BEFS News

BEFS conference, Financing the Historic Environment, organised in collaboration with Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland and the BRICK programme run by The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, will take place on 29th and 30th March at the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow. Check out the programme and booking your ticket here.

In the run up to the local government elections in May, HES has created a tool to search for designated assets by constituency and council ward. This interactive searchable map will prove a useful advocacy tool for you and/or your organisation when discussing the impact of the historic environment with your local politicians.

In addition to BEFS conference, there are a great number of events coming up this month organised by BEFS members and associates. Check out the ‘events’ section for full details.

Consultations

Consultation on HES Managing Change in the Historic Environment: Windows 
Consultation on one in a series of guidance notes offering best practice advice on specific topics relating to the historic environment.  They provide guidance on making changes to the historic environment in line with Scottish Planning Policy and Historic Environment Scotland Policy Statement. HES is particularly keen to hear from those who have experience in applying for permission to replace windows (whether as an applicant or agent) in listed buildings or within conservation areas and those in local authorities involved in determining applications.
This consultation will close at 6pm on Friday 28 April 2017.

Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement: A Consultation
A consultation on the Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement, which is a set of principles with an overarching vision that will guide the development of public policy on the nature and character of land rights and responsibilities in Scotland.
Closes 10 Mar 2017.

Consultation Responses

Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 – Participation Requests – Consultation on Draft Regulations – Analysis of Consultation (SG 23/02/17)
This report provides an analysis of responses to the Scottish Government consultation on draft regulations and guidance associated with participation requests under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. The consultation took place between 21 March 2016 and 22 June 2016.

Historic Environment Protection Reform Group
Summer Consultation 2016 responses: Heritage Protection Reform Proposals

Publications
Scottish Local Government Finance Statistics 2015-16 (SG 28/02/17)
Scottish Local Government Financial Statistics is an annual publication that provides a comprehensive overview of Scottish Local Authority financial activity. The publication covers Local Authority income, revenue and capital expenditure, outstanding debt, local taxation and Local Authority pensions.

Scottish Government News Releases

82 new affordable homes for Govan (SG 01/03/17)
£6.8m investment in charitable bonds. South Glasgow is set to benefit from 82 new affordable homes for social rent, helped by £5 million support from an innovative Scottish Government scheme.

Supporting urban regeneration (SG 28/02/17)
The Scottish Government’s SPRUCE (Scottish Partnership for Regeneration in Urban Centres) fund has been so successful that more money is now available. The fund initially invested £50 million, in loan form, in regeneration and energy efficiency schemes across Scotland. As those loans are starting to be repaid and some ahead of time, the investment can be recycled and used to deliver further regeneration projects.

Brexit meeting update (23/02/17)
“Urgent answers needed” on powers, farming, fisheries and environment. Guarantees over future powers and the protection of European funding and market access are needed urgently, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said.

Third sector vital to EU stability (23/02/17)
Uncertainty for sector in light of Brexit. Withdrawal from the EU would pose a threat to Scotland’s strong and dynamic third sector, which plays a crucial role in the drive for social justice and inclusive economic growth.

Commitment to regeneration (SG 21/02/17)
Clyde Gateway to benefit from £6.5 million of Scottish Government funding. Scotland’s largest regeneration project, Clyde Gateway has been awarded a £1 million loan from the Scottish Government’s SPRUCE (Scottish Partnership for Regeneration in Urban Centres) fund.

Tackling Climate Change (SG 20/02/17)
£10 million Climate Challenge Fund awarded. More than one hundred organisations across Scotland are to benefit from almost £10 million of funding to support local action to tackle climate change.

Scottish Land Fund awards (SG 16/02/17)
11 community groups share £2.1 million to develop community spaces. Communities the length and breadth of Scotland have been given the green light to realise their ambitions to take ownership of and redevelop local land.

Improving Scotland’s Energy Efficiency (SG 15/02/17)
£11m funding pot opens for new projects. A further £11 million of funding has been made available for councils across Scotland to make homes, public buildings and businesses more energy efficient.

News Releases

£6.2 million funding boost for Scotland’s historic towns and cities (HES 28/02/17)
Alex Paterson, Chief Executive of HES, announces funding to preserve the built heritage of Scotland’s town centres. Seven communities across Scotland will benefit from the latest round of Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) funding announced today.

Review of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund launched (DCMS & HLF 23/02/17)
The Government has today launched a call for evidence on the roles and responsibilities of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) and Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Housing starts hit 9-year high (DCLG 23/02/17)
The number of new build homes that have started to be built continued to rise last year to the highest level since 2007, figures released today (23 February 2017) show.

Rural land prices predicted to fall during Brexit negotiations (RICS 23/02/17)
Demand for farmland in Great Britain has further decreased, having now been declining for the last 18 months, according to the latest RICS/RAU Rural Land Market Survey.

Celebrate Scotland’s history in 2017 (HES 22/02/17)
People across Scotland are being encouraged to get up close and personal with their history this year as we unveil our programme of events for 2017 as part of Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.

Historic sites break tourism record with four million visitors (HES 15/02/17)
Footfall at Scotland’s heritage attractions up 13% year-on-year. Historic Environment Scotland’s staffed heritage attractions have drawn in more visitors than ever before. Over the last 11 months – from April 2016 to present – a record breaking 4,000,000 people have flocked to historic sites across the length and breadth of the country.

Members’ News

Director’s Notes – February 2017 (EWHT 28/02/17)
Adam Wilkinson’s reflects on a busy start to the year at Edinburgh World Heritage.

SP=EED Verification in Fife (PAS 27/02/17)
Bill Lindsay – Service Manager (Development Plan) – Fife Council – blogs about commissioning PAS to deliver SP=EED Verification to a range of Fife Council staff.

Places, People and Planning – Development Planning (RTPI 24/02/17)
RTPI Scotland will working closely with our members over the coming months to prepare our response to the Scottish Government consultation paper Places, People and Planning.  We have already published a paper setting out some key game changers Repositioning Planning.  Alongside our Chapters we are running a series of member workshops across Scotland, each one tasked with exploring one of the review’s key themes.

Channel 4, Chocolate Media and RICS join forces to showcase the very best restoration projects (RICS 23/02/17)
Channel 4 has today announced the commission of an exciting new series, ‘Restoration of the Year’, from Chocolate Media. The series features projects entered into the RICS Awards and the series will be made in collaboration with RICS, who will judge the projects.

Delivery vs Engagement – A way through the tension? (RTPI 21/02/17)
Nick Wright gives his take on how to reconcile two potentially conflicting aims of the Planning Review: Better community engagement, and more efficient delivery.

Parliamentary Questions

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

S5W-07480 Monica Lennon: To ask the Scottish Government what financial and practical support it makes available to communities and individuals to participate in the statutory planning process. R (SP 24/02/17)

S5W-07597 Mike Rumbles: To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the initial projected cost of the Forth Replacement Crossing project was an overestimate. (SP 01/03/17)

S5W-07598 Mike Rumbles: To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the date the Forth Replacement Crossing will be (a) completed and (b) open to the public, and how this compares with the initial projected date. (SP 01/03/17)

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-06974: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 08/02/2017
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-06198 by Kevin Stewart on 30 January 2017, whether it will provide further details of the “novel proposals” that it is assessing in relation to the building of new mid-market rent homes, and at what stage these assessments are.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (24/02/2017)

Events

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

Painting the City, 250 Years of the New Town
When: Monday 6th March, 6.30pm.
Where: St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, Edinburgh.
Tickets on the Door, £5
Ahead of his exhibition at the Scottish Gallery in July 2017 the distinguished watercolourist Hugh Buchanan talks about the influence of Edinburgh’s architecture on his work and how it inspired him as a student at Edinburgh College of Art.

Post War Architecture
When: Tuesday 7th March, 6pm.
Where: LT2, Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, University of Dundee, DD1 4EN.
Free. Scotland’s theatres 1951-95 and St Peter’s, Cardross,
Alistair Fair and Diane Watters discuss twentieth century Scottish architecture.

‘A Monumental Essay’: a talk by Alastair Penman.
When: Saturday 11th March, 2pm
Where: Gordon Memorial Hall, St. Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Whitepark Road, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, DG7 1EX
Tickets on the door, £5 including refreshments. Alistair Penman is the director of the Stewartry Archaeological Trust and author of ‘Old Castle Douglas’, ‘Old Kirkcudbright’ and ‘Some Customs, Folklore, and Superstitions of Galloway’.

White, Black and Grey: Recent Discoveries at Aberdeen’s Medieval Friaries
When: 13 Mar 2017 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
Where: National Museum Scotland Auditorium (use Main entrance), Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF.
Ms Alison Cameron from Cameron Archaeology Ltd will present a lecture entitled “White, Black and Grey: recent discoveries at Aberdeen’s medieval friaries”.

Save the Royal High School Public Meeting
When: Tuesday 14th March, 6.30pm.
Where: Central Hall, Tollcross, Edinburgh.
Everyone welcome, come along to find out about the new hotel application and what you can do. #SaveRHS

Property Maintenance Event – Caring for our Common Heritage
When: Wednesday 15 March 2017. Registration from 7.00pm Start 7.30pm.
Where: Carmelite Hotel, Stirling Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6JU.
Ensure you and your neighbours protect your biggest asset. With predicted increases of extreme weather events, it has never been more important to work collaboratively with neighbours to ensure that common repairs and maintenance of your traditional tenement or flat are carried out regularly and after damage occurs.

Property Maintenance Event – Remedying Traditional Building Deterioration
When: Thursday 16 March 2017. Registration from 7.00pm Start 7.30pm.
Where: Carmelite Hotel, Stirling Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6JU.
Identifying the causes and remedying the deterioration of traditional buildings can be one of the most challenging aspects of professional practice. This event will consider approaches to better understanding, identifiying and remedying deterioration and will provide the latest thinking on the use of traditional lime mortars.

The restoration of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Glasgow School of Art
When: March 21 @ 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm.
Where: Regent Building Lecture Theatre, Regent Walk, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX.
Liz Davidson OBE, Hon FRIAS, IHBC, Senior project Manager, Mackintosh Project, Glasgow School of Art, will present a lecture entitled “Restoring the Mackintosh Building following the 2014 fire”, exploring this iconic structure, the influence of Mackintosh and the Four and its restoration.

Patrick Geddes: A Botanist by Design? 
When: Weds March 22nd – 13.00-16.30.
Where: Royal Botanic Garden, 20A Inverleith Row, EH3 5LR.
A Riddle’s Court event in advance of the Patrick Geddes Centre for Learning opening Sept 2017. From his rural Perthshire upbringing via his Professorship at University College, Dundee, botany played a central role in Patrick Geddes’ life and work. This Riddle’s Court event in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), will include a tour of the herbarium building and, uniquely, will reveal some of Geddes’ own botanical collections. Tickets available on Eventbrite or via SHBT.

Scottish Young Planners’ Conference 2017 – Skills that Young Planners Need to Succeed
When: 22 March 2017.
Where: The Golden Lion Hotel in Stirling.
The Scottish Young Planners’ Conference 2017’s packed programme focuses on developing essential skills. Sessions on leadership from Nicola Barclay, Chief Executive of Homes for Scotland, and innovative working from Irene Beautyman of the Improvement Service will equip delegates to be influential and effective in a reformed planning system. Hands on workshops on development economics, networking and mediation will promote active debate and participation. International contributions will place our responsibilities as planners in the global context of the New Urban Agenda. Registration is available now.

2017 Church Buildings Renewal Trust Conference in Inverness
When: 31 March 2017.
Where: Old High Church in Inverness.
The next conference of the CBRT will be held in the Old High Church in Inverness on 31st March 2017 under the title ‘Open All Hours: Churches for all the Community?’ To book please follow the link.

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

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

Vacancies
Support Officers at Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF)
We are recruiting freelance part-time contractors in North East England and Northern Ireland and also an employed full-time post in Wales, all to start in April 2017.
Home-based, our Support Officers assist local communities who are seeking to rescue and re-utilise a historic building which they value. The AHF places particular emphasis on targeting help towards supporting community enterprises that wish to set up and/or grow their businesses in historic buildings, particularly those that are at risk and/or transferred from public ownership. Working as part of the Operations Team, each Support Officer will take a proactive approach to tackling heritage at risk by actively seeking out new projects and new types of beneficiaries of AHF support, in collaboration with the Heritage Lottery Fund and other partners.
For each role, experience of working in the heritage sector is not essential, although enthusiasm for the benefits of re-using historic buildings would be an advantage.
For the North East England role we are seeking a Support Officer with additional specialist skills in Communications, Public Relations & Marketing.
Full details including closing dates here.

Learning Officer 
War Memorials Trust works to protect and conserve all war memorials within the UK.
The charity seeks a Learning Officer with initiative, enthusiasm and experience to deliver our Learning Programme. The Programme educates young people about the history and importance of war memorials and their preservation. As a conservation charity which gives repair and conservation grants the Trust’s Learning Programme is the means of engaging tomorrow’s custodians – ensuring the work we do today is continued in the years ahead. The Learning Officer delivers the Programme by producing materials and resources, shared on www.learnaboutwarmemorials.org, and undertaking visits to schools and youth groups to promote the importance of our shared war memorial heritage.
Closing date 6th March 2017 10am.

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

We are delighted to introduce BEFS advocacy toolkit on BEFS new website. It is designed to provide the information you need to confidently speak up for your organisation and the built environment with politicians and councillors. It is aimed at organisations working in the built environment in Scotland, but may also be of use to individuals. The toolkit is a responsive document, which we are updating regularly with new content. So, if there is something you would like to see, do get in touch.

Ahead of the local government elections, BEFS also organised a workshop on advocacy. We invited former Labour MP for Edinburgh North & Leith and former Councillor, Mark Lazarowicz, and Museums and Galleries Scotland’s, Devon McHugh, to share their perspectives and experience. Read about it in our blog Advocacy does and don’ts.

Save the date! In partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland and the Princes Regeneration Trust, BEFS is holding a conference on Financing the Historic Environment on 29-30 March 2017 in the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow. Programme and booking details to follow shortly.

BEFS Annual Lecture this year returned to the topic of how Scotland addresses its housing needs. We invited Thomas Aubrey, Director of the Centre for Progressive Capitalism, and Alastair Parvin, co-founder of WikiHouse Foundation, to give their perspectives. If you missed it, you can now watch it here.

Last but not least, Kilmacolm Civic Trust share why their work concerns more than the built environment, in our second blog this week.

Consultations

Fixing our broken housing market: consultation (DCLG 07/02/17)
As part of the housing white paper, we are also consulting on changes to planning policy and legislation in relation to planning for housing, sustainable development and the environment.

Development Plan Consultations
Consultation on Outer Hebrides Local Development Plan: Proposed Plan and Associated Documents

Consultation on Raising Planning Fees
Closes 27 Feb 2017.

Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement: A Consultation
Closes 10 Mar 2017.

Consultation Responses

Property Condition and Energy Efficiency (STBF 08/02/17)
Scottish Traditional Building Forum’s submission of evidence to the Local Government and Communities Committee in response to the committee’s call for evidence on the Draft Climate Change Plan.

Publications

Social Tenants in Scotland, 2015 (SG 14/02/17)
Scotland’s Chief Statistician today released Social Tenants in Scotland 2015, a new Official Statistics publication that presents an overview of social tenants and social rented housing in Scotland for the year 2015 covering topic areas such as stock, household characteristics, housing flows, and rents and income levels.

Housing white paper (DCLG 07/02/17)
Housing white paper and supporting documents setting out the government’s plans to reform the housing market and boost the supply of new homes in England.

Architecture & Design Scotland – Annual Review 2016 (02/02/17)
We have recently published our Annual Review of 2016 – an exciting year which featured the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design and the Festival of Architecture.

Introduction of an infrastructure charging mechanism: research report (SG 01/17)
This independent research report identifies and assesses the options for the introduction of an infrastructure charging mechanism in Scotland – Stages 1 and 2. Produced by Peter Brett Associates, it was commissioned to inform the review of the planning system.

Planning permission in principle: research report (SG 01/17)
This independent report examines the potential of granting planning permission for sites which are allocated in the development plan. Produced by Ryden LLP, it was commissioned to inform the review of the planning system.

Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report on the Draft Climate Change Plan and Draft Scottish Energy Strategy (SG 27/01/17)
A joint Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Draft Climate Change Plan: The Draft Third Report on Policies and Proposals 2017-2032 and Draft Scottish Energy Strategy: The Future of Energy in Scotland. The Environmental Report sets out the findings of this assessment.

Scottish Government News Releases

Strengthening support for creative sector (SG 03/02/17)
Creative Industry Advisory Group members and first meeting announced. Experts from across Scotland’s creative industries will meet for the first time next week to discuss how to make the sector stronger and enhance support, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said today.

History sparks tourism rise (SG 31/01/17)
International visitors drawn by Scottish heritage. Scotland is capitalising on the booming demand from international tourists who wish to explore the country’s history and heritage, Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop revealed today. Edinburgh-based Mercat Tours reported record turnover and footfall in 2016 with a 35% increase in history walking tours of the capital in December, compared to the previous year.

News Releases

Historic sites break tourism record with four million visitors (HES 15/02/17)
Footfall at Scotland’s heritage attractions up 13% year-on-year. Scotland’s staffed heritage attractions have drawn in more visitors than ever before. Over the last 11 months – from April 2016 to present – a record breaking 4,000,000 people have flocked to historic sites across the length and breadth of the country.

Professor Leigh Sparks: So you think you know Scottish Towns? (STP 15/02/17)
Deputy Principal of the University of Stirling, and Chair of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, Professor Leigh Sparks introduces the launch of the Understanding Scottish Places 2 data tool.

Place Standard nominated for prestigious planning industry award (A&DS 13/02/17)
The Place Standard is a finalist in the category for Planning for Wellbeing at the Royal Town Planning Institute’s (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2017. The RTPI Awards are the most established and respected awards in the UK planning industry.

£20m to build homes fit for the future (WG 09/02/17)
Communities and Children Secretary Carl Sargeant today announced a new programme to deliver innovative models of housing to help increase the number of homes built in Wales.

SPAB asks: ‘What’s your favourite old building?’ (IHBC 08/02/17)
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) publishes a ‘National Treasure’ feature in its quarterly SPAB Magazine – what building would you like featured?

Orkney’s Skara Brae shortlisted as UK’s best heritage site (Scotsman 08/02/17)
The 5,000-year-old settlement is the only Scottish visitor attraction on the shortlist drawn up by travel writer Bill Bryson for the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards.

Government announces ambitious plan to build the homes Britain needs (DCLG 07/02/17)
The government has introduced bold new plans to fix the broken housing market and build more homes across England.

Baroness Andrews leading debate on Built Environment Report in House of Lords (IHBC 03/02/17)
Following on from the publication last year of the report of the Select Committee on National Policy for the Built Environment, it was debated in the House of Lords on Tuesday 24 January, with Baroness Andrews leading discussions.

£10 million for regeneration of town centres (WG 03/02/17)
A £10 million fund to help bring empty, underused sites and premises in town centres back into use has been announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children Carl Sargeant.

