Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications, Consultations And More.
BEFS News
The First Minister is returned to post, Cabinet Secretaries have been announced, and new Ministers have been appointed. It’s all change for culture, heritage and our existing and built environment. BEFS give an overview of the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary Election outcomes, and consider the initial implications of the changes we’ve noted so far – read more here.
BEFS response to Historic Environment Scotland’s consultation on Managing Change Guidance Note: Working on and near to scheduled monuments supports and reiterates points made by Member organisations. Read the full response here.
IHBC have been considering inclusion and the barriers to engagement and learning: What started as an enquiry from the IHBC, in relation to a conference where BEFS Director had already booked a place – has turned into a blog from IHBC Director, Sean O’Reilly. IHBC were keen to raise awareness across BEFS’ community and voluntary-sector membership, especially of the new access and outreach opportunities at their virtual day conference ‘Historic Places: People Places’. The barriers towards engagement can often tied to past legacy, tradition, and expectation. BEFS was keen to participate and thought that BEFS Bulletin readers could benefit from hearing more about the approach the IHBC have taken. Both in how they’ve framed their approach to a virtual conference, including their innovative approach to the ‘learning’ marketplace, and their pricing structure.
The programme for the Architecture Fringe 2021 (Un)Learning is now live! With 58 projects and events across Scotland and online, from 4 to 20 June, you are invited to (un)learn, to interrogate your own behaviours, beliefs and biases, to acknowledge how the world really is to then reimagine how it could be. Full details here.
Check out the range of fantastic built environment events coming up in the events section below of via our online calendar.
Consultations
Local Place Plan Regulations consultation
Closes 25 June 2021.
Petition: To create a tax incentive to favour retrofit instead of demolition and new build
Closes 8 August 2021.
Consultation Responses
Scottish Enterprise’s position statement response to the NPF4 consultation (SG 10/05/21)
Publications
Building standards – verifiers: professional competency framework (SG 10/05/21)
Community right to buy – re-registering a community interest in land: form (SG 09/05/21)
Strategy to address racism against people of colour (SCT 05/05/21)
Mainstreaming and 2021-25 Equality Outcomes Report (HES 30/04/21)
Doors Open Day 2020 Report (SCT 05/21)
Brexit, Intellectual Property Rights and Heritage: What you need to know (HD 03/21)
Bennet Institute for Public Policy, Townscapes, the Value of Public Infrastructure (BIPP 05/21)
Working Better Together in Place – collaborative report from Inspiring Scotland (IS 05/21)
Scottish Government News Releases
Scottish Government release details of new cabinet.
News Releases
Conservation experts fighting for the future of a Glasgow architectural masterpiece have announced the establishment of a charity to take forward discussions about restoration.No evidence of boom in sight for Scottish tourism according to industry body (STA 12/05/21)
Research published by the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), the representative body for tourism business in Scotland paints a stark picture for the sector in contrast to recent speculation that tourism in Scotland is set for a boom this summer.
European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2021 (EN 12/05/21)
Heritage professionals, volunteers, journalists and supporters from across Europe and beyond are invited to join us for the Live Announcement of the 2021 Winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards on 25 May (11:00-12:00 CET).
Foundation Grants for Maintenance (NCT 12/05/21)
As churches come out of lockdown they will be facing increased maintenance costs. NCT’s Foundation Grants Programme provides grants of up to £5,000 towards maintenance costs and they are particularly keen to see more applications from Places of Worship in Scotland.
Property sector urges immediate political action on key challenges (SCN 10/05/21)
The Scottish Property Federation and RTPI Scotland have welcomed the new cohort of MSPs to Holyrood following the Scottish Parliamentary Elections 2021 and have called for immediate action on key challenges for the sector.
Update: Strategy to Address Racism Against People of Colour (SCT 05/05/21)
As part of our Strategy to Address Racism Against People of Colour, Scottish Civic Trust issues six-monthly updates on our anti-colour-based-racism work. This ensures that we are transparent about our progress and helps to sustain a sector-wide commitment to addressing racism against people of colour.
My Place Awards 2021 – Entries close 29 August (SCT 05/21)
The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards celebrate community-led built environment projects that have transformed their locality. The 2021 Awards have two categories: the general Award honours recently completed projects (2018-2020); and the Sustainability Award honours projects completed between 2001 and 2011 that demonstrate continued fitness for purpose, as well as having a robust approach to climate readiness.
New plan to promote equality, diversity and inclusion (HES 04/05/21)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has set out its vision to tackle inequalities and increase access to and participation in Scotland’s historic environment with publication of its new Equality Outcomes for 2021-25.
Events
Date & Time: Thu, 20 May 2021, 15:00 – 16:30 BST.
Online: Zoom.
As part of the Empire, Slavery & Scotland’s Museums project and the wider approach to embedding anti-racist practice in the Scottish museums sector, Museums Galleries Scotland is looking at how the sector could work together to manage negative comments on social media. This includes the development of a glossary and set of FAQs that can be used to respond to the types of queries that museums often receive (and that they anticipate receiving in the future). They’re particularly keen on developing a consistent message and a wider shared approach for Scottish heritage organisations exploring these issues – this is where you come in.What if…?/Scotland Opening Event
Date & time: Fri, 21 May 2021; 12:00 – 13:00.
Online.
What if…?/Scotland – Shared hopes, dreams and wishes for the future of the places where we live. The Scotland + Venice partnership invites you to join the launch of What if…?/Scotland. Award winning Edinburgh based architecture and design practice 7N Architects in partnership with Architecture & Design Scotland, will present their Scotland + Venice commission What if…?/Scotland at V&A Dundee from Saturday 22 May until Sunday 21 November 2021.
Date & time: Wed, 26 May 2021; 18:00 – 19:30.
Online.
Crafts, as indeed all Intangible Cultural Heritage, face immense challenges, some inevitably augmented during the pandemic. The MCICH Network wishes to raise awareness of both, and, by illustrated presentations, offer a cornucopia of slides to inspire.Addressing Inequality in Heritage
Date & time: Tuesday 8th June, 10am-12pm
Online.
Heritage Trust Network in partnership with the Make Your Mark campaign, will explore ways that our projects and organisations can promote equality and connect with new audiences. We are delighted to be joined by Lisa Williams from the Edinburgh Caribbean Association and Cat Telford from the National Trust for Scotland, who will share their experience and guidance for grassroots heritage organisations. The speakers will look at how we can all strive for best practise and make holistic changes for the better.
Engineering Climate Conference
Date & time: 15&16 June; 9.30.
