BEFS NEWS

Last week saw the successful launch of ScotLIS 3 – a critical tool for Scotland, a new report written by land reform expert Andy Wightman and commissioned jointly by BEFS and the David Hume Institute. BEFS Director chaired the launch event, ‘Scotland’s land information system: what is it and why it matters’, attracting over a hundred participants. It is clear from the report findings that siloed land information is holding back Scotland and BEFS noted that, “A fully functioning ScotLIS will support progress towards achieving Scotland’s net zero goals by 2045.”

The report outlines the background to ScotLIS, addresses the challenges, as well as the practical benefits and opportunities. The private and public sectors may all play a part in delivering ScotLIS and the report suggests five principles which will be vital to success in order to construct a single online portal, where all the land and property information can be examined and downloaded for analysis.

Skills within the sector is never far from BEFS work, and we’d like to draw readers’ attention to both the Prince’s Foundation Building Craft Programme 2023-2024; and the Europa Nostra (and partners) European Heritage Hub, building on connections and advocacy work across the sector, as well as promoting the wider European Year of Skills in 2023.

In implementing the reforms of Scotland’s planning system, the Scottish Government announced the recruitment of a National Planning Improvement Champion. The role will enable improvement within the Scottish planning system by supporting authorities with making improvements or efficiencies and, where appropriate, providing tailored advice to organisations within the sector including authorities, Scottish Government, agencies, community groups and developers. Further information about the role, including how to apply (by 31 March 2023), is available from the Improvement Service’s website.

RICS Scotland shared an update on their current activities, including developments from the second meeting of the reconvened Tenement Maintenance Working Group. At the working group, updates were provided by shared secretariat, BEFS and Under One Roof, and attendees included four MSPs and a wide range of built environment professionals and specialists.

Following the publication last year of The Value of Heritage report, this Bulletin features a blog focussed on Democratic tools for change, and the IHBC’s new advocacy route. Sean O’Reilly, IHBC Director has provided insight on IHBC’s work to establish the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Conservation, Places and People (CPP), and the relevance of the five recommendations included in their report for Scotland.

BEFS Bulletin readers may also recall the recent BEFS blog on the public sector’s role in delivering NPF4 through mixed use placemaking. The Investing In Our Place report on which the article was based has now been published by Scottish Enterprise. The report provides an overview of key lessons learned from case studies across Europe, and looks at applications of the design guidance through worked examples of potential future developments in Scotland.

Over the last year, the Heritage directorate within Historic Environment Scotland has been working on creating a quarterly newsletter for the wider Heritage sector: Lintel. The newsletter will keep readers updated on completed work, ongoing projects, and future plans. Read the most recent edition here where you can also sign up to receive future editions.

Also of interest to the sector – HES have just launched their Historic Environment Grants programme – with events taking place over the last few days to introduce the new structure to potential participants.

And finally, the Spring Budget was released yesterday (15/03/2023) BEFS will continue to monitor policy implications as they arise.

 

CONSULTATIONS

Culture in communities – your views
Scottish Parliament
‘Place-based’ approach to culture means giving people a greater say in shaping the cultural life of their local communities. This consultation wants to know more about what is happening in our local communities and understand aspects including what does good ‘place-based’ cultural policy look like in practice.
*Extended deadline* Closes 7 April 2023

Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan
Scottish Government
This consultation seeks views on the vision and the actions to transition to an affordable, resilient and clean energy system set out in the draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan as well as understanding how maximum social and economic benefits from the energy transition for Scotland can be secured.
*Extended deadline* Closes 9 May 2023

Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Built Environment, RICS Professional Standard, 2nd edition
RICS
Consultation on the second edition of whole life carbon assessments in the built environment – a standard which mandates a methodology to track all carbon emissions from production of materials, construction process, use and disposal of built assets over their entire life cycle.
**NEW** Closes 18 April 2023

Gaelic Language Plan 2023-2026
HES
Views are invited on the HES Gaelic Language Plan 2023-2026. The plan will set out how HES intends to increase the use, learning and promotion of Gaelic and builds on the success of its 2018-2023 plan which was the first Gaelic Language Plan for the organisation.
**NEW** Closes 19 April 2023

Community Wealth Building
Scottish Government
Views are being sought on the internationally recognised Community Wealth Building (CWB) approach to economic development, as a key practical means for the Scottish Government to make progress towards realising the wellbeing economy vision outlined in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET).
Closes 25 April 2023

International Culture Strategy: survey
Scottish Government
Views sought to inform the development of a strategy to support the international aspirations and potential of Scotland’s culture sector.
Closes 26 April 2023

Review of National Outcomes: call for evidence
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government want to hear from people and communities across Scotland about whether their National Outcomes continue to reflect the kind of Scotland we want to see. They would also like to hear about how the National Performance Framework could have a bigger impact.
**NEW** Closes 5 June 2023

 

NEWS RELEASES

11 European heritage sites shortlisted for 7 Most Endangered Programme 2023 (Europa Nostra 25/01/2023)

National Churches Trust awarded £1.9m grant to boost skills, resources and funding (National Churches Trust 28/02/2023)

Projects in Dunoon, Aberdeenshire, Dundee and Dumfries announced as the winners of the 12th Scottish Empty Homes Awards (SHN 02/03/2023)

Parliamentary focus on actions needed to make Scotland’s towns stronger (STP 02/03/2023)

NHS Scotland Environment and Sustainability Strategy published (greenspace scotland 03/03/2023)

Carve out a career in built heritage (Department for Communities 06/03/2023)

Cadw and IHBC join forces to support energy efficiency training for Conservation Officers in Wales (IHBC 07/03/2023)

RICS launches consultation to help ensure consistent measurement of carbon (Project Scotland 07/03/2023)

Scotland’s Land Information Service: what it is and why it matters – Webinar recording (David Hume Institute 08/03/2023)

Shortlist revealed for record Museums + Heritage Awards 2023 (Museums + Heritage 09/03/2023)

RTPI Scotland Parliamentary Briefing on ‘The Role of Local Government and its Cross-sectoral Partners in Financing and Delivery a Net-zero Scotland’ (RTPI Scotland 13/03/2023)

HES launch new Historic Environment Grants programme (HES 15/03/2023)

 

OPINION & COMMENT

‘Uncomfortable heritage’: how cities are repurposing former slaughterhouses (The Conversation 27/02/2023)

Despite promising industry-led initiatives, more must be done to address Scotland’s skills shortages (SCN 28/02/2023)

Jenny Divine: Redressing the gender imbalance in public spaces – a reflection (RTPI 01/03/2023)

UN body backs calls from environmental and community campaigners to review planning appeal rights across Scotland (TFN 01/03/2023)

Climate change: Scotland’s cultural sector can help people engage with the problem – Dr Richard Dixon (The Scotsman 02/03/2023)

What impact will new minimum EPC requirements have? (RICS 03/03/2023)

Town centre living can underpin resilience of Scottish places (The Planner 03/03/2023)

Top five Scottish Archaeological sites and artefacts brought to life by digital technology (Dig It!  03/03/2023)
Includes a 3D model from a collection of traditional buildings featuring the most prominent examples of indigenous Scottish architecture.

Government urged to insulate Britain’s historic buildings (E&T 06/03/2023)

New retrofit hub to propel greener homes (SCN 06/03/2023)

How retrofitting the UK’s old buildings can generate an extra £35bn in new money (The Guardian 06/03/2023)

Scotland urgently needs a land information system for the climate crisis, says report (The Ferret 06/03/2023)

How climate adaptation plans for European cities are gradually getting better (CarbonBrief 06/03/2023)

Hunt urged to commit extra £6bn a year to making UK homes energy efficient (The Guardian 09/03/2023)

Is Scotland being left behind in the transition to a circular economy? (Scottish Environment Link 09/03/2023)

So You Want To Turn An Office Building Into a Home? (The New York Times 11/03/2023)

Old walls, new life? Britain’s builders embrace the retrofit revolution (The Observer 11/03/2023)

 

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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

Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 31/01/2023
S6W-14566
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) PAS 2030 and (b) PAS 2035 qualified energy efficiency and retrofit professionals there currently are in Scotland.
S6W-14567
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) colleges and (b) training providers offer PAS 2030 and PAS 2035 training courses in Scotland, and what information it has on how this compares with the UK as a whole.
S6W-14568
To ask the Scottish Government how long it takes to obtain (a) PAS 2030 and (b) PAS 2035 certification, and what the estimated cost is of doing so.
S6W-14569
To ask the Scottish Government what modifications it has made to the PAS 2030 and PAS 2035 standards to take account of Scottish climate, housing stock and energy efficiency requirements.
S6W-14570
To ask the Scottish Government whether its area-based schemes and Warmer Homes Scotland schemes and their contractors have sufficient access to professionals who are trained in the PAS 2030 and PAS 2035 standards.
S6W-14571
To ask the Scottish Government what business impact assessment it conducted when implementing the PAS 2030 and PAS 2035 standards.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 28 February 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 02/02/2023
S6W-14585
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12522 by Patrick Harvie on 9 December 2022, whether it has concluded reviewing its “cost estimates to deliver the heat transition on this basis”, and when it plans to “provide a further update” in order to answer the question.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 2 March 2023

Brian Whittle, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 06/02/2023
S6W-14710
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress towards completion of the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) guidance documents, and by what date these will be published.
S6W-14711
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will issue guidance to stakeholders on how they should express their interest for inclusion in the Planning, Infrastructure and Place Advisory Group.
S6W-14713
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the establishment of a Planning, Infrastructure and Place Advisory Group, and by what date it will publish the final list of group members.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 2 March 2023

Oliver Mundell, Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 10/02/2023
S6W-14898
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce planning application costs for retro-fitted solar panels in domestic properties.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 2 March 2023

Paul Sweeney, Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 10/02/2023
S6W-14931
To ask the Scottish Government what the expected timeline is for applications to the 2024-25 round of the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP).
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 2 March 2023

Paul Sweeney, Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 21/02/2023
S6W-14785
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether there may be a need for secondary legislation for the Glasgow School of Art reconstruction project, to ensure that the restoration of the building is as faithful to Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s original design as possible, and whether (a) it would be possible to introduce and (b) it will give consideration to introducing secondary legislation to this end under (i) the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 and (ii) section 63 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
Current status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 2 March 2023

Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 10/02/2023
S6W-14931
To ask the Scottish Government what the expected timeline is for applications to the 2024-25 round of the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP).
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 2 March 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 20/02/2023
S6W-15197
To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £1.8 billion allocated towards the Heat in Buildings Strategy it has already spent.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 6 March 2023

Ariane Burgess, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: 21/02/2023
S6W-15209
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to publish the interim findings from the Green Heat Finance Taskforce.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 6 March 2023

Jamie Greene, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 21/02/2023
S6W-15237
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings in the WWF report, Affordable Warmth: Next Steps for Clean Heat in Scotland, in light of reports that Scotland will fall “significantly short” of its target for decarbonising heating in homes.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 6 March 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 16/02/2023
S6W-15090
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a more detailed breakdown of where funding will be allocated from the budget line “Climate Action and Just Transition Fund” in the Scottish Budget 2023-24, which is set at £79.5 million.
Current status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 7 March 2023

Katy Clark, West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 10/02/2023
S6W-14827
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support local authorities in efforts to repair older public buildings for continued use.
Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 7 March 2023

Brian Whittle, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 27/02/2023
S6W-15411
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13127 by Patrick Harvie on 9 January 2023, when it expects to release the annual reports for the (a) Scottish House Condition Survey for (i) 2020, (ii) 2021 and (iii) 2022 and (b) Scottish Household Survey for (A) 2021 and (B) 2022.
Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 7 March 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 16/02/2023
S6W-15115
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many (a) houses and (b) flats in Scotland have been demolished in each year since 1999.
Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 7 March 2023

Kaukab Stewart, Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 01/03/2023
S6O-01974
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of the fourth National Planning Framework since its adoption on 13 February 2023.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur in the Chamber on 8 March 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 16/02/2023
S6W-15124
To ask the Scottish Government how much has been allocated to council housing maintenance budgets in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority.
Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 8 March 2023

Katy Clark, West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 09/02/2023
S6W-14838
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to mandate any national infrastructure company with providing unbiased advice on investing in repairing and repurposing older buildings as part of Scotland’s commitment to net zero.
S6W-14839
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to redirect resources from the Scottish Futures Trust to any national infrastructure company.
S6W-14846
To ask the Scottish Government what actions it plans to take to ensure that any national infrastructure company is equipped to be able to provide advice on how local authorities can plan for wellbeing and net zero in their infrastructure investments.
Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 9 March 2023

Paul Sweeney, Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 10/02/2023
S6W-14921
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to NHS boards to identify and deliver sustainable new uses for historic NHS-owned properties that are currently on the Buildings at Risk Register.
Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 10 March 2023

Edward Mountain, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date: 14/03/2023
S6M-08209
Debate on motion on the role of local government and its cross-sectoral partners in financing and delivering a net zero Scotland following publication of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee report on the Environmental Regulations (Enforcement Measures) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2023

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 01/03/2023
S6W-15473 R
To ask the Scottish Government what powers are available to (a) local authorities and (b) other public bodies to take action to address empty homes in Scotland.
Current status: Holding answer by Shona Robison on 15 March 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 02/03/2023
S6W-15512
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4), what its key (a) priorities and (b) deliverables are in its implementation; what its key outcomes are, and within what timeframe those outcomes must be delivered.
Current status: Answer expected on 16 March 2023

 

EVENTS

For further listings, please see our events calendar.