Civil society calls on EU leaders to recognise fundamental role of cultural heritage for the future of Europe (EN 02/02/17)
Ahead of the informal summit of European leaders on the future of the EU in Valletta on 3 February 2017, 40 European heritage networks that form the European Heritage Alliance 3.3 are urging EU leaders to recognise the fundamental role of Europe’s shared cultural heritage for bringing people in Europe together.

Iconic Leith flats recognised at highest listing category (HES 01/02/17)
Historic Environment Scotland have decided to recognise Leith’s iconic Cables Wynd House (aka the ‘Banana Flats’) and neighbouring Linksview House at Category A. 1960s Brutalist buildings represent integral step in Scotland’s social housing evolution.

Parliamentary Questions

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

S5W-06974 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-06198 by Kevin Stewart on 30 January 2017, whether it will provide further details of the “novel proposals” that it is assessing in relation to the building of new mid-market rent homes, and at what stage these assessments are.(SP 09/02/17)

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-06198: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 16/01/2017
To  ask the Scottish Government whether it has any new models planned for building new homes and, if so, what they are.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (30/01/2017)

Question S5W-05981: Andy Wightman, Lothian, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 09/01/2017
To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it uses to determine whether housing can be regarded as “affordable”.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (18/01/2017)

Question S5W-06315: Gordon Lindhurst, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 18/01/2017
To ask the Scottish Government how it can work with Edinburgh City Council to bring the reported 5,000 empty homes in the city back into use in order to tackle housing shortages.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (31/01/2017)

Other Parliamentary Activity

The transcript of the Scottish Government Debate on Improving Scotland’s Planning: Improving Scotland’s Places that took place on Thursday, 26th January 2017 can be read in full here.

Motions

Motion S5M-03748: Fiona Hyslop, Linlithgow, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 30/01/2017
Celebrating Our Past: Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology
That the Parliament recognises the contribution that Scotland’s Themed Years play in celebrating and promoting some of its greatest assets; welcomes the 2017 Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology and the opportunities that it provides to celebrate Scotland’s rich and vibrant history and heritage with the people of Scotland and visitors alike, and acknowledges the social, cultural and economic benefits that can be realised by harnessing the opportunities offered by the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology to raise the profile of Scotland, both nationally and internationally, as a world-class tourism destination.
Supported by: Alasdair Allan
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31/01/2017

Motion S5M-03748.1: Lewis Macdonald, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 30/01/2017
Celebrating Our Past: Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology
As an amendment to motion S5M-03748 in the name of Fiona Hyslop (Celebrating Our Past: Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology), insert at end “, and considers that adequate funding of local authorities, Historic Environment Scotland and other relevant agencies will be essential to maintain the quality and accessibility of museums, galleries and heritage sites in 2017 and beyond.”
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31/01/2017

Events

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

#HHA2017 ScotlandHour 
When: Wednesday 22 February, 21:00 – 22:00
Where: Twitter
ScotlandHour is delighted to announce that Dig It! 2017 is the Takeover Host for the #ScotlandHour February 2017 chat celebrating the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. Visit the website to find out how to get involved, read the questions ahead of time or learn more about the host and co-hosts.

Period Colour Today: Key Considerations for Architects & Interior Designers
When: 23rd February 2017 from 9am – 1pm.
Where: Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR.
Please join us at the first in a series of RIAS approved Edinburgh World Heritage CPD seminars, designed specifically for a professional architecture and interior design audience. At this informative half-day session you will hear about the importance of colour in conserving the values of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site; learn about the importance of scientific paint analysis with case studies; understand the benefits of using natural paint products; gain a historical perspective based on the interior design of Scottish country houses.

Archaeology Scotland Caves and Castles Time Tour
When: Saturday 25th March 2017.
Where: across central and east Fife.
We will be touring historic and archaeological sites across central and east Fife in the comfort of a luxury bus and travelling back at least 4,000 years on this all-day excursion. Our on-board guide, Peter Yeoman, will be describing the sites and giving insight into the lives of our ancestors as we visit different sites including the Balfarg Henge, Balbirnie Stone Circle, East Lomond Hillfort, Lochore Castle, the intriguing Wemyss Caves and others sites along the way. Places are limited so call 0300 012 9878 to book your seat or email development@archaeologyscotland.org.uk you can also book online.

CIfA2017 Archaeology: a global profession 
When: Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 April 2017
Where: Newcastle University.
Our annual conference and training event is bursting with exciting sessions, CPD workshops and networking opportunities. You can see what is on the programme on our website http://www.archaeologists.net/conference/2017
Don’t forget to book your place via Eventbrite.

The Dundee Conservation Lecture series programme is now out and can be viewed here. The programme is now in its 24th year and is a joint initiative between the University of Dundee, The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland and Dundee Historic Environment Trust.

Training

Asbestos awareness training course 
When: Wednesday 29 March between 12pm and 4pm.
Where: The College of Animal Welfare (CAW) in Edinburgh.
RSK Environment Ltd. will deliver the training. The aim of the course is to provide awareness and develop knowledge of the hazards and risks posed by asbestos containing materials (ACMs), in order that employees can conduct work safely. This course is suitable for archaeologists of all levels of experience and responsibility. Places are free for CIfA members! For more details and to book please go to our Eventbrite page.

Vacancies

Trusts & Events Fundraiser Part-Time
Great opportunity for someone with Trust fundraising experience who also likes to get out meeting people at events. Are you good with social media? If you can write a good case for support and are a great organiser then Archaeology Scotland want to hear from you. Grants fundraising is an important part of our funding strategy but equally important is raising awareness of our work through our events. If you think you have the right combination of skills then send us a letter of application and your CV to e.macqueen@archaeologyscotland.org.uk
Closing Date for Applications: 23rd February 2017.
Interviews will be held on the 27th February 2017 at our office in Musselburgh.

Scottish Civic Trust Project Officer – Doors Open Days & My Place Photography Competition
3 days per week, 9-5
Salary: £25-26K PA (pro rata) depending on experience.
This is a fixed-term contract, which will run to 31 March 2018.  The role may be extended beyond this period depending on 3rd-party funding.
This is a unique opportunity to help deliver two of Scotland’s most exciting architecture and heritage projects.
Closing date for applications: Friday 17 February 2017.

National Project Manager- Scottish Empty Homes Partnership-Edinburgh
Maternity cover until January 2018 – Edinburgh
Shelter Scotland is looking for an influential individual with strong project management and project development experience to join us as National Project Manager and bring strategic direction and day-to-day management to the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP).
Closing date: Tuesday 28th February 2017 at 11.30pm.

Themed Years Marketing and Communications Executive
The post of the Themed Years Marketing & Communications Executive will operate as part of the wider EventScotland/VisitScotland Communication Teams and as such will be an important conduit for information and coordination. The post holder will be responsible for day to day duties of Scotland’s Themed Years Marketing and Communications activity.
Job Closing Date : 01/03/2017.

Recruiting a part time Assistant Director
The Cockburn Association has established an Urban Design Group, the Assistant Directors manage the activities of this Group. The Assistant Directors bring together expert contributions from different professional backgrounds as a basis for the Cockburn Association’s submissions on significant planning proposals and on draft strategic plans affecting the city and its environs. We are looking for an individual committed to place-making – influencing how areas within Edinburgh can be made as attractive, sustainable, and functional as possible, so as to enrich the lives and experience of all those who live and work in, and those who visit, the city.
Deadline for applications: Friday, 3 March 2017.

Members’ News

Would you like to be recognised for your skills in community engagement? (PAS 14/02/17)
We hear a lot about the importance of community engagement in the planning system and more widely in community planning and placemaking generally – but do we really know what effective public involvement looks, or even feels, like?

We’ve launched a brand new online shop (GCHT 08/02/17)
By buying from Glasgow City Heritage Trust’s online shop you are supporting our charitable work promoting the understanding, appreciation and conservation of Glasgow’s historic buildings for the benefit of the city’s communities and its visitors, now and in the future

BEFS News

BEFS Chair, Graeme Purves, reflects on the challenges and opportunities for the built environment sector in 2017 in his new year message.

Less than a week until our event ‘Cracking the Housing Nut’, with Thomas Aubrey and Alastair Parvin. Do not miss this timely discussion on addressing the housing challenge, at the National Galleries Scotland. Book your ticket here.

BEFS is holding a workshop (Thursday 9th February 10-1pm) on the Scottish Government’s consultation on the future of the planning system – Places, People and Planning. Join us to hear directly from Chief Planner John McNairney and discuss key themes within the consultation document. Book your place here.

Follow the Scottish Parliament debate on Improving Scotland’s Planning: Improving Scotland’s Places live this afternoon from 2.30pm on Parliament TV. We are also anticipating a Scottish Parliament debate on Celebrating Our Past: Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology on Tuesday, 31st January 2017.

BEFS Heritage Data Seminar on the 2016 Heritage Index, Understanding Scottish Places, Town Centre Review and the SHEA 2016 results, is also just around the corner. The event is free but do book a place.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has recently published an interim policy on how it will facilitate Asset Transfer under The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 and would like to hear your views. Read more about it in BEFS news.

The national heritage agencies – HES, Historic England and Cadw in Wales – have commissioned Landward Research to undertake a new survey of specialists in the study of the historic environment. The project aims to find out more about the distribution of specialists. If you are an archaeological, buildings history or garden history specialist or scientist, complete the questionnaire.

Check out the training offered by Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage for upcoming courses on effective copyrighting (31st January), fundraising strategies (8th February) and full cost recovery (22nd February) – all tailored to the heritage sector.

Visit Scotland have now created social media and web banners to promote your activities as part of #HHA2017. They are available to download from the #HHA2017 Business Toolkit at visitscotland.org.

Consultations

Draft Climate Change Plan RPP3 – ECCLR Call for Evidence (SP 01/17)
The Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee has agreed to review the Scottish Government’s draft Climate Change Plan (third Report on Proposals and Policies – RPP3) as part of a collaborative scrutiny approach with the: Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee, Local Government and Communities Committee and Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee.
The deadline for responses is 10 February 2017.

Consultation on a Scottish Energy Strategy: The future of energy in Scotland (SG 24/01/17)
A consultation on a draft Scottish Energy Strategy, which sets out the Scottish Government’s vision for the future energy system in Scotland, to 2050.
Consultation closes on 30 May 2017.

Consultation on Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme (SG 24/01/17)
The Scottish Government has designated energy efficiency as a National Infrastructure Priority, the cornerstone of which will be Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme (SEEP) – a 15 to 20 year programme.
Consultation closes on 30 May 2017.

Consultation on Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies, and Regulation of District Heating (SG 24/01/17)
The Scottish Government designated energy efficiency as a national infrastructure priority in June 2015, covering energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation of both domestic and non-domestic buildings.
Consultation closes on 18 Apr 2017.

Publications

National Infrastructure Priority for Energy Efficiency – Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme (SG 24/01/17)
Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme will operate over 15 – 20 years and make our homes, shops, offices, schools and hospitals warmer and easier to heat. By reducing energy demand it will help to tackle fuel poverty, help businesses improve their energy productivity and competitiveness and release savings in the public sector for front line services. We are now formally consulting and seeking your views on these different options for programme and policy design.

Asset Transfer under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015: Guidance for Community Transfer Bodies (SG 23/01/17)
A step-by-step guide for community bodies setting out who can make an asset transfer request; how to get information about suitable properties; how to make a request and how the relevant authority will deal with it. It also covers review and appeal procedures.

Asset Transfer under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015: Guidance for Relevant Authorities (SG 23/01/17)
A step-by-step guide for relevant authorities on the requirements for dealing with asset transfer requests, including who can make a request; registers of land and provision of information; procedures for processing requests and matters to be considered in making a decision. It also covers review and appeal procedures.

Brexit: What Scotland Thinks – major study published by Holyrood’s European Committee (SP 20/01/17)
A major parliamentary report detailing the views and concerns around Brexit of more than 150 Scottish organisations and individuals is published today.

Draft Climate Change Plan – the draft Third Report on Policies and Proposals 2017-2032 (SG 19/01/17)
This document is a draft of the Climate Change Plan, the third report on proposals and policies (RPP3) for meeting Scotland’s annual greenhouse gas emissions targets that the Scottish Ministers must lay before the Scottish Parliament in accordance with the requirements in section 35 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

Evidence Review of the Potential Wider Impacts of Climate Change Mitigation Options: Built Environment Sector (SG 19/01/17)
This review summarises the evidence of potential wider impacts arising from Climate Change mitigation measures in the Built Environment sector.

Scottish Government News Releases

European links under threat (SG 25/01/17)
Brexit impedes cultural and tourism opportunities. Membership of the EU Single Market and free movement of people is critical to the health of Scotland’s culture, tourism and creative sectors.

Greater power for Scotland’s communities (SG 23/01/17)
Community Empowerment Act. A new law will make it easier for communities in Scotland to take over land or buildings that are currently in public ownership. The asset transfer section of the Community Empowerment Act (Scotland) 2015 has come into force today.

Tacking Climate Change (SG 19/01/17)
Draft plan represents ‘a new level of ambition.’ Detailed proposals to achieve a 66% reduction in Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions have been published by Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Roseanna Cunningham.

Homelessness and Housing Options Statistics Published (SG 17/01/17)
Scottish Local Authorities received around 17,100 applications for homelessness assistance during April to September 2016, 3% lower than in the same period in 2015. However, the number of children in temporary accommodation increased by 826 children (+17%), comparing figures at 30 September 2016 with the same date one year ago.

£29 million to build fairer Scotland (SG 16/01/17)
First Minister opens new funding for communities and third sector. Community and third sector projects that try new ways to tackle poverty and improve people’s lives can now apply for a share of £29 million funding, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

News Releases

What’s Your Heritage? Campaign seeks local groups to help change future policy (HES 25/01/17)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the heritage body in charge of listing buildings in Scotland, has today unveiled a toolkit to help local groups across the country answer the question ‘What’s Your Heritage?’

Archaeological Research in Progress 2017 – Call for Papers (SoAoS 25/01/17)
Scotland’s national annual Archaeological Research in Progress (ARP) conference will take place on Saturday 27 May 2017 at the National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh. The Society and Archaeology Scotland hosted event aims to cover archaeological research in progress from around Scotland covering all periods. For 2017 Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology we will also invite colleagues from beyond Scotland to share their exciting research too.

The role of HES under the Community Empowerment Act (2015) – Asset Transfer Request comes into force (HES 24/01/17)
As of Monday 23 January, Part 5 of The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 – relating to Asset Transfer Requests (ATRs) – comes into force.

LAUDF: Delivering Place Quality in Housing (A&DS 20/01/17)
The latest meeting of the Local Authority Urban Design Forum (LAUDF), was held at the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation on 8th Dec 2016. The Forum focussed on the topic of Delivering Place Quality in Housing.

An exciting new network has been launched – Urbanistas (PAS 20/01/17)
Urbanistas is a network of local chapters for women working in the built environment and has just started up in Edinburgh. Interested in finding out more? Please follow on twitter @UrbanistasED or go to the website.

Partnership primed to capitalise on Scotland’s expertise (HES 19/01/17)
Scotland’s £2.4billion heritage sector is set to benefit from an ambitious new educational partnership which will promote and develop expertise in managing Scotland’s heritage assets, as well as providing new training opportunities from apprenticeships to post graduate level qualifications.

£10 million contributed to local economies during England’s 2016 Heritage Open Days festival (IHBC 18/01/17)
The Heritage Open Days (HODs) 2016 Impact Report shows the huge numbers of people that explored England’s heritage for free in September 2016 – with an estimated 3 million visitors attending 5293 events.

Parliamentary review into local government archaeology services evidence published (CiFA 18/01/17)
The evidence which supported a parliamentary review into the Future of Local Government Archaeology Services has been published online (link is external).

International: First round of Cultural Protection Fund projects announced (British Council 18/01/17)
The British Council has announced the initial projects to be supported by the Cultural Protection Fund, which will protect heritage overseas.

Parliamentary Questions

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

S5W-06315 Gordon Lindhurst: To ask the Scottish Government how it can work with Edinburgh City Council to bring the reported 5,000 empty homes in the city back into use in order to tackle housing shortages. (SP 19/01/17)

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-05981: Andy Wightman, Lothian, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 09/01/2017
To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it uses to determine whether housing can be regarded as “affordable”.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (18/01/2017)

Other Parliamentary Activity

Scottish Government Debate on Improving Scotland’s Planning: Improving Scotland’s Places
Thursday, 26th January 2017

Kevin Stewart: S5M-03612
Improving Scotland’s Planning: Improving Scotland’s Places
That the Parliament recognises that improving Scotland’s planning process will require making the planning system more plan-led and accessible, increasing the influence of local people on decisions about the future of their communities and ensuring the delivery of the high quality homes and infrastructure that Scotland needs; agrees that, together with developing skills, smarter resourcing and digital transformation of the planning service, as well as removing any unnecessary procedures and practices that do not add value, planners can focus on delivering great places for people to live and work, and notes the publication of Places, people and planning: A consultation on the future of the Scottish planning system, which includes steps being taken to ensure that the planning system plays a proactive and positive role in attracting investment and creating great places in Scotland.

Graham Simpson S5M-03612.1
Improving Scotland’s Planning: Improving Scotland’s Places
As an amendment to motion S5M-03612 in the name of Kevin Stewart (Improving Scotland’s Planning: Improving Scotland’s Places), leave out from “which includes” to end and insert “and urges the Scottish Government to put greater emphasis on protecting green spaces in its final proposals, noting their importance to the environment, quality of life, health and wellbeing.”

Alex Rowley S5M-03612.4
Improving Scotland’s Planning: Improving Scotland’s Places
As an amendment to motion S5M-03612 in the name of Kevin Stewart (Improving Scotland’s Planning: Improving Scotland’s Places), leave out from “recognises” to end and insert “believes that the central purpose of the planning system is to regulate the use of land in the public interest; values transparency, efficiency and openness in all aspects of the system and welcomes steps to improve the experience of all interested parties, including applicants, developers and communities; notes the publication of Places, people and planning – a consultation on the future of the Scottish planning system, which includes steps being taken to ensure that the planning system plays a proactive and positive role in attracting investment and creating great places and homes in which to live in Scotland; believes that the operation of the statutory planning system has been undermined by cuts to local government; recognises concerns about the barriers facing individuals and communities to fully engage in the planning process, despite a shift towards frontloading, and notes their limited rights to challenge decisions, and believes that reforming the system is an opportunity to put communities and people at the heart of decision-making and that the proposed planning bill presents an opportunity to help tackle inequality and improve public health.”

Events

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

Painting the past: using geological techniques to identify artists’ pigments in Roman archaeology – Edinburgh
When: February 13 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Where: Auditorium National Museum Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Dr Ruth Siddall, University College London, will present a lecture entitled “Painting the past: using geological techniques to identify artists’ pigments in Roman archaeology”.

‘A more collaborative planning system – what can a mediation approach offer?’
When: Tue 21 February 2017 from 09:45 – 16:00.
Where: PAS, 3rd Floor, 125 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AD.
PAS and Scottish Mediation would like to invite you to their first joint conference. With the recent Independent Planning Review having referenced mediation in three of its recommendations, PAS and Scottish Mediation are looking to explore how this can be facilitated to improve engagement within planning. The conference will include a number of plenaries, collaborative exercises and case studies which will give participants the opportunity to consider the wider use of collaborative approaches in the planning system and to hear from professional planners and mediators.

