS has submitted information to the Finance and Constitution Committee in response to their call for evidence on the estimated financial implications of the Planning (Scotland) Bill as set out in its accompanying Financial Memorandum. BEFS comments specifically on Strategic Development Plans, Local Development Plans and Local Place Plans. Read BEFS submission.

BEFS has now registered with the Scottish Lobbying Register and has submitted three Information Returns regarding ‘regulated lobbying’ undertaken by BEFS this month. For those of you still considering whether or not to register your organisation ahead of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act coming into force on 12th March, you can view our submissions here.

It’s time to speak out! The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) wants your views on the future of National Lottery funding for heritage. They’re consulting on how they should use National Lottery Good Causes income for the period from 2019 to 2024, their next Strategic Funding Framework (SFF).

We have three fascinating guest blogs for you this week. In the first blog, Bill Pagan, BEFS Board member, and founding Board member of Cupar Development Trust, offers thoughts on progress in Cupar in 2017 and the challenges to achieving action on the ground.

Niall Murphy, Planning Convener of Pollokshields Community Council, Chair of Pollokshields Heritage and Vice Chair of the recently established Pollokshields Trust, reflects on the motivations behind a community led charrette and the challenges arising out of it, in our second blog.

Finally, Lesley Martin, strategic planner and doctoral researcher, reflects of the challenges and opportunities presented by public engagement and participation in her blog ‘Participation, inequality and inclusion: the new complexities’.

Consultations

Have your say on the future priorities of the Heritage Lottery Fund – Consultation (ComRes 31/01/18)

Communities and Local Government Committee – Land value capture inquiry (BP 25/01/18)
The Communities and Local Government Committee (CLG) Committee is to examine the effectiveness of current land value capture methods and the need for new ways of capturing any uplift in the value of land associated with the granting of planning permission or nearby infrastructure improvements and other factors.
Accepting written submissions; the deadline is Friday 2 March 2018.

Practical Fire Safety Guidance for Existing Premises with Sleeping Accommodation
Closes on 5 February 2018.

Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme: Second Consultation on Local Heat & Energy Efficiency Strategies, and Regulation of District and Communal Heating
Closes on 20 February 2018.

Consultation Responses

A Consultation on the Long Term Management of the Crown Estate in Scotland: Analysis of Consultation Responses (SG 25/01/18) 

Publications

Historic Environment Scotland New Guidance Note – Managing Change in the Historic Environment (HES 31/01/18) 

Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Bill (SPICe briefing 01/18)

Letting Agent Code of Practice (SG 31/01/18)

Scottish Government News Releases

Tenants and landlords benefit from new regulations (SG 31/01/18)
Letting agent code of practice goes live. A new, statutory Code of Practice for letting agents, which will improve standards and empower tenants, has come into force.

Gender balanced public boards (SG 30/01/18)
Scotland is the only country in the UK with a statutory gender representation objective for public boards. The Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Bill has been passed by the Scottish Parliament. The bill sets an objective for public boards that 50% of non-executive members are women by the end of 2022.

Scottish Crown Estate (SG 25/01/18)
Plans to reform the Scottish Crown Estate, and give local communities more control of its assets, has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Crown Estate Bill will establish a framework for changes in the management of Scottish Crown Estate assets and give communities a stronger voice in how these assets are managed.

Homelessness and Housing Options Statistics (SG 23/01/18)
A National and Official Statistics Publication for Scotland. Scottish Local Authorities received 17,797 applications for homelessness assistance during the six months April to September 2017, 2% higher compared to the same period during 2016.

Tackling homelessness and housing (SG 20/01/18)
£1.6 million funding boost for projects across Scotland. Grants totaling £1.6 million will fund innovative services aimed at tackling homelessness and improving housing, particularly for the most vulnerable. 17 projects successfully applied for the Housing Voluntary Grant Scheme (HVGS) 2018/19, which supports third sector organisations to deliver housing related projects and services.

News Releases

£866 million investment to help unlock potential 200,000 new homes (BG 01/02/18)
Up to 200,000 new homes are set to get off the ground as government confirms £866 million investment in local housing projects. Housing Secretary Sajid Javid and Chancellor Philip Hammond announced that 133 council-led projects across the country will receive funding to support local work that will make housing developments viable and get much-needed homes built quicker.

Holyrood Committee welcomes Housing Amendment Bill (SP 1/02/18)
The Local Government and Communities Committee has recommended the general principles of the Housing (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill in a report published today. The Bill is intended to pave the way for the Office for National Statistics to reclassify Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) back to the private sector in the UK national accounts.

Report from the accreditation and CPD workshop Edinburgh (CIfA 31/01/18)
CIfA held a workshop in Edinburgh focused on accreditation and continuing professional development. The event provided applicants and those considering applying for or upgrading their membership with advice on how to approach the task of demonstrating their competences. It covered practicalities of applying, and also the wider reasons for what the benefit of accreditation is for practicing archaeologists and the wider profession.

Shaping Better Places Together (University of Dundee 26/01/18)
With support from the Scottish Government, a specialist research team made up of members from the University of Dundee, Eclipse Research and Kevin Murray Associates has produced a report into the facilitation of participatory placemaking.

Committees call Carillion directors in new joint inquiry (BP 25/01/18)
The Work and Pensions and Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committees launch a new joint inquiry into the collapse of Carillion, leaving a mountain of debt, potential job losses in the thousands, a giant pension deficit and hundreds of millions of pounds of unfinished public contracts with vast on-going costs to the UK taxpayer.

Web platform for sustainable building materials (A&DS 24/01/18)
Material Considerations: A Library of Sustainable Building Materials has been based at The Lighthouse, Glasgow since 2012. This web based resource showcases sustainable, traditional, innovative, recycled and low carbon building materials. This resource will interest construction professionals, architects, builders, home-owners and students alike.

A9 dualling proposals (HES 23/01/18)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has today (Tuesday 23 January) responded to proposals to dual the A9 between Killiecrankie and Glen Garry in Perthshire, requesting more assurances around the impact on Killiecrankie Battlefield.

Scotland’s Most Polluted Streets for 2017 Revealed (Friends of the Earth Scotland 22/01/18)
A new study by Friends of the Earth Scotland ranking the country’s most polluted streets confirms that air pollution remains a public health crisis plaguing Scotland.

IHBC 2018 Belfast School, June 21-3: Home, venue and promotional pages launched (IHBC 21/01/18)
The first webpages for the IHBC’s 2018 School in Belfast – on June 21-23 and exploring ‘Our Shared Heritage’ – have been launched, and include links to venues and promotional opportunities, to help delegates, users and advertisers plan their School CPD, travel and business.

Independent review to tackle barriers to building (MHCLG 14/01/18)
Panel of experts to review the gap between number of planning permissions being granted and those built in areas of high demand.

Compulsory Purchase Order National Assembly 2017 (SG 12/17)
The Minister for Local Government and Housing’s speech at the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) National Assembly held on 12 December 2017.

IHBC’s new website for 2018: sharp design – improved access – enhanced security (IHBC 16/01/18)
The IHBC has launched its upgraded website, with a new look home page that now also includes direct links to IHBC Branch and IHBC related events across the UK.

Opinion & Comment

One brick at the time: changing the future of construction (A&DS 24/01/18)

The demise of Carillion matters to us all (Mandy Rhodes, Holyrood Magazine 23/01/18)

Culture as the ‘social glue’ in society, and the value it adds to External Relations in Scotland (Ann Packard, RSA 15/12/17) 

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-13988: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 22/01/2018
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to protect the 160 historic sites that have been reported by Historic Environment Scotland as being at high risk.

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-13672: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 04/01/2018
To ask the Scottish Government what the average level of grant funding is for each affordable housing unit in Scotland, and how this compares with England.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (22/01/2018)

Question S5W-13671: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 04/01/2018
To ask the Scottish Government how many homes have been delivered since 2007 for social rent, and how the supply of homes for social rent compares with that in England.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (22/01/2018)

Question S5W-13670: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 04/01/2018
To ask the Scottish Government how many affordable homes have been delivered since 2007, and how the supply of affordable housing per head of population in Scotland compares with that in England.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (22/01/2018)

Question S5W-13719: Claudia Beamish, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 09/01/2018
To ask the Scottish Government whether, in furthering its land reform policies, local community organisations, such as those types referred to in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, are given the first opportunity to buy any Scottish Government-owned land or property, or part thereof.
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham (18/01/2018)

Events

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

AHSS Forth & Borders Group Lecture
‘Heroines of the Canongate: a different perspective on urban reform in the Edwardian Old Town’
Date: 5th February, at 18.30.
Location: St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PA
Cost: £5 (£2.50 students) Non-members welcome! Tickets on the door.
Urban reform in the Old Town is often associated with the names of H.D.Littlejohn and Patrick Geddes. Dr Elizabeth darling adopts a different perspective, focusing on the many women who effected change in environments in and around the Canongate.