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust – Spring Lecture Series: Tales from the Tron
Date & Time: Friday 17 March – Wednesday 24 May 2023
Location: Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, EH1 2PG
In this five-lecture series, guest speakers will cover the story of the Tron from the fantastical public spectacles staged at the Salt Tron on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, via a shopper’s prehistory of Marlin’s Wynd, through to the Tron Kirk in its urban context and the working class and slum clearances of Old Edinburgh. The final lecture, A Walk through a Thinking Machine: from Riddle’s Court to the Tron with Patrick Geddes, will end with a walk to the Tron Kirk to explore how we use spaces and places to learn.

AHSS Joseph Sharples – The Workers Who Built The University Of Glasgow, 1867-71
Date & Time: Thursday 23 March 2023; 7:30pm
Location: Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow
Note: Lectures will also be streamed online via Zoom
Joseph Sharples, Curator of Mackintosh Collections at the Hunterian, uncovers the fascinating story of the hundreds of masons, joiners, bricklayers and labourers who were drawn from across the British Isles to work on George Gilbert Scott’s new University; one of the biggest building projects in Victorian Scotland.

RICS Post-pandemic wellbeing of young professionals: Construction’s next challenge?
Date & Time: Wednesday 29 March 2023; 4-5pm
Location: Online
The pandemic has brought about a change in working patterns and an increased focus on wellbeing in many industries. This webinar explores how recent entrants to the construction industry may face new challenges compared with their counterparts a few years ago as they adapt to new ways of working, including remote working and less in-person collaboration.

Edinburgh World Heritage – Paul Sandby’s Edinburgh
Date & Time: Wednesday 29 March 2023; 6pm
Location: Hybrid – Online and at St Mark’s Unitarian Church, 7 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2DP
Paul Sandby came to Edinburgh in 1747 as an unknown English draughtsman to draw maps for the military; he left the city 4 years later as a promising artist who would become the so-called father of English Watercolour. Join Andy Arthur, as he explores a 1750 watercolour view of Edinburgh, teasing out what has changed and what remains. Expect to see a fresh perspective on the city, and hear obscure and overlooked stories of Edinburgh’s past.

 

TRAINING

Social Enterprise Academy – Steps to Sustainability: Skills Sessions
Date & Time: 16 March-11 May
Location: Online
Range of training sessions for those working in the Heritage Sector covering: Retail Management Essentials, Digital Engagement, Fundraising, Marketing & PR, and Alternative Sources of Finance.

Fife Historic Buildings Trust – Conservation Engineering to Transform Inverkeithing Town House
Date & Time: Wednesday 22 March 2023; 12-1pm
Location: Hybrid – online via Zoom and at Scottish Lime Centre Trust, 2 Rocks Road, Charlestown KY11 3EN
An IHBC CPD accredited lunchtime talk on structural adaptations to make the A-listed Inverkeithing Town House fully accessible. Talk by Steve Wood, Conservation Accredited Engineer, MEng, CEng, MIStructE, Technical Director – Conservation, at Narro.

Retrofitting Traditional Buildings – Principles and Practice
Date & Time: Wednesday 19 & 26 April 2023; 9:30am-1pm
Location: Online via Zoom
An online technical masterclass, running over 2 half days, covering emerging research, best practice and case studies in the field of upgrading traditional and historic buildings. Addressing the following questions:  How do we protect our traditional buildings but make them fit for the future? What are the risks for small- and large-scale retrofit projects? How can unintended consequences be addressed when upgrading solid-walled buildings? The Whole Building Approach to retrofit!

Icon Scotland – Creating Conservation Videos Workshop
Date & Time: Thursday 11, 18 & 25 May 2023; 9-11am
Location: Online via Zoom
Over three sessions, learn about creating conservation video content to be used to educate, promote and share the profession. The workshop will cover the start-to-finish workflow for creating conservation videos, ethical and legal considerations of sharing conservation content, platforms and methods that support video content, and tips and tricks, such as repurposing footage. Sessions will take place one week apart and will allow attendees to create their own videos and receive feedback from the instructor.

 

VACANCIES

The Cockburn Association – Chair
The Cockburn Association is seeking to recruit a new Chair to replace Professor Cliff Hague OBE, who retires from the position in May 2023 following 6 years of excellent service. In 2025, the Cockburn will celebrate its 150^th anniversary. The new Chair will help frame the celebrations of this significant landmark event, which will include a major civic reception and publication. A key objective of the Chair is to drive the development of the Cockburn ‘brand’, increasing the support base and reaching out to stakeholders across the city, existing and new.  The Chair will be expected to bring their own network into the Association where possible and act as a figurehead to members and supporters.
Further information and a role description is available from the Director, Terry Levinthal: 0131-557-8686 or director@cockburnassociation.org.uk

The National Trust for Scotland – Heritage Compliance Officer
Salary: £34,376-£38,027 (subject to experience)
Status: Full-time (flexible working possible)
Location: Hybrid working, available for meetings in Edinburgh
The National Trust for Scotland is looking to recruit a heritage compliance officer to help identify and manage the conservation and operations risks. This is a unique opportunity to work across all aspects of a major heritage organisation, liaising with colleagues in all disciplines.
All enquiries and applications should be addressed to: Diarmid Hearns, Head of Public Policy, Risk and Environment: dhearns@nts.org.uk
Job Description

Planning Aid for Scotland – Director of Operations
Salary: £45,000-£51,500
Status: Full-time
Location: Hybrid working; able to attend office in Edinburgh
PAS are looking to appoint a dynamic individual to the newly created post of Director of Operations.
The successful candidate will help drive forward innovation and delivery, both within the organisation and with external projects and partners. This is an exciting time to join a dynamic, ambitious and responsive organisation, to help deliver solutions that support communities across Scotland.
For more information or an informal discussion, interested candidates should contact Johanna Boyd, Chief Executive: johanna@pas.org.uk
Find out more about the role and about PAS in the Position Profile.
Closing date: 5pm on Wednesday 22 March 2023

Scottish Lime Centre Trust – Principal Trainer
Salary: commensurate with knowledge and experience
Status: Full-time, Mon-Fri with some flexibility to work weekends
Location: Charlestown, Fife
The Scottish Lime Centre Trust is seeking a practically orientated and organised individual able to manage their own workload and work as part of a team, with the ability to pass on skills and knowledge to a wide audience range. This is an excellent opportunity for a time served stonemason, with advanced craft qualifications, to join a busy team to deliver a range of ‘hands on’ courses as well as work alongside the Building Advisory team. Full support, guidance and training will be given to the successful candidate to ensure that the practical training delivery meets the exacting standards of the SLCT.
Further details and applications
Closing date: Friday 24 March 2023

BACK

BEFS NEWS

The consultation for Scotland’s new historic environment strategy closed last week; thank you to everyone who took part in helping to shape the new strategy. BEFS considers a new strategy to be a positive advocacy tool for the role of the historic environment across multiple agendas, helping to outline shared priorities for the sector. Further clarity around the ‘day job’ of the sector, monitoring, as well as measurement of delivery and KPIs will be welcomed as the strategy and delivery plan are progressed. BEFS encourages Members who would like their responses shared via BEFS Consultations page to send them on to us. Those already received, as well as BEFS own response, can be found here.

And when it comes to strategies, the National Lottery Heritage Fund introduced their new strategy today (02/03/2023). Heritage 2033 has four new investment principles: Saving heritage; Protecting the environment; Inclusion, access and participation; and Organisational sustainability. They will continue their current approach of offering open funding programmes – from small grants up to multi-million-pound projects – for all types of heritage. From 2023, NLHF will introduce a higher investment threshold of £10m to allow for larger-scale investment and will consider investing in projects above this threshold to support truly exceptional heritage projects across the UK.  There is also the introduction of new strategic funding streams, with early initiatives focused on: Place; Landscape and nature; Heritage in need; and Acquisitions, opportunities and emergencies. Full details and information can be found here.

As a supporting Member of the Climate Heritage Network, BEFS is pleased to share the news that CHN have launched a new YouTube channel devoted to presenting ideas, strategies, case studies, and tips to inspire and accelerate culture-based climate action, from CHN member organisations and partners around the world.

A little closer to home, The Ridge published a new Feasibility Study looking at insulating a stone tenement alongside newbuild/alternative on-site generation (district heating scheme). The study was funded by the Scottish Government, in conjunction with East Lothian Council, with The Ridge as Lead Partner for the Local Action Group. Investigations relating to retrofitting historic properties and the skills development required is very much welcomed by BEFS.

For those interested in the data underpinning our places, and marking the publication of a newly commissioned paper by Andy Wightman, the David Hume Institute and BEFS will hold a webinar on Wednesday 8 March about Scotland’s Land Information Service. Exploring why it matters, and discussing the benefits further development could bring. Andy Wightman, writer, researcher and former member of the Scottish Parliament will be joined by Professor Stewart Brymer, solicitor and Honorary Professor in law at the University of Dundee. Sign-up here

With news of Awards across the sector: The Scottish Civic Trust have announced the shortlist to the My Place Awards 2023, displaying a range of community-led built environment projects that have transformed their locality across Scotland. And, RIAS have revealed 13 contenders for Scotland’s 2023 architecture awards.

BEFS were pleased to hear that our trustee, Niall Murphy, has been appointed Director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust. He joined the Trust as Grants Officer in 2016 and has been Deputy Director since mid-2017 – huge congratulations on the new role.

As more and more events start to happen in person, BEFS Director, managed to attend the 12th Scottish Empty Homes Conference, where The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) launched new draft advisory guidance to assist local authorities to bring some of Scotland’s nearly 43,000 long-term empty homes back into use. When presented this seemed to be an exceptionally useful resource – it can be explored here, with feedback being sought from users across March 2023.

And finally, we liked this visual released by the Ordnance Survey at the end of February. The heatmap shows the distribution of historic buildings in GB; including Castles, Estates, Cathedrals, and more.