CIfA2017 Archaeology: a global profession
When: Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 April 2017
Where: Newcastle University
A full timetable is now available on our website. Book here.

Training

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

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

Vacancies

Scottish Civic Trust Project Officer – Doors Open Days & My Place Photography Competition
3 days per week, 9-5
Salary: £25-26K PA (pro rata) depending on experience.
This is a fixed-term contract, which will run to 31 March 2018.  The role may be extended beyond this period depending on 3rd-party funding.
This is a unique opportunity to help deliver two of Scotland’s most exciting architecture and heritage projects.
Closing date for applications: Friday 17 February 2017.

Communications Officer
Edinburgh World Heritage is looking to appoint an ambitious and creative Communications professional to this important role within our team. Specifically, the role will build awareness of Edinburgh World Heritage among designated target audiences in Edinburgh and beyond, deliver leadership levels of positive news coverage which accurately capture our vision, mission and strategic key messages, extend the reach and impact of our Social Media and digital channels, improve effectiveness and efficiency of our website as well as drive overall traffic and repeat usage, and provide support for advocacy activities with a range of key stakeholders. Deadline: 5PM, Friday 27th January 2017.

Community Engagement Officer
An exciting opportunity has become available for an entry-level professional to support the implementation of Glasgow City Heritage Trust’s educational heritage grants programmes. Using social media, publicity, outreach and learning, events, seminars, conferences, print, website development, interpretation, promotional activities, exhibitions and partnerships you will be expected to promote the understanding and appreciation of Glasgow’s historic environment and the work of Glasgow City Heritage Trust. You will be reporting directly to the Heritage Outreach Officer. Closing date Tuesday, 31 January 2017 at 12:00 noon.

Vacancies at NTS
There are a number of vacancies on the NTS site just now. A few may be of particular interest to members with a gardens and landscape remit.

Members’ News

Conservation Areas 50th anniversary Parliamentary Debate (IHBC 25/01/17)
The IHBC has warmly welcomed the Parliamentary Debate on the 50th anniversary of Conservation Areas, supported by Robert Jenrick MP, scheduled for 26 January and inspired by Civic Voice’s ‘Big Conservation Conversation’, with the IHBC submitting data on the decade-long, 35%+ decline in England’s conservation services as well as its own ‘5-point plan’ for their survival.

Stunning Artwork Launches Scottish Archaeology Celebrations (SoAoS 19/01/17)
A Glasgow-based artist has brought new life to six stories from the Mesolithic to Victorian era as part of Dig It! 2017. Dig It! 2017, the year-long celebration of Scottish archaeology, commissioned the artwork as the centrepiece for their event programme. The printed teaser programme features 49 events and is available across Scotland, while the online listings feature over 80 events – with hundreds more to be added throughout the year.

RIAS Awards 2017 Launched (RIAS 17/01/17)
Submission to the RIAS Awards entitles entrants to be considered for the following awards:
•    RIAS Awards (including RIAS/ Forestry Commission Scotland/Wood for Good Timber Award, RIAS/Historic Environment Scotland Conservation and Climate Change Award, the RIAS/Saint-Gobain Emerging Architect Award, RIAS/Scottish Government Scotland’s Client of the Year Award) and RIAS/Zero Waste Scotland Resource Efficiency Award,
•    RIAS Andrew Doolan Award
•    RIBA Awards (including National Award, Client of the Year Award, RIBA House of the Year, Stephen Lawrence Prize)
•    RIBA Stirling Prize

RICS Awards 2017 – deadline extension (RICS 01/17)
The RICS Awards showcase the most inspirational regional initiatives and development in land, property, construction and the environment. This is the prime opportunity for surveyors, property developers, engineers, planners and architects, to showcase their talent.
Entry deadline extension: 27 January 2017.

Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards 2017: final call for nominations (SCT 19/01/17)
Call for nominations deadline: 31 January  2017.
Don’t forget to make your nomination for the Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards, and to encourage schools to enter the My Place Photography Competition.

Scottish Civic Trust to launch Civic Day in Scotland (SCT 19/01/17)
Civic Day is an initiative first implemented by Civic Voice in England in 2011. It’s a day for local groups to engage with their members and the wider public to explore and celebrate the places they live. This year, we will be teaming up with Civic Voice to bring Civic Day to Scotland. It’s very easy to get involved.
•    Save the date – Saturday 17 June 2017
•    Brainstorm activities you could organise on this day
•    Join in the conversation #CivicDay
For more information or to discuss ideas, contact Gaby Laing at Scottish Civic Trust – 0141 221 1466 or email gaby.laing@scottishcivictrust.org.uk

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 wishes you a great start to 2017 in this our first bulletin of the year and we have some exciting dates for your diary, which are coming up soon.

The Scottish Government’s consultation paper on reform of the planning systemwas released this week. We will be working with BEFS Planning Reform Taskforce to produce a briefing paper and plan to hold a workshop on the topic in February.

BEFS is bringing Thomas Aubrey and Alastair Parvin to Edinburgh for our event ‘Cracking the Housing Nut’ on 31st January 2017. The consultation paper on the Scottish planning system provides an excellent context for an evening that looks at alternative ways to deliver more homes in Scotland. Register for free now!

Following the publication of the SHEA 2016, it is timely to look at a number of sources of historic environment data. BEFS Heritage Data Seminar in February will feature: Jonathan Schifferes, Royal Society of Arts, on the 2016 Heritage Index results; Phil Prentice, Scotland’s Towns Partnership, on the project Understanding Scottish Places, which came out of the Town Centre Review; Karen Robertson, HES, on the SHEA 2016 results. The event is free but do book a place.

BEFS Chair, Graeme Purves, reviews Lou Rosenburg’s Scotland’s Homes Fit for Heroes: Garden City Influences on the Development of Scottish Working Class Housing 1900 to 1939, in the first of our blogs this week.

Hew Edgar, Policy Manager for RICS Scotland, discusses a Tenement Health Check policy proposal published by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland, in our second blog.

In tandem with this, BEFS and the Scottish Traditional Building Forum met with the Minister for Local Government and Housing, Kevin Stewart MSP, this week. The meeting covered a number of suggestions relating to improving building maintenance from regular building surveys, to enhanced Home Reports and sinking funds for communal properties. The discussion was candid and the Scottish Government’s pilot equity scheme as part of the Home Energy Efficiency Programme is seen as one initiative to improve building condition in conjunction with projects such as Under one Roof. The time would not appear to be right for introducing stronger requirements on homeowners to invest in the regular maintenance of their properties but future climate-change targets may open the opportunity for the Government to address this.

Consultations

Places, People and Planning: A consultation on the future of the Scottish Planning System (SG 10/01/17)
The consultation paper “places, people & planning” sets out twenty proposals for change which aim to strengthen the planning system and support sustainable economic growth across the country. The proposals build on the recommendations of the independent review of the planning system.
Consultation closes 4 Apr 2017.

A Consultation on Procedure of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland Housing and Property Chamber (SG 06/01/17)
The Housing and Property Chamber aims to deliver benefits of specialism, consistency and improved access to justice for both tenants and landlords in private rented housing.
Consultation closes 31 Mar 2017.

Crown Estate: A Consultation on the Long Term Management of the Crown Estate in Scotland (SG 04/01/17)
This consultation focuses on the future purpose of the Crown Estate in Scotland and what changes are needed to the existing legislation to deliver that purpose.
Consultation closes 29 Mar 2017.

Benefits of drones to the UK economy (Department for Transport 21/12/16)
Seeks views on proposals to harness the positive benefits of drones for public and commercial services and the benefits to the UK economy.
Consultation closes on 15 March 2017.

Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement: A Consultation (SG 16/12/16)
A consultation on the Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement, which is a set of principles with an overarching vision that will guide the development of public policy on the nature and character of land rights and responsibilities in Scotland.
Consultation closes on 10 Mar 2017.

Local Landscape Areas (SNG & HES 12/2016)
Scottish Natural Heritage and Historic Environment Scotland are currently consulting on revised guidance on Local Landscape Areas (LLAs)
Consultation closes on 3 March 2017.

Consultation Responses

Scottish Government Response to the UK Government Apprenticeship Levy (SG 05/01/17)
This report sets out the Scottish Government response to the UK Government Apprenticeship Levy and sets out how Scottish Government plan to develop a distinctly Scottish approach to apprenticeships and wider skills development to drive closer engagement with industry supporting Scottish Government’s efforts to enhance productivity and economic growth in 2017-18 and beyond.

Publications

A progress report on the conservation and management of properties in care of Scottish Ministers (HES 09/01/17)
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on progress one year on, in relation to the properties in care, with a particular focus on conservation.

Scotland’s Place in Europe (SG 20/12/16)
Scotland’s Place in Europe presents the Scottish Government’s proposals for mitigating the impact on Scotland of the UK’s exit from the EU. The paper sets out the importance of continued European Single Market membership for Scotland, and demonstrates that this is also the best outcome for the UK as a whole.

Historic Environment Scotland Annual Report 2015-16 (HES 9/12/16)
The first Historic Environment Scotland (HES) Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015/16 have been laid before Parliament.

Scottish Government News Releases

Forth Road Bridge closure highlights danger of ignoring weather warnings (SG 11/01/17)
Severe weather warnings remain in place for next three days. Motorists are being warned to expect further delays this evening following the closure of the Forth Road Bridge.

Transforming the planning system (SG 10/01/17)
Views sought for planning modernisation. Plans for major changes to the Scottish planning system have been published today. The Scottish Government has set out 20 proposals for revamping the system, which will support economic growth, delivery of houses and increase community involvement in planning decisions. They form a consultation which will pave the way for a planning bill to be brought forward this year.

£6.6 million for conservation of historic sites (SG 09/01/17)
Report sets out work required to restore and protect iconic buildings and monuments. Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop today confirmed a £6.6 million capital boost to support investment in conservation work, repairs and visitor facilities at several of Scotland’s iconic heritage sites and monuments. The announcement follows the publication today of the most comprehensive conservation assessment ever undertaken on the properties in care of Scottish Ministers.

Brexit threatens creative industries (SG 09/01/17)
Preserving benefits of Single Market vital. Protecting membership of the Single Market is vital to Scotland’s culture and creative industries, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop will highlight tonight.

Funding for housing projects (SG 06/01/17)
Grants of £1.65m to help homeless and vulnerable people. Organisations that work with homeless people and give housing support to vulnerable will benefit from £1.65 million of Scottish Government grant funding.

Support for cities (SG 05/01/17)
City Region Deals boosting jobs and local economies. The Scottish Government will increase support for cities in 2017, by progressing City Region Deals to boost jobs, infrastructure and the economy in Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth and Stirling, Economy Secretary Keith Brown has confirmed.

Future of the Crown Estate (SG 04/01/17)
Consultation for shaping the Crown Estate in Scotland. A 12 week consultation on the long term framework for the devolved management of the Crown Estate in Scotland was announced today during a visit to Rhu Marina, Helensburgh.

Forth dimension (SG 03/01/17)
3D scans of Forth Bridges to power educational games and learning. Incredibly detailed 3D scans of the Forth Bridge will form the basis for interactive games promoting engineering skills for school children, it has been revealed.

Budget for land reform increased (SG 29/12/17)
Increased funding to shape future land reform measures and provide greater transparency. Overall funding for land reform will be increased by £3.4 million in 2017, with the existing Scottish Land Fund budget maintained at £10 million.

News Releases

Cabinet Secretary announces £7.8 million to prevent homelessness (WG 11/01/17)
The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children Carl Sargeant has announced £7.8 million for the Homelessness Prevention Programme for 2017/18.

Report on the CIfA Brexit survey (CIfA 10/01/17)
Following the result of the Referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU in June, CIfA launched a survey of its members which ran through August and September and aimed to collect responses to help guide CIfA advocacy and collect the individual responses and experiences of professionals in the sector. MCIfA Kevin Wooldridge has produced a report and summary of the survey

Survey of Historic Environment Specialists: We need your help (CifA 09/01/17)
The national heritage agencies have commissioned Landward Research to undertake a new survey of historic environment specialists, building on the work that was undertaken in 2010. We aim to find out more about the distribution of specialists, their working environments, their training needs and opportunities, and their thoughts on the future.

Best Use of Timber Awards Exhibition 2016 (A&DS 09/01/17)
The Best Use of Timber Awards 2016 exhibition showcases the winner and shortlisted entries to the annual RIAS Awards scheme, which combined with Forestry Commission Scotland and Wood for Good to sponsor this award. The Award is aimed at encouraging innovative and creative use of timber in new buildings in Scotland. Also featured are the winning entries from the 2015 RIAS Chapter Awards.

New money for affordable homes released (DCLG 05/01/17)
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has today (5 January 2017) unlocked £7 billion in a dramatic expansion of the government’s affordable housing programme to meet the diverse housing needs of the country.

Door opens on 2017 at Burns Cottage (NTS 01/01/17)
Burns Cottage welcomed its first first-footers through its front door in over 100 years as 2017 arrived. The National Trust for Scotland, the charity that promotes and conserves Scotland’s heritage, has just re-opened the door as it prepares for its annual programme of events to celebrated Robert Burns’ birthday.

Parliamentary Questions

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

S5W-05981 Andy Wightman: To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it uses to determine whether housing can be regarded as “affordable”. (SP 10/01/17)

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-05277: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 01/12/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the move toward e-building standards by local authorities and how this has impacted the delivery of building standards warrants.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (13/12/2016)

Question S5W-05283: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 01/12/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the uptake by local authorities of e-building standards.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (13/12/2016)

Question S5W-05282: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 01/12/2016
To ask the Scottish Government how much local authorities have invested in technology specifically in advance of the e-building standards portal roll out.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (13/12/2016)

Question S5W-05289: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 01/12/2016
To ask the Scottish Government how the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 supports participatory planning for coastal communities in relation to the development of fish farms, and what impact the proposals in the Islands Bill would have.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (13/12/2016)

Question S5W-05288: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 01/12/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that new fish farms do not undermine the conservation objectives of the marine protected area network.
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham (13/12/2016)

Question S5W-05424: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 07/12/2016
To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) where vacant and derelict town centre buildings have been brought back into use as affordable housing through the Town Centre Housing Fund.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (13/12/2016)

Events

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

The restoration of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Glasgow School of Art
When: 16 Jan 2017 at 6:00 pm.
Where: Auditorium National Museum Scotland (use Lothian Street doors), Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF.
Liz Davidson OBE, Hon FRIAS, IHBC, Senior project Manager, Mackintosh Project, Glasgow School of Art, will present a lecture entitled “Restoring the Mackintosh Building following the 2014 fire”, exploring this iconic structure, the influence of Mackintosh and the Four and its restoration.

Safeguarding Scotland’s Thatched Buildings
When: Wednesday 18 January 2017 at 7.00 for 7.15 p.m.
Where: Old Town Hall, Falkland.
This Falkland Society lecture will be given by Jessica Hunnisett-Snow, Senior Technical Officer in the Technical Research Unit of Historic Environment Scotland, and Zoe Herbert, architecture student, and former Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) Scotland Officer, who was employed by the SPAB to make a complete survey of thatched buildings in Scotland. The survey was grant funded by Historic Environment Scotland. Falkland has a single thatched building, immediately opposite Falkland Palace; Auchtermuchty has a single thatched cottage; Collessie has several. Yet old photographs show that well into the 20th century thatch was a common roofing material in Fife villages and towns.

Property Repair and Maintenance Evening Event
When: Monday, 6 February 2017 from 5.30pm – 7.30pm.
Where: ESPC Showroom, 107 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3ES.
Vital information will be provided to help you: find out the condition of your property; find out the process required to repair and maintain your property; learn what funding option are available; advise on getting your neighbours together to carry out work; talk from professional who can start you on the right track.
If you would like to attend this free event please rsvp to conservation@hypostyle.co.uk.

‘A more collaborative planning system – what can a mediation approach offer?’
When: Tue 21 February 2017 from 09:45 – 16:00.
Where: PAS, 3rd Floor, 125 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AD.
PAS and Scottish Mediation would like to invite you to their first joint conference. With the recent Independent Planning Review having referenced mediation in three of its recommendations, PAS and Scottish Mediation are looking to explore how this can be facilitated to improve engagement within planning. The conference will include a number of plenaries, collaborative exercises and case studies which will give participants the opportunity to consider the wider use of collaborative approaches in the planning system and to hear from professional planners and mediators.

The international conference exploring Heritage, Mental Health & Wellbeing
When: 22- 24 March 2017.
Where: Quay Place, IP4 1BZ, Ipswich, UK.
The Health and Heritage international conference will take place at Quay Place – an innovative new wellbeing centre in a church building on the historic Ipswich docklands – in March 2017.  Organised in partnership with Suffolk Mind and Future for Religious Heritage, the conference will bring together leading professionals in the mental health, heritage and museum sectors.

Training

Would you like to be recognised for your skills in community engagement? 
SP=EED® (Successful Planning = Effective Engagement and Delivery) is PAS’s practical guide to effective engagement in planning. SP=EED Verification is a two-part programme offered by PAS which:

• allows individuals to develop a greater understanding of SP=EED and its practical application
• provides a greater understanding of the range of skills required for effective engagement
• encourages the use of a range of creative and effective engagement tools
• offers individuals the opportunity to have their engagement methods verified by independent planning and engagement professionals

Upcoming dates for training:
Fife – 2 February (time tbc)
Glasgow – 7 March (5.30-9.00 pm)
Aberdeen – 23 March (5.30-9.00pm)
Any enquires please contact David Wood on sp=eed@pas.org.uk.

Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage courses coming up in Spring 2017:
Make it Happen
When: Wednesday 18th January.
Where: Glasgow.

Telling it like it is: How effective copywriting can help your case for support
When: Tuesday 31st January.
Where: Edinburgh.

Planning to Progress
When: Wednesday 8th February.
Where: Glasgow.

In Focus – DTAS Event on Legacies
When: Wednesday 15th February.
Where: Nairn.

In Focus: Full Cost Recovery
When: Wednesday 22nd February *NEW COURSE*.
Where: Edinburgh.

In Focus: Introduction to Sponsorship
When: Thursday 16th March
Where: Edinburgh

Vacancies

Community Engagement Officer
An exciting opportunity has become available for an entry-level professional to support the implementation of Glasgow City Heritage Trust’s educational heritage grants programmes. Using social media, publicity, outreach and learning, events, seminars, conferences, print, website development, interpretation, promotional activities, exhibitions and partnerships you will be expected to promote the understanding and appreciation of Glasgow’s historic environment and the work of Glasgow City Heritage Trust. You will be reporting directly to the Heritage Outreach Officer.
Closing date Tuesday, 31 January 2017 at 12:00 noon.

Project Manager
SHBT is seeking an experienced Project Manager to take responsibility for initiating and executing high quality conservation and restoration projects on behalf of the Trust, demonstrating best practice in adaptive re-use of old buildings. This post is full-time. A Job Description is available by emailing recruitment@shbt.org.uk or visiting www.shbt.org.uk.
Closing Date 20th January 2017.