Online.
This conference will look at how our engineering community is managing, developing and enhancing opportunities to improve the ways we address our climate emergency. The first day will focus on ‘Transport’, the second will highlight progress on ‘Energy’ aspects.
Young People and Place Online Festival
Date & time: 16 & 17 June 2021.
Online.
Through presentations, films, workshops and training sessions, the Festival will celebrate the achievements of young people, youth workers and groups who have taken part in the Young Placechangers Programme. As a participants you can can join us for the whole event or attend specific sessions of interest to you! There are also sessions taking place in the evening for people who are not able to come during the day. The event is for you if you work in a local authority, national agency, third sector or a community organisation/group, and want to include Young People in discussions and decisions about Place, but may not be quite sure where to begin.
The Tallest Timber Building in Scotland
Date & time: 22 July; 18.00-19.00.
Online.
The Ellerslie Crescent Project led by CCG Scotland Ltd. in Yoker, West Glasgow is the Tallest Timber Building in Scotland. This is a mid-market rent residential building with 42 flats, mostly 2-bedrooms constructed in 2016 and 2017. The entire superstructure is made from Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) including the lift shaft and communal staircase areas. The talk will kick-off with an introduction to the UK market relevant to the need for CLT, leading onto a simulation-based occupational health and safety analysis of the CLT panels and connectors installation. The event will conclude with a look into the full extents of construction operations on the project.
Training
Date & time: Tuesday 25th May 2021 | 11.30am-12.30pm.
Online: Zoom.
Glasgow currently has around 130 historic buildings listed on the Buildings at Risk Register, half of which have been there for over a decade. Pre 1945 buildings make up more than 40% of Glasgow’s housing stock, and within this, 64% have disrepair to critical elements and 84% have some kind of disrepair. With Glasgow hosting the 2021 COP26 conference, and the city focussing in on Climate Change and Sustainability, GCHT are passionate about highlighting the Buildings at Risk Register and what we can do to tackle this crisis.Digital Skills Day
Date & time: 10 June, from 10am – 5pm.
Online.
Presented by the Arts Marketing Association, this free training day is for anyone working or volunteering for small to medium-sized UK heritage organisations to build their digital skills and engage new & more diverse audiences. It is part of the Digital Heritage Lab programme which is funded through the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Digital Skills for Heritage initiative.
Digital Heritage Workshops
Dates: multiple dates in May & June.
Online.
Since the onset of COVID-19, heritage organisations across Scotland have experimented with new technology and virtual ways of connecting with audiences. These free workshops offer tips on how to share heritage digitally. Whether you want to create a virtual tour, video, or podcast, these 2.5-hour-long workshops will help you with the skills you need to share your buildings, landscapes, and stories. Each session will include an overview of the technology, practical guidance, tips and tricks, and where to find free software for your project.
Architectural Conservation CPD: Timber Decay and Repair in Traditional Buildings
Date & time: Wednesday 25 August, 12:30-13:30.
Online: Microsoft Teams, streamed live from Lower City Mills, Perth.
The more technical second half of the 2020 CPD programme opens with this session on timber decay and repair. Delivered by Historic Environment Scotland’s Technical Research Manager Roger Curtis, this CPD will look at the use of timber in traditional construction, decay processes, remedial measures and repair techniques to structural and finishing timber. Sessions are hosted online with Q&A and networking opportunities and delivered using live and recorded content by industry accredited professionals and are recognised CPD by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).
Vacancies
Edinburgh World Heritage is looking to appoint a Conservation Projects Officer to play a key role in the conservation of our remarkable historic city. The purpose of the role is to support the delivery of a diverse range of conservation projects.
Closing date Monday 31st May 2021 at 5pm.Join our Grants Committee
The National Churches Trust are currently recruiting 2 new members to its national Grants Committee. We are particularly interested in applications from professionals with church heritage experience in Scotland.
Scottish Civic Trust seeks Heritage Administration Officer
SCT are looking for an enthusiastic and creative person to support the administration of Scottish Civic Trust and the delivery of our projects.
Closing Date 5pm on Friday 28th May 2021.
BEFS overview of Cabinet Secretary & Ministerial changes relevant to the built and historic environment sector.
Now the dust is starting to settle and those coming into the Scottish Parliament, whether as returnees, or new entrants, are beginning to get to grips with the task ahead of them, BEFS welcomes all those entering into public service within the Scottish Parliament.
We’d suggest both that BEFS Members and interested readers alike consider both the Manifesto overview produced prior to the elections and BEFS Advocacy toolkit. If you’ve got a point to advocate on, a case to make, or a success to celebrate this information can direct you to which party might be most interested, and who is representing the appropriate local area. And with the local area in mind, I’d also recommend the new SPICe Constituency Dashboard which provides excellent constituency level data and information.
How parties ‘did’ for positive or negative is a value judgement left to (many) other commentators, BEFS concern is how our existing built and historic environment can be represented in the coming years.
In summary the parties within the Scottish Parliament are represented across the 129 MSPs as follows:
- Scottish National Party – 64 MSPs – Leader, Nicola Sturgeon
- Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party – 31 MSPs – Leader, Douglas Ross
- Scottish Labour – 22 MSPs – Leader, Anas Sarwar
- Scottish Green Party – 7 MSPs – Leaders, Patrick Harvie & Lorna Slater
- Scottish Liberal Democrats – 4 MSPs – Leader, Willie Rennie
- No Affiliation – 1 MSP – Presiding Officer, Alison Johnstone
The changes to numbers of MSPs per party since the 2016 election have been relatively minor, but those minor changes to numbers have reduced the Liberal Democrat voice as they will no longer have the right to representation on Committees, or a guaranteed question at First Minister’s questions. The pro-devolution stance of the Green Party, as well as their increase in MSPs, implies their voice may carry additional clout within this parliament as the SNP doesn’t hold a majority, and the Greens and SNP have worked together before.
There are substantial changes across the Cabinet. Not only in the reduction of Cabinet Secretary roles, two fewer than previously, but with the rearrangement of many portfolios.
It’s all change for Culture with a new lead in the form of Angus Robertson, he finds an altered brief which partially echoes the role as it was in 2009-2020, where Economy, Fair Work and Culture sat most recently, we how have: Constitution, External Affairs and Culture. This broad portfolio is now supported by Jenny Gilruth, Minister adding Culture, to the Europe and International Development brief she held previously.
Whilst much of the detail is still to be revealed, but we might assume that ‘Culture’ still includes, as it did previously: creative industries / culture / architecture and built heritage / broadcasting / co-ordination of bringing major events to Scotland, and National Records.