CONSULTATIONS

 

BEFS response to the consultation for Historic Environment Scotland’s Regulatory Framework (BEFS 14/02/2023)

BEFS response to the consultation for Scotland’s new historic environment strategy (BEFS 20/02/2023) On BEFS Consultations responses page, you can also find responses from NTS and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

Town centres and retail report – Response from the Scottish Government (Scot Parl 20/02/2023)

Budget Statement Stage 3: 2023-24 (Scot Gov 21/02/2023)

Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing Review – Fabric and Hard to Treat subgroup minutes: 07 February 2023 (Scot Gov 21/02/2023)

Investing in Communities Fund – round 2 2023 to 2026: approved awards (Scot Gov 21/02/2023)

SPICe Briefing – The Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 21/02/2023)

Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing Review – Measures and Finance subgroup minutes: February 2023 (24/02/2023)

Open Government action plan 2021 to 2025 – commitment 4: climate change (27/02/2023)

Planning applications statistics 2022/2023: quarterly (April 2022 to September 2022) (Scot Gov 28/02/2023)

The Repairing Standard – Statutory Guidance for Landlords (Scot Gov 01/02/2023)

NEWS RELEASES

 

Icon secures funding to investigate industrial heritage conservation skills shortages (ICON 13/01/2023)

Commissioners announced for UK Urban Futures Commission (CoreCities UK 02/02/2023)

New refurbishment and retrofit framework urges interest from would-be suppliers (Built environment Network 14/02/2023)

Ground-breaking report shows the significance of built environment to Scotland’s circular economy, as new tool is launched to reduce site waste (Zero Waste Scotland 16/02/2023)

Architecture and Design Scotland joins Scottish Design Awards 2023 jury (A&DS 16/02/2023)

Dumfries and Galloway Council has recently commissioned Savills Architects and Building Surveyors to undertake a Traditional Building Skills Audit and is inviting interested contractors to get in touch (DGWGO 16/02/2023)

RIAS reveals 13 contenders for Scotland’s 2023 architecture awards (Architects Journal 27/02/2023)

The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) launches new guidance to assist local authorities to bring some of Scotland’s nearly 43,000 long-term empty homes back into use (SHN 27/02/2023)

Drive to expand reach of Scotland’s Improvement Districts (STP 27/02/2023)

Introducing BRICK BY BRICK: Understanding Heritage Projects, a podcast produced by the Heritage Trust Network Youth Forum (HTN 28/02/2023)

Introducing Heritage 2033, our new 10-year strategy (Heritage Fund 02/03/2023)

OPINION & COMMENT

 

Open letter to leaders across Scotland’s built environment: Call for bold leadership and brave decisions in 2023 (BE-ST 23/01/2023)

Effectively retrofitting UK housing requires “compromise between performance and heritage” say architects (dezeen 27/01/2023)

Energy deficiency: the challenge of decarbonising UK buildings (The Engineer 09/02/2023)

In praise of the ‘15-minute city’ – the mundane planning theory terrifying conspiracists (The Guardian 16/02/2023)

Change to treasure law ‘will keep more artefacts in UK museums’ (The Guardian 18/02/2023)

Restoring Scotland’s crumbling castles with modern technology (The Herald 19/02/2023)

Retrofit for whole village slashes heating bills and energy loss (RIBA Journal 21/02/2023)

Open letter from the Scottish Tourism Alliance to the Scottish Government to halt the proposed ban on alcohol advertising and promotion (STA 27/02/2023)

Shake-up announced for the UK’s £300m National Lottery Heritage Fund (The Arts Newspaper 01/03/2023)

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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

S6W-15115 Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 16/02/2023
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many (a) houses and (b) flats in Scotland have been demolished in each year since 1999.
S6W-15124
To ask the Scottish Government how much has been allocated to council housing maintenance budgets in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority.
Current status: Answer expected on 16 March 2023

S6W-15209 Ariane Burgess, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: 21/02/2023
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to publish the interim findings from the Green Heat Finance Taskforce.
Current status: Answer expected on 7 March 2023

S6W-15237 Jamie Greene, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 21/02/2023
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings in the WWF report, Affordable Warmth: Next Steps for Clean Heat in Scotland, in light of reports that Scotland will fall “significantly short” of its target for decarbonising heating in homes.
Current status: Answer expected on 7 March 2023

S6W-14712 Brian Whittle, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 06/02/2023
To ask the Scottish Government what support will be made available to provide planners with additional resources to assess the environmental impacts of developments, including making assessments of the impact of these on biodiversity.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 21 February 2023

Debate on the Levelling-Up Fund (UK Parl)
Date: 22/02/2023
Question from Dr Lisa Cameron East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow, SNP concerning what recent assessment the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland has made with Cabinet colleagues of the effectiveness of levelling-up funding in Scotland.

S6F-01844 Gillian Mackay, Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: 20/02/2023
To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will provide an update on how it is responding to the Climate Change Committee’s report on progress in reducing emissions in Scotland.
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 February 2023

S6W-15411 Brian Whittle, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 27/02/2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13127 by Patrick Harvie on 9 January 2023, when it expects to release the annual reports for the (a) Scottish House Condition Survey for (i) 2020, (ii) 2021 and (iii) 2022 and (b) Scottish Household Survey for (A) 2021 and (B) 2022.
Current status: Answer expected on 13 March 2023

S6M-07942 Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date: 28/02/2023
Debate on retail and town centres in Scotland

EVENTS

For further listings, please see our events calendar.

The David Hume Institute & BEFS – Scotland’s Land Information System (ScotLIS): what is it and why it matters?
Date & Time: Wednesday 8 March 2023; 11am-12:30pm
Location: Online
Join this webinar to mark the publication of a newly commissioned paper on Scotland’s Land Information System and find out why it is critical to infrastructure. Information about land and buildings is used every day by businesses, policy-makers, academics and ordinary citizens, covering land ownership and valuation, energy efficiency ratings, building types, vegetation cover and flood risks. However, as the impacts of climate change intensify, there is even greater need for more timely, more comprehensive, and more accessible information about land and buildings in Scotland.

The Cockburn Association – Student housing: crisis and opportunity?
Date & Time: Wednesday 8 March 2023; 1:30–5pm
Location: Quaker Meeting House, Victoria Street, Edinburgh EH1 2JL
With students currently in need of purpose-built student accommodation, planning applications are being submitted on a regular basis.  However local residents and communities routinely object to them, concerned that their neighbourhoods will be impacted negatively, frequently citing the need for affordable housing as more important. This half-day conference will bring different parties together to discuss the issues and impacts, and scope the expectations towards the situation’s improvement, and what can we all do moving forward.

Scottish Civic Trust – North of Scotland Local Heritage Surgeries
Date & Time: Friday 10 March 2023
Location: Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archive, Wick Airport, Wick, KW1 4QS
Is your local heritage or civic group looking to engage a wider range of people in your activities? Scottish Civic Trust are hosting local heritage surgeries for groups to chat and brainstorm with their staff about outreach and engagement strategies.

AHSS Dr Diane Watters – Discovering Urban School Buildings in Medieval and Early Modern Scotland
Date & Time: Monday 13 March 2023; 6:30pm
Location:  Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
In this talk, Dr Watters examines three grammar school case studies – St Andrews, Dunfermline and Edinburgh – highlighting the development of these medieval school buildings up to c.1600 and attempting to counter the orthodoxy that there were only a few permanent town school buildings in Scotland prior to the fifteenth century.

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust – Spring Lecture Series: Tales from the Tron
Date & Time: Friday 17 March – Wednesday 24 May 2023
Location: Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, EH1 2PG
In this five-lecture series, guest speakers will cover the story of the Tron from the fantastical public spectacles staged at the Salt Tron on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, via a shopper’s prehistory of Marlin’s Wynd, through to the Tron Kirk in its urban context and the working class and slum clearances of Old Edinburgh. The final lecture, A Walk through a Thinking Machine: from Riddle’s Court to the Tron with Patrick Geddes, will end with a walk to the Tron Kirk to explore how we use spaces and places to learn.

Scottish Civic Trust – South of Scotland Local Heritage Surgeries
Date & Time: Saturday 18 March 2023
Location: Heritage Hub, Kirkstile, Hawick TD9 0AE
Is your local heritage or civic group looking to engage a wider range of people in your activities? Scottish Civic Trust are hosting local heritage surgeries for groups to chat and brainstorm with their staff about outreach and engagement strategies.

AHSS Joseph Sharples – The Workers Who Built The University Of Glasgow, 1867-71
Date & Time: Thursday 23 March 2023; 7:30pm
Location: Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow
Note: Lectures will also be streamed online via Zoom
Joseph Sharples, Curator of Mackintosh Collections at the Hunterian, uncovers the fascinating story of the hundreds of masons, joiners, bricklayers and labourers who were drawn from across the British Isles to work on George Gilbert Scott’s new University; one of the biggest building projects in Victorian Scotland.

TRAINING

 

Social Enterprise Academy – Steps to Sustainability: Skills Sessions
Date & Time: 16 March-11 May
Location: Online
Range of training sessions for those working in the Heritage Sector covering: Retail Management Essentials, Digital Engagement, Fundraising, Marketing & PR, and Alternative Sources of Finance.

Fife Historic Buildings Trust – Conservation Engineering to Transform Inverkeithing Town House
Date & Time: Wednesday 22 March 2023; 12-1pm
Location: Hybrid – online via Zoom and at Scottish Lime Centre Trust, 2 Rocks Road, Charlestown KY11 3EN
An IHBC CPD accredited lunchtime talk on structural adaptations to make the A-listed Inverkeithing Town House fully accessible. Talk by Steve Wood, Conservation Accredited Engineer, MEng, CEng, MIStructE, Technical Director – Conservation, at Narro.

Icon Scotland – Creating Conservation Videos Workshop
Date & Time: Thursday 11, 18 & 25 May 2023; 9-11am
Location: Online via Zoom
Over three sessions, learn about creating conservation video content to be used to educate, promote and share the profession. The workshop will cover the start-to-finish workflow for creating conservation videos, ethical and legal considerations of sharing conservation content, platforms and methods that support video content, and tips and tricks, such as repurposing footage. Sessions will take place one week apart and will allow attendees to create their own videos and receive feedback from the instructor.

VACANCIES

 

The Cockburn Association – Chair
The Cockburn Association is seeking to recruit a new Chair to replace Professor Cliff Hague OBE, who retires from the position in May 2023 following 6 years of excellent service. In 2025, the Cockburn will celebrate its 150^th anniversary. The new Chair will help frame the celebrations of this significant landmark event, which will include a major civic reception and publication. A key objective of the Chair is to drive the development of the Cockburn ‘brand’, increasing the support base and reaching out to stakeholders across the city, existing and new.  The Chair will be expected to bring their own network into the Association where possible and act as a figurehead to members and supporters.
Further information and a role description is available from the Director, Terry Levinthal: 0131-557-8686 or director@cockburnassociation.org.uk

The National Trust for Scotland – Heritage Compliance Officer
Salary: £34,376-£38,027 (subject to experience)
Status: Full-time (flexible working possible)
Location: Hybrid working, available for meetings in Edinburgh
The National Trust for Scotland is looking to recruit a heritage compliance officer to help identify and manage the conservation and operations risks. This is a unique opportunity to work across all aspects of a major heritage organisation, liaising with colleagues in all disciplines.
All enquiries and applications should be addressed to: Diarmid Hearns, Head of Public Policy, Risk and Environment: dhearns@nts.org.uk
Job Description

SPAB – Archive Officer
Salary: £26,000 (FTE)
Location: Spitalfields, London, E1. Hybrid/ flexi working available
Status: Part-time (2 days p/w)
The role is within the Education and Training team, contributing to the work of other teams; for example Communications, helping to create content for social media and blog posts. The position involves working closely with a small number of dedicated volunteers, who assist with archive tasks such as research, answering enquiries and cataloguing. In addition, the role involves enabling access to archive information and documents in line with good stewardship of historic archive material; raising awareness and understanding of the archive inside and outside the SPAB and contributing to planning for its future.
Further details and applications
Closing date: Midday, Sunday 12 March 2023

Scottish Lime Centre Trust – Principal Trainer
Salary: commensurate with knowledge and experience
Status: Full-time, Mon-Fri with some flexibility to work weekends
Location: Charlestown, Fife
The Scottish Lime Centre Trust is seeking a practically orientated and organised individual able to manage their own workload and work as part of a team, with the ability to pass on skills and knowledge to a wide audience range. This is an excellent opportunity for a time served stonemason, with advanced craft qualifications, to join a busy team to deliver a range of ‘hands on’ courses as well as work alongside the Building Advisory team. Full support, guidance and training will be given to the successful candidate to ensure that the practical training delivery meets the exacting standards of the SLCT.
Further details and applications
Closing date: Friday 24 March 2023

 

BACK

BEFS NEWS

The National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) was published by the Scottish Ministers and adopted on 13 February. It should be read as a whole and replaces NPF3 and Scottish Planning Policy. In advance of adoption the Chief Planner provided advice on the transition to the new development plan system including supplementary guidance and some policy considerations.

BEFS also note that, in highlighting how their work can meet the policy aim of NPF4 – ALGAO (Association of Local Government Archaeology Officers) have released a new guidance document which aims to show the full range of core and secondary activities of public benefit that comprise archaeological works undertaken within the context of the planning system.

Implementation and delivery of NPF4 will depend on many actors and require collaboration of national and local government, regional bodies, key agencies, businesses, voluntary organisations and communities as well as investors throughout Scotland. In our latest BEFS Blog, urban designer Paul Morsley, development economist Steven Tolson and land-use planner Nick Wright summarise their work on the public sector’s role in delivering NPF4 through mixed-use placemaking.