Building/Events Managers
SHBT is seeking two experienced Building/Events Manager to take on the overall management of two of its Edinburgh properties – Custom House in Leith and Riddle’s Court in the Lawnmarket. The Manager will be responsible for the day to day running of each property including management of all tenants as well as development and management of all events held within the public spaces. A proven track record of running a mixed use venue is essential. Evening and weekend working is an essential requirement of this job. A Job Description is available by emailing recruitment@shbt.org.uk or visiting www.shbt.org.uk.
Closing Date 27th January 2017.

Audience Development Officer – Patrick Geddes Centre
SHBT is undertaking a major capital project to restore Riddle’s Court and give it new life as the Patrick Geddes Centre for Learning. The construction phase is nearing completion and the Trust is seeking an experienced Audience Development Officer to develop new audiences in line with the Audience Development Plan to support the range of activities which will be delivered in the Centre when it opens in autumn 2017. This post is part-time (currently 21 hours per week) and is part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Evening and weekend working is an essential requirement of this job. A Job Description is available by emailing recruitment@shbt.org.uk or visiting www.shbt.org.uk.
Closing Date 3rd February 2017.

Director – Patrick Geddes Centre
SHBT is undertaking a major capital project to restore Riddle’s Court and give it new life as the Patrick Geddes Centre for Learning. The Trust is seeking to appoint a Centre Director who will be responsible for the strategic vision and direction of the Centre for Learning, overseeing the development and delivery of Learning Activities, delivering an interdisciplinary learning community and building an international reputation for the Patrick Geddes Centre in line with Patrick Geddes’ holistic approach to learning. High level knowledge and understanding of the work of Patrick Geddes including a proven track record in delivering a range of learning activities and community programmes direct experience of managing Advisory Groups, teams of staff and volunteers and management of an educational or multi-purpose venue. This post is full-time and is part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. A Job Description is available by emailing recruitment@shbt.org.uk or visiting www.shbt.org.uk.
Closing Date 3rd February 2017.

Call for new SRCT Board Members
Last change to apply to become a Trustee at the Scottish Redundant Churches Trust. Deadline is 31st January 2017. If you would like to know more please contact the Director, Victoria Collison-Owen on victoria@srct.org.uk or 0131 563 5135. Scottish Redundant Churches Trust, 15 North Bank Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2LP.

Members’ News

Getting more people involved in planning: PAS supports the aims of Scottish Government consultation launched today (PAS 10/01/17)
PAS welcomes the announcement of a public consultation on the planning system, launched this morning by Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Local Government and Housing.

Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards 2017 & Photography Competition (SCT 04/01/17)
We have been receiving nominations for the Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards 2017 but there is still time for you to nominate a project or person. The deadline is 31st January and full details can be found at www.myplaceawards.org.uk. We are also looking for primary and secondary schools to enter our annual My Place Photography Competition. The deadline for this scheme is also 31st January so please encourage your local schools to participate. Full details can be found here.

GCHT Events Programme – Survey 2017 (GCHT 04/01/17)
We are working hard to develop our programme of events and outreach activities for the new year and we are keen to look at ways we can improve it to provide an even better experience for you, our loyal subscribers, and ensure we’re doing the best job we can be. If you have a spare 5 minutes and wouldn’t mind filling in this short survey to tell us what we’re doing right and where we could improve or change things, we would be very grateful.

Edinburgh Architectural Association Annual Awards 2017 – Calls For Entry (RIAS 12/16)
The awards showcase and celebrate the very best architecture in the Chapter area and beyond, that enhance the built environment and people’s lives, regardless of size, form or budget.
This year the format of the awards has been changed to enable all entries built within the Chapter area, small or large, to become eligible for the highest accolade of ‘Building Of The Year’.

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

Scottish House Condition Survey 2015 has now been published. Key findings include that 52% of all of Scotland’s homes have disrepair to critical elements, 68% of all of Scotland’s traditionally built homes (pre-1919) have disrepair to critical elements, and just under 44% (43.8%) of all dwellings failed to meet the SHQS. These findings suggest a small improvement in house conditions on the previous year.

A Member’s debate on Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site is taking place in the Chamber today at 12.45 pm: S5M-02445 Gordon Lindhurst: The Future of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site. You can watch the debate live over lunch on Parliament TV.

Do you want to make the next Scottish planning system more community-friendly? Tell the Scottish Government how by completing this short survey for research into barriers to engagement. The research results will feed into the Scottish Government’s Planning Review:

The Scottish Government is also seeking views on a proposed new maximum fee for major planning applications in a consultation on raising planning fees.

The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017 was launched last week by Cabinet Secretary, Fiona Hyslop MSP, at Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh. Nine events supported by a £300,000 Signature Events Fund have been announced with more to be revealed in the coming weeks. A Great Roman Bake-Off, large scale projections of Viking imagery, a live archaeological dig of St Kilda in Minecraft and an international weaving festival are among the events lined up for 2017.

CONSULTATIONS

Consultation on proposed ‘banning order offences’ under the Housing and Planning Act 2016 (DCLG 13/12/16)
Invites views and comments on which offences should constitute ‘banning order offences’ as defined in the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

Consultation on Raising Planning Fees (SG 05/12/16)
The Scottish Government recognises the importance of planning in supporting economic growth, in the delivery of quality homes and in community empowerment. We have committed to consulting on enhanced fees, following the independent review of planning recommendation that fees for major applications should be increased substantially so that the service moves towards full cost recovery.
Opened 5 Dec 2016 and Closes 27 Feb 2017.

PUBLICATIONS

SB 16-96 Housing Subject Profile (SP 05/12/16)
This briefing provides an overview of housing policy in Scotland.  It describes recent trends in housing tenure and the housing market and provides information on the legislative and administrative background.

SB 16-97 Implications of Leaving the EU – Environment (SP 05/12/16)
This briefing highlights the EU framework that relates to environment policy and explores the implications that leaving the EU may have on Scotland’s approaches to the environment. The briefing also sets out some views on how alternatives to EU membership may impact on Scotland’s approaches to environmental protection and some of the challenges associated with untangling EU, UK and Scottish environmental law.

Architectural Heritage Fund Celebrates Successful Year (AHF 01/12/16)
Successful historic building restoration projects across the UK are celebrated in the Architectural Heritage Fund’s annual report published on 1 December 2016. As well as showcasing award winning buildings and completed regeneration projects, the AHF’s first impact measurement survey reveals the indirect outcomes for local communities and highlights a number of issues relating to the health of the sector.

Climate Change Adaptation for Traditional Buildings (HES 10/16)
This Short Guide describes the key aspects of the external envelope of a traditional building that provide protection against the elements, and considers how these can be improved or adapted to increase a building’s resilience to extreme weather events.

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT NEWS RELEASES

Planning decision times published (SG 14/12/16)
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland. Latest quarterly statistics on planning applications decided in July to September 2016 show that the average decision time for local developments was faster than the equivalent quarter in the previous year, but that the average decision time for major developments was slower.

New build housing completions up by 4% on last year (SG 13/12/16)
A National Statistics Publication for Scotland. There were 15,991 new build homes completed in the 12 months to June 2016, an increase of 591 homes, or 4%, on the 15,400 homes completed in the previous year.

Changes to Modern Apprenticeships (SG 08/12/16)
New measures to boost access. New changes to Modern Apprenticeships will provide more flexibility for employers, including those in the public sector, while also widening access for rural communities, people with disabilities and experience of care.

80 affordable homes for Dumfries (SG 08/12/16)
£6.8m investment in charitable bonds. 80 affordable homes will be built in Dumfries as a result of the Scottish Government investing £6.8 million in charitable bonds.

Designing with the experts (SG 06/12/16)
£300k for local projects. Communities across Scotland have the opportunity to map out the future of their areas alongside design experts following the awarding of Charrette grants from the Scottish Government. Charrettes bring together the public, stakeholders and designers over a number of days to draw up proposals to make their towns and villages better places to live.

NEWS RELEASES

Napier’s timber technology research hub (FCS 08/12/16)
Edinburgh Napier University announced that it will be investing £3 million into a new research hub that will support the construction of sustainable housing in the UK. The University says that the facility will be open in the Spring 2017 and that it will work with the industry to “accelerate the development of a range of timber technologies.”

New national plan and funding brings bigger boost to estate regeneration (DCLG 08/12/16)
A new government strategy and additional funding will breathe new life into rundown estates Communities Secretary Sajid Javid announced today (8 December 2016).

A different way of addressing fuel poverty (STBF 07/12/16)
For properties to be energy efficient, the Scottish Traditional Building Forum believes the condition of Scotland’s properties needs to be urgently addressed by undertaking repairs to failed critical elements then ongoing maintenance to ensure they do no reoccur. Particular attention should be paid to traditional homes (pre 1919) due to highest level of disrepair and fuel poverty.

Europa Nostra supports nomination of Rosia Montana for UNESCO World Heritage status (EN 06/12/16)
Europa Nostra and its President Plácido Domingo welcome the landmark decision by the Romanian Government to nominate the ancient mining landscape of Ro?ia Montan? for UNESCO World Heritage status.

First year of Land and Buildings Transaction Tax “operationally successful” but too early for conclusions says Committee (SP 05/12/16)
Scotland’s transition to the new Land & Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) was ‘operationally successful’, says the Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Constitution Committee.

Data protection – how secure are you? (SCVO 05/02/16)
Exploring the seventh data protection principle: organisational and technological measures.

Edinburgh set to take increased action on climate change (HES 01/12/16)
City wide climate change vision set out in new action plan. A shared action plan and vision to improve Edinburgh’s resilience to climate change has been unveiled today – Thursday 1st December – at Holyrood Park. Edinburgh Adapts 2016-2020 is a city wide climate change action plan, the first of its kind, aiming to help the Scottish capital prepare for and adapt to the effects and challenges of a changing climate.

New Data Uncovers Surge in Heritage Interest in England (Historic England xx/12/16)
Visits to historic sites are growing, membership of heritage organisations is increasing and participation in heritage is becoming more inclusive, according to this year’s Heritage Counts reports. The reports have been published today by Historic England on behalf of England’s leading heritage organisations which make up the Historic Environment Forum.

Heritage Counts (Historic England xx/12/16)
Heritage Counts is the annual audit of England’s heritage, first produced in 2002. It is produced by Historic England on behalf of the Historic Environment Forum. The Historic Environment Forum is the high level cross-sectoral committee for England, bringing together chief executives and policy officers from public and non-government heritage bodies to co-ordinate initiatives and strengthen advocacy work and communications.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

S5W-05424 Graham Simpson: To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) where vacant and derelict town centre buildings have been brought back into use as affordable housing through the Town Centre Housing Fund.(08/12/16)

S5W-05288 Mark Ruskell: To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that new fish farms do not undermine the conservation objectives of the marine protected area network. (SP 05/12/16)

S5W-05289 Mark Ruskell: To ask the Scottish Government how the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 supports participatory planning for coastal communities in relation to the development of fish farms, and what impact the proposals in the Islands Bill would have. (SP 05/12/16)

S5W-05277 Graham Simpson: To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the move toward e-building standards by local authorities and how this has impacted the delivery of building standards warrants (SP 05/12/16)

S5W-05282 Graham Simpson: To ask the Scottish Government how much local authorities have invested in technology specifically in advance of the e-building standards portal roll out. (SP 05/12/16)

S5W-05283 Graham Simpson: To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the uptake by local authorities of e-building standards. (SP 05/12/16)

(S5O-00438) Alison Harris: To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking in response to the findings of the Independent Review of the Scottish Planning System. (SP 01/12/16)

(S5O-00432) Mary Fee: To ask the Scottish Government when it last received an update from COSLA or the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers regarding the enforcement of minimum standards for Gypsy/Traveller sites. (SP 01/12/16)

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-05010: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24/11/2016
To ask the Scottish Government how many units were proposed in the Strategic Housing Investment Plans that were submitted to its More Homes Division (a) in total and (b) from each local authority.
Answered by Angela Constance (06/12/2016)

Question S5W-05008: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24/11/2016
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the Strategic Housing Investment Plans that were submitted to its More Homes Division.
Answered by Angela Constance (06/12/2016)

Question S5W-05007: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24/11/2016
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will allow Housing Infrastructure Fund loans to be used from 2017-18 to support the provision of community infrastructure, such as schools, that is required as a result of new housing development.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (05/12/2016)

Question S5W-05150: Murdo Fraser, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29/11/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of delays in obtaining building control consent on (a) the industry and (b) its housing targets.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (12/12/2016)

Question S5W-05149: Murdo Fraser, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29/11/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether local authorities have improved the quality of the building standards verification service since 2011.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (12/12/2016)

Question S5W-05147: Murdo Fraser, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29/11/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether local authorities are sufficiently resourced to provide the building standards verification service.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (12/12/2016)

Question S5W-05145: Murdo Fraser, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29/11/2016
To ask the Scottish Government (a) when and (b) how it will consult on the appointment of building standards verifiers.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (12/12/2016)

OTHER PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITY

The Parliament has agreed the following parliamentary recess dates:
•    24 December 2016 to 8 January 2017 (inclusive)
•    11 to 19 February 2017 (inclusive)

EVENTS

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

Hard hat tours of Riddle’s Court
When: Saturday 17th December, 2016, 10.00-16.00.
Where: Riddle’s Court – enter at 6 Victoria Terrace.
SHBT are opening Riddle’s Court as part of Edinburgh’s Christmas Advent Doors Open programme. This will be the final opportunity for the public to tour the site works. Our project team, including architects from LDN, will be guiding groups around the building. The tours are free but must be booked in advance.

Heritage and Conservation Seminar
When: Wednesday 25 January 2017 from 1.50pm to 6pm followed by a wine reception.
Where: University of Stirling.
Leading practitioners will explore current issues in heritage and conservation, supported by concrete examples. The aim is to encapsulate: different types of heritage (cultural and natural landscapes, buildings, monuments, intangible, collections); different aspects of heritage work (knowledge and understanding, understanding value, managing change, protection and conservation, engagement and enjoyment); different types of organisations (central and local government; heritage bodies; umbrella organisations, etc.); strategic and coal-face activities. Places are free for CIfA members only.

CIfA2017 Archaeology: A Global Profession
When: Wednesday 19 – Friday 21 April 2017
Where: Newcastle University.
The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists annual conference will provide an opportunity for heritage professionals to discuss, consider and learn about archaeological practice on a world stage through three broad themes of professionalism, protection and discovery. There will be half-day sessions within traditional paper format, discussion/panel seminars and CPD workshops, these themes will accommodate an exciting programme.

Training

GIS workshop 
When: Thursday 9 February 2017 from 10am to 4pm.
Where: High Life Highland, Highland Archive Centre, Inverness.
The course will provide basic instruction on using QGIS, an Open Source GIS programme. Students will learn how to add GPS data, background maps and images and to create point, polyline and polygon GIS files.

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

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

VACANCIES

The Scottish Historic Buildings Trust has a number of Job Vacancies:

Project Manager
SHBT is seeking an experienced Project Manager to take responsibility for initiating and executing high quality conservation and restoration projects on behalf of the Trust, demonstrating best practice in adaptive re-use of old buildings. This post is full-time.A Job Description is available by emailing recruitment@shbt.org.uk or visiting www.shbt.org.uk.
Closing Date 20th January 2017.

Building/Events Managers
SHBT is seeking two experienced Building/Events Manager to take on the overall management of two of its Edinburgh properties – Custom House in Leith and Riddle’s Court in the Lawnmarket.  The Manager will be responsible for the day to day running of each property including management of all tenants as well as development and management of all events held within the public spaces.   A proven track record of running a mixed use venue is essential. Evening and weekend working is an essential requirement of this job. A Job Description is available by emailing recruitment@shbt.org.uk or visiting www.shbt.org.uk.
Closing Date 27th January 2017.

Audience Development Officer – Patrick Geddes Centre
SHBT is undertaking a major capital project to restore Riddle’s Court and give it new life as the Patrick Geddes Centre for Learning.  The construction phase is nearing completion and the Trust is seeking an experienced Audience Development Officer to develop new audiences in line with the Audience Development Plan to support the range of activities which will be delivered in the Centre when it opens in autumn 2017 and promote the Centre as a venue for hire. This post is part-time (currently 21 hours per week) and is part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Evening and weekend working is an essential requirement of this job. A Job Description is available by emailing recruitment@shbt.org.uk or visiting www.shbt.org.uk.
Closing Date 3rd February 2017.

Director – Patrick Geddes Centre
SHBT is undertaking a major capital project to restore Riddle’s Court and give it new life as the Patrick Geddes Centre for Learning.  The construction phase is nearing completion and the Trust is seeking to appoint a Centre Director who will be responsible for the strategic vision and direction of the Centre for Learning, overseeing the development and delivery of Learning Activities, delivering an interdisciplinary learning community and building an international reputation for the Patrick Geddes Centre in line with Patrick Geddes’ holistic approach to learning highlighted in the gateway to Riddle’s Court – ‘Vivendo Discimus’ – by living we learn. High level knowledge and understanding of the work of Patrick Geddes including a proven track record in delivering a range of learning activities and community programmes direct experience of managing Advisory Groups, teams of staff and volunteers and management of an educational or multi-purpose venue.  This post is full-time and is part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. A Job Description is available by emailing recruitment@shbt.org.uk or visiting www.shbt.org.uk.
Closing Date 3rd February 2017.

MEMBERS’ NEWS

Shaping Place – An Introduction to Landscape Assessment (PAS 12/12/16)
PAS volunteer, Alastair Smith, shares his thoughts on a recent volunteer training event on landscape assessment hosted by Doug Harman.

Trust announces senior appointments (NTS 08/12/16)
Heritage and conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland, which has lately been undergoing a major change programme, has announced appointments to important new leadership roles.

IHBC consultation response: Managing Heritage Assets – A Guide for Local Government (07/12/16)
Historic England consulted on this document with a selected group of stakeholders, including the IHBC, with the IHBC Consultation Panel findings including that the document should refer to BS 7913: 2013 and better reflect the English Heritage advice on Disposal of Heritage Assets: Guidance note for government departments and non-departmental public bodies.

IHBC Jobs etc – the service that helps careers, employers and heritage (IHBC 02/12/16)
The IHBC has just released some internal employment data from our sector-wide IHBC Jobs etc service, which to date this year has advertised posts with a combined maximum of more than £6million of stated salaries, for posts from property heads to facilities managers, and with 69% postings recommending IHBC membership or more.

Repositioning Planning – A vision for a reformed planning system (RTPI Scotland xx/12/16)
Kate Houghton outlines RTPI Scotland’s ambitions for coming planning reform.

Poor building maintenance – a threat to Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site (EWH 01/12/16)
Edinburgh World Heritage, together with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, has announced that complacency and lack of attention to basic building maintenance now represents a significant threat to the city’s World Heritage Site.

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

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced an ambitious national campaign to find out what heritage really means to the people of Scotland as part of the 2017 Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. ‘What’s Your Heritage?’ is a multi-channel project that asks members of the public to reveal which of Scotland’s places, buildings and monuments they want to see recognised and celebrated.

In light of the HES campaign, Euan Leitch, Director of BEFS, reflects on how it complements other research on the understanding of social value, how it can be incorporated within built environment policy and what it means for the role of experts, in the first of two blogs this week.

The Heritage Index 2016 has now been launched. The index covers 120 indicators, with local data available for all 390 local authority areas in the UK’s four nations. It aims to give people a richer understanding of their place, so that they are inspired to get involved in shaping their place into the future.