Maximising Tourism Opportunities in Towns [STP in partnership with VisitScotland]
Date: Wednesday 7th February 2018, 1.30pm – 4pm.
Location: Murrayfield, Edinburgh.
Learn how to maximise the opportunities from tourism in your town at this interactive workshop with VisitScotland and Scotland’s Towns Partnership. Due to high demand, additional places on this workshop have been made available. Read more.
Free to STP Members | £50+VAT Non-Members

‘Researching Scotland’s textile heritage through material culture evidence’
Date: February 19 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: National Museum Scotland Auditorium, Chambers Street Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Lecture given by Dr Anita Quye, Senior Lecturer, Conservation Science, History of Art, University of Glasgow. Many perspectives on the often colourful world of historical textiles are gained through scientific and historical research of material culture evidence in heritage collections. The particularly rich legacies of Scotland’s textile-producing past in museums and archives have led the University of Glasgow to investigate the significance and preservation needs of this fascinating material culture. Presented in this talk are research projects for Turkey red textiles and 19th century early synthetic dyes research, and the interdisciplinary ReINVENT and ReCREATE knowledge exchange and research networks.

‘Researching Scotland’s textile heritage through material culture evidence’
Date: February 21 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Kelvin Hall, 1445 Argyle Street Glasgow, G3 8AW.
Lecture given by Dr Anita Quye, Senior Lecturer, Conservation Science, History of Art, University of Glasgow. Many perspectives on the often colourful world of historical textiles are gained through scientific and historical research of material culture evidence in heritage collections. The particularly rich legacies of Scotland’s textile-producing past in museums and archives have led the University of Glasgow to investigate the significance and preservation needs of this fascinating material culture. Presented in this talk are research projects for Turkey red textiles and 19th century early synthetic dyes research, and the interdisciplinary ReINVENT and ReCREATE knowledge exchange and research networks.

AHSS Strathclyde Group Lecture
‘The Enigma of Sir John James Burnet’
Date: 22 February, at 19:30.
Venue: Garnethill Room, Renfield St. Stephen’s Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow
Cost: £4 / students free. Tickets will be available on the door.
Niall Murphy, Deputy Director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust discusses the career and buildings of Glasgow’s third architect with an international reputation. With a talent equal to Thomson and Mackintosh and an even more stellar career, Burnet remains something of an unknown.

Contemporary Approaches to Sustainability in European Cities
Date: Thursday 1 March 2018, 1pm – 6pm.
Location: University of Dundee.
The Academy of Urbanism and University of Dundee are delighted to convene a special event to consider the application of contemporary strategies to make medium-sized cities more sustainable in environmental, socio-economic and cultural terms. We have invited senior speakers from leading AoU European City Finalists, including Bilbao, Copenhagen, Freiburg and Ljubljana together with additional input from Scottish and UK specialists. Read more.
Places are free but will be limited, so registration is required by the 22 February.

‘Recent work on the sunken Bronze Age town of Pavlopetri, Greece’
Date: March 12 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Venue: National Museum Scotland Auditorium, Chambers Street Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Lecture given by Dr Jon Henderson, Associate Professor, Department of Archaeology, University of Nottingham. Joint lecture with the Prehistoric Society. Pavlopetri, off the coast of Laconia, Greece, is the oldest submerged town in the world with remains dating from at least 3,500 BC through to the end of the Mycenaean period c.1,100 BC. Recent underwater research has traced structures over 8 hectares of seabed consisting of intact domestic buildings, larger public constructions, courtyards, streets, graves and rock-cut tombs. As the current project comes to a close this lecture will consider the nature of occupation at the site through time, how it came to be submerged and its wider role in the maritime trade networks of the Aegean.

Training

Cash in with our Focus on Fundraising bundle – Digital, Data and Marketing
Museums & Galleries Scotland kickstart the New Year with a programme of training on the subject of income generation, with great courses from Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage, Culture Republic and more! We’ve got seven individual courses covering three different themes: a bundle called Focus on Fundraising, a solo artist called Rural Heritage and Commerciality, and the triple threat bundle that is Digital, Data and Marketing.

RIAS Risk Management CPD
Date: 7th of February, 1.45pm and 3.45pm.
Location: RIAS Headquarters, 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh EH3 2BE.
Cost: The workshop is £5 which covers catering.
The aim of this workshop is to outline how Professional Indemnity Insurance policy operates in the event of a circumstance/claim and how the insurer, broker and insured work together to either manage the issue or, when needed, to settle. It is intended as a round table discussion and not a lecture. Thereafter, some real examples of common causes of circumstances/claims and how the cover operates in the case of a complaint to the ARB against the Insured will be reviewed. There are no definitive check lists in risk management and so the purpose of this event is to help you develop thinking tools to protect yourself.

In Conversation: Fundraising For Heritage Trustees (Aberdeen)
Date & time: February 8 @ 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Location: Society Of Advocates in Aberdeen Broad St, Aberdeen, AB10.
For the second ‘In Conversation’ event, chair Catherine Holden will be joined by a panel of expert guests, to share their experiences, insights and tips on fundraising for the heritage sector. The panel will be comprised of individuals working with both large and small organisations; those in the thick of a fundraising campaign, or with a campaign behind or ahead of them, and others focusing on revenue fundraising.

Crowdfunding For Arts & Heritage Organisations (Edinburgh)
Date & time: February 13 @ 10:30 am – 4:30 pm
Location: A&BS, 1st Floor, Rosebery House 9 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5EZ.
This training event, brought to you by Arts & Business Scotland supporting Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage, will provide a ‘how-to’ guide to crowdfunding for cultural organisations.
There are 6 places for arts organisations and 6 places for heritage organisations to participate in the event which is being delivered by the creative crowdfunding agency (SoLoCo and Dig Ventures).
The training will also incorporate a hands-on simulated crowdfund so that you can try out your new skills straight away.

In Focus: Trusts & Foundations (Linlithgow)
Date & time: February 15 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Linlithgow Burgh Halls, Cross House, Linlithgow, EH49 7AH.
This session focuses on heritage organisations applying to Trusts & Foundations. The training will include: An overview of where Trusts sit within the overall funding landscape. The advantages and disadvantages of making applications. An exploration of the various different types of trusts and a guide to writing proposals. The event will explore case studies from the sector and provide top tips in making applications as well as developing and maintaining your relationship with a trust.

A General Tax Guide For Arts And Heritage Organisations (Edinburgh)
Date & time: February 21 @ 1:00 Pm – 4:30 Pm
Location: A&BS, 1st Floor, Rosebery House Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5EZ.
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 event will look at the tax status of income, box office arrangements, room hires, trading activities, memberships, grants and donations and sponsorship.  It will highlight tax savings that can be available and the issues and opportunities that frequently affect arts and heritage organisations. It will be based on current rules and procedures and highlight common errors and dispel common tax myths.

Trustees’ Event: Briefing On Risk Management (Edinburgh)
Date & time: February 21 @ 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Location: RSM, First Floor, Quay 2, 139 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 9QG.
During this session, Richard Mackie – Associate Director at RSM Risk Assurance Services LLP – will provide a step-by-step introduction to risk management for trustees working in the heritage sector. Risk Management is essential to the smooth-running and sustainability of all projects and organisations. It involves consideration of both internal and external risk factors, and an evaluation of previous areas of risk which have impacted the organisation. It asks what the organisation wants to look like in five years’ time and what challenges might be faced in getting there. The process also takes in to account what beneficiaries, regulators, partners, public and other stakeholders are telling you about the organisation.

In Focus: Storytelling Using Media (Edinburgh)
Date & time: February 22 @ 9:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Location: Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH1 2PG.
This hands-on practical session will allow you to identify your key messages and present them using media. This particular workshop will focus on using video as a medium for storytelling. Identifying and presenting your key messages in an appealing and visual way can support your fundraising efforts and help you to effectively communicate the value of the work that you/your organisation does as well as the value of heritage more widely.

Vacancies

Assistant BID Manager (Part–time Maternity Cover) (Falkirk Delivers)
We are looking for someone to cover maternity leave for 12 months from late February 2018 in the position of Assistant BID Manager – A job which carries real responsibility and a degree of autonomy. Working closely with the BID Manager to deliver agreed project outcomes on time and in budget under the key strategic objectives. Working with the project partners and BID team to identify, capture and manage risks. Working with a wide range of partners and town centre stakeholders both at a local and national level. Liaising with media and marketing teams to ensure positive promotion of Falkirk Town Centre. Identify funding opportunities for town centre projects and events.
Closing date midnight on Monday 5th February 2018 

Director (SCT)
The Scottish Civic Trust is seeking to recruit a new Director. This is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated individual to join the leading body in Scotland for encouraging civic pride in our cities, towns and villages. The Trust is a proud supporter of a nationwide network of local civic and amenity societies and is a regular campaigner for issues of national significance. The key responsibilities of the Director include the development and management of initiatives, providing advice on matters of policy and ensuring the Trust’s resources and activities are aligned with Board’s strategies. As the Trust’s principal ambassador, the Director will build and maintain relationships and networks with similar organisations and the media as well as ensuring the Trust’s reputation is maintained, therefore requiring knowledge of a range of communication strategies and media. The newly appointed Director will also be responsible for ensuring the Trust’s resources, such as finance, people and property, are deployed effectively.
Closing date: Monday 12 February 2018.