The Heritage Alliance have summarised a recent machinery of government (MoG) change within the UK government. This transfer of functions between Ministers in the UK Government has resulted in the creation of a new department focused on energy security (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero); the changes have also re-focused the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, removing ‘Digital’ and highlighting the importance of these industries to the economy, as well as building on the UK’s position as a global leader in the creative arts.

Following a productive online consultation held at the end of January, BEFS engaged with representatives across the sector in-person. Each session examined the draft strategy for Scotland’s historic environment and outputs will help to inform BEFS response. Thank you to all participants! The Historic Environment Sector Strategy consultation closes on Monday 20 February. BEFS encourages organisations and individuals to submit your own views.

This week RIAS were delighted to reveal the shortlist for the 2023 RIAS Awards. This year’s list features 13 incredible projects from across Scotland, celebrating craftsmanship, innovation and site-specific design in architecture across a range of scales.

HES Director of Operations, Craig Mearns, provided a progress update on the high-level masonry inspections across HES sites. Out of the 70 sites closed in 2021-2022, HES was able to restore full or partial access at around 30 sites. The update includes details on site inspections, prioritisation, and future inspections currently scheduled.

Historic Environment Scotland’s new grants programme, the Historic Environment Grants (HEG) will go live on 15 March. You can sign-up to hear more about applying at one of their hour-long sessions; the HES Grants Team will explain what’s new about the HEG programme and how to apply for funding. For those unable to attend the session, videos of the presentations will be posted on the HES website on 16 March.

Within Scotland, the Office of the Chief Statistician has announced a delay in publication of the 2021 Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS) Key Findings report. The results of the 2021 SHCS were expected to be published in May 2023. This data underpins much of the ‘fabric first’ work that needs to be highlighted on the route map to the Heat in Buildings Strategy being fulfilled, so it is particularly disappointing that the delay continues.

Considering building data – and marking the publication of a new paper by Andy Wightman about Scotland’s Land Information System (ScotLIS) and its potential for the future – the David Hume Institute and BEFS will hold a webinar on Wednesday 8 March. Look out for the paper’s publication, BEFS Twitter will ensure we publicise its release.

Related to this, the recent commentary from the Fraser of Allander Institute reflects on the Scottish Government response to the recommendations from the work previously undertaken via ClimateXChange to inform the Joint Budget Review, highlighting the need for more joined-up thinking, and more reliable and accurate data to help meet net zero ambitions.

And finally, the announcement (15/02/2023) by the First Minister that she intends to stand-down, but will remain in role until her successor is elected by the SNP, will undoubtedly have ramifications (in time) across roles within the current Government; BEFS will monitor and report as necessary.

 

CONSULTATIONS

Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF): recommended projects 2014 to 2024 (Scot Gov 06/02/2023)

Letter to Angus Robertson from the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee regarding concerns over the Future of the Culture Sector (Scot Parl 07/02/2023)

Chief Planner Fiona Simpson & Tom Arthur outline transitional arrangements for National Planning Framework 4 (Scot Gov 08/02/2023)

Announcement of Low Carbon Fund: Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme Projects (Scot Gov 08/02/2023)

Climate change insights, business and transport, UK: February 2023 (ONS 10/02/2023)

Domestic quality assurance for Heat in Buildings Programme BRIA (Scot Gov 10/02/2023)

National Planning Framework 4 (Scot Gov 13/02/2023)

 

NEWS RELEASES

Results of FOI request about HES ‘Properties in Care’ (AHSS 19/01/2023)

Delay in publication of 2021 Scottish House Condition Survey Key Findings report (Scot Gov – Office of the Chief Statistician 30/01/2023)

Finalists Announced for 12th Scottish Empty Homes Awards (SEHP 02/02/2023)

2022 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction spotlights heritage, traditional knowledge (Climate Heritage Network 05/02/2023)

Progress update on our high-level masonry inspections (HES 08/02/2023)

Flexible planning rules – new measures to boost hospitality and town centre recovery (Scot Gov 10/02/2023)

Reflecting on Scottish Mills Weekend 2022 (SPAB 13/02/2023)

Planning for greener communities (Scot Gov 13/02/2023)

The Scottish Government Needs A Rethink To Meet Net Zero Ambitions (Fraser of Allander Institute 14/02/2023)

Delivery of Public Benefit and Social Value for Archaeology in the Planning Process (ALGAO 14/02/2023)

 

OPINION & COMMENT

Saving Scotland’s Tenements (Bylines Scotland 27/01/2023)

How can nature-based solutions help cities achieve their climate goals? (CarbonBrief 30/01/2023)

Planting more trees could reduce premature heat-related deaths in European cities by a third – new research (The Conservation 01/02/2023)

City planners are questioning the point of parking garages (The Conservation 01/02/2023)

Shortage of stonemasons could affect Scotland’s crumbling heritage (The Herald 05/02/2023)

Festivals face ‘economic shock’ as a result of licensing of short-term lets (Kalkine Media 07/02/2023)

Be part of history and have your say in Historic Environment Scotland public consultation (Daily Record 08/02/2023)

Britain is addicted to the wrecking ball. It’s trashing our heritage and the planet (The Guardian 10/02/2023)

It’s not easy being green when you live in a conservation area (Financial Times 10/02/2023)

Why Scotland’s heritage risks being just a thing of the past for Generation Z (The Scotsman 12/02/2023)

Meet one of the few full-time thatchers in Britain (The Times 12/02/2023)

Shawlands Camphill Gate is back on top after £1.4m repairs (The Herald 12/02/2023)

Planners to favour green regeneration of derelict sites as NPF4 comes into force (Scottish Housing News 13/02/2023)

Planning reforms aim for ‘fairer’ and ‘greener’ Scotland (Project Scotland 13/02/2023)

 

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 27/01/2023
S6W-14471
To ask the Scottish Government what the total budget allocation has been for Architecture and Design Scotland for each year since it was founded.
S6W-14472
To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the efficacy of Architecture and Design Scotland.
S6W-14474
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of what Architecture and Design Scotland’s budget is allocated to.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 7 February 2023

S6W-14302 Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 26/01/2023
To ask the Scottish Government what support and advice it will provide to households and buildings in conservation areas to comply with the Bute House Agreement commitment to require home and building upgrades at the point of sale, change of tenancy, and refurbishment to meet a standard equivalent to EPC C, on a mandatory basis from 2025.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 9 February 2023

S6W-14585 Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 02/02/2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12522 by Patrick Harvie on 9 December 2022, whether it has concluded reviewing its “cost estimates to deliver the heat transition on this basis”, and when it plans to “provide a further update” in order to answer the question.
Current status: Answer expected on 2 March 2023

Brian Whittle, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 06/02/2023
S6W-14710
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress towards completion of the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) guidance documents, and by what date these will be published.
S6W-14711
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will issue guidance to stakeholders on how they should express their interest for inclusion in the Planning, Infrastructure and Place Advisory Group.
S6W-14712
To ask the Scottish Government what support will be made available to provide planners with additional resources to assess the environmental impacts of developments, including making assessments of the impact of these on biodiversity.
S6W-14713
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the establishment of a Planning, Infrastructure and Place Advisory Group, and by what date it will publish the final list of group members.
Current status: Answer expected on 6 March 2023

S6W-14827 Katy Clark, West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 10/02/2023
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support local authorities in efforts to repair older public buildings for continued use.
Current status: Answer expected on 10 March 2023

S6W-14931 Paul Sweeney, Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 10/02/2023
To ask the Scottish Government what the expected timeline is for applications to the 2024-25 round of the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP).
Current status: Answer expected on 10 March 2023

 

EVENTS

For further listings, please see our events calendar.

SoAoS February Lecture – Rethinking Weapons in Bronze Age Shang China
Date & Time: Thursday 23 February 2023; 6pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
Note: Lectures will also be streamed online via Zoom
Dr Qin Cao’s lecture will explore the significance of weapons to early Chinese civilization, and how the application of European archaeological theories and methods benefit research into Chinese Bronze Age material remains.

Scottish Empty Homes Partnership – 12th Scottish Empty Homes Conference
Date & Time: Wednesday 1 March 2023
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ
With the theme Repair, Reuse, Revitalise, this conference will discuss how the repair and reuse of empty homes is helping to revitalise communities and local economies, as well as offering a cost-effective approach to delivering environmental sustainability goals.

A&DS – Place Forum: The power of place in child-poverty and cost of living crisis
Date & Time: Wednesday 1 March 2023; 11am-1pm
Location: Online via Teams
This event looks at one of the core themes emerging from the 2022-23 Programme for Government: Child Poverty and the cost of living crisis, and at how the key institutions that help shape our places can work together to make place-based strategies relevant to tackling these themes.

The David Hume Institute & BEFS – Scotland’s Land Information System (ScotLIS): what is it and why it matters?
Date & Time: Wednesday 8 March 2023; 11am-12:30pm
Location: Online
Join this webinar to mark the publication of a newly commissioned paper on Scotland’s Land Information System and find out why it is critical to infrastructure. Information about land and buildings is used every day by businesses, policy-makers, academics and ordinary citizens, covering land ownership and valuation, energy efficiency ratings, building types, vegetation cover and flood risks. However, as the impacts of climate change intensify, there is even greater need for more timely, more comprehensive, and more accessible information about land and buildings in Scotland.

Scottish Civic Trust – North of Scotland Local Heritage Surgeries
Date & Time: Friday 10 March 2023
Location: Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archive, Wick Airport, Wick, KW1 4QS
Is your local heritage or civic group looking to engage a wider range of people in your activities? Scottish Civic Trust are hosting local heritage surgeries for groups to chat and brainstorm with their staff about outreach and engagement strategies.

AHSS Dr Diane Watters – Discovering Urban School Buildings in Medieval and Early Modern Scotland
Date & Time: Monday 13 March 2023; 6:30pm
Location:  Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
In this talk, Dr Watters examines three grammar school case studies – St Andrews, Dunfermline and Edinburgh – highlighting the development of these medieval school buildings up to c.1600 and attempting to counter the orthodoxy that there were only a few permanent town school buildings in Scotland prior to the fifteenth century.

Scottish Civic Trust – South of Scotland Local Heritage Surgeries
Date & Time: Saturday 18 March 2023
Location: Heritage Hub, Kirkstile, Hawick TD9 0AE
Is your local heritage or civic group looking to engage a wider range of people in your activities? Scottish Civic Trust are hosting local heritage surgeries for groups to chat and brainstorm with their staff about outreach and engagement strategies.

 

TRAINING

PAS – Coaching and Training to Develop Local Place Plans in Fife
Dates & Times: Sessions begin on Tuesday 14 February and run until Thursday 30 March
Location: Online and at various venues across Fife
Working with Fife Local Action Group (LAG), the PAS team are offering a comprehensive programme of coaching and training to support community groups in their Local Place Plan journey; whether you are considering developing a plan or you are part way through your journey. A wide range of support is available, free of charge to eligible groups and as spaces are limited it will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

MGS – Developing My Leadership 2023
Date & Time: Thursday 23 February 2023; 10am-4pm
Location: Online
Developing My Leadership offers an opportunity for new and aspiring leaders in the cultural heritage sector to connect, share challenges, good practice, and experience with peers. It’s designed to support learners to develop key leadership skills in order to work productively with those around them and lead in an effective and authentic way. Deadline to apply is 14th February 2023.

A&BS – Corporate Partnerships Training (Levels 1 & 2)
Dates & Times: 27 & 28 February (Level 1); 1 & 2 March (Level 2); 9:30am-12:30pm
Location: Online via Zoom
Level 1: If you are new to sponsorship fundraising or are looking to strengthen your understanding of key foundational concepts, this two-session ‘how-to’ course will take you through the foundations of sponsorship, from attracting businesses to nurturing long-lasting partnerships.
Level 2: If you are already a fundraiser in the cultural sector, delivering sponsorship in particular, and would like to develop your skills, this two-session course provides a comprehensive training opportunity to deepen your knowledge of corporate fundraising.

Icon Scotland – Creating Conservation Videos Workshop
Date & Time: Thursday 11, 18 & 25 May 2023; 9-11am
Location: Online via Zoom
Over three sessions, learn about creating conservation video content to be used to educate, promote and share the profession. The workshop will cover the start-to-finish workflow for creating conservation videos, ethical and legal considerations of sharing conservation content, platforms and methods that support video content, and tips and tricks, such as repurposing footage. Sessions will take place one week apart and will allow attendees to create their own videos and receive feedback from the instructor.