Tourism: where previously there was a Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for Tourism and Rural Affairs, there has been a significant change, Tourism now sits within a busy Ministerial portfolio (Ivan McKee) including it with Business, Trade, and Enterprise. A move the industry itself will be better placed to comment upon directly; but perhaps one indicating the scale of financial impact felt from tourism and related industries contraction during the covid pandemic.
Environment ,in its broad description now has no Cabinet Secretary post, but is within the remit of two Ministers, with indications of cross portfolio working as seen in the details below. Land Reform follows the same pattern. Climate change also loses a Cabinet Secretary – but it could be assumed that this is to an extent replaced by new description within Michael Matheson’s role relating to Net Zero, Energy and Transport.
Skills: There is renewed potential for skills relating to the built environment to be seen as complementary to the work towards Net Zero as within Michael Matheson’s portfolio there is a new Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work (Richard Lochhead), who will also work cross-portfolio with Finance.
Housing, a matter close to BEFS work over the last few years, seems to have received a promotion – making it into the headlines for Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government. Interestingly, it has been de-coupled from Planning (an area where much implementation is still due to occur, not least Local Place Plans) – which finds itself in the Ministerial portfolio of Tom Arthur sharing space with Public Finance and Community Wealth (overseen by Kate Forbes). This raises initial questions as to whether, within this framework, planning is seen as fiscal, rather than spatial?
Cabinet and related Ministerial posts are as follows:
First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon
- Minister for Drugs Policy, Angela Constance
John Swinney – Deputy First Minister & Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery
(with numerous responsibilities, but only those with a more direct connection to the built/historic environment highlighted below)
- Government strategy
- Cross government coordination of Covid Recovery policies
- Delivery and outcomes across portfolios
- Public service reform
- Cross government co-ordination on UN treaty incorporation
- National Performance Framework
- Local governance review and democratic renewal
- Minister for Parliamentary Business, George Adam
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, Kate Forbes
- Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work (who will also work alongside the Net Zero Secretary), Richard Lochhead
- Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, Ivan McKee
- Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth, Tom Arthur
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf
- Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport, Maree Todd
- Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, Kevin Stewart
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Shirley-Anne Somerville
- Minister for Children and Young People, Clare Haughey
- Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training, Jamie Hepburn
Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Michael Matheson
- Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform (who will also work alongside the Rural Affairs Secretary), Màiri McAllan
- Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work (who will also work alongside the Finance Secretary), Richard Lochhead
- Minister for Transport, Graeme Dey
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon
- Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform (who will also work alongside the Net Zero Secretary), Màiri McAllan
Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Keith Brown
- Minister for Community Safety, Ash Denham
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, Shona Robison
- Minister for Equalities and Older People, Christina McKelvie
- Minister for Social Security and Local Government, Ben McPherson
Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson
- Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, Jenny Gilruth
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IHBC introduces Heritage MarketPlace as a forum for professional, community, trust and amenity bodies to benefit from a wide range of outreach opportunities.
Connecting the community and cultural stakeholders with those in practice is a core objective shared by BEFS and the IHBC. The IHBC’s charitable role, as the professional body for built and historic environment conservation specialists, means we have conservation outcomes as our primary charitable objective. For that to be effective, we know we have to connect our members with all the players – communities, charities and volunteer – as much as with clients and practitioners.
As co-founder and first Treasurer of BEFS I have long been aware of the challenges faced in such ambitions. The legacy of polarisation across so much heritage sector engagement – originating in the historic planning model that relies on ‘objections’ to manage inappropriate change – means there is sometimes little opportunity to secure common understanding. BEFS works to bridge that gap, as does the IHBC. For us our virtual conference – which this year includes our virtual ‘Heritage MarketPlace’ and ‘Stallholder Listing’- is designed to offer a whole new bridging strategy.
We were inspired by the familiar marketplace or exhibition hall, but with ‘virtual stalls’. Here, though, we’ve innovated, and made ‘learning’ a priority, in its broadest sense; whilst still including networking and understanding, as well as services. IHBC MarketPlace stalls can tie their content to a wide range of outreach – education, information, showcasing services, as well as highlighting priorities for planning, or promoting advocacy or membership benefits. In the MarketPlace, any organisation or individual (quality assured by the IHBC) can engage directly with delegates and IHBC Members on matters of mutual interest. Each stall also gets its own Social Media digital networking link – their MarketPlace Billboard. To see what that might look like, the IHBC’s can be seen here.
As the MarketPlace engagement happens in the shared environment of conference discourse – not the potentially siloed setting of casework, regulation or planning – it offers a real chance to share perspectives and build a common awareness, and mutual understanding. That is not the only solution to divergences in our heritage world, but it may well help.
Historically, the barrier to such experiences has been the fees. But now, the ‘virtual’ world with which we have all become so familiar (perhaps currently too familiar) offers the potential for more equitable access. The unavoidable costs of live events almost disappear in virtual environments, so specialists, communities and volunteers can participate, together, and on a more level playing field, without the ‘cheque book’ drawing demarcations. With this in mind the IHBC’s conference costs, benefitting from the light infrastructure of virtual environments, are kept as low as possible to encourage participation across all players. Costs that are intended to remove some of the barriers to active participation in the kind of inclusive discussion we want to promote. (About £25+VAT for day delegates, and about £100+VAT for stalls offering sector-wide outreach.)
That agenda of inclusion is encapsulated in the School’s title – linking history, people and places. It is not our only strategy though: that aspiration to connecting conservation is also represented in the IHBC’s next issue of the our membership journal Context. Context is always available free online, but in the next issue we highlight how people across community, voluntary, public and private sector roles can actually maximise the ‘public good’ and amenity on offer in our places. Do keep an eye out for it on the IHBC website.
But for now, our 2021 School MarketPlace is the location and platform we are offering for affordable and accessible engagement and outreach beyond the well-trodden, often siloed, terrain of planning, consultations and individual policy perspectives. Many organisation are on board, BEFS included (BEFS note that their place at the Conference is funded by BEFS, but thank the IHBC for a complimentary Marketplace Stall in return for offering to share this topic with Bulletin readers). But, if hosting a stall is not for you, why not enhance your personal capacity to make a difference by contributing to discussions as a School delegate, and connect better in the future by hearing what others are saying today!
From: Seán O’Reilly, Director IHBC
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Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications, Consultations And More.
BEFS News
BEFS is delighted to welcome Director Ailsa Macfarlane into post this week. Coming from a cultural-heritage project management background, Ailsa has wide-ranging experience with partnership working and stakeholder collaboration across Scotland. Find out more about her background here.