We would also like to draw your attention to BEFS member RTPI Scotland’s publication Repositioning Planning: Building a Successful and Sustainable Scotland, which outlines 14 “gamechangers” they have suggested to the Scottish Government for inclusion in the Planning White Paper.

Bill Pagan, Board member of BEFS and founding Board member of Cupar Development Trust, reports on progress following Cupar’s CharrettePlus, in the second of our blogs.

CONSULTATIONS

Digital Transformation: Next Steps (SG 30/11/16)

Registers of Scotland (RoS) is developing a variety of new digital services. Part One of the consultation sets out detailed proposals for the introduction of these new services and the necessary changes to the Land Register Rules that would be required to facilitate them.
Runs from 30 Nov 2016 to 22 Feb 2017

Building Warrant Fees (SG 15/11/16)
The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on increasing building warrant and other associated fees to make the building standards system achieve full cost recovery and place it on a sustainable footing for the future.
Runs from 15 Nov 2016 to 9 Jan 2017

Improving transparency in land ownership in Scotland: a consultation on controlling interests in land (SG 11/09/16)
A consultation on proposals for regulations to require the disclosure of persons with controlling interest in landowners and tenants in a register to be held by the Registers of Scotland.
Consultation closes on 5 Dec 2016!

PUBLICATIONS

Repositioning Planning: Building a Successful and Sustainable Scotland (RTPI 24/11/16)
Fourteen “gamechangers” the RTPI Scotland has suggested to the Scottish Government for inclusion in the White Paper.

Small Housing Developers in Scotland: Views on outputs & future prospects; obstacles and solutions to building and Help to Buy Schemes (SG 21/11/16)
This is a report on a survey of small and medium sized enterprises in the building trade. It sets out their expectations for business in the future which are optimistic and the barriers they expect to face and how these could be addressed.

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT NEWS RELEASES

Call for reassurance over European City of Culture (SG 29/11/16)
Brexit must not harm Dundee’s opportunity to host 2023 title. The UK Government must give urgent reassurance that its Brexit plans will not harm Dundee’s opportunity to bid to become the 2023 European Capital of Culture, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said today.

Discretionary Housing Payments – over 86,000 awards support housing costs during April to September 2016 (SG 29/11/16)
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland. Statistics released today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician show that during the period 1 April to 30 September 2016, Local Authorities in Scotland made over 86,000 Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) awards. The average award value was £512, typically to cover shortfalls in housing costs through to 31 March 2017.

Brexit impact on research discussed (SG 24/11/16)
Roseanna Cunningham meets research institutes to discuss concerns. Discussions were held today over the possible consequences of Brexit on the Scottish Government’s main rural, agricultural and environmental research institutes. Roseanna Cunningham, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, met with directors and chairs from Scotland’s Main Research Providers to address how Brexit may impact non-UK EU employees and future access to EU funding.

Backing for city deal (SG 21/11/16)
UK Government should commit to City Region Deals. Economy Secretary Keith Brown has called on the UK Government to commit to a Tay Cities and Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal in the Autumn Statement. The Scottish Government has been working with local authorities to develop proposals for the city region deals which would stimulate economic growth in the area.

£250m Aberdeen City Region Deal (SG 21/11/16)
Signing completes agreement. The Aberdeen City Region Deal was launched today with the official signing of the £250million agreement. The terms of the deal commit both the UK Government and Scottish Government to jointly investing up to £250m while Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and local partners are committed to investing up to £44m over the next decade.

NEWS RELEASES

Stirling Castle crowned winner at new awards initiative (HES 30/11/16)
Stirling Castle has claimed the title of Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction at the inaugural 2016 Scottish and Outdoor Leisure Awards. The centuries-old stronghold, which welcomes around 460,000 visitors through its iconic gates each year, was voted for by members of the public and visitors alike before being fully researched and reviewed by an independent judging panel.

The pros and cons of crowdfunding architectural projects (IHBC 25/11/16)
A CLAD magazine feature discusses how crowdfunding can help get projects started and allow architects to be proactive. The article gives advice on choosing the right crowdsourcing platform, raising the full amount needed and reaching out to the right audience.

Make planners statutory consultees in strategic local decisions, Scottish Government told (RTPI 24/11/16)
Strategic decisions by local authorities in areas such as economic development or education are often taken in isolation from planning departments and this needs to change, RTPI Scotland has told the Scottish Government.

Protecting the Stones of Worship (FCS 24/11/16)
Damage caused by a Pagan bonfire to the stone circle of Na Clachan Aoraidh – set high on the limestone ridge of Cnoc na Craoibhe above Loch Tummel in Tay Forest District – was turned into an opportunity to investigate and record the site in detail.

Every city in Scotland to share in multi-billion pound rebuild programme after Stirling award (Herald Scotland 24/11/16)
EVERY city in Scotland has now been awarded a City Deal with the announcement in the Autumn Statement that Stirling and Clackmannanshire are to receive the multi-million pound building boost.

Homeless village to be built in Edinburgh (BBC 24/11/16)
Scotland’s first village for homeless people is to be built in Edinburgh next year. Social Bite said 10 homes would be built in Granton to provide a low cost, safe environment for up to 20 people. The social enterprise said it wanted to create a model to end the “vicious cycle” of homelessness. Work on the village is expected to begin in early 2017, with the first residents expected to move into their homes by the summer.

Historic Environment Scotland Apprentices Scoop UK Awards (HES 24/11/16)
Two Scottish stonemasonry apprentices have taken Gold and Bronze respectively, in a UK-wide competition to find the country’s most talented construction apprentices. The SkillBuild Final – organised by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) – saw 78 competitors from across the UK, compete across 10 different trades, including bricklaying, wall and floor tiling, and painting and decorating.

Scottish councils spent £750m on temporary housing in last five years (Scottish Housing News 21/11/16)
Local authorities is Scotland have spent more than £750 million on temporary accommodation for homeless families in the last five years, according to new statistics. The data was obtained by the BBC as part of a wider investigation which found that the amount spent on temporary accommodation by councils across Britain was over £3.5 billion over the same period.

Local authorities praised for response to Syrian refugee crisis (Scottish Housing News 18/11/16)
Scotland has welcomed more than 1,200 Syrian refugees since the first flight arrived in Glasgow one year ago, according to the Scottish Government. With 29 local authorities receiving Syrian refugees to date, equalities secretary Angela Constance praised the country’s quick response to the humanitarian crisis as “phenomenal”.

Who is using Place Standard and for what? (A&DS 11/16)
Throughout November we have published a series of articles where we explore ways in which Architecture and Design Scotland has helped organisations to test, develop and apply the Place Standard. This has been part of our partnership work in jointly leading development of the tool with Scottish Government and NHS Health Scotland.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

S5W-05145 Murdo Fraser: To ask the Scottish Government (a) when and (b) how it will consult on the appointment of building standards verifiers. (SP 30/11/16)

S5W-05147 Murdo Fraser: To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether local authorities are sufficiently resourced to provide the building standards verification service. (SP 30/11/16)

S5W-05149 Murdo Fraser: To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether local authorities have improved the quality of the building standards verification service since 2011. (SP 30/11/16)

S5W-05150 Murdo Fraser: To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of delays in obtaining building control consent on (a) the industry and (b) its housing targets. (SP 30/11/16)

S5W-05007 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Government whether it will allow Housing Infrastructure Fund loans to be used from 2017-18 to support the provision of community infrastructure, such as schools, that is required as a result of new housing development. (SP 25/11/16)

S5W-05008 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the Strategic Housing Investment Plans that were submitted to its More Homes Division. (SP 25/11/16)

S5W-05010 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Government how many units were proposed in the Strategic Housing Investment Plans that were submitted to its More Homes Division (a) in total and (b) from each local authority. (SP 25/11/16)

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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

Question S5O-00344: Gordon Lindhurst, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 09/11/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what impact Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site status, and the built heritage within it, has on visitor numbers to the city.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (16/11/2016)

Question S5W-04642: Bruce Crawford, Stirling, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 10/11/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the (a) housing needs of older people and (b) demand for retirement housing.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (18/11/2016)

Question S5W-04641: Bruce Crawford, Stirling, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 10/11/2016
To ask the Scottish Government how its forthcoming white paper on planning will take account of the housing needs of older people.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (22/11/2016)

OTHER PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITY

The Parliament has agreed the following parliamentary recess dates:

• 24 December 2016 to 8 January 2017 (inclusive)
• 11 to 19 February 2017 (inclusive)

EVENTS

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

Workshop: Stained Glass 
When: 3rd December 2016 from 10am – 4pm.
Where: 54 Bell Street, Glasgow.
Discover the art and craft of stained glass through a practical exploration of the techniques and materials used. Learn about the history and development of the craft along with the challenges facing conservation and restoration for the future. Then put what you’ve learnt into practice by developing and making a stained-glass panel which you can take home at the end of the day.

Furnishing the Tower House
When: Monday 5th December, 6.30pm.
Where: St Andrew’s & St George’s West Church, Edinburgh, £5.
Michael Pearce talks to us about the nobles, lairds, merchants and craftsmen who designed the interiors of Scotland’s Tower Houses.
AHSS Forth & Borders Group Winter Lecture Series.

Mapping the City: a new approach for the Digital Age – Edinburgh
When: Monday December 12 from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
Where: Auditorium National Museum Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF.
Richard Roger, Professor of Economic and Social History, and Project Director MESH – Mapping Edinburgh’s Social History, University of Edinburgh, presents “Mapping the City: a new approach for the Digital Age”. The lecture considers how space is often overlooked when considering the nature of cities. (The lecture is repeated the evening afterwards in Aberdeen).

Christmas Party in the Advocates’ Reading Room
When: Tuesday 13th December, 7pm.
Where: Parliament House, Edinburgh, £15.
Members and Non-members are invited to join the AHSS Forth & Borders Group Christmas Party. Booking required.

Selling Scotland: The Kelvingrove Exhibitions 1888, 1901 & 1911
When: Thursday 19th January 2017.
Where: Adelaides, Glasgow, £4.
Fergus Sutherland discusses the impact of the Great Exhibition.
AHSS Strathclyde Group Winter Lecture Series.

TRAINING

Making and Using Traditional Mortars C1-Contractor Level 1
When: 24 – 25 January 2017 from 09.30 – 16.30.
Where: Merryhill Training Centre, Fife
Our most popular two-day introductory course – this practical workshop will provide attendees with a strong understanding of lime technology. The reasons for using traditional mortars on solid walls will also be explained, to allow you to better advise clients. The course will guide participants to be able to complete pointing work to traditional buildings to a high standard.
The content of this workshop provides the underpinning knowledge required for assessment and accreditation of SQA National Unit 1 – ‘Preparing and Using Basic Lime Mixes’.

Mortar Analysis Explained
When: 9 March 2017 from 09.30 – 12.30.
Where: Charlestown Workshops, Fife
The Mortar Analysis Explained seminar will help you gain an understanding the component parts of historic mortars, plasters, renders and harling through a variety of analysis techniques – key information to developing a repair specification that will perform as a compatible replacement. Choosing the wrong mortar could endanger the very fabric of the building that you are trying to conserve. For just £ 15 plus VAT (£ 18 in total) gain 2.5 hours of CPD and get to talk to our expert Building Materials Analysts.

Stone Analysis Explained
When: 9 March 2017 from 13.30 – 16.30.
Where: Charlestown Workshops, Fife
Top up your CPD hours and come and learn something crucial for prolonging the life of our built heritage environment. The vast majority of our heritage buildings are built with natural stone, some more durable than others. So understanding the importance of the variety of analysis techniques at our disposal for revealing the nature of our building stones and how they might be replicated with currently operating quarries is a vital step in the building conservation process. Choosing the wrong stone could accelerate the decay of surrounding historic masonry, the very opposite of what we want to achieve. For just £ 15 plus VAT (£ 18 in total) gain 2.5 hours of CPD and be better informed for your building conservation projects.

VACANCIES

PAS Volunteer opportunity 2017
PAS is planning a school project in Galashiels from February to October 2017, which will involve our IMBY, YEP and Young Placemakers programmes.  If you are interested in volunteering for this please contact Robert Pickles.

PAS project “In the Footsteps of Geddes”
PAS project “In the Footsteps of Geddes” is gearing up for workshops in Glasgow as the next part of its project.  These are likely to take place on Wednesdays and Fridays, in school time. Volunteers interested and able to get involved, please contact Robert Pickles.

MEMBERS’ NEWS

Call for nominations (SCT 11/16)
Scottish Civic Trust is calling for community groups to nominate favourite new buildings, conservation projects and people in annual Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards.

IHBC supports members in crisis: 1 year IHBC fee-free and fuss-free, if you’ve lost your job or face serious sudden troubles! (IHBC 25/11/16)
Lost your job and problems finding new work?  Or are you facing a crisis that seriously affects your conservation career or income?  IHBC is here to help, with our ‘fee-free year’ supporting you in your time of need. Just let us know and we’ll sort out your fee for a year, free of fuss and bother.  You can then focus on getting back on your feet, knowing that your professional body is still there for you.

IHBC’s Conservation Area anniversary celebrations fund update: Check out some of the ideas already coming in from civic trusts! (IHBC 23/11/16)
Take a look at some of the great ideas already received from local Civic Trusts on they can use the IHBC’s £2500 allocation to help local communities celebrate the 50th anniversary of Conservation Areas in 2017.

“Scotland’s Royal Collection” at Brodick Castle Awarded National Significance (NTS 23/11/16)
The unique collection at the National Trust for Scotland’s Brodick Castle on Arran has been Recognised as Nationally Significant to Scotland. Tucked away on the island of Arran in Brodick Castle is a collection that gives a unique insight into the social and private lives of one of Scotland’s leading noble families. The award is made by Museums Galleries Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. This announcement brings the total of Recognised Collections in Scotland to 47.

Summary of recent PAS projects (PAS 11/16)
PAS has produced a number of short summaries from recent projects. These range from community-led charrettes and community land use plans to development plan engagement and youth engagement.

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 Director, Euan Leitch, reflects on the consequences and potential opportunities for the built environment presented by Police Scotland’s office closures and the MoD’s site closures in Scotland, in the  first of two blogs this week.

In BEFS second blog, Annie Flint, author of the acclaimed Tenement Handbook and creator of www.underoneroof.scot, tells us about the motivation behind the Under One Roof initiative and how BEFS members and friends can use the website to help support the maintenance of the built environment.

The Scottish Civic Trust is calling for nominations from local civic trusts, community councils and other heritage or community groups for new buildings, restoration projects, landscape designs and other placemaking projects for the annual My Place Awards. The trust is also looking for nominations for a winner of the My Place Civic Champion award.

Landscape Institute Scotland is inviting entries to participate in an exhibition at Dundas Street Gallery in Edinburgh, in parallel with the finale of the Festival of Architecture 2016. The focus of the exhibition will be architecture in the context of landscape. Further details and how to apply.

There are still places available for ‘People and Places: Supporting Communities to Make the Most of Local Heritage’ at Glasgow City Heritage Trust this evening from 7pm. Sara Crofts, Head of Historic Environment at HLF, will be discussing the ways that heritage can deliver tangible benefits for people and communities. Dr Alan Leslie Managing Director of Northlight Heritage will demonstrate how to help people appreciate and engage with their past and use heritage to change lives for the better. Book your ticket now!

We would like to congratulate BEFS Board Member, Julia Frost,Operations Manager at PAS, for making the judging panel for the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2017. The awards are the most established and respected awards in the planning industry.

CONSULTATIONS

Consultation on listing of famed Leith ‘banana flats’, featured in Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting (HES 11/11/16)
The Edinburgh flats made famous as the home of one of the main characters in Irvine Welsh’s ‘Trainspotting’, could be in line to become the latest iconic capital building to receive ‘listed’ status.

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Consultation on a Review of the Scottish Social Housing Charter: An Analysis of Responses (SG 15/11/16)
Analysis of responses to the 2016 consultation on a Review of the Scottish Social Housing Charter.

Consultation on the Scottish Government Response to the Introduction of the UK Apprenticeship Levy (SG 14/11/16)
This report presents the findings of an analysis of responses to a consultation on the Scottish Government response to the introduction of the UK Apprenticeship Levy.

PUBLICATIONS

Housing supply: net additional dwellings (DCLG 15/11/16)
This collection brings together all documents on housing supply: net additional dwellings (formerly known as ‘net supply of housing’).

Planning Performance Framework Annual Report 2015-16 (SG 11/11/16)
The annual performance report and improvement plan for Planning and Architecture Division.

Quarterly National Accounts Scotland 2016 Quarter 2 (SG 09/11/16)

The built environment: government response to the Select Committee report (DCLG 08/11/16)
A response by the government to the House of Lords Select Committee report on the built environment.

Private Sector Rent Statistics, Scotland, 2010 to 2016 (SG 08/11/16)
This publication presents statistics on private sector rent levels in Scotland over the years 2010 to 2016 (years to end-September) using data from the Rent Service Scotland market evidence database.

Warmer Homes Scotland – First annual review (SG 03/11/16)
The first annual review of the Scottish Government’s Warmer Homes Scotland scheme, looking at delivery from September 2016 to March 2015.

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT NEWS RELEASES

Three down, one to go… (SG 15/11/16)
Queensferry Crossing now stretches from Fife to south shores. 105 of 110 deck units lifted leaves 52 metres, just over the length of an Olympic swimming pool, to complete the new bridge deck. Engineers working on the Queensferry Crossing have lifted the remaining piece of deck between the north and centre tower deck spans. This means the deck on the new bridge now stretches from Fife right across to the end of the south fan.

Appointments to Scottish Land Commission (SG 11/11/16)
In a significant milestone in Scotland’s land reform journey, five Land Commissioners and the Tenant Farming Commissioner have been selected for the first Scottish Land Commission.

Average 2 bedroom private rents up by 1% (SG 08/11/16)
Between 2015 and 2016, 17 out of 18 areas of Scotland saw increases in average rent levels for 2 bedroom private rental properties, ranging from 4.6% in West Dunbartonshire to 0.1% in Dumfries and Galloway.

600 houses for Aberdeen (SG 04/11/16)
First loan granted from £50m Housing Infrastructure Fund. More than 600 houses will be built in Aberdeen by the Grandhome Trust following a £7.9 million loan from the Scottish Government.

NEWS RELEASES

Sustrans: Community Links PLUS design competition (A&DS 14/11/16)
Now in its second year, Community Links PLUS seeks big, bold and innovative projects which will restore the balance of Scotland’s streets in favour of people walking and cycling. Previous successful entries have demonstrated an integrated approach to place-making, integrating community engagement, urban design, and promotion of walking and cycling to generate projects on a scale not yet seen in Scotland.

New £18 million fund to accelerate house building (11/11/16 DCLG)
A new £18 million fund to speed up house building on large sites and that will provide thousands of new homes where people want to live, is announced today (11 November 2016) by the Housing Minister Gavin Barwell.

Material of the Month – November 2016, Recycled Glass Flooring (A&DS 07/11/16)

Helping museums become better advocates (MGS 08/11/16)
Exploring and improving our approach to advocacy has been central to MGS’s work in 2016. Our approach this year has been developed to help museums to better understand, approach, and work with, the decision makers who have the most influence in their areas, and to open up new and better opportunities for your museum to share your story.