 

VACANCIES

The National Trust for Scotland – Heritage Compliance Officer
Salary: £34,376-£38,027 (subject to experience)
Status: Full-time (flexible working possible)
Location: Hybrid working, available for meetings in Edinburgh
The National Trust for Scotland is looking to recruit a heritage compliance officer to help identify and manage the conservation and operations risks. This is a unique opportunity to work across all aspects of a major heritage organisation, liaising with colleagues in all disciplines.
All enquiries and applications should be addressed to: Diarmid Hearns, Head of Public Policy, Risk and Environment: dhearns@nts.org.uk
Further details and applications

Scottish Civic Trust – Resources Manager
Salary: £27,000 pro-rata
Status: Part-time (17 hours per week)
Location: Glasgow
Scottish Civic Trust is recruiting for a Resources Manager to oversee the day-to-day running of finance at their organisation. The role includes statutory reporting, management accounting, cash management, and budgeting and forecasting. The Resources Manager will also manage HR, governance administration and premises management.
Further details and applications
Closing date: 5pm on Friday 24 February 2023

SURF Alliance for Action Programme – Girvan Facilitator
Salary: £33,000 (pro rata)
Status: Part-time (17.5 hrs per week)
Location: Girvan
SURF is seeking a part-time Facilitator to support its new Alliance for Action programme site in Girvan, South Ayrshire. The successful applicant will be responsible for helping to build on local progress towards the town’s regeneration, supporting collaboration and project delivery in response to community demand. Specifically, the post-holder will be responsible for helping to build on local demand for complementary economic, physical and social improvements in the town, following consultation activities in recent years including those that informed a 2021 Girvan Place Plan and the emerging Place-based Strategy for Girvan.
Further details and applications
Closing date: Tuesday 28 February 2023

Stirling City Heritage Trust – Traditional Buildings Inspector
Salary: £35,000 – £40,000
Status: Full-time, Fixed Term to 31 March 2026
Location: Stirling
Stirling City Heritage Trust are seeking a Building Professional or Craftsperson for the role of Traditional Buildings Inspector. The Traditional Buildings Health Check is a proactive building maintenance service operated by Stirling City Heritage Trust, providing advice and inspection services to traditional property owners in Stirling. This is a unique opportunity to work on the first project of its kind in Scotland. Applicants would need to demonstrate excellent communication and ICT skills and have a flexible approach to the role with the ability to self-manage a busy workload.
A passion for Scotland’s traditional buildings and an enthusiastic approach to feed into the development of the service.
Further details and applications
Closing date: Midday on Wednesday 1 March 2023

Fife Historic Buildings Trust – Finance & Administration Officer
Salary: £30,000
Status: Full-time or job share, fixed term for six months (possibility of extension)
Location: Kinghorn Town Hall, potentially hybrid
Fife Historic Buildings Trust are recruiting for a charity finance professional to co-ordinate the financial activities of FHBT. Sound financial control underpins all the great work they do, and this is an opportunity to bring your experience to join a welcoming and high achieving team, and play your part in their work for people and historic places in Fife.
Further details and applications
Closing date: 5pm on Friday 3 March 2023

BACK

BEFS News

BEFS and Under One Roof welcome the final release of the Provision of Building Reserve Funds (BRF) Independent Report for Tenement Dwellings – this piece of work forms part of the Scottish Government workplan in relation to Tenement Maintenance. The research report underlines the importance of the work taking place, and reiterates much already commented upon by those working in this area previously. The complexity of Building Reserve Funds continues to raise questions, rather than solutions – but we hope that the additional knowledge, and qualitative research presented here can further drive forward action in this area. Tenement Maintenance is a topic which sits pivotally between Net Zero aims, Heat in Buildings, and Fuel Poverty. Action in this area will improve the quality of individual lives and sustain our existing built environment for generations to come.

The strategy supports museums and galleries to meet changing environmental, economic, and social contexts and to strengthen their invaluable role at the heart of Scotland’s communities. BEFS Director was delighted to attend the launch in Edinburgh, and we look forward to working with MGS and the wider sector to support future delivery.

Thinking of sector strategy, HES have a range of workshop opportunities to discuss the consultation on Scotland’s new Historic Environment Strategy; please see the link to all of HES’ regional workshops for more information.

SURF Chief Executive, Euan Leitch, and BEFS Director, Ailsa Macfarlane have been asked to join the CaCHE Housing and Place Delivery Forum. BEFS are delighted to be part of the conversations and look forward to contributing.  We also know that a conference is planned on the Delivery of NPF4 in April 2023 – we’ll share more details when we have them.

Entries are now open for the Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards celebrating community-led built environment projects. Eligible projects include new buildings, historic buildings or monuments that have been reused or refurbished, designed public realm schemes such as street-works or parks, and designed landscapes such as gardens or public green spaces. The deadline for entries is 12 February 2023.

The Committee driving forward Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy is recruiting new members with expertise in land management, commercial archaeology and archaeological science.

Last call for applications to Europa Nostra’s inaugural Heritage Youth Residencies programme taking place in Italy in March this year, aimed at 18-35-year-old cultural heritage students, professionals, stakeholders and individuals involved in regional regeneration in Europe and beyond. The deadline for applications is 12 February 2023.

And finally, BEFS Board and team are delighted to officially welcome Sonya Linskaill as a Trustee of BEFS.

 

Consultations

News Releases

Diversity in the Heritage Workspace (IHBC 22/01/2023)

First European Heritage Youth Residency to be held in Naples, Italy (Europa Nostra 23/01/2023)
The Residency will investigate innovative models of governance and management based on collaboration, cooperation and active involvement of communities, encouraging implementation of strategies for promoting innovative forms of cohesion and spatial regeneration in urban contexts.

Budget Bingo – common themes in Committees’ pre-budget scrutiny (SPICe 24/01/2023)

Willie Rennie: There are now 43,000 homeless Scots and 43,000 empty homes (Liberal Democrats 29/01/2023)

Levelling Up – the view from Scotland (SPICe 30/01/2023)

ArchDaily Building of the Year Awards (ArchDaily 31/01/2023)

Opinion & Comment

The Cities Keeping Their Car-Free Spaces (Bloomberg 22/12/2022)

Waterfronts Are Great for Cities — When They’re Done Right (Governing 06/01/2023)

Podcast: What is a historic building and how can they be developed and adapted for future generations? (Forsters 12/01/2023)

Why there are so many empty buildings in the UK — and how we should be using them (Country Life 12/01/2023)

‘We need trees’: green vision struggles to take root in Europe’s cities (The Guardian 16/01/2023)

Holyrood event explains role of history and heritage (Angus World 17/01/2023)

13 churches to close across Inverness and Nairn in sweeping Church of Scotland reforms (Press & journal 19/01/2023)

High-rise demolition that turns Glasgow’s COP26 on its head (Bella Caledonia 20/01/2023)

It’s time to reform EPCs so they are accurate and useful (The Times 22/01/2023)

Delivering NPF4 requires a mindset shift (CaCHE 23/01/2023)

Scottish Government land register “hugely detrimental” to churches (Holyrood Magazine 24/01/2023)

Mackintosh rebuild to be ready by 2030 for £100m (The Times 25/01/2023)

Effectively retrofitting UK housing requires “compromise between performance and heritage” (Dezeen 27/01/2023)

Glasgow houses: Conversion of heritage buildings crucial (The Herald 28/01/2023)

Parliamentary Questions and Answers

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

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 13/01/2023
S6W-13927
To ask the Scottish Government how many compulsory purchases of a building or land under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 have taken place in each year since 2003, broken down by local authority area.
Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 18 January 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 16/01/2023
S6W-13922
To ask the Scottish Government how many buildings in Scotland have been included on Historic Environment Scotland’s Buildings at Risk register in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 20 January 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 05/01/2023
S6W-13624
To ask the Scottish Government whether relevant stakeholders, including PLACE and community councils, were consulted before it took the decision to delay the implementation of commercial short-term let licensing by six months.
S6W-13625
To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons it is delaying the implementation of commercial short-term let licensing by six months.
Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 20 January 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 13/01/2023
S6W-13923
To ask the Scottish Government how many waste land notices have been issued in each year for which records exist, broken down by local authority area.
S6W-13925
To ask the Scottish Government how many buildings have had works undertaken by the relevant local authority under the Town and Country (Planning) (Scotland) Act 1997 in each year since 1997, broken down by the local authority and cost of the project.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 24 January 2023

S6W-13926 Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 13/01/2023
To ask the Scottish Government how many dangerous buildings notices have been issued under the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 in each year since 2003, broken down by local authority area.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 27 January 2023

S6W-14197 Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 20/01/2023
To ask the Scottish Government what actions are being taken to promote skilled heritage jobs, including stonemasonry.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 31 January 2023

S6W-14281 Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 24/01/2023
To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to make a decision on whether to establish a public inquiry into the 2014 and 2018 Glasgow School of Art fires, in light of the correspondence with the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, in 2022, and the reported ongoing concerns about the works to restore the iconic Mackintosh building
Current status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 31 January 2023

S6W-14220 Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 24/01/2023
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its consultation on proposals to improve energy efficiency in non-domestic buildings.
Current status: Answer expected on 7 February 2023

S6O-01840 Siobhian Brown, Ayr, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 25/01/2023
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on culture organisations in Scotland of the UK Government Levelling Up funding.
Current status: Taken in Chamber on 01/02/2023

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 27/01/2023
S6W-14471
To ask the Scottish Government what the total budget allocation has been for Architecture and Design Scotland for each year since it was founded.
S6W-14472
To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the efficacy of Architecture and Design Scotland.
S6W-14474
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of what Architecture and Design Scotland’s budget is allocated to.
Current status: Answer expected on 10 February 2023

 

Events

For further listings, please see our events calendar.

Workshops: Consultation for Scotland’s new Historic Environment Strategy
Dates & Times: Tuesday 7 February & Friday 10 February 2023; 10am-1pm
Locations: Moat Brae (Garden Room) 101 George Street Dumfries DG1 1EA & Glasgow City Heritage Trust 54 Bell Street Glasgow G1 1LQ
These workshops have been designed to help gather feedback during the consultation period to inform the final version of HES strategy which will be published in the Spring. They will introduce the new draft strategy and focus on seeking feedback on key elements of the draft, including mission, priorities, actions and delivery.?Sessions will include a short break as well as a light lunch from 12pm onward. Spaces at the workshops are limited; book now.

Scotland’s Churches Trust – Recording Scotland’s Closing Churches: A Race Against Time
Date & Time: Wednesday 8 February 2023; 7pm
Location: Online via Zoom
Around 400 of Scotland’s churches are likely to close in the next year or two. Working with Historic Environment Scotland, Scotland’s Churches Trust’s pilot project will recruit volunteers from across the country to record the contents of as many as possible of these buildings before they shut their doors and are put on the market. Find out more about this project and help make a record of this fragile cultural heritage, in its current social and historical context, before it is scattered and lost forever.

Icon Scotland Group – Burrell Collection Conservation Tour
Date & Time: Friday 10 February 2023; 10:35am-1pm
Location: Burrell Collection, Pollok Country Park, Glasgow
Glasgow’s Burrell Collection recently reopened after a major refurbishment, required to ensure that the collection and its architecturally significant home are safeguarded for the future. This project involved a massive amount of activity for the conservators at Glasgow Life, who are partnering with the Icon Scotland group to offer a tour with a conservation focus.

AHSS Joseph Sharples – Researching the Granite City for ‘The Buildings of Scotland’
Date & Time: Monday 13 February 2023; 6:30pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
Note: Lectures will also be streamed online via Zoom
Joseph Sharples reflects on his year spent in Aberdeen researching and writing about the city’s architecture for the Buildings of Scotland volume on Aberdeenshire: South and Aberdeen.

Aberdeen City Heritage Trust – Caring for Historic Buildings- Advice and Work of SPAB
Date & Time: Wednesday 15 February 2023; 7-8pm
Location: Online
With 144 years of experience, the SPAB knows that caring for old buildings can seem daunting at times, but it doesn’t have to be! Hear more about easy traditional building maintenance tips and techniques and the activities of the Society in this first lecture of the Aberdeen Heritage Lecture series. Guest speaker is Tyler Lott Johnston BA MSc, current Chair of the SPAB in Scotland, Trustee for the SPAB, and Trustee for the Built Environment Forum Scotland.