Development Officer Scotland (Heritage Trust Network)
Heritage Trust Network is a membership organisation run by people who have delivered amazing heritage projects against all the odds. Our mission is to help others do the same.
Thanks to funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund (supported by Historic Environment Scotland) and The National Trust for Scotland, we are now recruiting a Development Officer to support and connect the HTN network in Scotland, and recruit new members. We are looking for an experienced historic buildings / community development professional with the ability to bring together national and local partners to revitalise the Building Preservation Trust sector in Scotland and unlock the potential of historic buildings at risk for communities across Scotland.
The closing date for applications is midday on Thursday 22 February

Volunteering Opportunity: Place and Design Panel (West Dunbartonshire Council)
Are you passionate about the importance of place making and the role of good design in our built environment? Are you willing to contribute your expertise and enthusiasm to making a difference to design quality in West Dunbartonshire? West Dunbartonshire Council is looking for people to join their Place and Design Panel; a new venture in early engagement and impartial, objective dialogue with upcoming development. The Place and Design Panel will play a key role in raising the quality of design development, improving the health, well-being, aspirations and economic fortunes of West Dunbartonshire.
The closing date for applications is Friday 1st June 2018.

Information in the Bulletin is extracted from a number of websites including the Scottish Government (SG); the Scottish Parliament (SP); Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS); Historic Environment Scotland (HES); Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH); Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO); English Heritage (EH); Design Council (DC); Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG); Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS); Department of Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA); National Assembly for Wales (NAW); Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS); Scottish Government Building Standards  (SGBS); Europa Nostra (EN); Historic England (HE).

BEFS News

The Maintenance of Tenement Communal Property was debated in the Parliament on Tuesday 9th January. BEFS contacted MSPs ahead of the debate to raise awareness, using the range of case studies we received following our call for evidence at the end of 2017. You can watch the debate here. You can also read the live coverage of the debate on BBC Scotland News. BEFS will continue to engage with the Parliament on this topic and has offered to support any working group formed.

You can vent your own common repair problems in this three minute survey from Under One Roof.

BEFS in partnership with a number of BEFS members and stakeholders has written to Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Local Governmnet and Housing, to raise concerns over current government proposals intended to improve the energy performance of Scotland’s private rented housing stock – specifically the potential impact the use of the Energy Performance Certificate will have on Scotland’s stock of traditionally built homes.

The power for communities to have the right to buy abandoned, neglected, or detrimental land and buildings is soon to become available: what opportunities will it offer your community? BEFS in partnership with Glasgow City Heritage Trust invites you to join us at Govanhill Baths in March to find out more about this piece of legislation.

Scotland’s Sustainable Development Goals Network has launched an invitation to organisations and individuals across Scotland to sign an open letter to key decision makers and institutions in Scotland. This letter calls on the Scottish Cabinet and Scotland’s Political Parties, Parliamentary Committees and Local Authorities to demonstrate their commitment to delivering the SDGs in Scotland by publishing the specific actions they are taking towards the goals. BEFS has agreed to sign the open letter. It might be something for your organisation to consider too.

Scottish Civic Trust’s My Place Awards 2018 are still accepting nominations for the best new building, public realm or designed landscape or heritage restoration project in Scotland. Don’t delay, the deadline for nominations is 31 January 2018!

Finally, don’t miss out on the range of upcoming events listed in out events and training sections and a number of job opportunities in the sector.

Consultations

Planning (Scotland) Bill
As with all bills, the Finance and Constitution Committee invites written evidence on the estimated financial implications of the Bill as set out in its accompanying Financial Memorandum (FM).
The deadline for submissions is 26 Janaury 2018.

A Connected Scotland: Tackling social isolation and loneliness and building stronger social connections (SG 16/01/18)
Opened 16 Jan 2018 and closes 27 Apr 2018.

Practical Fire Safety Guidance for Existing Premises with Sleeping Accommodation.
Closes 5 February.

Proposed Social Housing (Automatic Fire Suppression Systems) (Scotland) Bill
Consultation closing date: 16 April 2018.

Law Commission consultation on planning law in Wales (Law Commission x/12/17)
he Law Commission launched a twelve-week public consultation on its proposals to modernise and codify planning law in Wales, with a deadline for responses of 1 March 2018.

Consultation Responses

Basements developments and the planning system call for evidence: summary of responses (MHCLG 19/12/17)

Publications

Scotland’s Place in Europe: People, Jobs and Investment (SG 15/01/18)

The Planning (Scotland) Bill – How the Scottish planning system currently operates (SPICe Briefing 08/01/18) 

Scottish Government News Releases

Scotland after Brexit (SG 16/01/18)
Nicola Sturgeon delivered the first of the David Hume Institute’s Politicians & Professionals speeches, which continue until the end of February.

Scottish EU Bill likely to be introduced in February (SG 10/01/18)
EU Withdrawal Bill incompatible with devolution. The Scottish Government has begun preparations to introduce an EU Continuity Bill to prepare Scotland’s laws for Brexit after UK Government legislation was called “incompatible with the devolution settlement” by a cross-party Holyrood committee.

Keeping Scotland in Europe (SG 08/01/18)
“Next few months are a window of opportunity” says First Minister. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said today that the first few months of 2018 are a window of opportunity for all those working to protect Scotland’s place in Europe and particularly our membership of the European Single Market.

Forecasting coastal erosion (SG 05/01/18)
Research to map the effects of climate change. The damage that climate change could cause to nearly one fifth of Scotland’s coastline and the steps that could be taken to mitigate it will be forecast in a new two year research project. The next phase of DynamicCoast.com will use the latest monitoring techniques to map and categorise the resilience of the Scottish coast and identify the links between erosion and flooding.

Designing communities (SG 26/12/17)
People to have say in designs for their area. Community projects from Argyll and Bute to Shetland will share around £312,000 to regenerate their neighbourhoods, Local Government Minister Kevin Stewart announced today. As part of the Making Places Initiative, 19 projects will receive funding to bring people together to agree priorities for their area and shape future planning and design.

News Releases

V&A Dundee Museum of Design announces opening date (BBC 18/01/18)
Dundee’s £80.1m V&A Museum of Design will open on 15 September, it has been confirmed. The museum’s opening exhibition will be Ocean Liners: Speed & Style, which will “re-imagine the golden age of ocean travel.”

RICS Brexit position statement on infrastructure (RICS Scotland 16/01/18)
Membership of the EU provides the UK with access to a number of EU funding streams – notably, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). A loss of these funding streams could have negative consequences for infrastructure investment and development.

12 European heritage sites shortlisted for the 7 Most Endangered programme 2018 (EN 16/01/18)
At the opening of the European Year of Cultural Heritage, Europa Nostra, the leading heritage organisation in Europe, and the European Investment Bank Institute announce the 12 heritage sites shortlisted for the 7 Most Endangered programme 2018 by a panel of experts in various fields.

IHBC’s ‘Heritage from the (Christian) doorstep’:  New funding to rescue deteriorating historic churches (IHBC 16/01/18)
Historic churches and chapels in England, Wales, Scotland will benefit from £680,000 of rescue funding from the National Churches Trust, the UK’s church buildings support charity, as reported by Premier Christian Media Trust.

New Report Shows Impact of Climate Change on Historic Sites (HES 15/01/18)
A ground-breaking report outlining the climate change risk to Scotland’s historic sites, and next steps for managing this through in-depth assessment and investment, has been published today (Monday 15 January) by Historic Environment Scotland (HES).

Government’s vision for a greener future launched (DEFRA 11/01/18)
A pledge to eliminate avoidable waste, introduce new safeguards for wildlife and connect more children with nature are among the ambitious plans for a greener future outlined by Prime Minister Theresa May and Environment Secretary Michael Gove today.

Government renews focus on housing with Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG 08/01/18)
Following the appointment of Rt Hon. Sajid Javid MP as the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the department will be renamed as the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Deal or No Deal? There are significant issues with City Region Deals, says Holyrood Committee (SP 08/01/18)
There are significant issues with Scotland’s City Region Deals that must be addressed, according to a Holyrood Committee’s Deal or No Deal report. In the report published today, the Local Government and Communities Committee recognises that these Deals are in their infancy but outlines a number of concerns on the economic growth projects.

Historic Environment Scotland celebrates Planning Performance (HES 21/01/18)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has today (21 Dec 2017) published its 2016-17 Planning Performance Report; the first full-year Planning Performance Report since the merger of Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on Historic and Ancient Monuments of Scotland in 2015.

Green Infrastructure Community Engagement Fund to re-open for applications (SNH)
We are re-opening our Community Engagement Fund to new applicants at the start of 2018.  The Fund is part of SNH’s Green Infrastructure project which is working to transform some of Scotland’s most deprived urban areas by developing and improving their green spaces. The deadline for applications is Tuesday 3 April with funding decisions to be announced in May.

New App, Litlong, Lets You Take a Literary Tour of Edinburgh: Features 50,000 Book Excerpts 
The University of Edinburgh and Napier University have teamed up to create Litlong, a website and mobile app that lets you explore Edinburgh and its rich literary tradition.

SPAB Briefings (SPAB)
The SPAB Briefings offer a summary of recent work by the Society. Briefings offer cutting-edge information to help both owners and building professionals. They contain views, advice and information from specialists and members of the Society’s staff and cover: ‘Disaster and Recovery’, ‘
Energy Efficiency in Old Buildings’, ‘Lime’ and ‘Windows and Doors’.