BEFS has compiled an overview of in the party manifestos that will have implications for Scotland’s built environment. Various heritage and built environment organisations, including a number of BEFS members, produced manifestos ahead of today’s election. The manifestos outline information on specific strategic issues, facts and details, and the corresponding language and messaging that can be adapted and adopted to advocate for the built environment with your newly elected parliamentarians. For advice on becoming an advocate for the built environment check out our Advocacy Toolkit.
BEFS outgoing Director Euan Leitch reflects on why retaining our existing built environment is beneficial and potentially transformative for communities and how crucial it is that we evidence the benefits that arise from investing in heritage going into a new parliament, in our first blog this week.
BEFS submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on Scottish skills requirements for energy efficiency, zero emissions and low carbon heating systems, microgeneration and heat networks for homes. It strongly supports the primary focus around retrofitting existing buildings. BEFS also submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s Heat in buildings strategy – achieving net zero emissions consultation, highlighting that Scotland’s home-owners, businesses, suppliers, and manufacturers need as clear an understanding as possible of who needs to do what, and by when. Both responses can be read in full here.
In a final contribution as Director, Euan Leitch, shares his observations about the extended permitted development rights consultation process, motivations, and unexpected outcomes in our second blog this week.
To help promote the reopening of museums and galleries across Scotland, Museums Galleries Scotland have launched the #MuseumsAreGo reopening campaign, on behalf of and with the sector to help reassure and encourage people to visit, as well as support, their local museum and gallery and other museums across Scotland. We are also offering the sector marketing support to those museums who need it most, including an online toolkit and marketing support surgeries in May and June.
Consultations
Scotland’s Churches Trust: Helping Sustain Our Places Of Worship Survey
Working On and Near to Scheduled Monuments
Closes 6 May 2021.
Local Place Plan Regulations consultation
Closes 25 June 2021.
Petition: To create a tax incentive to favour retrofit instead of demolition and new build
8 August 2021.
Publications
Construction Industry Coronavirus Forum – Hustings (CICV 14/21)
The Resolution Foundation Housing Outlook (04/21)
Election Hub – Planning the Scotland We Need (04/21)
Housing in Scotland: Evidence for Scottish Government 2021-26 (UKCCfHE 04/21)
Context – Urban Design (IHBC March 2021)
News Releases
Short-term fixes with long-term consequences (Cockburn Association 03/05/21)
Our thoughts on the long-term implications of recently suggested short-term fixes for the Scottish planning system.
Flow Country: hopes of pressing case for world heritage site at COP26 (FMS 28/04/21)
The Flow Country Partnership is seeking to have the renowned area of peatland stretching across Caithness and Sutherland recognised alongside the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef as a natural world heritage site.
Volunteer army put tech boots on ground to save high street (FS 28/04/21)
A new ‘digital footfall’ scheme has been launched in an East Lothian town this week by a volunteer tech army in response to the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the high street.
Archaeology Scotland’s Student Prize 2021 (AS 25/04/21)
Archaeology Scotland are delighted to announce that, thanks to a generous anonymous donation, we are running a competition to give recognition to excellence in written work on Scottish archaeology produced in the 2020–21 academic year.
Over £150 million funding to kickstart self-building revolution (MHCLG 24/04/21)
New ‘Help to Build’ scheme will make it easier and more affordable for people to build their own homes.
A New Chief Executive for the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS 22/04/21)
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) is delighted to announce that Tamsie Thomson has been appointed as its new Chief Executive.
RTPI Awards for Research Excellence 2021 (RTPI 2021)
The RTPI Awards for Research Excellence are now open for entries. The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Monday 17 May 2021. The RTPI Awards for Research Excellence recognise and promote high quality and impactful spatial planning research from RTPI accredited planning schools and planning practitioners in the UK, the Republic of Ireland and internationally.
Opinion & Comment
Podcast: Building Sustainability – Fellowships – Karen Ridgewell
Events
For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.
Midsteeple Quarter
Date & time: Sat, 8 May 2021, 14:15.
Online event.
Join Matt Baker, founder and board member of the Midsteeple Quarter project, for a talk on this innovative community-led initiative to revitalise Dumfries High Street! Midsteeple Quarter is a Community Benefit Society set up and run by the people of Dumfries. Their aim is to help shape a new future for our town centre; one that responds to the needs of our community and is run for their benefit. The core principle is that local people have the innovative solutions for our town and that a significant local stake in the future of the town through community ownership and control is the best route towards a sustainable prosperity that is shared fairly amongst everyone.
Insanitary City: Dr Henry Littlejohn and the condition of Edinburgh
Date & time: Thu, 13 May 2021; 18:00 – 19:00.
Online event.
In 1865, Dr Henry Littlejohn – Police Surgeon, Crown witness in murder cases and medical advisor to the Scottish Poor Law authorities – published his Report on the Sanitary Condition of Edinburgh. His meticulous research produced penetrating insights into the links between poverty, employment and public health in Victorian cities.It had a significance far beyond the city of Edinburgh and Victorian society. In our latest online event, Edinburgh World Heritage is delighted to welcome Richard Rodger, Professor of Economic * Social History, University of Edinburgh, and co-author of ‘Insanitary City: Henry Littlejohn and the Condition of Edinburgh.’ Please join us as he explores the terrible slum conditions of Victorian Edinburgh and the extraordinary work of Dr Henry Littlejohn.
Developing a heritage project – National Lottery Heritage Fund Webinar
Date & time: Tue 25th May 2021 at 10:00.
Online event.
Join the Scotland team online to find out more about our small grants programme – National Lottery Grants for Heritage £3,000 to £10,000. Are you interested in developing a heritage project? The National Lottery Heritage Fund Engagement team in Scotland are running an informal webinar session on Tuesday 25 May at 10am. At this event we will give an overview of our small grants programme (£3,000 to £10,000), guidance for developing a heritage project and information about our application process. There will also be an opportunity to share your project ideas and ask any questions.
(1) Church Recording and Volunteering / (2) Repair & Maintenance
Date & time: Thursday, May 27th at 10.00am
Online: Zoom
Scotland’s Churches Trust is involved, together with other bodies, in a project to record the contents of our historic churches. This is now more important than ever with buildings closing at a rate not seen before. This is done through photographs and detailed description and sent to a central database. Volunteers are always needed! A second event in conjunction with the National Churches Trust (date to be decided), will focus on fabric maintenance and repair of places of worship.