AHSS Simon Green – Old Churches, Why Bother?
Date & Time: Thursday 16 February 2023; 7:30pm
Location: Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow
Note: Lectures will also be streamed online via Zoom
Simon Green celebrates some of the ecclesiastical heritage of Scotland which is transitioning from the ownership of the Church of Scotland. He will also look at examples of adaptation and reuse, some of which are perhaps more successful than others.

SoAoS February Lecture – Rethinking Weapons in Bronze Age Shang China
Date & Time: Thursday 23 February 2023; 6pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
Note: Lectures will also be streamed online via Zoom
Dr Qin Cao’s lecture will explore the significance of weapons to early Chinese civilization, and how the application of European archaeological theories and methods benefit research into Chinese Bronze Age material remains.

Training

A&BS – Attracting Sponsorship for Regional & Rural Organisations
Date & Time:  Thursday 9 February 2023; 10am-12pm
Location: Online via Zoom
Are you seeking business sponsorship for your organisation’s activities or specific projects and are based outside the central belt?
This short course will explore a range of tools and tactics for small/medium organisations across Scotland to identify local sponsorship opportunities and implement the most effective approaches to attract corporate partnerships.

MGS – Developing My Leadership 2023
Date & Time: Thursday 23 February 2023; 10am-4pm
Location: Online
Developing My Leadership offers an opportunity for new and aspiring leaders in the cultural heritage sector to connect, share challenges, good practice, and experience with peers. It’s designed to support learners to develop key leadership skills in order to work productively with those around them and lead in an effective and authentic way. Deadline to apply is 14th February 2023.

Vacancies

Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust – City Heritage Fund/Grants Officer
Salary: £28-35,000 p.a. (subject to experience)
Status: Full-time, 3 year fixed term contract (initially)
Location: Perth/Hybrid working/homeworking considered
An exciting opportunity to join a small, dynamic heritage charity that makes a big impact. Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust are looking for someone with historic building conservation knowledge, and strong financial and reporting skills, to manage an established grant scheme enabling transformational projects within Perth city.
Further details and applications
Closing date: Friday 10 February 2023

The Scottish Civic Trust – Trustee
Salary: non-remunerated
The Scottish Civic Trust is recruiting for a new Trustee to Chair the Finance and Audit Committee. Trustees help the trust to deliver an exciting and sector-leading range of priorities, aimed at celebrating Scotland’s built environment, taking action for its improvement, and empowering its communities. Candidates would need to have experience in the Financial Sector as well as knowledge and experience of charity fundraising
Further details and applications
Closing date: Friday 17 February 2023

Doors Open Day – Regional Co-ordinator Volunteers
Doors Open Day are looking for an enthusiastic volunteer or group of volunteers to help co-ordinate events across Scotland. Regional co-ordinators are responsible for canvassing prospective venues, developing and promoting local programmes and liaising with the national team regarding their programmes. The role takes place annually, from April to October, and support is provided by a national network of Doors Open Days coordinators.
To apply, please contact Laura Paton Doors Open Days National Coordinator
Closing date: Friday 17 February 2023

SURF Alliance for Action Programme – Girvan Facilitator
Salary: £33,000 (pro rata)
Status: Part-time (17.5 hrs per week)
Location: Girvan
SURF is seeking a part-time Facilitator to support its new Alliance for Action programme site in Girvan, South Ayrshire. The successful applicant will be responsible for helping to build on local progress towards the town’s regeneration, supporting collaboration and project delivery in response to community demand. Specifically, the post-holder will be responsible for helping to build on local demand for complementary economic, physical and social improvements in the town, following consultation activities in recent years including those that informed a 2021 Girvan Place Plan and the emerging Place-based Strategy for Girvan.
Further details and applications
Closing date: Tuesday 28 February 2023

 

BACK

BEFS News

After the Scottish Parliament voted to approve the National Planning Framework 4 (11 January), next in the process is the commencement of provisions of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019. This is expected to happen on 12 February 2023, with the intention that Scottish Ministers will adopt and publish NPF4 on 13 February 2023 at 9am. The Minister’s and Chief Planner’s Letter lays out key dates including impacts on strategic development plans and any current supplementary guidance.

Entries to the RTPI Scotland Awards for Planning Excellence 2023 are now open. The awards look to showcase and celebrate the best plans, people and projects in 15 planning related categories. The closing date for entries is 21 March 2023.

In a time of deepening societal inequality and increasing sectoral precarity, inclusive heritage volunteering is key to building a more equitable society and resilient heritage sector. In the latest BEFS blog Erin Burke, Communications Officer for the Make Your Mark in Volunteering initiative introduces the campaign and explains why inclusive heritage volunteering is important for Scotland’s heritage and communities.

The first few weeks of January saw a lot of social media activity across the sector. The Heritage Treasures day gave us many inspiring examples; see all the contributions on Twitter at #heritagetreasures. BEFS twitter challenge for Members and Associates on names/acronyms is still ongoing. Here you can read how to participate and see some of the excellent responses!

BEFS are delighted to welcome Joe Traynor as the new Director of the Scottish Civic Trust. Joe has previously worked in a number of heritage and culture roles. Most recently, Joe worked for Museums Galleries Scotland where he led on the development and delivery of Scotland’s National Strategy for Museums.

Finally, Glasgow City Heritage Trust is looking for a new Director, who will be responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the Trust and be an ambassador for the Trust’s values and mission statement – a face and voice for the organisation.

 

Consultations

Historic Environment Scotland’s first Regulatory Framework
HES
The Regulatory Framework is a high-level description of the regulatory and advisory services HES deliver.
Closes 14 February 2023

Cities for Girls Cities for All (UN-Habitat October 2022)

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Review update report (Heritage Fund November 2022)

Heritage Enabled Regeneration in Towns (NI-DfC and AHF 13/12/2022)

Response from Angus Robertson to Clare Adamson, Convener Constitution, Europe, External Affairs & Culture Committee regarding its report on culture funding for 2023-24 (Scot Parl 20/12/2022)

Written Statement: Visit Wales Themed Year 2023–‘Llwybrau – Wales by Trails’ (Welsh Gov 09/01/2023)

Delivering a fair and secure zero carbon energy system (SG 10/01/2023)

Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan (SG 10/01/2023)

Scottish Parliamentary debate on the National Planning Framework 4 – Meeting of the Parliament Wednesday 11 January 2023 [Draft] (Scot Parl 11/01/2023)

Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee Budget Scrutiny Report 2023/24 (Scot Parl 12/01/2023)
Official report on the Debate [Draft]

Chief Planner Letter: NPF4 stakeholder update (SG 16/01/2023)

Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee Report on the Historic Environment (Wales) Bill
(Welsh Senedd 23/12/2022)
Initial Consideration, Senedd Cymru Plenary Session (17/01/2023)

Scotland: Levelling Up Case Studies (UK Gov 17/01/2023)

News Releases

Managing continuity and change in Scotland’s landscapes – A summary of the SLA 2022 Debate (SLA 29/11/2022)

New Historic England Report Shows Learning About Local Heritage at School Improves Local Pride (HE 07/12/2022)

Strategies for green guest journeys with Blenheim Palace (blooloop 20/12/2022)

Study looking at long-term effect of home insulation in England and Wales finds it only provides short-term reduction in household gas consumption (University of Cambridge (01/01/2023)

Call for volunteers: Church recording project – Scotland’s Churches Trust (AHSS 03/01/2023)

Revised Draft National Planning Framework 4: Parliamentary Debate Briefing (RTPI Scotland 10/01/2023)

 

Opinion & Comment

The Potential Impacts of New Legislation on Short-term Lets in Scotland (CaCHE 22/12/2022)

17 Books showing cities, buildings, communities — and even sewers — in a new light (Bloomberg 27/12/2022)

Lessons from Vienna: a housing success story 100 years in the making (Financial Times 30/12/2022)

UK castles, museums and theatres to close as energy prices hit (The Observer 31/12/2022)

Almost 67,000 properties unoccupied across Scotland (Scottish Housing News 04/01/2023)

Gove promotes idea for architecture school to raise standards of urban and public realm awareness amongst built environment professionals (Housing Today 04/01/2023)

We need a ‘School of Place’ for clients, not just architects (Building Design 05/01/2023)

Why we live in the age of renovation (Art Review 05/01/2023)

Glasgow tower block campaigners pin hopes on securing listed status (The Herald 06/01/2023)

What public space designed for men, means for women (Talking Landscape podcast 07/01/2023)

New planning rules to help hit Scottish emissions targets (BBC News 11/01/2023)

How can data and technology can be used to address the net zero challenge? (RICS video discussion 11/01/2023)

Long-established Planning course to close (Cliff Hague 13/01/2023)

Washed away: can Britain’s crumbling castles be saved from the sea? (The Observer 14/01/2023)

Scottish churches pray for miracle to save buildings and treasures (The National 15/01/2023)

How Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford home had a major influence on design (The Herald 15/01/2023)

 

Parliamentary Questions and Answers

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

S6W-13064 Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: 09/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-08334 by Tom Arthur on 17 May 2022, whether it will provide an update on phase 3 of the review of permitted development rights
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 9 January 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 14/12/2022
S6W-13136
To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on home insulation programmes in each year since 1999.
S6W-13137
To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated to each local authority to provide local home insulation programmes in each year since 1999.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 9 January 2023

S6W-13324 Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 19/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding was allocated to each local authority from the Town Centre Fund Capital Grant in for each year since 2019-20.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 10 January 2023

S6W-13337 Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 19/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12638 by Patrick Harvie on 15 December 2022, when it will publish the data, in light of it already being used for policy formulation and implementation.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 10 January 2023

S6O-01743 Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 21/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to accelerate the reopening of historic sites managed by Historic Environment Scotland.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 11 January 2023

S6M-07442 Tom Arthur, Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 09/01/2023
The Fourth National Planning Framework
That the Parliament gives its approval, as required by section 3CA(1) of the Town and Country planning (Scotland) Act 1997, to the draft revised National Planning Framework 4 laid in the Parliament by the Scottish Government on 8 November 2022, enabling the Scottish Ministers to proceed to adopt and publish the Framework in accordance with the provisions of that Act.
Supported by: Ivan McKee, Richard Lochhead, John Swinney
Meeting date: Wednesday 11 January 2023

S6W-13299 Maurice Golden, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 16/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to establishing a register of quarries.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 12 January 2023

S6W-13646 Paul Sweeney, Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 06/01/2023 R
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will assess the potential of piloting a VAT offset or rebate scheme in Scotland that is focused initially on properties listed on the Buildings at Risk Register maintained by Historic Environment Scotland, in order to test its efficacy as an incentive to promote retrofit, renovation and reuse of Scotland’s most at-risk built heritage.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 13 January 2023

S6W-13331 Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 19/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government when the Green Heat Finance Taskforce last met and what actions were agreed.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 16 January 2023

S6W-13927 Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 13/01/2023
To ask the Scottish Government how many compulsory purchases of a building or land under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 have taken place in each year since 2003, broken down by local authority area.
Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 18 January 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 05/01/2023
S6W-13624
To ask the Scottish Government whether relevant stakeholders, including PLACE and community councils, were consulted before it took the decision to delay the implementation of commercial short-term let licensing by six months.
S6W-13625
To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons it is delaying the implementation of commercial short-term let licensing by six months.
Current status: Answer expected on 19 January 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 13/01/2023
S6W-13925
To ask the Scottish Government how many buildings have had works undertaken by the relevant local authority under the Town and Country (Planning) (Scotland) Act 1997 in each year since 1997, broken down by the local authority and cost of the project.
S6W-13926
To ask the Scottish Government how many dangerous buildings notices have been issued under the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 in each year since 2003, broken down by local authority area.
Current status: Answer expected on 27 January 2023

 

Motions

S6M-07369 Sharon Dowey, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 06/01/2023
Impact of Long-term Historical Site Closures Managed by Historic Environment Scotland
That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the importance of historic sites to communities across the South Scotland region, and the rest of Scotland; believes that any long-term closures to sites managed by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) could have a severe impact for Scotland’s tourism industry, and a devastating impact on any communities and businesses that rely on these attractions being fully open; understands that the heritage sector is a vital part of Scotland’s tourism industry, and considers that it is responsible for attracting millions of visitors from around the world to Scotland each year; further understands that 60 historical sites managed by HES are closed, and that the inspection programme is expected to conclude in April 2024; recognises what it sees as the need to address the shortage of skilled labourers, such as stonemasons; notes the calls on the Scottish Government to make additional funding available to accelerate the reopening of closed sites, and further notes the view that it is vital that all efforts are made to secure the long-term viability of Scotland’s historic sites.
Supported by: Paul Sweeney, Roz McCall
Current status: Eligible for Members’ Business, Pending Cross Party Support

 

Events

For further listings, please see our events calendar.