Opinion & Comment

The Challenges and Opportunities for Scottish Planners in 2018 (Craig McLaren, RTPI Scotland) 

Synergies and Frictions between Mega-events and Local Urban Heritage (Zachary Jones, Department of Architecture and Urban Studies, Politecnico di Milano)

After Grenfell (Professor Mark Stephens, Heriot-Watt University)

Design well on the old: architectural conservation as a solution for 21st Century challenges (Dr Cristina González-Longo, University of Strathclyde)

Carillion’s Missing Millions (Grace Blakeley, Think tank researcher) 

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-13719: Claudia Beamish, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 09/01/2018
To ask the Scottish Government whether, in furthering its land reform policies, local community organisations, such as those types referred to in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, are given the first opportunity to buy any Scottish Government-owned land or property, or part thereof. (SP 09/01/18)

Question S5W-13670: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 04/01/2018
To ask the Scottish Government how many affordable homes have been delivered since 2007, and how the supply of affordable housing per head of population in Scotland compares with that in England. (SP 04/01/18)

Question S5W-13671: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 04/01/2018
To ask the Scottish Government how many homes have been delivered since 2007 for social rent, and how the supply of homes for social rent compares with that in England. (SP 04/01/18)

Question S5W-13672: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 04/01/2018
To ask the Scottish Government what the average level of grant funding is for each affordable housing unit in Scotland, and how this compares with England. (SP 04/01/18)

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-13531: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/12/2017
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the assessment that underpins its assertion that the provisions in its Planning (Scotland) Bill are compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.
Answered by Angela Constance (09/01/2018) 

Question S5W-13532: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/12/2017
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether the provisions in its Planning (Scotland) Bill are compliant with the obligations in the UN Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, also known as the Aarhus Convention, and when it will publish any such assessment.
Answered by Angela Constance (09/01/2018) 

Question S5W-13327: Elaine Smith, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/12/2017
To ask the Scottish Government how it will support local authorities in mitigating the effect of reports of rising rents in some inner city areas on low-income workers.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (21/12/2017)

Question S5W-13328: Elaine Smith, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/12/2017
To ask the Scottish Government how the provisions of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 that require local authorities to take due regard of the long-term supply of appropriately trained construction and maintenance labour has been monitored, and how it will be recorded during the Affordable Supply Housing. Programme
Answered by Kevin Stewart (20/12/2017)

Question S5W-13324: Elaine Smith, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/12/2017
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of local authority-owned land has been (a) sold to private developers and (b) retained for the purpose of building council housing for social rent in each of the last five years.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (20/12/2017)

Debates

Members’ Business for debate
Ben Macpherson: Maintenance of Tenement Communal Property—That the Parliament recognises that a significant proportion of people in Edinburgh and across Scotland live in tenement buildings; believes that the maintenance of communal property, otherwise known as the common parts or “Scheme Property” as defined in the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004, in tenements is essential to the upkeep of the buildings and the standard of living for owner occupiers and tenants; understands with concern that, in many cases, such Scheme Property is in a state of disrepair, degradation or deterioration; believes that current legislation is not consistently fulfilling its intention to encourage owners to establish effective arrangements for managing communal repairs and undertaking maintenance; acknowledges the various potential solutions put forward by groups and individuals in the housing sector to help address this issue, and notes the view that, for the wellbeing of owner occupiers and tenants and to sustain and enhance the country’s urban infrastructure and environments, the government should review the situation and consider any legislative changes, new initiatives, enhanced use of existing rules and/or further action by local authorities that could facilitate improved upkeep of Scheme Property. (SP 09/01/18)

Find the transcript of the debate here.

Events

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

Join us for the launch of our Youth Volunteer programme as part of our celebration of the Year of Young People 2018!
When: 25 January 2018 –  12.45 – 2pm, with lunch provided.
Where: PAS Office, 3rd floor, 125 Princes Street, Edinburgh.
Over our 25 years of existence, the PAS volunteer network has been made up of built environment professionals – mainly planners, architects and designers. Now, to mark our 25th anniversary and Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018, we will launch a brand new youth volunteer programme on 25 January. Through the youth volunteer programme, we hope to promote active citizenship among 16-25 year olds, encourage young people to be actively involved in placemaking in their community and broaden young people’s skills and confidence to participate in the decision-making processes in their place. We’re pleased that Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Local Government and Housing has agreed to speak at the launch. Please RSVP to Volunteer Manager, Erin Fulton: erin@pas.org.uk.

Heroines of the Canongate: Urban Reform in Edwardian Old Town
When: Monday 5th February 2018, at 6.30pm.
Where: St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PA.
Dr Elizabeth Darling is Reader in Architectural History at     Oxford Brookes University. Her work focuses on gender, space and reform in the 1890s – 1940s. Elizabeth offers us a different perspective on urban reform in the Old Town, highlighting the many women working around the same time as Patrick Geddes, and the change they effected in environments in and around the Canongate.

Tradition and Innovation: The Modernist legacy in Cambodia and Vietnam
When: Tuesday, 06 February 2018, from 18:15 to 19:15.
Where: City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, 25 Nicolson Square, Edinburgh EH8 9BX.
In this Docomomo Scotland talk, Nick Haynes, an architectural historian living in Edinburgh, will share Modernist impressions of his recent journey through Cambodia and Vietnam. More holiday slideshow than academic lecture, the tour will take us to various places in both countries, looking at the fascinating mid-20th century legacy of architectural and urban planning in socialist Southeast Asia. This will, of course, feature the architecture of the Cambodian star architect Vann Mollyvann, but also many works by other designers.

Maximising Tourism Opportunities in Towns
When: FEBRUARY 07, 2018 AT 1:30PM – 4PM
Where: Architecture + Design Scotland, Bakehouse Close, Edinburgh.
Learn how to maximise the opportunities from tourism in your town at this interactive workshop with VisitScotland and Scotland’s Towns Partnership. The event is free for STP members – join today! Hear from VisitScotland experts in marketing, events and inclusive tourism, and receive information about support and funding available from the national tourism agency. You will also hear case studies from the VisitScotland Growth Fund and discuss opportunities to attract the local community and visitors from outwith the region to your town centres and its businesses.

Debate – Glasgow’s Tenement Tradition: Are we British or European?
When: Thursday 15th February 2018 | 6-8pm.
Where: St Luke’s, Bain Street.
73% of us in Glasgow live in flats, compared with around 24% in most comparable English cities. In Spain and Germany flatted living is much more prevalent, so are we just more European, north of the border? Or are our traditional tenements actually a quirk of British housing? Our panel of speakers will discuss the character of tenements in Glasgow and beyond and what our housing pattern means for the city.

William Adam and Formal Landscape Design in Scotland 1720 – 1745
When: Monday 12th March 2018, at 6.30pm.
Where: St Andrew’s & St George’s West Church, 13 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PA.
A graduate of St. Andrew’s University, Louisa Humm works for Historic Environment Scotland- initially in their listing team and now as a Senior Casework Officer responsible for listed building consent work in Glasgow and other parts of South-West Scotland. Her lecture investigates how Adam’s garden designs related to contemporary and earlier fashions in Scotland and England. Featured estates include Newliston and Blair Crambeth.

Power to the People: Understanding Community Right to Buy
When: Wednesday 14th March 2018 | 6-8pm.
Where: Govanhill Baths, 99 Calder Street, Glasgow, G42 7RA.
The power for communities to have the right to buy abandoned, neglected, or detrimental land and buildings is soon to become available: what opportunities will it offer your community? Glasgow City Heritage Trust in partnership with the Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) invite you to join us at Govanhill Baths to find out more about this legislation, which will give communities significant power and rights to acquire land and buildings. Throughout the evening we will hear from a variety of organisations about what land is eligible, which community bodies can apply and the process for doing so. There will be opportunity for discussion and to learn from other communities that have taken on ownership responsibilities.

The Collapse of Holyrood Abbey Church in 1768
When: Monday 9th April 2018, at 6.30pm.
Where: St Andrew’s & St George’s West Church, 13 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PA.
Dr Dimitris Theodossopoulos teaches conservation and architectural technology at the University of Edinburgh, and is also a civil engineer. He is particularly interested in the technical aspects of monuments and their preservation. His talk sheds light onto the collapse of Holyrood Abbey Church, following the puzzling substitution of decaying roof trusses with masonry walls in 1760.

Training

CPD: Geology of Building Stone in Scotland
When: Wednesday 7th February 2018 | 12.30-1.30pm.
Where: 54 Bell Street, Glasgow.
Stone has been used as a vital element of Scotland’s historic built environment from prehistoric times to the present day. In this CPD session Dr Callum Graham of Historic Environment Scotland will explore the geology of Scotland’s rock types to highlight the fundamental physical properties of stone and why it was once the predominant material of choice for building traditional Scottish structures.

CPD: Approaches to Stone Conservation
When: Wednesday 21st February 2018 | 12.30-1.30pm.
Where: 54 Bell Street, Glasgow.
‘Approaches to Stone Conservation’ illustrates common symptoms and causes of stone decay and their means of determination before the main preventive and remedial conservation actions are discussed in the context of traditional stone buildings. These will cover stone cleaning, pointing, stone indents and surface coatings.

The Structural Repair of Historic Buildings
When: 23 February 2018, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Where: Charlestown Workshops & Merryhill Training Centre.
Cost: £190 + vat (if you are a BLF, IHBC or RIAS member you are eligible for 20% discount on this seminar. Please just give us a call with your member number).
The aim of this seminar is to provide professionals with a sound understanding of the philosophy of conservation and a better understanding of the relationship between structural engineering and conservation, of safety issues and of the aesthetics of conservation based structural repairs. This seminar, led by Ian Hume is suitable for anyone involved in the structural repair of historic buildings, conservation officers, architects, engineers, site managers and others would find this seminar helpful. The course will consist of lectures, case studies and group activities.