2021 SURF Awards Launch Event
Date & time: 3rd June, 2pm-3.30pm.
Online: Zoom.
The prestigious national 2021 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration will launch at a virtual event on the 3rd June in partnership with the Glasgow Canal Cooperative, as part of the Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership, to celebrate and promote the Scottish Government Year of Coasts and Waters. The SURF Awards are delivered each year by SURF in partnership with the Scottish Government. The purpose is to highlight, celebrate and share the achievements of initiatives that address physical, social and economic challenges in communities across Scotland.
RIAS Inclusive Design Seminar
Date & time: Tuesday 8th June 2021, 1.00pm to 4.15pm.
Online: Zoom.
Cost: £5.00 / Free for RIAS Student Members
Join RIAS for this seminar which looks at planning for inclusivity at the outset to deliver high quality environments. Our speakers will cover a range of topics relating to inclusive design and how we can produce external spaces, buildings, interiors and products that are as accessible as possible for a diverse population. Speakers: Eugene Mullan, Smith Scott Mullan Associates; Annie Pollock; Colin Wishart, City of Edinburgh Council; Rick McCluggage, Smith Scott Mullan Associates, Emma Berry & Angel Morales Aguilar, LDN Architects, Joann Russell, Historic Environment Scotland; Lucy Richards, StudioLR.
Training
Architectural Conservation CPD: Historic Shopfronts
Date & time: Wednesday 26 May, 12:30-13:30 (log-on from 12:15).
Online: Microsoft Teams, streamed live from Lower City Mills, Perth.
Marking 10 years since ‘The Historic Shopfronts of Perth’ was published, the second session in the 2020 CPD programme is a historic shopfront feature delivered by shopfronts expert Lindsay Lennie. Whether you are starting out in a buildings related career, looking to refresh your conservation knowledge, encounter historic buildings as part of your work portfolio, or have limited knowledge of the best conservation practice to employ on a project involving traditionally constructed buildings, this is the CPD programme for you. Sessions are recognised CPD by the IHBC and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).
Architectural Conservation CPD: Statutory Protection and Managing Change to Listed Buildings
Date & time: Wed. 30 June, 12:30-13:30 (log-on with light refreshments from 12:15).
Online: Microsoft Teams, streamed live from Lower City Mills, Perth.
The third session in the 6-part CPD programme focuses on listed buildings and the legislative framework that protects them. Delivered by Historic Environment Scotland’s Head of Designations Elizabeth McCrone, this session will cover the role of designation, recent reviews, applying for listed building consent and general approached to managing change to listed buildings with examples. Sessions are hosted online with Q&A and networking opportunities and delivered using live and recorded content by industry accredited professionals and are recognised CPD by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).
Vacancies
Creative Programme Manager, Creative Project Officer and freelance associates
greenspace scotland is looking to recruit an experienced and creative Programme Manager, Project Officer and freelance associates to lead the development and delivery of this important national initiative working with artists, cultural organisations and communities to commemorate and reflect on Scotland’s experiences during the pandemic.
Closing date for applications for both posts: 3pm on Wednesday 19 May 2021.
Development Officer for Northern Ireland
The Heritage Trust Network is recruiting for a new part-time post of Development Officer based in Northern Ireland. The Network has a varied range of members in Northern Ireland including major building preservation trusts in the cities, towns and villages and community and arts organisations.
The deadline for applications is Monday 24th May.
BEFS welcomes new Director Ailsa Macfarlane into post this week.
BEFS is delighted to welcome new Director Ailsa Macfarlane into post this week. Ailsa succeeds Euan Leitch who is taking up a new role as Chief Executive of SURF.
Ailsa, who first joined BEFS as Policy & Strategy Manager in 2017, previously managed the Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage project and worked for Museums Galleries Scotland. Coming from a cultural-heritage project management background, Ailsa has wide-ranging experience with partnership working and stakeholder collaboration across Scotland. She is widely respected throughout Scotland’s built environment sector, having delivered a strong programme of strategic policy work during her time with BEFS. This has included BEFS work on the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, Prioritisation work (informing the Sustainable Investment Toolkit on behalf of the OPiT Built Heritage Investment Group), and leading on sector responses to the COVID-19 crisis, through the COVID Historic Environment Resilience Forum.
The appointment was made by BEFS Board and BEFS Chair, Iain McDowall, said:
“The Board of BEFS are delighted to welcome Ailsa Macfarlane as the new Director. It was an extremely easy and unanimous decision by the Board and is clearly welcomed by any who know Ailsa and her work. We look forward to working with her in her new role, as BEFS continues to address the many challenges facing the sector.”
Director, Ailsa Macfarlane, said:
“It gives me great pleasure to be continuing BEFS collaborative and partnership based approach; making sure the sector is well represented, well understood, and evidencing delivery across nationwide strategies and national performance frameworks. None of this would be possible without the knowledge and support of the Board, BEFS Members, and the amazing staff team.”
Outgoing Director, Euan Leitch, said:
“Ailsa has been an excellent Policy & Advocacy Manager and I couldn’t be happier to pass the BEFS baton on to her. I’m really looking forward, now as an Associate Member, to seeing where Ailsa and the team take BEFS next, it can only be better.”
Further information on Ailsa Macfarlane’s background can be found here.
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BEFS Director outlines how crucial it is that we evidence the benefits that arise for communities from investing in heritage, going into a new parliament.
This article was first published in The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland’s Spring 2021 Magazine.
In a blog post from January this year, Ailsa Macfarlane, BEFS Policy and Strategy Manager, states: “Read any report, research output, press-release, or corporate statement involving heritage and ‘save’ will be prominent. Whether ‘saved’ for the nation, the community, or future generations – you can be certain that the heritage in question is to be made ‘safe’ from the evil it was perceived to be beset by. The funding has (sometimes) been found; the heritage has been ‘secured’ for the audiences. But such asks have unintended consequences – we’ve reinforced all sorts of notions about heritage. About it being ‘special’ and ‘expensive’ and ‘unique’ and ‘difficult’ and ‘old’. Suddenly heritage doesn’t sound like it has a role in a green recovery, a just recovery, a socially integrated recovery. Heritage doesn’t sound like it’s your house, your local street, the building your kids go to school in, the town-hall where the library is, the park you walked through on the way to work. Heritage can sound like it doesn’t offer what communities and politicians seek.”