Over £55,000 granted to repair war memorials across Scotland (HES 08/11/16)
Twelve war memorials across Scotland are set to be conserved and repaired after being awarded a share of £55,000 worth of grant funding by War Memorials Trust, through the Centenary Memorials Restoration Fund.

Scottish Parliament first parliament in world to achieve Carbon Trust triple standard (04/11/16)
The Scottish Parliament has become the first parliament in the world to be awarded triple certification to the Carbon Trust Standard in recognition of achievements in reducing carbon, waste and water use.

Official Launch of Heritage Times (EN 03/11/16)
During Denkmal 2016, the largest European Trade Fair in the field of heritage, the Secretary General of Europa Nostra, and Bert Ludwig, Director of European Heritage Volunteers, officially launched the “Heritage Times” (http://heritagetimes.eu/), the online platform of “Social Media Volunteers for Heritage programme”, developed by Europa Nostra in partnership with the European Heritage Volunteers, with the support of the EU Creative Europe programme.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

S5W-04641 Bruce Crawford: To ask the Scottish Government how its forthcoming white paper on planning will take account of the housing needs of older people. (SP 11/11/16)

S5W-04642 Bruce Crawford: To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the (a) housing needs of older people and (b) demand for retirement housing. (SP 11/11/16)

S5O-00344 Gordon Lindhurst: To ask the Scottish Government what impact Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site status, and the built heritage within it, has on visitor numbers to the city. (SP 10/11/16)

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-03928: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 21/10/2016
To ask the Scottish Government whether all of the £50 million that has been made available to the Housing Infrastructure Fund for 2016-17 will be allocated for developments by the end of that financial year and, if not, whether the unallocated funds will be carried forward to 2017-18.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (03/11/2016)

Question S5W-03925: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 21/10/2016
To ask the Scottish Government which non-public sector organisations have made applications to the Housing Infrastructure Fund.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (03/11/2016)

Question S5W-03924: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 21/10/2016
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) loans and (b) grants from the Housing Infrastructure Fund have been agreed and what the total value of these are, also broken down by how much each payment will be.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (03/11/2016)

Question S5W-03923: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 21/10/2016
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made to the Housing Infrastructure Fund and what the total value of these are, also broken down by how much each application was for.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (03/11/2016)

Question S5W-03922: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 21/10/2016
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the £50 million that has been made available to the Housing Infrastructure Fund for 2016-17 is reliant on the local authority strategic housing investment plans for 2017-18 to 2021-22 that are due for submission by 30 November 2016.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (03/11/2016)

Question S5O-00256: Daniel Johnson, Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/10/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that there is meaningful and inclusive community engagement in the planning system.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (26/10/2016)

MOTIONS

*S5M-02445 Gordon Lindhurst: The Future of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site—That the Parliament recognises the significance of the contrast between Edinburgh’s medieval Old Town and its Georgian New Town and its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1995 by UNESCO, recognising both its historical and architectural importance and efforts to conserve it since 1970; notes that the site is one of five across Scotland; understands that, according to Invest Edinburgh, the city attracts around four million visitors per year, many of whom visit the historic attractions within the World Heritage Site, such as Edinburgh Castle, St Giles Cathedral and the Real Mary King’s Close; further understands that the site is a major factor behind the £1.32 billion that is generated through tourism for the local economy each year; recognises that a World Heritage Site is selected based on it having cultural, historical, scientific or other significance and its future  preservation is seen to be in the collective interests of humanity; notes the prevailing development plans within Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site, such as the decision over the old Royal High School at Calton Hill, and the need to develop Scotland’s capital city for the future in order to enhance the performance of its economy; recognises that Edinburgh City Council, Edinburgh World Heritage and Historic Environment Scotland are involved in reviewing the Management Plan for the World Heritage Site (2017-2022), which aims to co-ordinate action to protect and enhance the outstanding universal values of the site and to promote its harmonious adaption to the needs of contemporary life; further recognises that members of the public were recently consulted on the review through a survey, the results of which were published on 1 November 2016; understands that the results show that, while awareness of the World Heritage Site was rated highly, there was a lack of understanding regarding what it meant and its associated benefits; notes the calls for action at all levels to raise awareness and custodianship of the site and the protection of the historic built environment for current and future generations, and further notes the calls on all those with influence over Edinburgh’s current and future planning developments to fully recognise the importance of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site.
Supported by: Douglas Ross*, Margaret Mitchell*, Dean Lockhart*, Miles Briggs*, Alexander Stewart*, Jeremy Balfour*, Edward Mountain*, Peter Chapman*, Alison Harris*, Donald Cameron*, Maurice Corry*, Jamie Greene*, Murdo Fraser*, John Lamont*, Richard Lyle*, Andy Wightman*, Alex Cole-Hamilton* (SP 11/11/16)

*S5M-02386 Ash Denham: Edinburgh, the Best Place to Live in Scotland—That the Parliament acknowledges that the 2016 Good Growth for Cities index has named Edinburgh as the best place to live in Scotland for the fourth year in a row and one of the top three in the UK, along with Oxford and Reading, and appreciates that, in compiling this, the index takes into account various factors, including employment, health and income statistics.
Supported by: Colin Beattie*, Clare Haughey*, Stuart McMillan*, Ruth Maguire*, Jeremy Balfour*,
Tom Arthur*, Alex Cole-Hamilton*, Richard Lyle*, Miles Briggs*, Gordon Lindhurst*, David
Torrance* (SP 09/11/16)

*S5M-02376 Monica Lennon: World Town Planning Day—That the Parliament welcomes World Town Planning Day (WTPD), which is celebrated on 8 November 2016; notes that this year’s theme is “Cities and Climate Change, local responses to a global challenge”; recognises that WTPD is an international day of awareness about the accomplishments of planners and the importance of planning in communities; acknowledges that more than 30 countries around the world, and professional planning institutes, including the Royal Town Planning Institute, annually participate and celebrate in WTPD activities, including an online conference that is open to all; accepts the significance of this year’s WTPD following international agreement on the outcomes from Habitat III, which was the biggest UN conference on housing and sustainable development in 20 years, and believes that there are many benefits to local communities from good planning. R
Supported by: Colin Beattie*, Iain Gray*, Ash Denham*, Ruth Maguire*, Alex Rowley*, Liam
McArthur*, Bill Kidd*, Stuart McMillan*, Richard Lyle*, Andy Wightman*, Neil Findlay*, David
Torrance* (SP 09/11/16)

EVENTS

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

People & Places: Why Heritage Matters & Supporting communities make the most of local heritage
When: 17th November 2016, from 19:00 pm to 21:00 pm.
Where: 54 Bell Street, Glasgow.
Sara Crofts, Head of Historic Environment at the Heritage Lottery Fund, will be discussing the ways that heritage can deliver tangible benefits for people and communities. She will explore Scottish HLF funded projects to demonstrate how the HLF outcomes framework can deliver lasting difference. Dr Alan Leslie co-founded Northlight Heritage in 2011 and is its managing director. Alan will use examples from Northlight Heritage’s extensive body of work to demonstrate how Northlight fulfils its overarching aim which is to help people appreciate and engage with their past and use this as a force for common good, a practice rooted in the belief that heritage can change lives for the better.

PAS Parliament Reception 2016
When: Wed. 23 November from 6pm-8pm.
Where: The Scottish Parliament.
This event is kindly sponsored by Andy Wightman MSP, and with the participation of Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Local Government & Housing. In light of the increased interest in place through the Independent Review of the Planning System, the forthcoming planning reforms and the ambitious target to deliver 50,000 affordable homes over the next five years, this is a timely event. It will be a chance to consider what opportunities are on the horizon for communities and young people through the new Community Empowerment and Land Reform Acts – and with the forthcoming planning reforms.

The Art of Historic Building Maintenance
When: Fri 25 November 2016 from 12:00 – 14:00.
Where: Acheson House, 5, Bakehouse Close 146, Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DD.
Did you know that lack of attention to basic building maintenance now represents a significant threat to the city’s World Heritage site? According to figures released by Edinburgh World Heritage, up to 60% of the buildings in the historic city centre are judged to be in need of some form of repair, the majority being privately owned historic tenements with multiple owners and tenants. This two-hour special event, jointly hosted by Edinburgh World Heritage and SPAB Scotland, will help you get your historic property ready for winter and avoid leaking gutters, damp patches, and costly repairs. Meet the experts, see live demonstrations, and take away useful information and leaflets. You’ll also be able to find out whether you are eligible for an Edinburgh World Heritage Conservation Programme grant to help with the cost of any more substantial conservation work.

TRAINING

CPD: Care and Maintenance of Historic Brick
When: 22nd November 2016, 12-1pm.
Where: 54 Bell Street, Glasgow.
Scottish traditional buildings often utilise brick in various elements of their construction and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. These bricks will deteriorate and decay if not correctly maintained. Moses Jenkins from Historic Environment Scotland is coming to GCHT to discuss the factors undermining the integrity of Scotland’s historic brickwork. He will detail the appropriate steps necessary to care and maintain for heritage brickwork.

Low Carbon, resilient design with concrete and masonry
When: 29 Nov. 2016, from 10:00 – 13:00
Where: Gallery 2, Level 2, The Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane, Glasgow, G1 3NU.
This morning seminar from The Concrete Centre and the Modern Masonry Alliance will provide the latest guidance on the design and delivery of long-lasting, resilient homes. Practical guidance will also be given on broader sustainability issues relating to the use and specification of concrete and masonry.

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

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

VACANCIES

AHF Business Administrator (London)
The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) are currently seeking to appoint a Business Administrator to help ensure the smooth running of the organisation. You will ideally have some proficiency in accounting and financial administration to support the work of the AHF’s Investment and Operation teams and to provide day-to-day assistance to the Chief Executive. You will apply excellent organisational and customer support skills to help ensure the office runs smoothly and to meet the requirements of our clients and funders. You will also possess some particular experience in financial administration, ideally having previously worked in a grant-giving, bank and/or investment organisation, as well as more general office administration experience. In return, you will enjoy undertaking a pivotal supporting role within an organisation that strives to impact small organisations in the voluntary sector.
The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on 21st November 2016.

MEMBERS’ NEWS

Architecture in the Context of Landscape Exhibition – An invitation to participate (LIS 13/11/16)

The Committee of the Landscape Institute Scotland is pleased to announce an exhibition at the Dundas Street Gallery in Edinburgh which will run at the same time as the finale of the Festival of Architecture 2016. The purpose is to showcase Landscape Institute Scotland’s members’ work by celebrating the balance between architecture and landscape, underlining the links between the disciplines. The emphasis is on architecture in the context of landscape. Material for the exhibition can be historical or contemporary, completed, projected or theoretical. Media can be painting, drawing, photography or mixed media. Entries may be freshly prepared or past work, chosen by you to demonstrate what is important, relevant or of interest as a combination of architecture and landscape. The brief can be downloaded here.

Film updates and more on IHBC co-sponsored Heritage Trust Network’s conference ‘No.1’: Extraordinary People, Extraordinary Projects (IHBC 12/11/16)
The Heritage Trust Network, successor to the UK Association of Preservation Trusts (UKAPT) – has launched reports and updates on its first conference on its event website, with presentations, film, photos and a warm thanks to sponsors that include the IHBC.

Call for community groups to nominate favourite new buildings, conservation projects and people in annual Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards (SCT 11/11/16)
The Scottish Civic Trust is calling for nominations from local civic trusts, amenity societies, community councils and other heritage or community groups around Scotland for new buildings, restoration projects, landscape designs and other placemaking projects for the annual My Place Awards. The trust is also looking for nominations for a winner of the My Place Civic Champion award.

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

Scottish Ministers have designated the wreck of the Iona I paddle steamer in the Clyde as a Historic Marine Protected Area (HMPA). Coming into effect on 9th November, this protection will preserve the wreck of a 19th century paddle steamer, Iona I, which was built in 1862 for use in the American Civil War, but sank shortly after launch in the Firth of Clyde.

Following the retirement of two long-serving trustees, the Scottish Redundant Churches Trust (SRCT) are looking to expand their board of six trustees, appointing additional members who will help shape the organisation, bring new skills, ideas and connections. More here.

There’s still time to book a place at the Community Heritage Conference in Aberdeen on the 12th November and for the Scottish Civic Trust’s Conference 2016: Celebrating Civic Pride in Linlithgow on 15th November.

Pauline Radcliffe, Project Manager of Twin Towns UK, shares with us the Carnegie Trusts’ fresh approach to the well-established ‘twinning’ concept in our latest blog.

Congratulations to this year’s RIAS Andrew Doolan Award Winner, The Saunders Centre in Glasgow by PagePark Architects.

CONSULTATIONS

The Future of Forestry in Scotland 

The Scottish forestry sector contributes substantially to our rural economy and a number of social and environmental outcomes, including climate change mitigation, biodiversity, natural flood management, recreation and people’s health and wellbeing. This consultation is primarily about completing the devolution of forestry to make the management of forestry directly accountable to Scottish Ministers.
Consultation closes on 9 November 2016.

Consultation on Special Protection Areas (SG 25/10/16)
Views sought over proposals for five new offshore SPAs. The Scottish Government has launched a consultation, led by Scottish Natural Heritage, on establishing five new offshore Special Protection Areas (SPAs). The proposals cover more than 18,000 square kilometres (7,000 square miles) of sea and furthers existing protection for unique and iconic seabirds and their habitats.

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site Consultation Feedback October 2016

PUBLICATIONS

Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) – results – Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design (SG 31/10/16)
Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) – results – for the 2016 Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design (YIAD). A full EQIA was undertaken to help boost the celebration of YIAD.

Local Authority Housing Income and Expenditure (SG 31/10/16)
Housing Revenue Acccount: Housing Income and Expenditure Statsitics.

Key Scottish Environment Statistics 2016 (SG 25/10/16)
This publication aims to provide an easily accessible reference document which offers information on a wide range of environmental topics. It covers key datasets on the state of the environment in Scotland, with an emphasis on the trends over time wherever possible.

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT NEWS RELEASES

Scottish Council Housing Income and Expenditure Statistics (2015-16) (SG 31/10/16)
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland. Statistics published today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician show that in 2015-16 Scottish councils spent over £930m on the day-to-day management and maintenance of council housing.

Support for apprenticeships (SG 31/10/16)
Industry endorsement for 30,000 Modern Apprenticeship target. Scotland’s share of funding from the UK Government’s apprenticeship levy should be used to support the delivery of 30,000 Modern Apprenticeships starts by 2020, responses to a consultation have found.

New protected marine areas announced (SG 27/10/16)
Two new Marine Protection Areas for Fair Isle and Firth of Clyde. Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham will today (26 October) designate two new Marine Protection Areas (MPAs) around the Fair Isle and in the Firth of Clyde. The announcement will be made at the Marine Conservation Society Annual Conference in Edinburgh.

NEWS RELEASES

Battle for Britain’s best high street: vote by 18 Nov (IHBC 02/11/16)
The Great British High Street competition has revealed the nation’s best high streets, and between now and 18 November you can cast your vote for free via thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk.

Half a million pounds to improve access to Wales’ Great Outdoors (WG 28/10/16)
Visitors and local communities will now be able to enjoy even more of Wales’ great outdoors thanks to over half a million pounds of access funding, announced by Environment Secretary Lesley Griffiths today.

Tackling the Housing Challenge – Blog by Jim MacDonald (A&DS 27/10/16)
In this blog Jim MacDonald, Chief Executive of Architecture and Design Scotland, reflects on delivering housing for Scotland.

Scottish Land Fund leads to community ownership of Eyemouth ‘Cat. B’ Listed Building (IHBC 26/10/16)
Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders is the latest community to benefit from funding from the Scottish Land Fund, with an eco-innovation centre being established in the former Town Hall, a ‘Category B’ Listed Building.

IHBC launches £2500 fund to help local Civic Trusts celebrate 50 Years of Conservation Areas in 2017 – the process could not be more simple, so APPLY NOW! (IHBC 22/10/16)
The IHBC has launched a fund allocation of up to £2500 for Civic Trusts in England Scotland and Wales seeking help on local celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the introduction of Conservation Areas, with a prize of a place at the IHBC’s Annual School on offer for the most effective project.

Heritage at Risk 2016 (HE 21/10/16)
Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register 2016 is published today, providing the annual insight into the state of England’s most valued historic places. The Register brings attention to the sites across England that are at risk of being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.

CIC reveals brand refresh with a new logo and strapline (CIC 21/10/16)
At the 101st Meeting of Construction Industry Council (CIC) Members held yesterday at the London offices of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in Kingsway, CIC’s new logo, together with its new strapline: BUILT ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONS TOGETHER, was officially launched.

Cabinet Secretary says strong Welsh budget for housing will help provide 20,000 homes (WG 20/10/16)
Communities Secretary Carl Sargeant said the strong Welsh budget for housing would help the Welsh Government meet their target to deliver an extra 20,000 affordable homes over the lifetime of this government.

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”.

S5O-00243 Colin Smyth: To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting town centre regeneration in South Scotland. (SP 24/10/16)

S5O-00251 Neil Bibby: To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making towards the full implementation of the Town Centre Action Plan. (SP 24/10/16)

S5O-00256 Daniel Johnson: To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that there is meaningful and inclusive community engagement in the planning system. (SP 24/10/16)

S5W-03922 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the £50 million that has been made available to the Housing Infrastructure Fund for 2016-17 is reliant on the local
authority strategic housing investment plans for 2017-18 to 2021-22 that are due for submission by 30 November 2016. (SP 24/10/16)

S5W-03923 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made to the Housing Infrastructure Fund and what the total value of these are, also broken down by how much each application was for. (SP 24/10/16)

S5W-03924 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) loans and (b) grants from the Housing Infrastructure Fund have been agreed and what the total value of these are, also broken down by how much each payment will be. (SP 24/10/16)

S5W-03925 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Government which non-public sector
organisations have made applications to the Housing Infrastructure Fund. (SP 24/10/16)

S5W-03928 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Government whether all of the £50 million that has been made available to the Housing Infrastructure Fund for 2016-17 will be allocated for developments by the end of that financial year and, if not, whether the unallocated funds will be carried forward to 2017-18. (SP 24/10/16)

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-03377: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 30/09/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage the private sector to build more homes to alleviate housing shortages.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (13/10/2016)

Question S5W-03378: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 30/09/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on extending the Scottish Housing Quality Standard to (a) the private rented sector and (b) tied housing.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (12/10/2016)

MOTIONS

*S5M-02041 Liam McArthur: Orkney Scottish Heritage Angel Awards Success—That the Parliament congratulates the Orkney Heritage Society volunteers who recently won a Scottish Heritage Angel Award; notes that these awards are funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and that the Orkney volunteers were selected from a 12-strong shortlist from across Scotland; understands that the award was in recognition of the society’s work in restoring the Kitchener Memorial Tower, which included engraving the bricks in the wall of the tower with the names of each of the men who died on HMS Hampshire, which sank in 1916; recognises that the monument was built by in 1926 to honour Lord Kitchener, who also died on the ship, and to create a memorial in recognition of all those who lost their lives; notes that, to carry out this work, Neil Kermode and his team raised £165,000 through a mix of Orkney Council funding, private donors and donations from the public; believes that Neil and everyone involved with the project are worthy winners, and thanks them for their work, which, it understands, is encouraging more and more people to visit the memorial.
Supported by: Douglas Ross*, Richard Lyle*, John Finnie*, Graeme Dey*, Gordon Lindhurst*, Donald Cameron*, Kenneth Gibson* (SP 24/10/16)

*S5M-02027 Angus MacDonald: Friends of Kinneil Wins a Scottish Heritage Angel Award—That the Parliament congratulates the Friends of Kinneil on winning the award for Sharing and Celebrating at the Scottish Heritage Angel Awards, which were presented at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh on 18 October 2016; notes that the awards, which were established in 2014, support the historic environment strategy, Our Place In Time, and community participation in heritage; further notes that they are presented in partnership with the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, Historic Environment Scotland, the Scottish Civic Trust, the Scottish Government and Archaeology Scotland, and recognise the work of volunteer-led charities and organisations that protect and promote heritage; understands that, for over a decade, the Bo’nessbased group has worked tirelessly to protect the heritage of Kinneil House, and its estate and museum, and promote its historic significance to the surrounding area and across the globe; notes that the estate is part of Frontiers of the Roman Empire world heritage site, which includes the Antonine Wall and a Roman fortlet, and also has other sites of major significance, including James Watt’s cottage, where Watt developed one of most important innovations of the industrial revolution, the separate condenser, which helped lead to the steam engine; considers the group an exceptional force in ensuring that all of this is protected for the world, and wishes it continued
success.
Supported by: Sandra White*, James Dornan*, Ben Macpherson*, Graeme Dey*, Alison Harris*, Stuart McMillan*, Ash Denham*, Fulton MacGregor*, Tom Arthur*, Richard Lyle*, David Torrance*, Ivan McKee*, Bill Kidd*, Ruth Maguire* (SP 24/10/16)

EVENTS

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

Community Heritage Conference – Aberdeen
When: Saturday 12th November 2016, from 10am.
Where: Town House in Aberdeen.
Why not come along to the third of this year’s Scotland’s Community Heritage Conferences celebrating community-led projects across Scotland and supporting people as they explore their connection to the past. The event is open to anyone with an interest in history, heritage or archaeology, and includes interactive workshops, inspirational displays and stimulating networking opportunities. Come and hear from the volunteers what’s been happening locally and nationally.