CPD: Stone Matching
When: Wednesday 7th March 2018 | 12.30-1.30pm.
Where: 54 Bell Street, Glasgow.
Throughout Scotland there is a wealth of traditional buildings constructed of stone. When the time comes to repair and replace stonework, a detailed knowledge of the chemical, physical and mineralogical properties of the existing stone is required. Only with that understanding can we select compatible materials to replace it with. This CPD session will explore why stone matching is required, the difficulties of stone replacement in the UK and what services are available, as well as the petrographic stone matching procedures, its requirements, time restraints and what the technician undertaking the test actually does.

Vacancies

Project Manager (STP)
Scotland’s Towns Partnership, the national agency for towns in Scotland, is seeking a Project Manager (part time) for a 3 – 6 month period. The post offers a flexible working pattern. The post holder will be expected to work closely alongside our Chief Officer as we reshape the Business Improvement District Model towards a more expansive Community Improvement District approach and develop a new range of supports, partnerships and activities related to this. The role will involve developing new stakeholder relationships and helping to shape central support services and tools for the new Community Improvement District model.
The deadline for applications is 5pm, 19th January 2018.

Glasgow’s Historic Environment Scoping Study: Invitation to Tender (GCHT)
Glasgow City Heritage Trust (GCHT) wishes to engage a suitable professional to conduct a study into the state of Glasgow’s built environment and the landscape of organisations and community groups involved in the sector within Glasgow. This study would form the framework and supporting background documentation for an event in Spring 2018  which would challenge attendees to consider: what do we need to do together to improve the state of the city’s built heritage? The final document would inform GCHT’s strategic direction and would also be disseminated online to anyone with an interest, allowing them to evidence and develop their own activities in the sector. This study will suit a variety of professionals and the Trust is flexible in the appointment of this contract.
Deadline: 12 noon, Monday 22nd January 2018.

Grants Operations Manager (HES)
The Grants Operations Manager will undertake all day to day management functions of the delivery of HES’s grant investment in the historic environment. You will be responsible for ensuring annual spend meets the allocated budgets, commitments for future spend are suitably accounted and that the Delivery Team is well line managed.
Closing Date: 24 January 2018 at midday.

International Training Officer (EWH)
Edinburgh World Heritage looking to appoint an International Training Officer to assist with the delivery of the Interreg Atlantic Area European Regional Development Fund (AtlaS.WH) project. This is a European project to improve the preservation, enhancement and sustainability of historic city centres. Partner cities include Porto (project co-ordinator), Edinburgh, Florence, Bordeaux, and Santiago de Compostela. The project objectives are to improve the protection and promotion of World Heritage Sites, reinforce the sense of belonging for residents, promote local economic activities and promote sustainable management of urban World Heritage Sites. To apply for this role, please send us your CV, together with a completed application from and covering letter in support of your application by 5PM, Wednesday 24th January 2018. 

Heritage Impact Fund – Project Manager (Consultant) Tender Opportunity (AHF)
The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF), the leading social investor in the heritage sector, is developing a new Heritage Impact Fund (HIF). This fund is designed to assist community businesses, social enterprises and charities to find enterprising new uses for historic buildings they value and to produce socially-beneficial heritage projects. In preparation for launching this Fund, the AHF is now seeking a Project Manager who will support the Architectural Heritage Fund’s Investment Manager on the establishment of the HIF. Completed tenders to be returned to the AHF by 24th January 2018; 

Chief Executive (Shetland Amenity Trust)
In stunning surroundings and with an unparalleled history, this is a rare chance to lead Shetland Amenity Trust, a charity set up in 1983 to care for the islands’ exceptional culture and heritage and improve access to them. As well as being a grant giver, the Trust runs a large number of projects and events. These include the Geopark which is of international and UNESCO interest, a Viking project, a woodland conservation scheme, a museum and archives which hosts a cafe, a range of community history projects, tourist holidays and accommodation, and a number of cultural events which have global appeal. The role of CEO with the Trust will be varied, exciting and challenging while allowing you to showcase your talents to the max.
Closing Date: Midnight, Monday 5th February 2018.

Five (5) High-Quality Grant Supported Traineeships at Scottish Heritage Organisations (Next Step Initiative)
Next Step Initiative is offering The Ethnic Minority Career Museum, & Built Environment Heritage Traineeships (With Bursary).
Next Step Initiative is a leading Ethnic Minority Social enterprise and Charity established in 2009, that works to empower, improve and transform the quality of life of African and Caribbean/Ethnic Minority Communities in Scotland. Next Step Initiative, through the support of its strategic heritage partners, has created this unique and exciting new skills training programme. ‘The Ethnic Minority Career Museum and Built Environment Heritage Programme’, (EMCMBEHP). EMCMBEHP aim is to focus on widening and strengthening skills development and access of people from the African and Caribbean/Ethnic Minority Communities across Scotland into the world of both the museum and built environment heritage sectors. EMCMBEHP is supported through the Heritage Lottery Fund’s National Skills for the Future Initiative.
Application Deadline: 5 pm on Friday 9th of February 2018.

CSGN Young Persons Travel Grant (CSGN)
The High Line in New York, Gardens by the Bay in Singapore and the Bosco Verticale in Milan are just some of the world-renowned examples of green infrastructure which are already being used to inspire the development of projects in central Scotland. By applying for our travel grant of up to £1,000 (£500 if visiting an initiative in the UK), you could be in with a chance to visit anywhere in the world to learn more about green infrastructure projects like these and to bring the knowledge back to the Central Belt.
Deadline for applications is midnight 1 April 2018. 

Heritage consultant (Simpson & Brown)
Simpson & Brown is looking to appoint a new member to its Heritage Consultancy Team. Simpson & Brown is looking for an enthusiastic, dynamic and experienced person to join the Heritage Consultancy Team in Edinburgh. The position would be part time, three days per week. Simpson & Brown are leading experts in historic buildings and sites with 40 years of experience working with some of the United Kingdom’s most important built heritage. The Heritage Consultancy Team specialises in conservation plans and statements of significance for all types of heritage asset. Working in this team requires versatility and a willingness to be involved in a variety of work relating to the historic built environment.
Further details will be released on Simpson & Brown’s website in the last week of January 2018

BEFS News

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution Derek Mackay MSP laid out the details of the Scottish Government’s draft budget 2018-19 last Thursday. Key documents have also been published, including a Scotland Performs Update. Details on the funding of Historic Environment Scotland within the Culture, Tourism and External Affairs portfolio can be found in our latest news item.

Scotland’s national fundraising conference specifically dedicated to the heritage sector will take place on Thursday 26th April 2018 in Edinburgh. Celebrating Scotland’s Heritage and the Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage (RSH) Training Programme, the conference will focus on various fundraising avenues, share the RSH legacies from the past four years and look forward to future training opportunities, following the conclusion of the training programme in March 2018. Further details in the new year but save the date!

BEFS is delighted to introduce three new Trustees. Read a little about Tom Addyman, Stuart Beattie and Kate Houghton, and their ambitions in their new roles on BEFS board.

Finally, the team at BEFS would like to wish you all a wonderful festive season and a great start to 2018. The BBC has helpfully pulled together some of the best and worst politician Christmas cards of the year…enjoy!

Consultations
The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee has today, Friday 15 December, launched a call for written evidence on the Planning (Scotland) Bill

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Relief from Additional Amount) (Scotland) Bill
The Finance and Constitution Committee is the lead Committee responsible for scrutiny of the Bill.  Accordingly, the Committee would be interested in hearing your views on the Bill.

Consultation Responses

Climate Change Bill: Consultation Summary Report (SG 18/12/17)
A summary report from independent contractors analysing responses to the public consultation on Scottish Government proposals for a Climate Change Bill.

Publications

The Taylor Review: Sustainability of English Churches and Cathedrals (DDCMS 20/12/17)
An independent review, chaired by Bernard Taylor, into the sustainability of Church of England Church and Cathedral buildings.

The Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) – Scottish Government Guidance for Social Landlords (Revised December 2017) (SG 20/12/17)

A guide to energy performance certificates for the marketing, sale and let of dwellings: Improving the energy efficiency of our buildings (DCLG xx/12/17)

Places, people and planning: simplified development zone flowchart (SG 18/12/17)

Understanding the Archaeology of Landscapes: A Guide to Good Recording Practice (Second Edition) (CiFA 14/12/17)
This document outlines non-invasive fieldwork approaches to surveying, investigating and interpreting archaeological sites and landscapes. It is relevant to archaeologists working in the commercial sector, to those conducting academic research projects, and to the voluntary sector and community groups.

‘Hard to reach’ or ‘easy to ignore’? Promoting equality in community engagement – Evidence review (WWS 12/12/17)
This evidence review explores the intersection between community engagement and inequality. It examines evidence, from Scotland and the UK, on what is being done to overcome inequality in community engagement.

Estimate of Community Owned Land in Scotland 2017 (SG 08/12/17)

Code of Conduct for Persons Lobbying MSPs (SP 08/12/17)
TheLobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 requires the Scottish Parliament to publish a code of conduct for persons lobbying members of the Scottish Parliament.  This Code of Conduct has been produced to meet this statutory obligation.