Ailsa neatly captures how we as a heritage sector need to talk differently to our electoral candidates and soon to be newly elected members of the next Scottish Parliament. While restoring a decaying building back to beauty or preventing ugly window replacements may be a priority for you, elected officials will also be dealing with constituents who are now using foodbanks, are long-term unemployed or are unable to get a home of their own. If you were them, which would you pay more attention to? But these issues are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the former can be used to address the last two points. It comes back to a much wider and holistic understanding of why retaining our existing built fabric is beneficial and potentially transformative for communities.
In March BEFS joined the Royal Town Planning Institute Scotland, Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland, Landscape Institute Scotland and Institution of Civil Engineers Scotland as signatories of ‘Building for Scotland’s Communities’. I confess that when we were initially invited to sign, my concern was that it could be seen as the professions seeking to secure a position in the rush to rebuild after Covid-19. But it is not. It’s a call for political leadership to work with the professions to deliver structural change that will: tackle climate change and achieve Scotland’s net zero carbon reduction targets; reduce health inequalities across Scotland; support a wellbeing economy, and; ensure a quality and affordable home for everyone who needs one.
These are people-centred aims. And heritage can also be part of delivering them. The joint statement was discussed at a relevant cross-party group, and of particular note was how all professions spoke of prioritising the maintenance of our existing built environment over building new; music to my ears. The retiring Convener, Linda Fabiani MSP, suggested it was time to end shiny new projects that fed egos and instead concentrate on investing public money where it can make a difference to more people that need it. Perhaps this idea could be extended to rebuilding lost Classical houses when we have so many existing buildings in use that need investment to remain wind and watertight.
It is crucial that we evidence the benefits that arise from investing in heritage and I would encourage you to look at the Advocacy Toolkit section of the Resources pages for our tips and ideas on how to do this. A new parliament is not a blank sheet, but it is a fresh opportunity to make the case for the historic environment. Ask your candidates what they think heritage can deliver in your area. More importantly, we need you to charm the newly elected MSPs with the many benefits heritage can deliver for their constituents.
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BEFS Director shares his observations about the extended permitted development rights consultation process, motivations and unexpected outcomes.
New, extended permitted development rights (PDR) came into force on the 1st April 2021 following two years of consultation. The new rights apply to digital telecommunications infrastructure, agriculture, peatland restoration and active travel (bicycle storage).
You can read a more detail account from the Scottish Government on this here. There are some observations worth making about discussions had during the consultation process, motivations and unexpected outcomes.
In early meetings about telecommunications apparatus the prime driver was clearly to improve the speed of the roll out of apparatus by removing the need for planning permission which was clearly deemed an impediment by mobile phone providers. Yes, most of us are glued to our phones and look forward to the roll out of 5G but what seems to be of less concern is the impact of the apparatus on the public realm. The provision of infrastructure for daily life has a long and positive design history – think of drinking fountains, post boxes, lampposts, telephone boxes, cast iron manhole covers, tram rosettes. A number of these features are a valued part of cultural heritage and the name of some of the designers and manufacturers may trip of your tongue. Contemporary telecoms infrastructure looks unlikely to become as valued, and at best attempts to be invisible or disguised. There seems to be no aspiration by the providers or public authorities to create apparatus that enhances the public realm, or even amalgamates a number of required pieces of infrastructure. These components are necessary for contemporary life and could contribute to good placemaking but remain an opportunity missed.
A repeated refrain across all elements of the extended PDR discussion was for designated areas to be spared from them. I found this a very difficult argument to make, not because I am against considered decisions for designated areas, but because I am against ill-considered decisions and inferior design everywhere else. Everywhere deserves good quality placemaking and infrastructure not just conservation areas, world heritage sites, the setting of listed buildings etc and arguing otherwise sounds like preferential treatment for some places, and therefore some people, over others. Is it preferable to have fewer or smaller masts within a conservation of the trade-off is taller/more masts outside a conservation area?
The consultation on extending PDR for the residential conversion of agricultural buildings was also interesting. There was a slight urban perception that these were going to be rustic barn conversions or stone built steadings with delightful arcades when the reality could well be the conversion of steel sheds built before 5th November 2020 – it will be fascinating to see how this new right is actually used by land owners.
There was broad support for PDR for cycle storage but one aspect still intrigues me. It was decided not to restrict the sizes of communal cycle stores to the rear of blocks of flats. That may be fine if the tenement has 8-12 properties but there are many tenements with far more and most properties would want to store more than one bike. Prepare for some big bike stores in your back green (and legal challenges over title deeds).
The Scottish Government promised “more detailed guidance and advice early in the New Year”, maybe it means 2022.
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BEFS News
BEFS is delighted to welcome Hazel Johnson into the role of BEFS Policy & Strategy Manager. From late May Hazel will be joining the team having previously worked for Historic Environment Scotland. Her broad range of sector knowledge, experience, and policy work makes her a fantastic addition to BEFS. We look forward to letting Hazel introduce herself once she starts – for now we’ll just say a big HELLO from the whole team.
BEFS has undertaken an overview of policy commitments that would have implications for Scotland’s built environment found in the manifestos of political parties ahead of the Scottish parliamentary elections, with some yet to the published. The most significant change to previous manifestos is that most are giving significant attention to the climate emergency. Read more here.
BEFS has also collated manifestos produced by heritage and built environment organisations. The most recent additions include contributions from the National Trust for Scotland and the Cockburn Association. For advice on becoming an advocate for the built environment check out our Advocacy Toolkit.
BEFS is delighted to share that its application to Rebuilding Heritage was successful. Members of BEFS team will be attending the Rebuilding Leadership Training and the Inclusion in the Workplace Training. The Rebuilding Heritage programme provides invaluable training, free resources and webinars and BEFS would encourage heritage and built environment organisations to apply when round 6 opens in July 2021.
BEFS, Museums Galleries Scotland and greenspace Scotland are delighted that the ‘Surviving to Thriving’ Business Support Programme kicks off next week. To celebrate the programme starting, and our Scotland wide action towards increasing the resilience of the sector, we’d love to hear what resilience looks like to you and your organisation. Find out what participating organisations have to say about resilience on social media and share your thoughts on Monday 26th April with #Thriving and by tagging @MuseumsGalScot, @TheBEFS, @greenspacescot.
BEFS responded to Historic Environment Scotland’s (HES) consultation on the draft ‘Talking About Heritage’ guidance, which closed mid-December 2020. HES are now in the process of incorporating the feedback they received, with a view to publishing the final guidance as an online resource later this year. You can find a summary of the feedback, and an update on what they plan to do next, online at We Asked, You Said, We Did.