CIfA – Evening chat followed by career shift discussion and guidance
Date & Time: Monday 23 January 2023; 6-7:45pm
Location: Online via Zoom
Social networking event for discussions with others in the archaeology field who have changed careers, are currently in the process of a career shift, or are returning to archaeology after a break; with CIfA staff joining the conversations to share their experience and advice.

The Church of England – Measuring Your Church’s Carbon Footprint Webinar
Date & Time: Tuesday 24 January 2023; 12-1pm
Location: Online
Does your church want to know it’s carbon footprint? Find out how, and why it’s important.
This practical webinar will explain what you need to know to use the Energy Footprint Tool; what information you need to have to hand, and how to enter it. It also touches on the wider 360 Carbon tool, for those keen churches which want to go further.

PAS – Creating Better Places for Scotland’s Gypsy/Traveller Communities
Date & Time: Wednesday 25 January 2023; 10am-1pm
Location: Online
PAS and Impact Engagement will explore how Scotland’s Gypsy/Travellers can ensure access to key services and be included in the decisions impacting on their lives. This event will focus on access, engagement and inclusion in planning, housing, health and social care, connectivity, education, decision making and more.

Architecture & Design Scotland – Reflections and Projections: our work in 2023
Date & Time: Wednesday 25 January 2023; 11-11:45am
Location: Online via Teams
Architecture and Design Scotland Chair Ann Allen and the Scottish Government’s Place Principle lead Sam Cassels will share A&DS review of 2022, present plans for the new year and discuss how the public sector and partners are working together to create better places in Scotland.

AHRC UKRI – ‘Where Next?’ Launch Event
Date & Time: Wednesday 25 January 2023; 2-4:30pm
Location: Online via Zoom
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is launching its ‘Where Next?’ event for people to find out more about the submission process for this scheme, how AHRC will process submissions and how develop ideas.

Rebuilding Heritage – Communicating Effectively in Times of Change
Date & Time: Wednesday 25 January 2023; 10-11:30am
Location: Online via Zoom
Over the last few years, the Heritage landscape has been greatly affected by both Covid-19 and, more recently, the Cost of Living Crisis. This webinar will look at how heritage organisations can ensure they are sending clear messages through times of change.

GCHT – Gizza Hoose: Post-War Housing Struggles in Glasgow – 1948 to Today
Date & Time: Wednesday 25 January 2023; 7pm
Location: Online via Zoom
This talk will look at how housing movements and tenant struggles have shaped, and been shaped, by Glasgow’s ever changing housing stock. Tenements, high rises and new builds have all called forth different tactics, strategies and demands as the city transformed, and the talk will trace a tradition of rent strikes, occupations and protest that continues up to today.

Volunteer Organisers Network – Coffee Morning
Date & Time: Thursday 26 January 2023; 11am-12pm
Location: Online via Zoom
Attend the Make Your Mark Volunteer Organisers Network bimonthly coffee morning for volunteer organisers within Scotland’s heritage sector! This is a great opportunity to talk with people in similar roles, share your volunteer organiser insights, ask questions and pick up practical tips.

Icon Scotland Group – Burrell Collection Conservation Tour
Date & Time: Friday 10 February 2023; 10:35am-1pm
Location: Burrell Collection, Pollok Country Park, Glasgow
Glasgow’s Burrell Collection recently reopened after a major refurbishment, required to ensure that the collection and its architecturally significant home are safeguarded for the future. This project involved a massive amount of activity for the conservators at Glasgow Life, who are partnering with the Icon Scotland group to offer a tour with a conservation focus.

AHSS Joseph Sharples – Researching the Granite City for ‘The Buildings of Scotland’
Date & Time: Monday 13 February 2023; 6:30pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
Note: Lectures will also be streamed online via Zoom
Joseph Sharples reflects on his year spent in Aberdeen researching and writing about the city’s architecture for the Buildings of Scotland volume on Aberdeenshire: South and Aberdeen.

AHSS Simon Green – Old Churches, Why Bother?
Date & Time: Thursday 16 February 2023; 7:30pm
Location: Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow
Note: Lectures will also be streamed online via Zoom
Simon Green celebrates some of the ecclesiastical heritage of Scotland which is transitioning from the ownership of the Church of Scotland. He will also look at examples of adaptation and reuse, some of which are perhaps more successful than others.

 

Training

A&BS – Legacy giving. Now is the time – if you do it right. Learn how to!
Date & Time: Thursday 2 February 2023; 9:30am-1:30pm
Location: Online via Zoom
Looking to develop a legacies campaign but not sure where to start?
This course focuses on how to integrate legacies into your current fundraising at little or no cost. Backed up by data and peppered with useful real-life examples as well as easy to action techniques, this is a must-do training for those with a fundraising remit.

A&BS – Attracting Sponsorship for Regional & Rural Organisations
Date & Time:  Thursday 9 February 2023; 10am-12pm
Location: Online via Zoom
Are you seeking business sponsorship for your organisation’s activities or specific projects and are based outside the central belt?
This short course will explore a range of tools and tactics for small/medium organisations across Scotland to identify local sponsorship opportunities and implement the most effective approaches to attract corporate partnerships.

MGS – Developing My Leadership 2023
Date & Time: Thursday 23 February 2023; 10am-4pm
Location: Online
Developing My Leadership offers an opportunity for new and aspiring leaders in the cultural heritage sector to connect, share challenges, good practice, and experience with peers. It’s designed to support learners to develop key leadership skills in order to work productively with those around them and lead in an effective and authentic way. Deadline to apply is 14th February 2023.

 

Vacancies

Glasgow City Heritage Trust – Director
Salary: £47,000 – £52,000 with excellent benefits
Status: Full-time
Location: Glasgow/Hybrid working
Glasgow City Heritage Trust is seeking a Director, who will be responsible for the operational management of the Trust. The role, which reports directly to the Chair of the Board of Trustees, will involve managing a dynamic team of 9 staff. The successful candidate will hold the most senior position within the Trust, managing day-to-day operations, whilst acting as an ambassador for the Trust’s values and mission statement. As GCHT embarks on a new strategic 5 year-plan, there is great scope for revaluation and making organisational change. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a small, passionate and collaborative team at the heart of Glasgow’s built heritage.
Further details and applications
Closing date: Friday 27 January 2023

Simpson & Brown – Heritage Consultant/Assistant
Salary: £27,000 – £33,000 (F. T. E. if part time; depending on experience)
Status: Fixed-term of 1 year with possibility of extension. Full or part time; flexible working arrangements
Location: Edinburgh
Simpson & Brown is looking for enthusiastic and dynamic people to join the Heritage Consultancy Team. As leading experts in historic buildings and sites with 44 years of experience working with some of the United Kingdom’s most important built heritage, the Heritage Consultancy Team provides expert advice on how to balance the conservation of our historic buildings and sites with the social, cultural and economic needs of today. The Heritage Consultant/Assistant role primarily consists of researching and writing a variety of documents relating to the built environment. Further details and applications
Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 29 January 2023

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BEFS News

Happy New Year from all at BEFS. We know that each new year brings its own challenges, and rewards. In the spirit of collective-action we hope to continue to support the sector to minimise the first and maximise the second. Whatever 2023 may bring, we’ll continue to keep you well informed!

At the end of 2022 BEFS Director provided a brief overview of the Scottish Government draft Budget 2023-2024. The overview highlights a few headline figures which may be of interest across the breadth of the existing built environment.

The eagerly anticipated Scottish Parliament debate (and vote) on approval of the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) has been scheduled for the afternoon of 11 January 2023. The Scottish Government does not intend to make any further revisions to the NPF4 before inviting the Parliament to approve it.

On the revised draft NPF4, the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee has published its report pointing out that the biggest concern for the committee was the lack of planners, specifically planners with skills to meet the challenges of NPF4 in achieving the ambitions set out in the document. Space for improvements, including the delivery programme was also recognised.

BEFS associate Edinburgh World Heritage has launched a Climate Emergency Grant providing non-repayable funding to private owners and public, private and third sector organisations to carry out targeted energy efficiency improvements or climate change adaptation interventions alongside conservation repairs in their properties – specifically involving historic windows, doors and rainwater goods. Please see the guidance notes for more information.

BEFS member Under One Roof is looking for a communications and engagement professional with the skills to help expand the organisation’s reach with tenement flat owners and housing professionals.

Congratulations from BEFS members the IHBC go to Laure Emery, Nicholas Uglow, Christian Clarkson and James Legard of the Simpson & Brown Heritage Consultancy Team, on winning the second joint SAHGB-IHBC Heritage Research Award for their research into the history and development of Edinburgh’s Old Royal High School.

And finally, BEFS would like to add their congratulations to Peter Aiers, awarded OBE in the King’s New Year Honours list. Very deserved for his services to heritage, and we thoroughly enjoyed working with Peter during his time at the Churches Conservation Trust!

 

Consultations

UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard – Call for Evidence
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard joint working group
To develop the Standard, benchmarks will be agreed for the operational energy usage and embodied carbon performance levels today, and limits and targets will be set out for future years based on the industry’s required decarbonisation trajectory. The project is seeking case study data from the real estate and built environment industry. Sector groups and building typologies include heritage buildings.
*Deadline extended* Closes 11 January 2023

Local Government, Housing & Planning Committee inquiry into Community Planning
Scottish Parliament
There are two different surveys: the first call for views is aimed at members of Community Planning Partnerships (organisations or individuals). The second survey is aimed at other organisations or individuals who have an interest in community planning.
Closes 13 January 2023

Consultation on Historic Environment Scotland’s first Regulatory Framework
HES
The Regulatory Framework is a high-level description of the regulatory and advisory services HES deliver.
Closes 14 February 2023

Local development plan evidence report – defining Gypsies and Travellers: consultation
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is seeking views on a proposed definition of ‘Gypsies and Travellers’ for the specific purposes of the planning legislation, engaging with members of the Gypsy/Traveller community and other travelling communities, those working closely with them, third sector organisations/representative bodies of the Gypsy/Traveller community.
*New* Closes 15 February 2023

Consultation for Scotland’s new Historic Environment Strategy (OPiT)
HES
Closes 20 February 2023

 

Consultation Responses

Report on the Revised Draft National Planning Framework 4 (LGHPC 21/12/2022)

 

Publications

Use of private and public greenspace by housing tenure during the COVID-19 pandemic (Public Health Scotland 25/10/ 2022)

2022 Listed Building and Conservation Area Owner/Occupier Survey (Historic England December 2022)

The Pandemic & Beyond: The Arts & Humanities Contribution to Covid & Recovery (University of Exeter 08/12/2022)

2022 Scottish Agritourism Growth Tracker  including pull factors such as historic houses and buildings (VisitScotland 05/12/2022)

Waste and Resources Plan Towards a circular economy (2022-2025) (HES 12/12/2022)

Resourcing the Planning Service: Key Trends and Findings 2022 (RTPI 14/12/2022)

A first glance – Scottish budget 2023-2024 (Fraser of Allander Institute 15/12/2022)

Official for National Statistics cost of living insights (ONS 15/12/2022)

Report into the Potential for Place-based Heritage Regeneration in Northern Ireland (AHF 21/12/2022)

 

Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and student housing: research (SG 12/12/2022)

A nature positive Scotland – Scotland’s strategy to tackle the nature emergency (SG 13/12/2022)

Biodiversity strategy to 2045: tackling the nature emergency (SG 13/12/2022)

Land acquisition powers and land ownership restrictions in European countries: evidence review (SG 14/12/2022)

Welsh Government review of Cadw to be led by Roger Lewis (Welsh Gov 14/12/2022)

Response from Patrick Harvie to Alex Rowley MSP regarding the Proposed Domestic Building Environmental Standards (Scotland) Bill (SG 15/12/2022)

Agreement on social rents for 2023-24 (SG 21/12/2022)

The Architects (Fees, Electronic Communications and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2022 (UK Gov 21/12/2022)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee Report on the Revised Draft National Planning Framework 4 (Scot Parl 21/12/2022)

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee Report on the Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) for the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill (Scot Parl 22/12/2022)

 

News Releases

Winners of the 2023 European Capitals of Smart Tourism Competition: Pafos (Cyprus) and Seville (Spain) cities have to excel in 4 criteria including cultural heritage & creativity. (European Commission 10/11/2022)

National Trust for Scotland sets out new ten-year plan for St Kilda (NTS 01/12/2022)

Flow Country World Heritage Project Consultation Results & Responses and what lies ahead (Flow Country Partnership 02/12/2022)

Dealing with damp – a new Joint Position Statement on moisture and its effects on traditional buildings: Principles and competencies (SPAB 13/12/2022)

STA Update: Scottish Tourism Alliance responds to Scottish Government Budget Statement 2023-24 (STA 15/12/2022)

Response to Scottish Government Draft Budget 2023/24 announcement on 15 December and 10% budget cut (Creative Scotland 15/12/2022)

Initial statement on the Scottish Government’s 23-24 budget (Culture Counts 16/12/2022)

Historic England Refreshes Energy Saving Guidance for Older Buildings (HE 16/12/2022)

HES welcomes grant in aid from Scottish Government budget (HES 19/12/2022)

EU replacement funding 60% shortfall (Scot Gov 30/12/2022)
Scotland to miss out on more than £300 million in European support under the UK Government’s replacement funding programme.