Scottish Government News Releases

Building a fairer Scotland (SG 20/12/17)
£756 million investment in affordable housing. A 28% funding increase will help deliver at least 50,000 affordable homes over this Parliament, as announced in the Draft Budget by Finance Secretary Derek Mackay.

Building and fire safety (SG 18/12/17)
Response to independent interim review. Communities Secretary Angela Constance has welcomed the publication of an interim report into UK building regulations and fire safety. Dame Judith Hackitt was commissioned to carry out the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety following the Grenfell Tower fire.

Scotland’s Budget (SG 14/12/17)
Investing in the NHS, protecting low earners, backing Scotland’s economy. The 2018-19 Draft Budget will protect the NHS and public services, support low earners and unlock Scotland’s economic potential, according to Finance Secretary Derek Mackay.

13% increase in number of new build homes started (SG 13/12/17)
A National Statistics Publication for Scotland. There were 19,598 new build homes started across all sectors over the year ending June 2017, an increase of 13%, or 2,188 homes, on the previous year.

Returning EU powers (SG 12/12/17)
Preparations underway for ‘Continuity Bill’. The Scottish Government will press ahead with preparations for a ‘Continuity Bill’ if significant changes are not made to UK Brexit legislation, Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe Michael Russell has said.

70,000 affordable homes delivered (SG 12/12/17)
Housing figures published today. More than 70,000 affordable homes have now been delivered since 2007- a total of 48,813 homes for social rent, including 8,819 council homes, as well as 4,936 for affordable rent and 17,112 for affordable home ownership.

Community ownership is increasing in Scotland (SG 08/12/17)
Scotland’s Chief Statistician today published the Estimate of Community Owned Land in Scotland 2017 publication. The publication presents the area of land in community ownership, the number of land parcels/assets in community ownership and the number of community groups that own land parcels/assets.

News Releases

New Planning Bill needs national and regional housing targets, says Henry McLeish (SHN 21/12/17)
The chair of the Scottish Alliance for People and Places and the former First Minister of Scotland, the Rt. Hon. Henry McLeish, has pressed the Scottish Government to be more ambitious on housing in its recently published Planning (Scotland) Bill.

Survey of community archaeologists (CiFA 19/12/17)
The CIfA Voluntary and Community SIG has launched a survey of community archaeologists to get a better idea of who is working in community archaeology and to find out what everyone would like to have or need in terms of support and training. What can we do to support community archaeology across the sector and promote best practice and standards? The survey is open until the end of January 2018.

Call for Entries – RIAS/RIBA Awards for Scotland 2018 (RIAS 14/12/17)
This year we are launching entirely in tandem with the RIBA. All types of architectural projects are eligible, including conservation, conversions, extensions, interiors, new-build, public realm, regeneration and restoration. Entries submitted will be eligible to win the new RIAS Awards and Special Category Awards, RIBA Awards for Scotland and RIBA Special Awards. RIAS Award winners will also be eligible for the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award. RIBA Award winners will also be eligible for the RIBA Stirling Prize. Only one submission and one entry fee per project submitted is required.

Independent review calls for greater community use to give church buildings a sustainable future (DDCMS 20/12/17)
Churches should be opened up for new and different uses by communities to help build a more sustainable future for the buildings, an independent report has recommended. The Taylor Review: Sustainability of English Churches and Cathedrals says that congregations should be empowered to involve more local people in enjoying, valuing, using and caring for their churches.

SURF Award Winners Announced (SURF 07/12/17)
The outcomes of the prestigious 2017 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration were announced tonight (07/12/17) at a celebratory presentation event in Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel.

Opinion & Comment

Reflections on the Planning (Scotland) Bill (RTPI Scotland 19/12/17)

Communities across Scotland at risk from flooding reservoirs (18/12/17)

Land Value Taxation (Scottish Land Commission 15/12/17)

Arctic Circle Forum: Scotland and the New North (RTPI Scotland 14/12/17)

Blog: The housing land market in Scotland (SHN 08/12/17)

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”.

Elaine Smith S5W-13324
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of local authority-owned land has been (a) sold to private developers and (b) retained for the purpose of building council housing for social rent in each of the last five years. (SP 11/12/17)

Elaine Smith S5W-13327
To ask the Scottish Government how it will support local authorities in mitigating the effect of reports of rising rents in some inner city areas on low-income workers. (SP 11/12/17)

Elaine Smith S5W-13328
To ask the Scottish Government how the provisions of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 that require local authorities to take due regard of the long-term supply of appropriately trained construction and maintenance labour has been monitored, and how it will be recorded during the Affordable Supply Housing Programme (SP 11/12/17).

Jackie Baillie S5W-13531
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the assessment that underpins its assertion that the provisions in its Planning (Scotland) Bill are compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. (SP 20/12/17)

Jackie Baillie S5W-13532
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether the provisions in its Planning (Scotland) Bill are compliant with the obligations in the UN Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, also known as the Aarhus Convention, and when it will publish any such assessment. (SP 20/12/17)

Parliamentary Questions & Answers

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

Question S5W-12953: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 23/11/2017
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the commitment in the 2016 SNP manifesto to deliver a warm homes bill “to support our work to tackle fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency”, whether it will set out what specific measures it will introduce to combat fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (05/12/2017)

Question S5W-13032: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29/11/2017
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the introduction of new towns as a means to tackle housing shortages, as recommended by RICS and similar to those announced for England by the UK Government.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (06/12/2017)

Question S5W-13066: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 29/11/2017
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to use (a) the (i) Energy Efficiency Programme (SEEP) and (ii) Warm Homes bill and (b) other measures to invest in and support work (A) to bring more existing stock back in to use and (B) where properties need repaired or upgraded before insulation work begins.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (12/12/2017)

Question S5W-13033: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29/11/2017
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5W-11853 and S5W-11854 by Kevin Stewart on 25 October 2017, what provisions are in place to ensure the same standards are met for listed and pre-1919 buildings that are not grant-funded by HES.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (12/12/2017)

Question S5W-13034: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29/11/2017
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to ensure that all (a) listed and (b) pre-1919 buildings have an accredited professional adviser on energy efficiency adaptations.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (12/12/2017)

Question S5W-13036: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 30/11/2017
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-11854 by Kevin Stewart on 25 October 2017, in light of the development of the skills listed being voluntary, what plans it has to make accreditation mandatory for retrofit work on listed and traditional buildings.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (12/12/2017)

Question S5W-13028: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29/11/2017
To ask the Scottish Government how many new skilled workers it estimates are needed to meet its house-building targets.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (13/12/2017)

Question S5W-13030: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29/11/2017
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to providing additional funding for training new workers in the construction sector.
Answered by Jamie Hepburn (12/12/2017)

Question S5W-13031: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29/11/2017
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it will give to the recommendations in the UK Government’s interim report on the review of the gap between planning permission being granted and house building completion, and whether it will consider these when tackling similar issues for housing developments in Scotland.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (12/12/2017)

Question S5W-13037: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 30/11/2017
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-11852 by Kevin Stewart on 25 October 2017, what protections are in place for alterations and changes that may be damaging but are allowed to take place without a Listed Building Consent.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (12/12/2017) 

Question S5W-13038: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 30/11/2017
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of pre-1919 residential buildings are not listed.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (12/12/2017)

Question S5W-13039: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 30/11/2017
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether EPC measures for the U-value of stone construction in Scotland fairly represent actual in situ performance.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (12/12/2017)

Events

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

Property repair and maintenance event
When: 5th February 2018 at 5.30pm-7.30pm
Where: ESPC Property Information Centre,107 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3ES
Living in a tenement? Have you considered the best way to maintain the communal building in which you live to protect your property from damp or other such problems? Or worry about how to go about fixing repairs on your shared building now that the council’s statutory notices are no longer issued? Is there funding available for your property? Hypostyle Architects has worked with homeowners for many years providing a professional service to help them repair and maintain their properties. ESPC has teamed up with Hypostyle to host a Property Maintenance Event to provide homeowners with the tools required to assess their building’s condition and demonstrate how to carry out repairs and ensure correct maintenance of their property. This means you don’t have to worry about any sudden large bills due to degrading buildings.

Training

Building Craft Programme
Start date: 9 July 2018
Duration: 8 months
Bursary: £1,000 per month
Overview: The Prince’s Foundation Building Craft Programme gives practical experience in traditional building crafts and an opportunity to gain a Heritage Skills NVQ Level 3. This course is designed for craftspeople looking to bridge the gap between basic qualifications and becoming a master craftsperson working within the heritage sector. The programme offers something for everyone, and we’ve worked with people across the world to deliver it. Over the course of this eight-month programme, you will work with a wide range of building crafts and expert craftspeople to learn all of the subtle nuances of the craft, taking your skills to the next level.

Transform your approach to community engagement
Upcoming date for Part 1:
Edinburgh, Thursday 25 January 2018 *last few places remaining*
Become recognised for your community engagement skills!
SP=EED Verification is for anyone who would like to enhance their skills and become recognised as a community engagement practitioner. Previous participants have come from local authorities, planning consultancies, the energy sector, and third sector organisations. SP=EED is a two-part programme: Part 1 is an interactive workshop facilitated by our trainers, with Part 2 being an assessed written reflective learning assessment based on a real life engagement process you have been involved in. The cost of the two-part programme is £250 per person. For full details and to book your place please visit our website. For further details please contact David Wood or on 0131 659 9774.