HES, Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIFA) and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) have joined forces to support heritage organisations to create new jobs for young unemployed people though the KickStart programme. They are looking for heritage organisations of all types including third, public and private sector that can offer six months of meaningful work to a young unemployed person. Kickstart will cover minimum wage salary up to 25 hours a week and NIC’s, an additional £1000 will be available for the employer to spend on training or equipment needed as part of the programme. The programme will run until December 2021 and jobs can start anytime within this period.
BEFS extends condolences to all those mourning the sudden passing of Peter Ainsworth. We know our colleagues at many organisations, but particularly The Heritage Alliance who were privileged to have him as their Chair, will feel his loss keenly. A heritage giant has been lost and our thoughts go out to his family and friends.
Consultations
Scotland’s Churches Trust: Helping Sustain Our Places Of Worship Survey
Consultation on Scottish skills requirements for energy efficiency, zero emissions and low carbon heating systems, microgeneration and heat networks for homes.
Closes 30 April 2021.
Heat in buildings strategy – achieving net zero emissions: consultation
Closes 30 April 2021.
Inquiry: Local government and the path to net zero
You can submit evidence until Friday 30 April 2021.
Working On and Near to Scheduled Monuments
Closes 6 May 2021.
Local Place Plan Regulations consultation
Closes 25 June 2021.
Petition: To create a tax incentive to favour retrofit instead of demolition and new build
8 August 2021.
Publications
Coronavirus (COVID-19): tourism and hospitality sector guidance (SG 16/04/21)
Scottish Planner – The Journal of RTPI Scotland (RTPI Scotland 04/21)
European Cultural Heritage Green Paper – Full Paper (EN 22/03/21)
European Cultural Heritage Green Paper – Executive Summary (EN 22/03/21)
News Releases
UK enshrines new target in law to slash emissions by 78% by 2035 (DBEIS 20/04/21)
The UK’s sixth Carbon Budget will incorporate the UK’s share of international aviation and shipping emissions for the first time, to bring the UK more than three-quarters of the way to net zero by 2050..
Tesco Community Grants open for applications! (GS 20/04/21)
Tesco Community Grant scheme will award grants to charities and community organisations to fund local good causes whose focus is on supporting children and families.
Apply now for the Scottish Charity Awards 2021! (SCVO 19/04/21)
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is calling for charities and individuals across the country to apply for its annual charity awards.
Call on politicians to protect battlefields (NTS 16/04/21)
We’re calling on politicians to support Culloden’s bid to become a recognised World Heritage Site and increase protection for Scotland’s historic battlefields.
SPAB Receives Culture Recovery Fund Award (SPAB 12/04/21)
We are absolutely delighted to announce that the SPAB is one of the 476 heritage organisations who will share £44M from the Culture Recovery Fund.
Preserving Cultural Heritage, Supporting the Green Transition (ICON 12/04/21)
Icon Chief Executive, Sara Crofts, offers some reflections on amplifying messages about the need to mainstream climate action into cultural heritage.
Placing People at the Heart of Heritage for the Week of World Heritage Sites (EWH 11/04/21)
Europe’s historic cities are individually unique and beloved for their original architecture, varied settings, and distinctive history and heritage. But they face increasingly common problems.
Scottish finalists unveiled for RTPI Awards 2021 (SCN 08/04/21)
Projects, individuals and teams from across Scotland are in the running to win at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2021, it has been announced.
Europa Nostra and EIB Institute announce Europe’s 7 Most Endangered heritage sites 2021 (EN 08/04/21)
Europa Nostra – the European voice of civil society committed to cultural and natural heritage – together with its partner, the European Investment Bank Institute, this morning announced the List of 7 Most Endangered monuments and heritage sites in Europe for 2021.
The Arts and Cultural Impact Fund calls for more applicants (NLHF 07/04/21)
The Arts and Culture Impact Fund was established to provide loans which will help organisations in the arts, cultural and heritage sectors to build financial resilience and sustainability and support local communities.
How Europe’s World Heritage Cities are tackling common challenges (EWH 04/21)
From the effects of over-tourism, and the need to better conserve our valuable ancient buildings, to addressing the challenges post-COVID-19, there is clearly an opportunity to better manage our historic cities by learning from each other and sharing best practice.
Putting Europe’s shared heritage at the heart of the European Green Deal (EN 22/03/21)
Tackling climate change is this generation’s defining task and Europe’s rich and diverse cultural heritage can help.
Opinion & Comment
Steven Tolson: Housing to 2040 – a dream or promise for real deeds? (SHC 16/04/21)
Urbanistica Podcast: The making of smarter and more livable cities
Events
For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.
Icon Scotland Group: Take 5 Webinar, Spring Sessions
Date & time: 5 May 2021, 16:00-17:00.
Online: Via Zoom.
A new instalment of Icon Scotland Group’s ideas-sharing events, with 5 new 5 minute presentations by conservators of different disciplines about some of their recent projects: 1) Senses Working Over Time: tactile engagement for written heritage, by Victoria Stevens ACR; 2) Conservation of an Iranian Tile Panel at the National Museums of Scotland, by Holly Daws; 3)Learn by doing: the casting, finishing and patinating of bronzes, by Heleen van Santen; 4) Conservation Live: public engagement from a digital distance, by Lesley Stevenson ACR FIIC; 5) Conditional Confusion: considering variations in language used for object documentation, by Beth Gillions.
Date & time: 6pm, Thursday 13 May 2021
Online: Zoom
Victorian Edinburgh was a melting pot of industry and people. The industrial revolution created new work, attracting migrants searching for a better life. The reality however was often different, with many families having no choice but to live in the filthy, disease-ridden, overcrowded slums of the Old Town. In our latest online event, Edinburgh World Heritage is delighted to welcome Richard Rodger of the University of Edinburgh as he explores the terrible slum conditions of Victorian Edinburgh and the extraordinary work of Dr Henry Littlejohn.
IHBC Annual School 2021 Brighton: Historic Places, People Places – Making the best of the places we have today, for those who live with them tomorrow
Dates: 17 – 18 June 2021.
All places have history – in landscapes, built fabric and memories – and that history shapes how people live, use and work with them, today and in the future. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, billions of pounds were being invested to support struggling urban and rural places, old and new, and their surrounding areas. Not only has the pandemic exacerbated these familiar problems, but it has also highlighted new ones. The IHBC’s Brighton 2021 School will address these and related challenges, seeking data, connecting thinking and shaping solutions.
Training
Architectural Conservation CPD: Historic Shopfronts
Date & time: Wednesday 26 May, 12:30-13:30 (log-on from 12:15)
Online: via Microsoft Teams, streamed live from Lower City Mills, Perth.