SCT Annual Conference 2016: Celebrating Civic Pride
When: 15 November 2016, 10am – 4pm.
Where: Linlithgow Burgh Halls.
The next Scottish Civic Trust annual conference will showcase and celebrate the work of local civic trusts, amenity societies and heritage volunteers. The people that make up these groups work tirelessly to promote and protect local heritage, places and spaces. The conference will provide them with a platform to show what they have achieved, explain why they do it and set out the challenges and difficulties they face. The conference will feature representatives from voluntary organisations and practitioners behind some of the projects recognised in the annual Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards and Scottish Heritage Angel Awards.

TRAINING

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

Repairing Traditional Masonry P1 – Professional Level 1  – 9.30 – 4.30
21 – 22 November 2016 at Charlestown Workshops, Fife KY11 3EN
This 2 day workshop aims to provide an introductory guide to the use of a range of lime and other traditional binders for the effective conservation and repair of traditional masonry.

Winter Working – 9.30 – 12.30
2 December 2016 at Charlestown Workshops, Fife KY11 3EN
Our definitive guide to winter working with lime mortars with hints, tips and practical advice to help you extend your working season successfully.

Lime Pointing – 9.30 – 4.30
21 January 2017 at Merryhill Training Centre, Fife KY11 3DR
Learn the skills to help you carry out your own mortar pointing repairs.

Making & Using Traditional Mortars C1 – Contractor Level 1 – 09.30 – 16.30
24 – 25 January 2017 at Merryhill Training Centre, Fife KY11 3DR
Our most popular two day introductory course – this practical workshop will provide attendees with a strong understanding of lime technology

CE1 Intro to Lime Based Mortars and Traditional Materials for the Repair of Civil Engineering Structures – 09.30 – 16.30
27 January 2017 at Charlestown Workshops, Fife KY11 3EN
This workshop introduces the range of lime and early patented cement based mortars that have been used in the past for the construction of masonry arch bridges, culverts, tunnels, light houses, viaducts, canals, harbours, retaining walls, piers and other masonry structures which contribute so much to the richness of our built heritage.

1 Day Rendering with Lime – 09.30 – 16.30
17 February 2017 at Merryhill Training Centre, Fife KY11 3DR
This course will enable you to apply a variety of lime render finishes to a wide range of backgrounds including matching to existing finishes.

Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage is delivering a series of training courses and events across Scotland. The venues for each of the events will be based on demand for the courses and travel bursaries are available to support your attendance.
Are you ready to take part in a Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage training course? Our training is best suited to registered charities and constituted community groups. Take a walk through our simple question and answer page to determine which course is right for you (http://www.resourcingscotlandsheritage.org/training-and-events/areyoureadytofundraise-2/). We have two main training courses and a series of ‘In Focus’ events.  For further information on the courses please read our full course descriptions for ‘Fundraising: Make it Happen’, ‘Fundraising: Planning to Progress’  and the ‘In Focus’ sessions.
If you are interested in any particular event or fundraising topic please do get in touch – we may be able to bring an event to your area info@scotheritage.org.

VACANCIES

Head of External Relations
Edinburgh World Heritage is seeking to appoint a Head of External Relations.
This new role is critical to the ongoing success of our organisation. Key responsibilities will include forming strategies for and leading EWH’s communications, advocacy and learning / interpretation programmes;  building public awareness of EWH, its work and the values that set our World Heritage Site apart; and managing and growing EWH’s membership base and programme.

RPTI Scotland – Intern Project Officer
These are important and exciting times for planning in Scotland. The planning review is advancing. A White Paper is expected by the end of the year that will change how planning works at all scales. RTPI Scotland is heavily involved in this review, looking to provide evidence and solutions to support Scottish Government in making the coming reforms as successful as possible. We are looking for a motivated person who can use evidence gathering and analytical skills to support our research into new ways for the planning system to work in Scotland. You will be organised, have a degree level qualification in a relevant social science subject and have strong communication skills and an understanding of the current issues facing planners and the planning system.

Call for new SRCT Board Members
A charity caring for nationally important churches is looking for dynamic new trustees to join the board at an exciting time of change for the organisation. Many of Scotland’s historic places of worship face an uncertain future and the SRCT is gearing up to respond to the challenge. We are seeking additional board members to play a vital role in the transition of the SRCT to a more entrepreneurial and financially resilient organisation: achieving our objective of safeguarding Scotland’s religious heritage by working with local people to conserve, regenerate, and put historic churches back at the heart of communities.

The Scottish Redundant Churches Trust (SRCT) is a charitable trust (SC024407) founded in 1996. Having acquired 7 former churches of national significance and won awards for our conservation work, we are breaking new ground with an innovative £2.4 million project at the A-listed ‘at-risk’ St Margaret’s Church, Braemar.

New Trustees will assist in driving forward the transition process and the shaping and resourcing of the organisation to meet the changing needs of the religious heritage sector. They will also support the raising of the profile of the sector and its cultural and social value. We’re looking for people who support the objectives of the Trust and can offer skills or experience in some of the following areas:
finance or business; property management; tourism or arts; marketing, PR or media; fundraising; law; And who think strategically, enjoy working collaboratively with colleagues and are interested in the heritage sector.

Applications should be by CV and a covering letter explaining why you are interested in the role and how you think your skills and experience relate to our work. If you would like to know more please contact our Director, Victoria Collison-Owen on victoria@srct.org.uk or 0131 563 5135. Scottish Redundant Churches Trust, 15 North Bank Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2LP.  www.srct.org.uk.

MEMBERS’ NEWS

Dig It! TV team of volunteers awarded commendation (SoAoS 24/10/16)
Thanks to the dedicated Dig It! TV team of volunteers spending hours researching, writing, presenting, directing, filming and editing each video Dig It! TV was shortlisted for the ‘Sharing and Celebrating’ category, along with the fantastic Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust and The Friends of Kinneil, in this year’s Scottish Heritage Angel Awards.

2016 Rhind Lectures now online! (SoAoS 24/10/16)
The 2016 Rhind Lectures by Professor Roey Sweet are now available to view from our Resources section of the website.  Head there now and enter “Rhind” into the search box! “Antiquaries, archaeologists and the invention of the historic town c.1700-1860” was presented by Professor Roey Sweet, University of Leicester, Centre for Urban History.

BEFS NEWS

The Scottish Government are now looking to pilot 3-4 Simplified Planning Zones (SPZ) for housing in response to the Planning Review and the prospectus is now available. SPZs offer a streamlined and simplified planning process but cannot include development, which would require an Environmental Assessment, be within conservation areas, National Scenic Areas, SSSIs or approved green belts.

A report summarising the discussions held by the six planning review working groups on 12 and 13 September 2016, has now been published.

The second annual Scottish Heritage Angel Awards last night saw a project to collect and record bricks, the restoration of a WWI memorial in Orkney, and a television channel run by young people to highlight an archaeological dig, amongst the winners. You can read more about who scooped the prizes here.

Dig It! 2017 is looking for events across Scotland for their printed programme (running from January to December 2017), with the deadline set as Friday 4 November 2016. They have a very broad definition of ‘archaeology’, and events can include anything from cookery courses to theatre performances. If anyone would like more information, they should contact info@digit2017.com.

Dr Loyd Grossman CBE, NADFAS President and Heritage Alliance Chairman, is giving a lecture on culture and heritage in November at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. Tickets are still available.

Chelsea Charles, Communications Manager Scotland’s Themed Years, VisitScotland Events Directorate, shares some top tips on how to get involved in Scotland’s 2017 Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology in BEFS latest blog.

CONSULTATIONS

Consultation on Transposition of Environmental Impact Assessment Directive EU2014/52
Closes on 31 October 2016.

Consultation on the Relaxation of Planning Controls for Digital Communications Infrastructure
Closes on 4 November 2016.

PUBLICATIONS

Planning Review Working Groups Workshop
Report arising from the Planning Review Working Groups workshop in September 2016.

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT NEWS RELEASES

Scottish Land Commission (SG 14/10/16)
Key land reform body to bring around 20 new jobs to Inverness. The Scottish Land Commission, including five Land Commissioners, the Tenant Farming Commissioner and support staff, will be based in Inverness, Land Reform Secretary Roseanna Cunningham will announce. Hilary Pearce has also been appointed interim Chief Executive Officer and will take up her position shortly. She will work to establish and support the work of the Commission until summer 2017.

Funding for housing in Govanhill (SG 12/10/16)
More homes in Govanhill will be improved after a further £2.5m in funding was granted to continue a successful pilot project. Within its first year the South-West Govanhill Property Acquisition and Repair Programme has already exceeded its two year target of bringing 80 houses into the social rented sector – they have recently purchased their 100th house.This enables Govanhill Housing Association (GHHA) to take more control of the houses and make necessary improvements.

World class bridge breaks world record (SG 11/10/16)
The Queensferry Crossing’s centre tower deck has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest freestanding balanced cantilever in the world. The bridge’s central deck is now complete but still free standing and this 644 metre cantilever itself won’t last long. Soon, it will be connected to the flanking towers and viaducts to form the final superstructure.

NEWS RELEASES

Battle for Britain’s best high street (DCLG 18/10/16)
The Great British High Street competition has today (18 October 2016) revealed the nation’s best high streets. Twenty-seven finalists now have the chance to impress an expert judging panel and battle it out in a public vote to be crowned Britain’s best.

Call for papers: 4th Heritage Forum of Central Europe (ICON 18/10/16)
The Heritage Forum of Central Europe is a biennial event organised by the International Cultural Centre in Kraków. The fourth edition of the Heritage Forum will be held on 1st-3rd June 2017 and will analyse the relationship between heritage and society. What is society’s attitude to heritage and its meaningful but often difficult past? How does heritage shape communities? Who owns heritage and why? What are the social functions of heritage? What do we want to remember and what do we often forget? These are just some of the questions that the Forum wishes to address.

5 new Case Studies focusing on materials (A&DS 17/10/16)
Material Considerations: A Library of Sustainable Building Materials presents 5 new case studies which showcase a variety of sustainable materials.

Help Protect England’s Heritage (English Heritage 17/10/16)
At English Heritage conserving our sites for the future is one of our biggest responsibilities. Since we became a charity in 2015 we’ve been working hard to look after the 400 historic places and 500,000 objects in our care – but we need your help. We’ve therefore launched our Conservation Appeal to help support this vital work and safeguard our historic places for future generations.

Have Your Say: A&DS Corporate Strategy 2017-2020 – Consultation (A&DS 16/10/16)
Well-designed buildings and places add to people’s wellbeing and support a sustainable future for our country. They make best use of our finite resources, offer choice and opportunity and provide a sense of identity to our communities. As Scotland’s design champion, our purpose is to promote the value of good architecture and sustainable places. We are inviting comments from individuals, groups and organisations. Please look through the A&DS Corporate Strategy Consultation Document  – throughout the document there are sections highlighted, reflecting the questions asked in the online consultation. We would like to receive your submissions by 31st October 2016.

A Place to Explore your Built Heritage – New Website from the Engine Shed (Engine Shed 10/16)
Our built heritage tells countless stories: of the people who built them, lived in them and used them. We passionately believe our built heritage should be explored, understood and looked after to ensure they last for future generations. On our website you will find everything from advice on how to look after traditional buildings to details of upcoming events being planned by the Engine Shed team.

Do you have an idea for improving an aspect of your town? (STP 14/10/16)
Enter your idea into the Future Town Design Competition by 22nd October, and your entry will get featured by the Scotsman online and listed on the Scotland’s Towns Partnership website, where the public can vote for the winning entry. Shortlisted entries will also be displayed at Scotland’s Towns Conference, where 200 key town practitioners can view the idea for your town. The winning idea, decided by a public online vote, will be featured in the Scotsman newspaper, across the National Towns Portal throughout the year and at the Cross Party Group for Towns and Town Centres where you’ll have the opportunity to present your design to the group.

Communities and Children Secretary welcomes figures that show how homes are improving lives (WG 13/10/16)
Communities and Children Secretary Carl Sargeant today welcomed figures that show that 79% of all social housing dwellings met the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) at March 31st 2016, which is a rise of 8 percentage points on the previous year.

Twin Towns UK – Call for Applications (Carnegie Trust 10/10/16)
Towns are critical to the future economic prospects of the UK. Twin Towns UK takes a fresh approach to the well-established ‘twinning’ concept, by pairing towns across the UK with similar characteristics or socio-economic challenges, to consider how to make positive change happen in their communities. Twin Towns UK will support up to 10 towns to trial bilateral ‘twinning’ arrangements over an 18-month period.  Applications are invited until 25 November 2016 from interested organisations that represent their town in some capacity.

Search to find the most inspiring built schemes begins (RICS 10/16)
A four-month search to find each region’s most inspirational built projects in the land, property and construction sectors is now on, following the opening of entries for the 2017 RICS Awards. Our popular annual awards celebrate each region’s top built initiatives and developments that provide significant value to the communities they serve. Every year, each regional RICS Awards ceremony attracts hundreds of entries, from small scale pioneering schemes to large multi-million pound developments. The deadline for entries is 16 January.

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-01924: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 12/08/2016
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce legislation that would allow builders who carry out substandard work and cause properties to become dangerous to be charged with a criminal offence.
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse (21/09/2016)

Question S5W-01923: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 12/08/2016
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce regulations to introduce licensing for companies carrying out building works.
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse (21/09/2016)

Question S5W-01922: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 12/08/2016
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce greater regulation in the building trade.
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse (21/09/2016)

Question S5W-02268: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 01/09/2016
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the suggestion in the Scottish Housing Condition Survey 2014 that the main cause of failing to meet the standard in all tenures relates to poor energy efficiency, what measures it plans or has introduced to improve energy efficiency in (a) social housing and (b) the private sector.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (29/09/2016)

Question S5W-03171: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 26/09/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to overcome barriers in (a) getting agreement and (b) securing finances for communal work on multi-tenanted properties.
Answered by Annabelle Ewing (05/10/2016)

MOTIONS

*S5M-01869 Fiona Hyslop: Cultural Property (Armed Conflicts) Bill – UK Legislation—That the Parliament agrees that the Cultural Property (Armed Conflicts) Bill, introduced to the House of Lords on 19 May 2016, which provides for the introduction of measures to enable the ratification by the United Kingdom of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict of 1954 and the Protocols to that Convention of 1954 and 1999 and which, so far as applying to Scotland, is within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament, should be considered by the UK Parliament.

Supported by: Alasdair Allan (SP 07/10/16)

OTHER PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITY

The Parliament has agreed the following parliamentary recess dates in 2016:

• 8 to 23 October 2016 (inclusive)
• 24 December 2016 to 8 January 2017 (inclusive)

EVENTS

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

Bringing Back the MACK
When: 20th October 2016 at 18:00pm.
Where: GCHT Office, 54 Bell Street, Glasgow.
Devastated by fire in May 2014, the Glasgow School of Art is now being painstakingly restored by a team of experts. Rachael Purse, the former Glasgow City Heritage Trust Monuments Officer, was awarded the ‘Bringing Back the Mack’ PhD Scholarship to record this effort. Over the next three years, Rachael will be providing a critical reflection on the project, as well as investigating spatial changes and creating case studies on the material conservation and reconstruction. Rachael will be giving us an early look into her work, talking about the research she has done so far, providing insights into what it’s like to be a part of this huge conservation project, and highlighting new discoveries.

The Best Ways to Enhance Edinburgh as a Place
When: 27 Oct 2016 from 6.00 – 8.00 pm.
Where: Broughton St Mary’s Church, 12 Bellevue Cres, Edinburgh EH3 6NE.
This will be a talk by the recently-appointed Chairman of the Cockburn Association, Cliff Hague. He will return to Lord Cockburn’s famous letter, “Letter to the Lord Provost on the Best Ways of Spoiling the Beauty of Edinburgh”, and will suggest it still has remarkable relevance for us today at a time when the city is developing and changing rapidly. He will consider ways in which Edinburgh could be enhanced as a place to live, work and visit; how to meet the needs and expectations of different people and groups in the city; and how to balance continuity and change in the creation and renewal of a modern city. Tickets are free for members but please rsvp admin@cockburnassociation.org.uk – for non-members there will be a charge at the door of £5.

The City Talks: Glasgows Changing Skyline
When: 2nd November 2016 at 18:00pm.
Where: Cottiers Theater, 93 Hyndland Street, Glasgow, G11 5PU.
Glasgow is a city which never sleeps! A cultural and economic hub with an ever-changing skyline; but is this constant evolution the sign of an exciting city, or is Glasgow losing the unique historic built environment at the heart of its soul? Our panel of speakers will discuss the pros and cons of becoming a modern metropolis, and the challenges faced when incorporating the old with the new. This event will start with a tribute to Gareth Hoskins life and work by Chris Colman-Smith, director at Hoskins Architects.