Vacancies

IHBC joint project and HESPR ‘Pick’: ‘Guidelines for Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment – Request for Expressions of Interest for a Writer’
The IHBC and partners, IEMA and The Chartered Institute of Archaeologists (CIfA), seek a ‘Writer’ to prepare ‘Guidelines for Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment’, due out April 2019, with a deadline for tender queries of 12 January 2018; closing date for submissions 2 February, with the opportunity also posted on the weekly ‘News and Tender Alert’ to the IHBC’s heritage business listing, HESPR – the Historic Environment Service Providers Recognition scheme.
Closing 2 Feb 2018. 

The Architectural Heritage Fund – Trustee Vacancies
The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is currently seeking to appoint three new trustees to join its Board. The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is a leading heritage charity founded in 1976 to help charities, community businesses and social enterprises across the UK find solutions for vulnerable historic buildings. We do this by offering advice, grants and loans.
Closing: Friday 15th January.

Information in the Bulletin is extracted from a number of websites including the Scottish Government (SG); the Scottish Parliament (SP); Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS); Historic Environment Scotland (HES); Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH); Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO); English Heritage (EH); Design Council (DC); Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG); Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS); Department of Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA); National Assembly for Wales (NAW); Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS); Scottish Government Building Standards  (SGBS); Europa Nostra (EN); Historic England (HE).

If you have any questions or comments on the above, or would like to submit information to be included, please get in touch with Saskia Smellie or tel: BEFS Office on 0131 220 6241.

The wonderful Riddles Court

BEFS News

The Planning (Scotland) Bill was published on Tuesday and followed by a Ministerial Statement on ‘Planning and Inclusive Growth’ by Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Local Government and Housing. The Bill is intended to strengthen and simplify the planning system. It is anticipated that the Bill will receive Royal Assent in Autumn 2018, with preparation of the new National Planning Framework (NPF) beginning in 2018. The new NPF will be in place from 2020 to inform the preparation of local development plans.

Some of BEFS members have provided an initial response to the new Planning Bill, including RTPI Scotland’s call for the planning bill to be bold and comments from PAS and RICS Scotland in Scottish Housing News. BEFS Planning Bill Taskforce will meet to discuss the content of the Bill and briefings arising in January 2018.

The Scottish Household Conditions Survey 2016 has now been published. Key findings include that 67% of pre-1919 dwellings had critical element disrepair (which refers to weather tightness and structural stability) in 2016, compared to 68% in 2015.

In our blog this week, BEFS Director, Euan Leitch, reflects on links between recent built environment events and academic analysis, in light of the forthcoming changes in the funding landscape.

Finally, we were delighted to see many of you at BEFS AGM yesterday, at the fabulous Riddles Court. We would like to officially welcome and introduce our newest Associate Members: the Cockburn Association and SURF – Scotland’s Regeneration Forum.

Consultations

A consultation on a draft revised code of conduct for registered property factors
Closes on 15 January 2018.

Consultation on a Draft Order extending coverage of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 to Registered Social Landlords
Opened 6 Dec 2017 and closes on 7 March 2018.

Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme: Second Consultation on Local Heat & Energy Efficiency Strategies, and Regulation of District and Communal Heating.
Opened 14 Nov 2017 and closes on 20 February 2018.

Consultation Responses

Housing Supply Budget: Summary of written evidence (SP 05/12/17)

Strategic Housing Investment Plans (SHIPs): Summary of written evidence (SP 05/12/17)

Community Empowerment and Common Good Property: Analysis of Responses to the Consultation on Draft Guidance (SG 24/11/17)

Publications

Global Talent, Global Reach – A report detailing the impact of Brexit on architecture export (RIBA 07/12/17)

The housing land market in Scotland: A discussion paper (Scottish Land Commission 05/12/17)

SPICe Briefing on the Scottish Government’s More Homes Budget (SP 05/12/17)

Building Britain’s Future? The Construction Workforce after Brexit (IPPR 11/17)

Construction Industry Brexit Manifesto (UK Construction Industry 11/17)

Review of factoring services in Scotland – Our summary findings (Scottish Housing Regulator 29/11/17)

The Architectural Heritage Fund’s Annual Review 2016/17 (AHF 11/17)

Planning Performance Framework Annual Report 2016-17 (SG 11/11/17)

Scottish Government News Releases

Scottish House Condition Survey 2016 (SG 05/12/17)
In 2016 fuel poverty rates declined by about 4 percentage points, equivalent to 99,000 fewer households living in fuel poverty compared to 2015. 26.5% (or around 649,000 households) were fuel poor.  This is the lowest rate recorded by the survey since 2005/6 and the same as in 2007. 7.5% (or 183,000 households) were living in extreme fuel poverty in 2016.

Transforming planning (SG 05/12/17)
New legislation to simplify and improve the planning system has been set out by Local Government Minister Kevin Stewart. Mr Stewart described how the Planning (Scotland) Bill, will create a new structure for a more proactive and enabling system with clearer development plans, earlier engagement with communities, streamlined procedures and smarter resourcing.

New Private Residential Tenancy (01/12/17)
Greater security for tenants and safeguards for landlords. The biggest change to the private rental sector in a generation will mean tenants have more security and stability coupled with better safeguards for landlords, lenders and investors.

Royal Edinburgh Building opened (SG 29/11/17)
£48 million hospital redevelopment complete. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today officially opened the Royal Edinburgh Building – the first phase of the £48 million Royal Edinburgh Hospital redevelopment.

Discretionary Housing Payments (SG 28/11/17)
Statistics released today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician show that during the period 1 April to 30 September 2017, Local Authorities in Scotland made nearly 98,000 awards under the Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) Scheme, with a total value of £52.6 million and an average award of £537.

News Releases

Landscape for Scotland (LIS 04/12/17)
The Landscape Institute Scotland is delighted to present ‘Landscape for Scotland’. The document encourages Scotland’s commitment to international best practice in landscape protection, planning and management and supports the Scottish Government in delivering its Programme for Scotland. It demonstrates that Scottish landscapes are an essential aspect of people’s sense of place and belonging.

Changes to our grant making (HLF 01/12/17)
In early 2019 the Heritage Lottery Fund will begin a new, five-year Strategic Funding Framework that sets out how we will distribute National Lottery good causes money to the heritage sector. In January 2018 we will begin a public consultation on our priorities and how that will work.

IHBC’s update on HLF forward planning with lower budgets, from CE Ros Kerslake OBE (IHBC 01/12/17)
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), through its Chief Executive Ros Kerslake OBE, has informed key stakeholders such as the IHBC and its members, about its plans to ‘optimise how [the HLF will] use a lower, but still substantial, budget of some £190m next year – set in light of reduced National Lottery income and the need to align our grant commitments with reserves’.

My Place Awards launched for 2018 (SCT 01/12/17)
As the countdown to Christmas begins, so too does the search for 2018’s best new building, public realm or designed landscape or heritage restoration project in Scotland. Deadline for nominations is 31 January 2018!

Creative industries’ record contribution to UK economy (DDCMS 29/11/17)
The UK’s booming creative industries made a record contribution to the economy in 2016, new statistics show. Industries including advertising and marketing, arts and film, TV and radio, and museums and galleries are all part of this thriving economic sector, which is now worth almost £92bn, according to the figures published today by the Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport.

Housing and infrastructure draft planning delivery advice: Chief Planner letter (SG 29/11/17)
Letter from the Chief Planner about the withdrawal of the housing and infrastructure draft planning delivery advice from 1 December 2017.

Young Professionals Panel (National Infrastructure Commission 28/11/17)
The UK’s up-and-coming planners, designers, architects and engineers are being encouraged to give their views on meeting the country’s future infrastructure needs. The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has unveiled plans for a young professionals panel to advise its chairman Lord Adonis and fellow commissioners. Adonis said this was a “unique opportunity” for professionals at the outset of their careers to have an influence.

Tailored review of the Heritage Lottery Fund and National Heritage Memorial Fund (DDMCS 27/11/17)
The review found that HLF’s role in distributing funding for heritage was seen as crucial to the conservation of heritage assets, to engaging communities across the UK with their heritage, and to providing support for heritage organisations to survive and thrive. Whilst HLF has a good reputation in the sector, the review found scope for it to become a more strategic organisation.

The IFS hosted its post-Budget briefing yesterday (IFS 23/11/17)
Opening remarks and information in the economic downgrade, public spending, housing, and tax and benefits have been published. It warned that the UK was in danger of losing two decades of earnings growth, leading to a forecast increase in borrowing. The Chancellor’s commitment to reducing the deficit by £25bn by 2022-23 was described as optimistic. It also noted there are £12bn of welfare cuts still to come and public spending is expected to be reduced by a further 3.6%.

Brexit scuppers Dundee’s 2023 European Capital of Culture bids (BBC 23/11/7)
Dundee will not be able to compete in the European Capital of Culture 2023 competition due to Brexit, the European Commission has confirmed.

Industry raises £127,000 at launch of RICS and LandAid fundraising campaign (RICS 20/11/17)
The Pledge150 campaign will see RICS partnering with property industry charity LandAid, to lead the built environment sector in raising £2.25m for the provision of 150 bed spaces across all 12 UK regions by December 2018. The kick-off event raised £127,000 towards the £2.25m target.

Enter RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence now: be a winner in 2018 (RTPI 13/11/17)
The RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence are the longest running and most high-profile awards in the industry. They are now open for entries. Make sure you get yours in before midnight, 8 December.