Heritage Treasures – take part on 11 January 2023 (Heritage Fund 04/01/2023)

 

Opinion & Comment

Why Venice has delayed its ‘tourist tax’ – again (The Local 07/12/2022)

Stone mason awarded £3.5m damages for Elgin Cathedral dust disease (The Herald 13/12/2022)

20 Minute Neighbourhoods in revised draft NPF4 (SURF 16/12/2022)

Estate of the heart: the landlord set to give up his family’s lands (The Herald 18/12/2022)

COP15: Key outcomes agreed at the UN biodiversity conference in Montreal – detailed overview (CarbonBrief 20/12/2022)

SNP ministers criticised for further delays to energy strategy (The Herald 21/12/2022)

Let’s talk about our historic built environment (The Planner 22/12/2022)

Kevin McCloud calls for grade III status on grand designs (The Times 02/01/2023)

How Madrid reclaimed its river (Politico 03/01/2023)

Highland Council launches Local Place Plans webpage ahead of national planning framework (Scottish Housing News 04/01/2023)

‘We can be more provocative than Historic England’: meet the defenders of British brutalism (The Telegraph 04/01/2023)

 

Parliamentary Questions and Answers

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

S6O-01694 Roz McCall, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 07/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on the delivery of its Heat in Buildings Strategy, including decarbonising homes and workplaces.
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 December 2022 Heat in Buildings Strategy Debate

S6W-12878 Maurice Golden, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 06/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many companies are currently accredited to carry out home insulation work in each local authority area in Scotland.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 19 December 2022

S6W-12904 Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 08/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government how often the stonemasonry training working group has met and when its last meeting was.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 19 December 2022

S6W-12887 Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 06/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants are working to tackle climate change and help achieve Scotland’s net zero commitments.
Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 20 December 2022

S6W-12966 Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 08/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to help bring vacant and disused buildings in Hamilton town centre back into use, particularly buildings that have been empty for several years.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 December 2022

Douglas Lumsden, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 09/12/2022
S6W-13028
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential economic impact of Policy 27, part (d) in the revised fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).
S6W-13029
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the late inclusion of Policy 27, part (d) in the revised fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4), whether it considered any need to consult further with industry, in light of the change from the initial consultation and in line with section 3CA, part (5) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.
S6W-13030
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the late inclusion of Policy 27, part (d) in the revised fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4), what its reasoning is for not consulting further with industry.
S6W-13033
To ask the Scottish Government how many local planning authorities raised concerns about future drive-through developments during the public consultation period on the draft fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) from 10 November 2021 to 31 March 2022.
S6W-13034
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish more information on how the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) can be amended in future, and what that process will include.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 December 2022

Sharon Dowey, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 14/12/2022
S6W-13202
To ask the Scottish Government whether there are any plans to re-evaluate the criteria used by Historic Environment Scotland to risk assess its sites, and, if this is the case, what changes are being considered.
S6W-13203
To ask the Scottish Government, further to its answer to question S6W-11289 by Neil Gray on 19 October 2022, whether it will provide an update on discussions with Historic Environment Scotland regarding the future potential approaches for Properties in Care.
S6W-13204
To ask the Scottish Government how much money has been spent by Historic Environment Scotland specifically on the repair of monuments in care in each of the past five years.
S6W-13205
To ask the Scottish Government how many stone falls have occurred at Historic Environment Scotland sites in each of the past five years.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 21 December 2022

S6W-13324 Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 19/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding was allocated to each local authority from the Town Centre Fund Capital Grant in for each year since 2019-20.
Current status: Answer expected 17/01/2023

S6W-13331 Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 19/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government when the Green Heat Finance Taskforce last met and what actions were agreed.
Current status: Answer expected 17/01/2023

S6W-13337 Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 19/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12638 by Patrick Harvie on 15 December 2022, when it will publish the data, in light of it already being used for policy formulation and implementation.
Current status: Answer expected 17/01/2023

 

Events

AHSS Richard Murphy – Adaptation and Development: Transforming the former Royal High School and Other Projects
Date & Time: Monday 9 January 2023; 6:30pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
Note: Lectures will also be streamed online via Zoom
Architect Richard Murphy explores his approach to designing within, and adjacent to, historic buildings, with particular emphasis on his current project – the conversion of Thomas Hamilton’s Royal High School for St Mary’s Music School and the creation of public performance spaces.

RSA: Environment & Climate Scotland – Any Questions?
Date & Time: Wednesday 11 January 2023; 6-7:30pm
Location: Online
The RSA are hosting an insightful discussion on environmental and climate change issues in Scotland. This event is one of two being held in advance of a day conference coming up on 16 March 2023 titled “F5: Future Food, Fisheries, Farming and Forestry”.

RICS: World Built Environment Forum Week
Date: 16-23 January 2023
World Built Environment Forum Week celebrates the latest and best thinking from across the built and natural environment. The week-long schedule showcases pioneering ways in delivering sustainable places and spaces.
Booking link

RSA: Land Use in Scotland – Any Questions?
Date & Time: Tuesday 17 January 2023; 6-7:30pm
Location: Online
All are welcome to this event, where the discussion will be centred around the Scottish Government “Vision for Agriculture” document, other related policy consultations, and SEDA’s report of “A New Vision for Land Use in Scotland: 6 Conversations”, all as part of a wider conversation about issues relating to the environment and land use. This event is the second of two preceding a full day conference in March.

The Church of England – Carbon Footprint Report Webinar
Date & Time: Tuesday 17 January 2023; 12-1pm
Location: Online
This webinar will give you the key findings from the Church of England’s Carbon Emissions Report for 2021. It will also explain what is in- and out-of-scope of the Church of England’s Net Zero Carbon target, and how we approach measurement using the Energy Footprint Tool for churches and the wider Energy Toolkit for other buildings and travel.

AHSS David Cook – Glasgow Building Preservation Trust and its Work
Date & Time: Thursday 19 January 2023; 7:30-10pm
Location: Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow
Note: Lectures will also be streamed online via Zoom
Director, David Cook and some of the team from GBPT discuss the highs and lows over 40 years in rescuing and repurposing Glasgow’s historic buildings.

The Church of England – Measuring Your Church’s Carbon Footprint Webinar
Date & Time: Tuesday 24 January 2023; 12-1pm
Location: Online
Does your church want to know it’s carbon footprint? Find out how, and why it’s important.
This practical webinar will explain what you need to know to use the Energy Footprint Tool; what information you need to have to hand, and how to enter it. It also touches on the wider 360 Carbon tool, for those keen churches which want to go further.

PAS – Creating Better Places for Scotland’s Gypsy/Traveller Communities
Date & Time: Wednesday 25 January 2023; 10am-1pm
Location: Online
PAS and Impact Engagement will explore how Scotland’s Gypsy/Travellers can ensure access to key services and be included in the decisions impacting on their lives. This event will focus on access, engagement and inclusion in planning, housing, health and social care, connectivity, education, decision making and more.

Architecture & Design Scotland – Reflections and Projections: our work in 2023
Date & Time: Wednesday 25 January 2023; 11-11:45am
Location: Online via Teams
Architecture and Design Scotland Chair Ann Allen and the Scottish Government’s Place Principle lead Sam Cassels will share A&DS review of 2022, present plans for the new year and discuss how the public sector and partners are working together to create better places in Scotland.

AHRC UKRI – ‘Where Next?’ Launch Event
Date & Time: Wednesday 25 January 2023; 2-4:30pm
Location: Online via Zoom
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is launching its ‘Where Next?’ event for people to find out more about the submission process for this scheme, how AHRC will process submissions and how develop ideas.

Scottish Empty Homes Partnership – 12th Scottish Empty Homes Conference
Date & Time: Wednesday 1 March 2023; timing and programme to be confirmed
*Early Bird tickets on sale until Friday 6 January*
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ
With the theme Repair, Reuse, Revitalise, this conference will discuss how the repair and reuse of empty homes is helping to revitalise communities and local economies, as well as offering a cost-effective approach to delivering environmental sustainability goals.

 

Vacancies

Under One Roof – Communications and Engagement Officer
Salary: £25,000 pa (pro-rata for part-time)
Status: Full-time or part-time (minimum three days a week). Post is currently funded until July 2023, but future funding is expected to make the post permanent.
Location: Remote/home-based, with occasional travel throughout Scotland
Under One Roof is looking for someone whose skills will help expand the organisation’s reach with tenement flat owners and housing professionals. The Communication and Engagement Officer role will focus on building upon the organisation’s well-established website, which is a widely respected source of information throughout the housing sector. The officer would be responsible for social media activity and newsletter editing, whilst developing new content for the website and ensuring existing content is organised, up-to-date, and accessible to all who use it.  The role will also involve developing new communications projects such as podcasts, and overseeing events and activities that will extend the knowledge of tenement maintenance, management and retrofit throughout Scotland.
Closing date: Midday on Monday 9 January 2023

PhD studentship – Mobilising cultural heritage in UK marine fisheries
This PhD studentship opportunity is led by Ian Baxter, Heriot-Watt and co-supervised by Ruth Thurstan, University of Exeter. Historic England is the Associate Partner and Antony Firth (Head of Marine Heritage Strategy) will also be providing co-supervision, with some limited financial support and internship opportunities.
Maritime cultural heritage is embedded in the practice of small-scale fishing: traditional ecological knowledge, maritime landscapes, historic landing places, traditional vessels, and all their associated skills and material culture. The fishing sector is going through transitions post-Brexit on top of environmental, generational and technological changes that are likely to further diminish the tangible and intangible heritage of fishing. How can we use this cultural legacy to drive greater sustainability within fisheries management before it is too late?
This studentship forms part of the large-scale NERC funded Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Management of Marine Resource (CDT SuMMeR) and application details can be found here – search on the webpage for Heriot-Watt University project CDTS211:
Closing date: Tuesday 17 January 2023

Simpson & Brown – Heritage Consultant/Assistant
Salary: £27,000 – £33,000 (F. T. E. if part time; depending on experience)
Status: Fixed-term of 1 year with possibility of extension. Full or part time; flexible working arrangements
Location: Edinburgh
Simpson & Brown is looking for enthusiastic and dynamic people to join the Heritage Consultancy Team.
As leading experts in historic buildings and sites with 44 years of experience working with some of the United Kingdom’s most important built heritage, the Heritage Consultancy Team provides expert advice on how to balance the conservation of our historic buildings and sites with the social, cultural and economic needs of today. The Heritage Consultant/Assistant role primarily consists of researching and writing a variety of documents relating to the built environment. A good undergraduate degree relating to the historic environment, such as architectural history, conservation of the historic environment, archaeology, or history of art with a special focus on the historic environment is essential. A relevant post-graduate degree, IHBC accreditation or other heritage-related skills and accreditations are desirable. The start date would be from March 2023, following successful interview. Further details and applications
Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 29 January 2023

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