Politicians in Planning Annual Conference
When: Saturday, 19 November 2016 at 9:30AM – 4:30PM.
Where: Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount St, Manchester, M2 5NS.
Overcoming Common Challenges across the UK and Ireland through Planning. Planning powers are devolved within the United Kingdom. But the challenges of delivering housing, infrastructure and enhancing the environment are common challenges faced by decision makers in each of the countries. For the first time, the annual PIPA conference will open up to politicians in all countries of the United Kingdom and Ireland to explore common themes faced by local elected decision makers, to learn from each other and take back with them the tools to help them make the most of their planning decision making powers. To be eligible to attend this conference you must be a politician.

TRAINING

CPD at Glasgow City Heritage Trust, 54 Bell Street, Glasgow, this autumn:

• Scaffold for Heritage Projects
• Traditional Window Maintenance and Repair
• Care and Maintenance of Historic Brick.

Full details available here.

Training for PAS volunteers this autumn: 

• Enhance Your Presentation Skills – few places left!
  Thursday 20 October, 6pm – 8pm, Edinburgh. Learn how to prepare and give more effective presentations.
• Enhance Your Facilitation Skills and volunteering for Charretteplus®
  Wednesday 26 October, 6pm – 8.30pm, Edinburgh. Learn how to lead more effective workshops and discussion groups at PAS Charretteplus® exercises and other community events.
• Enhance your Youth Engagement Skills
  Thursday 10 November, 6pm – 8pm, Edinburgh. Learn how to engage more effectively with children and young people in schools settings.

Please email PAS to book your place for any or all of these events and remember to specify which event(s) you wish to attend.

VACANCIES

Project Officer (Fraserburgh 2021) Fixed Term
To assist the Project Manager with the delivery of the Fraserburgh 2021 Townscape Heritage/CARS scheme with the aim of securing lasting high quality physical improvements to the historic built environment of the town. There is a responsibility for the post holder to demonstrate a commitment to quality service delivery through continuous improvement for the benefit of the Service and the organisation.

Engagement Officer Fraserburgh 2021 (Fixed Term)
To undertake engagement and liaison work to raise awareness of, stimulate interest in, understand and promote the Fraserburgh 2021 Townscape Heritage/CARS scheme. This will be achieved by working with key partners including building owners, local communities, special interest groups and contractors to tell the story of Fraserburgh town centre. There is a responsibility for the post holder to demonstrate a commitment to quality service delivery through continuous improvement for the benefit of the Service and the organisation.

PAS Volunteer Intern Opportunity 
1 day per week, research and writing relating to sponsorship of new PAS project for 2017 as well as trusts and foundations, based at PAS office: contact Robert Pickles (robert@pas.org.uk) for more information.

MEMBERS’ NEWS

CIfA initial response to AQA withdrawal of A-level Archaeology (CIfA 13/10/16)
On 12 October, the AQA exam board announced that it would be dropping the A-level Archaeology course as of next year. This decision, which comes out of the blue, is extremely damaging for the sector, particularly as there is a noted shortage of archaeologists to meet demand created by the growth in national infrastructure projects and the sector has been pouring resources into diversifying routes into the profession.

IHBC’s 2016 School reports in Context, with new perspectives on power, people, place (IHBC 12/10/16)
IHBC’s new issue of its celebrated membership journal, Context, is now out, offering diverse reports and perspectives on the institute’s 2016 Annual School, including Loyd Grossman’s keynote presentation, alongside the essential IHBC officer updates as well as added critical insights to wider practice such as charging options in listing and the challenges of conserving a purpose-designed ruin.

New Support Officers Join The AHF (AHF 07/10/16)
At the start of October, we welcomed five new Support Officers to the team, thanks to additional funding from the UK Treasury and Historic England. At grass roots level the Support Officers at the Architectural Heritage Fund are often the first point of call in the initial stages of a project starting up and becoming viable. They help community organisations to apply to the fund for grants for early development work and project planning, through to loans for acquisition and as working capital for project delivery.

National Trust for Scotland moves ahead with big changes (NTS 04/10/16)
Trustees of Scotland’s largest conservation charity, the 350,000-member National Trust for Scotland, have unanimously agreed to move forward with a transformational programme of change. The changes see the Trust moving from seven directorates and departments down to four, with HQ functions streamlined to support a new regional properties structure – there will be six regional groupings of built heritage properties and one nationwide grouping of natural heritage properties.

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

Stakeholders provided feedback on the draft 2016 Scottish Historic Environment Audit (SHEA) headline statistics at a workshop organised by BEFS and HES. Stakeholders valued the impartial reporting of the SHEA as a factual description of the amount and state of the historic environment, which complements current efforts to measure its benefits in terms of people’s wellbeing. Stakeholders were keen to see greater consistency in data sources, additional contextual information supporting the data and use of digital opportunities. Read the full SHEA workshop report.

The name and remit of the Scottish Parliament’s European and External Relations Committee has changed to include culture and tourism matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Relations. The committee’s new name is Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee.

The Scottish Household Survey 2015 statistics have been released and report that visits to historical or archaeological places are up 5 percentage points (28% to 33%) on 2012.

The Scottish Government held a two-day workshop in mid-September as part of the planning reform agenda and a list of participants in the 6 working groups is now available. A summary of the outcomes is yet to be published.

Ross Martin, Chief Executive of Scottish Council for Development and Industry, reflects on the connection between place and productivity in BEFS latest thought-provoking blog.

Good to see the launch of Under One Roof, the new free website designed to help the half million plus private flat owners in Scotland with the complex and important task of carrying out repairs to their shared properties.

CONSULTATIONS

Consultation on proposals for regulations and policy supporting the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016. (SG 03/10/16)
The Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 creates the new private residential tenancy which will replace current assured and short assured tenancies. The purpose of the new tenancy is to improve security of tenure for tenants balanced with appropriate safeguards for landlords, lenders and investors.
Runs from 3 Oct 2016 to 25 Dec 2016

Brexit impact on creative industries, tourism and digital market examined (BP 09/16)
The Culture Media and Sport Parliamentary (CMS) Committee is calling for written submissions on creative industries, tourism and the digital markets, with a deadline of Friday 28 October 2016.

PUBLICATIONS

The Economic Implications of Brexit (SP 06/10/16)
The Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI) were commissioned by the Scottish Parliament’s European and External Relations Committee to undertake economic modelling work to explore the long-term implications of Brexit for Scotland. This briefing summarises the results of this economic modelling.

Planning Performance Statistics, 2016/17, Q1 (SG 05/10/16)
This report presents the latest summary statistics on planning decision-making and timescales for April to June 2016 (Quarter 1), as well as historic data going back to quarter one of 2012/13. It is based on data collected by the Scottish Government from Local and Planning Authorities as part of the Planning Performance Framework (introduced in 2012).

DCMS Statistical Handbook (DCMS 28/09/16)
This release summarises Official Statistics relevant to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Scotland’s People Annual Report: Results from the 2015 Scottish Household Survey (SG 27/09/16)

Heritage Counts 2016: Heritage and the Economy
This fact sheet provides a summary of the key figures available from existing research which show the economic benefits of the historic environment. The document describes how heritage drives growth by attracting international tourism, boosting local economies and providing thousands of jobs. It also introduces new research: the Heritage Economic Impact Indicator Workbook 2016.

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT NEWS RELEASES

Planning decision times published (SG 05/10/16)
Latest quarterly statistics show faster average decision times for local developments but slower average decision times for major developments compared to the previous quarter and previous year. Statistics on quarterly planning performance in Scotland have been released today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician.

Green Space Funding (SG 03/10/16)
£8.25 million EU green infrastructure fund announced. A multi-million-pound fund to develop green spaces in some of Scotland’s most deprived areas has been announced by Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Keith Brown. The money – which comes from EU funding – will support projects like new nature reserves and parks and green spaces in urban areas, benefiting communities across Scotland.

Reassurance for registered social landlords (SG 29/09/16)
Housing Bill to be introduced. Legislation which will help support the delivery of 50,000 new affordable homes is to be introduced by the Scottish Government. By ensuring Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) can be classified as private bodies, the bill will ensure that RSLs can borrow money privately in addition to the Scottish Government’s committed investment of £3 billion in affordable housing.

Life for people in Scotland in 2015 (SG 27/09/16)
The majority of people in Scotland rate their neighbourhood as a good place to live and have a strong sense of belonging to their neighbourhood. Most people also participated in sport and exercise and engaged in some type of cultural activity in 2015, whilst around a quarter volunteered. Around a half of households were positive about their finances. These are just some of the findings from the wide-ranging 2015 Scottish Household Survey.

Loans to help make warmer homes (SG 21/09/16)
More people will be able to make their homes warm and water-tight through a new £10 million fund. The pilot scheme in Glasgow, Argyll and Bute and Perthshire will provide equity loans of up to £40,000 to home owners on low incomes to help them make essential repairs to leaking roofs and building structures. This work is often necessary before energy efficiency measures like solid-wall insulation can be installed.

NEWS RELEASES

Scotland’s Towns Week 2016 (STP 06/10/16)
Scotland’s Towns Week officially launched in the Scottish Parliament yesterday (5th October 2016) during an evening reception which celebrated the diversity of Scotland’s small and rural towns, ahead of Towns Week which runs 7th – 13th November, Scotland-wide.

‘Queer histories’ recognised by Historic England (IHBC 01/10/16)
The Pride of Place project being conducted by Historic England has led to new listings and a greater recognition of the importance of LGBTQ heritage.

Scotland’s thatched buildings recorded for the first time (HES 29/09/16)
All 305 of Scotland’s historic, traditional thatched buildings have been recorded for the very first time as part of a unique field work project, which lasted 18 months.

SNH pledges commitment to empowering communities (SNH 29/09/16)
A set of good practice principles designed to improve the way organisations and groups engage with local communities has been firmly backed by Scottish Natural Heritage. SNH has added its support to the National Standards for Community Engagement, launched today (Thursday) by Kevin Stewart, Minister for Local Government and Housing.

Progress on the creation of Historic Wales (WG 29/09/16)
Ken Skates, the Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for Culture, has reiterated his commitment to the creation of new body, Historic Wales and announced he has asked the Director of the National Trust Wales to chair a steering group to progress the next phase of this work.

New Site Could Save Owners “Hundreds of Millions!” (RIAS 21/09/16)
Under One Roof, a major new free website designed to help the half million plus private flat owners in Scotland with the complex and important task of carrying out repairs to their shared properties, has been launched by Scottish Government Housing Minister, Kevin Stewart MSP at an event in Glasgow. Written by Annie Flint and John Gilbert, the authors of the acclaimed Tenement Handbook originally published by the RIAS over 20 years ago, the site contains over 100 articles on flat owners’ legal responsibilities towards their co-owners and over 70 technical information articles that enable owners to identify repair problems and understand quotations from builders. The site has over 100, specially commissioned, drawings, 200 photographs and a Repair Symptoms Checker to help owners pin down what is affecting their building’s health. Downloadable model letters will make the whole process easier for owners. Advice on dealing with owners who refuse to participate in critical repairs is also provided.

WG introduce Land Transaction Tax: 1st Wales’ own in 800 years (IHBC 21/09/16)
The Land Transaction Tax and Anti-avoidance of Devolved Taxes (Wales) Bill is to be introduced in the latest legislative programme of the Welsh Government (WG), and its first Welsh tax in almost 800 years.

European Year of Cultural Heritage proposed for 2018 (EC 20/09/16)
The European Commission has published its long-awaited proposal for the European Year of Cultural Heritage in 2018, which includes a ‘Call for ideas’.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

S5W-03377 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to
encourage the private sector to build more homes to alleviate housing shortages. (SP 03/10/16)

S5W-03378 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on extending the Scottish Housing Quality Standard to (a) the private rented sector and (b) tied housing. (SP03/10/16)

S5W-03171 Mark Ruskell: To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to overcome barriers in (a) getting agreement and (b) securing finances for communal work on multi-tenanted properties (SP 27/09/16)

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-02272: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 01/09/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the call on 30 August 2016 from the Existing Homes Alliance for the forthcoming programme for government to set an objective for a national infrastructure programme that supports every home to reach at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C by 2025.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (20/09/2016)

Question S5W-02271: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 01/09/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the call on 30 August 2016 from the Existing Homes Alliance for the forthcoming budget to significantly increase public investment in home energy efficiency measures.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (15/09/2016)

Question S5W-02270: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 01/09/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve the provision of maintenance and repairs for social housing.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (20/09/2016)

Question S5W-02267: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 01/09/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve the condition of the current housing stock.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (20/09/2016)

Question S5W-02263: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 01/09/2016
To ask the Scottish Government how many homes have received support from the Rural Poverty Task Force.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (15/09/2016)

Question S5W-02262: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 01/09/2016
To ask the Scottish Government how it is using its powers under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 to improve the standard of private sector housing.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (20/09/2016)

Question S5W-02438: Oliver Mundell, Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 08/09/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what the average cost per unit was for new social housing built by local authorities for (a) one-, (b) two- and (c) three-bedroom properties in each year since 2007.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (20/09/2016)

OTHER PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITY

S5M-01693 Joe FitzPatrick on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau: Names and Remits of Mandatory Committees—That the Parliament agrees, under Rule 6.1, that the names and remits of the following mandatory committees be amended—

Name of Committee: European and External Relations Committee
New name: Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee
Remit: To the remit set out in Rule 6.8 shall be added—
Culture and tourism matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Relations. (SP 29/09/16)

EVENTS

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

When: 27 October 2016 from 9am – 4.30pm.
Where: Haddo House, Methlick, Ellon, Aberdeenshire
Through a combination of inspiring case studies and expert testimony, this conference celebrates how opportunities have been identified in the creative re-use of Aberdeenshire’s built heritage; sharing knowledge and ideas on how projects can be funded, solutions found and challenges overcome. Conference Chairman: Andrew P K Wright OBE. Speakers: Richard Murphy OBE, Tom Duff, Paul Higson, David Narro, David Chouman, Ian Davidson, David W Walker and Alan Marshall.
There is also an evening event on Thursday 27th October, and site visits planned for Friday 28th October. Tickets can be purchased for the various elements of the conference, and a student discount is offered.
Contact: info@nespt.org Twitter: @NESPTconference #CastlestoClockTowers.
For more information and to book tickets visit the .

Scotland’s Towns Conference
When: 9th November.
Where: Kirkcaldy.
Bookings are open for the Annual Scotland’s Towns Conference. The Conference will centre around how we can further unlock the potential of Scotland’s towns. Book before 14th October to be in with a chance to attend for free! All bookings made before 14th October, 5pm will be entered into the draw. Scotland’s Towns Conference 2016 comes at a key moment for Scotland’s towns. The hosting of the first ever World Towns Leadership Summit in Edinburgh this summer highlighted that Scotland is leading the way in town transformation and partnership working across sectors – and even borders. Join leading practitioners, policy-makers, and other key stakeholders to discuss how our towns can flourish through local strategies with partnership and innovation at their core.

Celebrating Civic Pride – Booking Open!
When: Tuesday 15th November 2016, 10am – 4pm.
Where: Linlithgow Burgh Halls.
The next Scottish Civic Trust annual conference will showcase and celebrate the work of local civic trusts, amenity societies and heritage volunteers. The people that make up these groups work tirelessly to promote and protect local heritage, places and spaces. The conference will provide them with a platform to show what they have achieved, explain why they do it and set out the challenges and difficulties they face.

19th Annual Plenderleith Lecture: “Antiquities trafficking – 21st century developments”
When: 24th November 2016. Lecture: 6-7pm/Icon Scotland Group AGM: 5.15-5.45pm/Drinks reception: 7-8.30pm.
Where: St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, Castle St, Glasgow G4 0RH.
The Scottish Conservation sector’s keynote annual Plenderleith lecture for 2016 will address a controversial and highly topical subject – the global trafficking of antiquities and other cultural objects. Icon Scotland Group is pleased to welcome this year’s speaker – Doctor Neil Brodie, Senior Research Fellow, Endangered Archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa Project at the University of Oxford. A separate free CPD event is being planned for the afternoon of the day, from 2-4pm based around the GSA Mackintosh fire recovery project.

TRAINING

Measuring Performance: Evidence to inform strategy in your place
Date: 12 October 2016. Time: 2pm – 4.30pm.
Location: Architecture and Design Scotland, Edinburgh.
Learn more about Understanding Scottish Places Toolkit, the Place Standard Tool and the Town Centre Toolkit in this very practical half day workshop. Experts will guide you to use, connect and develop these tools for your own place and to build an evidence base to inform strategy.

Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage: training
There are places available on upcoming fundraising training, including a brand new ‘in focus’ event ‘Storytelling using media’ which will help you articulate your case for support using film. Also a dedicated seminar for Trustees – ‘the Role of the Board in Fundraising’, and an in focus session on applying to Trusts and Foundations, with a one-to-one fundraising surgeries as part of the event as well. All events cost just £25 + VAT for small organisations (or £50 + VAT for larger organisations). There are also travel bursaries available.

VACANCIES

Call for new SRCT Board Members
A charity caring for nationally important churches is looking for dynamic new trustees to join the board at an exciting time of change for the organisation. Many of Scotland’s historic places of worship face an uncertain future and the SRCT is gearing up to respond to the challenge. We are seeking additional board members to play a vital role in the transition of the SRCT to a more entrepreneurial and financially resilient organisation: achieving our objective of safeguarding Scotland’s religious heritage by working with local people to conserve, regenerate, and put historic churches back at the heart of communities.

The Scottish Redundant Churches Trust (SRCT) is a charitable trust (SC024407) founded in 1996. Having acquired 7 former churches of national significance and won awards for our conservation work, we are breaking new ground with an innovative £2.4 million project at the A-listed ‘at-risk’ St Margaret’s Church, Braemar.

New Trustees will assist in driving forward the transition process and the shaping and resourcing of the organisation to meet the changing needs of the religious heritage sector. They will also support the raising of the profile of the sector and its cultural and social value. We’re looking for people who support the objectives of the Trust and can offer skills or experience in some of the following areas:
finance or business; property management; tourism or arts; marketing, PR or media; fundraising; law; And who think strategically, enjoy working collaboratively with colleagues and are interested in the heritage sector.

Applications should be by CV and a covering letter explaining why you are interested in the role and how you think your skills and experience relate to our work. If you would like to know more please contact our Director, Victoria Collison-Owen on victoria@srct.org.uk or 0131 563 5135. Scottish Redundant Churches Trust, 15 North Bank Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2LP.  www.srct.org.uk. Scottish Charity SC024407. A Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee SC162884

Scottish Civic Trust are recruiting National Casework Volunteers
National Casework Volunteers assist with SCT planning casework across Scotland. Specific tasks would include:
1.    Planning applications monitoring: This would involve reviewing lists of planning applications across Scotland to identify appropriate cases for SCT to comment on. This would also include inputting the details of applications into the SCT casework database.
2.    Case review: This would involve reviewing case details/drawings, and drafting responses to planning applications from SCT in consultation with the Director.
Further details can be found here.

MEMBERS’ NEWS

IHBC welcomes its first Vice President: Mike Brown IHBC (IHBC 23/09/16)
Following formal agreement by IHBC trustees in April to extend capacity at the highest levels of the organization, the Board is delighted to announce the election of its first Vice President, Mike Brown, who takes up this annual, renewable, portfolio-led post linked first to ongoing sector discussions with England’s Historic Environment Forum, HEF.

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.