Opinion & Comment

Exploring ways to increase the supply of affordable housing (SHN 07/12/17)

McLeish: Planning Bill’s a good start, but there is space to build on the ambition (SAPP 05/12/17)

An Evolving Approach to Social Media: Leveraging Social Media for Advocacy (Preservation Leadership Forum 11/17)

Planning for the wrong homes in the wrong places? (NT 13/11/17) 

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”.

Graham Simpson S5W-13039
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether EPC measures for the U-value of stone construction in Scotland fairly represent actual in situ performance. (SP 30/11/17)

Graham Simpson S5W-13038
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of pre-1919 residential buildings are not listed. (SP 30/11/17)

Graham Simpson S5W-13037
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-11852 by Kevin Stewart on 25 October 2017, what protections are in place for alterations and changes that may be damaging but are allowed to take place without a Listed Building Consent. (SP 30/11/17)

Graham Simpson S5W-13036
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-11854 by Kevin Stewart on 25 October 2017, in light of the development of the skills listed being voluntary, what plans it has to make accreditation mandatory for retrofit work on listed and traditional buildings. (SP 30/11/17)

Graham Simpson S5W-13028
To ask the Scottish Government how many new skilled workers it estimates are needed to meet its house-building targets. (SP 29/11/17)

Graham Simpson S5W-13030
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to providing additional funding for training new workers in the construction sector. (SP 29/11/17)

Graham Simpson S5W-13031
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the recommendations in the UK Government’s interim report on the review of the gap between planning permission being granted and house building completion, and whether it will consider these when tackling similar issues for housing developments in Scotland. (SP 29/11/17)

Graham Simpson S5W-13032
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the introduction of new towns as a means to tackle housing shortages, as recommended by RICS and similar to those announced for England by the UK Government. (SP 29/11/17)

Graham Simpson S5W-13033
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5W-11853 and S5W-11854 by Kevin Stewart on 25 October 2017, what provisions are in place to ensure the same standards are met for listed and pre-1919 buildings that are not grant-funded by HES. (SP 29/11/17)

Graham Simpson S5W-13034
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to ensure that all (a) listed and (b) pre-1919 buildings have an accredited professional adviser on energy efficiency adaptations. (SP 29/11/17)

Liam McArthur S5W-13066
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to use (a) the (i) Energy Efficiency Programme (SEEP) and (ii) Warm Homes bill and (b) other measures to invest in and support work (A) to bring more existing stock back in to use and (B) where properties need repaired or upgraded before insulation work begins. (SP 29/11/17)

Parliamentary Questions & Answers

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

Question S5W-12771: Alison Johnstone, Lothian, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 16/11/2017
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-19841 by Derek Mackay on 10 March 2014, whether it will provide an update on what progress it is making on delivering the recommendations in A Low Carbon Building Standards Strategy for Scotland: 2013 Update.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (27/11/2017)

Question S5W-12770: Alison Johnstone, Lothian, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 16/11/2017
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendation in A Low Carbon Building Standards Strategy for Scotland that it should have been introduced in 2016-17, when it will set the date for the delivery of net zero-carbon new buildings.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (27/11/2017)

Question S5W-12873: Richard Lyle, Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 21/11/2017
To ask the Scottish Government what (a) housing and (b) electrical safety standards must Airbnb and other similarly-let premises meet, and what assessment it has made of how many are meeting these.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (04/12/2017)

Question S5W-12957: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 23/11/2017
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its plan for all homes to be given a minimum energy performance rating by 2040, whether it will confirm (a) what the minimum rating will be and (b) how the energy performance will be measured.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (29/11/2017)

Question S5W-12956: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 23/11/2017
To ask the Scottish Government whether the forthcoming Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme (SEEP) bill will contain (a) proposals for an independent body to oversee the delivery of SEEP and (b) targets and milestones for the delivery of each proposal.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (29/11/2017)

Question S5W-12953: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 23/11/2017
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the commitment in the 2016 SNP manifesto to deliver a warm homes bill “to support our work to tackle fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency”, whether it will set out what specific measures it will introduce to combat fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (05/12/2017)

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

• 23 December 2017 to 7 January 2018 (inclusive)

Events

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

RSA Scottish Land Commission Strategy Debate
When: Mon 11 December 2017, from 17:00 – 19:00 GMT.
Where: James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH.
Please join us for a presentation by Andrew Thin, Chairman, Scottish Land Commission, followed by a Q&A/debate about the work of the Commission and its potential impact on both urban and rural Scotland. This event, being run jointly by the James Hutton Institute and RSA – via its MCICH Network – is open to Fellows of the RSA, staff and board members of the James Hutton Institute and to all those interested in the Commission’s work from private, public and third sector perspectives. It is envisaged delegates may also have questions about the recently announced Esmee Fairbairn Foundation funded “Food, Farming, and Countryside Commission”. Queries to organiser Ann Packard FRSA via 0131 556 2052.

‘The General Register of Sasines – celebrating 400 years’
When: December 11th, from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
Where: National Museum Scotland Auditorium, Edinburgh, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF.
Lecture given by Isla MacLeod, Registers of Scotland. Created by the 1617 Registration Act of the Parliament of Scotland, the General Register of Sasines was the first of its kind in the world. Whilst it is probably one of the lesser known world firsts chalked up for Scotland, its impact has been fundamental – here and aboard. The story of the General Register of Sasines and the organisation responsible for it, Registers of Scotland, reflects the social, economic and political history of Scotland across the last four centuries. This illustrated talk will bring together the stories, people and projects that have characterised Scottish land registration over the last 400 years.

‘The General Register of Sasines – celebrating 400 years’
When: December 12th, from 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm.
Where: Regent Building Lecture Theatre, Regent Walk, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX.
Lecture given by Isla MacLeod, Registers of Scotland. Created by the 1617 Registration Act of the Parliament of Scotland, the General Register of Sasines was the first of its kind in the world. Whilst it is probably one of the lesser known world firsts chalked up for Scotland, its impact has been fundamental – here and aboard. The story of the General Register of Sasines and the organisation responsible for it, Registers of Scotland, reflects the social, economic and political history of Scotland across the last four centuries. This illustrated talk will bring together the stories, people and projects that have characterised Scottish land registration over the last 400 years.

GCHT Festive Winter Warmer
When: 14th December, from 4pm-7pm.
Where: GCHT HQ, 54 Bell Street, Glasgow.
Join us on Thursday 14th December for an evening of festive treats and crafts and the opportunity to browse a large selection of framed prints and canvasses featuring stunning photographs of Glasgow’s historic buildings and features, priced from £5. Can’t make it on the 14th? Don’t worry, we’ll have prints available for sale Monday 18th – Friday 22nd December – just pop into our HQ at 54 Bell Street between 9am and 5pm!

IHBC’s 2018 Annual School
When: 21-23 June 2018.
Where: Belfast.
The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) is delighted to announce the IHBC’s 2018 Annual School, in Belfast, 21-23rd June 2018, which will take as its title ‘Our Shared Heritage’, reflecting the theme for the 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage, and with keynote speakers:
•    Bill Drummond – Scottish artist, co-founder of avant-garde pop group The KLF, and art provocateur known for burning £1millon cash, whose 10 Commandments for Art include ‘Make art for everyone’ and ‘Stand on the outside looking further out’.
•    Jukka Jokilehto – Celebrated conservation architect, leader in international heritage policy advice and education, and author of the definitive ‘A History of Architectural Conservation’, exploring how heritage professionals can work more effectively with communities.

Vacancies

Planning Officer (Falkirk Council)
The Falkirk Council area is changing for the better. As a Planning Officer you will assist in administering the Council’s Statutory Development Plan responsibilities. Based at Abbotsford House in Development Services you will be part of our planning policy team.
Closes: Sunday, 10th December 2017.

Conservation Adviser (SAVE Britain’s Heritage)
The conservation adviser role involves liaising with local groups, conservation officers and other heritage bodies, commenting on planning applications, as well as mounting campaigns to save threatened buildings at risk of imminent demolition. Excellent writing and analytical skills are required for this position. You must have a genuine enthusiasm for architecture and the ability to work quickly and with flexibility to tight deadlines. Working as part of a small team, from drafting press releases and researching reports, to advising a local campaign or commenting on planning applications, no single day is the same.
The closing date for applications is Friday January 5th and interviews will be held 11th and 12th January 2018.

SCVO Convener (Edinburgh/Glasgow/Across Scotland)
We’re on the hunt for a new Convener. Could you take on one of the most influential board positions in Scotland’s third sector? At SCVO, we passionately believe in the power of people, communities and the third sector.
We are searching for a special individual who can advocate for the third sector, and lead SCVO’s board and staff into the future. Candidates will already have significant experience and a high profile in Scottish public life, but they will also have a special affinity with the values and aspirations of Scotland’s third sector. Closing: 22 December 2017.

Information in the Bulletin is extracted from a number of websites including the Scottish Government (SG); the Scottish Parliament (SP); Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS); Historic Environment Scotland (HES); Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH); Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO); English Heritage (EH); Design Council (DC); Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG); Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS); Department of Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA); National Assembly for Wales (NAW); Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS); Scottish Government Building Standards  (SGBS); Europa Nostra (EN); Historic England (HE).

If you have any questions or comments on the above, or would like to submit information to be included, please get in touch with Saskia Smellie or tel: BEFS Office on 0131 220 6241.