Marking 10 years since ‘The Historic Shopfronts of Perth’ was published, the second session in the 2020 CPD programme is a historic shopfront feature delivered by shopfronts expert Lindsay Lennie. Whether you are starting out in a buildings related career, looking to refresh your conservation knowledge, encounter historic buildings as part of your work portfolio, or have limited knowledge of the best conservation practice to employ on a project involving traditionally constructed buildings, this is the CPD programme for you. Sessions are recognised CPD by the IHBC and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).
Architectural Conservation CPD: Statutory Protection and Managing Change to Listed Buildings Presenter: Elizabeth McCrone
Date & time: Wednesday 30 June, 12:30-13:30 (log-on with light refreshments from 12:15)
Online: via Microsoft Teams, streamed live from Lower City Mills, Perth.
The third session in the 6-part CPD programme focuses on listed buildings and the legislative framework that protects them. Delivered by HES’s Head of Designations Elizabeth McCrone, this session will cover the role of designation, recent reviews, applying for listed building consent and general approached to managing change to listed buildings with examples. Whether you are starting out in a buildings related career, looking to refresh your conservation knowledge, encounter historic buildings, or have limited knowledge of the best conservation practices, this is the CPD programme for you. Sessions are recognised CPD by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).
Vacancies
Volunteer Co-ordinator
PAS are looking to recruit a Volunteer Co-ordinator (on a fixed-term contract until 31 October 2021) to co-ordinate volunteers to support PAS’s activities and to assist with general office support.
Closing at 9am on Tuesday 4 May 2021.
BEFS provides an overview of policy commitments in the party manifestos that would have implications for Scotland’s built environment.
BEFS has undertaken an overview of policy commitments found in the manifestos of political parties currently represented in the Scottish Parliament, with some yet to be published, that would have implications for Scotland’s built environment. The most significant change to previous manifesto is the that most are giving significant attention to the climate emergency.
This selection is no way authoritative and we would recommend you reading the manifestos in their entirety.
Manifesto Commitments for the Built Environment in the Scottish Election
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BEFS News
BEFS has collated a list of manifestos produced by heritage and built environment organisations ahead of the Scottish parliamentary elections next month. The most recent additions include contributions from RIAS, SURF, RICS, the Green Action Trust and Cupar Development Trust. For advice on becoming an advocate for the built environment check out our Advocacy Toolkit.
The Scottish Government has updated its response to recommendations in the final report of the Scottish Parliamentary Working Group on tenement maintenance. Specifically, the Tenement Condition Workplan has been updated for 2021.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is looking for your views on a new Managing Change Guidance Note: Working on and near to scheduled monuments.
A&BS has announced changes to the Culture & Business Fund Scotland (CBFS), to provide broader support and match funding of creative partnerships to help arts and heritage organisations through the recovery and renewal period of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Culture & Business Fund Scotland Covid-19 Recovery & Renewal strand temporarily replaces the existing fund with immediate effect. This relaxes some of the previous eligibility criteria to enable broader support of projects with existing as well as new business partners and increases the £ for £ match funding of existing or new CBFS projects in years two and three of their partnerships with business.
Finally, don’t forget to peruse the upcoming built environment events, in the events section of this bulletin or online. Moreover, a number of BEFS members are currently advertising job opportunities, which are not to be missed.
Consultations
Working On and Near to Scheduled Monuments
Opened 25 Mar 2021 and closes 6 May 2021.
Scotland’s Churches Trust: Helping Sustain Our Places Of Worship Survey
Consultation on Scottish skills requirements for energy efficiency, zero emissions and low carbon heating systems, microgeneration and heat networks for homes.
Closes 30 April 2021.
Heat in buildings strategy – achieving net zero emissions: consultation
Closes 30 April 2021.
Inquiry: Local government and the path to net zero
You can submit evidence until Friday 30 April 2021.
Local Place Plan Regulations consultation
Closes 25 June 2021.
Petition: To create a tax incentive to favour retrofit instead of demolition and new build
Closes 8 August 2021.
Publications
Householder permitted development rights: guidance – updated 2021 (SG 01/03/21)
Building standards performance framework: April 2021 (SG 31/0321)
Building standards operating framework: April 2021 (SG 31/03/21)
Heritage Tourism in 2020: Historic Environment Scotland (HF 31/03/21)
Heritage Tourism in 2020: National Trust for Scotland (HF 31/03/21)
News Releases
Historic Environment Scotland appoints new Director of Heritage (HES 31/03/21)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has appointed Elly McCrone as its new Director of Heritage.
Live Announcement of the 2021 List of 7 Most Endangered Heritage Sites in Europe (EN 30/03/21)
Join us for the Live Announcement of the 2021 List of 7 Most Endangered Heritage Sites in Europe on 8 April 2021.
Pan-European platform for spatial planning knowledge exchange (ARL 28/03/21)
The ARL is a national think tank-type body funded by the German federal government and states to do independent spatial planning and development research. They are at the moment compiling profiles of planning systems across Europe and will, in a few months time, make these available on their new website.
New Sustainability My Place Award Announced (SCT 25/03/21)
Built environment projects that demonstrate excellence in continued and adaptive reuse will be celebrated by a new Sustainability Award for the My Place Awards 2021.
Heritage Trade Up programme – calling leaders of heritage organisations across the UK! (AHF 24/03/21)
Are you looking to strengthen the financial resilience and governance capabilities of your heritage organisation?
Over 50,000 households to get warmer, greener homes in £562 million boost (DBEIS 23/03/21)
A nationwide home upgrade will help households save up to £450 a year on their energy bills and support around 8,000 green jobs annually.
Kevin Stewart calls for action on renovation VAT to help green recovery (SCN 22/03/21)
Housing minister Kevin Stewart has written to the UK Government to urge a rethink on VAT rates for building refurbishments and renovations.
Call for proposals pre-announcement: building and delivering suitable living environments and communities for an ageing population (Dunhill Medical Trust 18/03/21)
Funding will be available to support academic and clinical researchers partnered with community organisations, to conduct innovative research projects into building and delivering suitable living environments and communities for an ageing population.
Events
For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.
A sustainable future for our World Heritage cities
Dates: 13 & 14 April 2021.
Online.
Edinburgh World Heritage will host the fifth and final series of partnership AtlaS.WH project events, bringing together leading experts to explore the role of heritage in solving issues related to the climate emergency. Guests include the five project partners, experts from the Scottish heritage sector, Edinburgh city managers, and international partners. Over two days, the plans for each urban World Heritage Site will be presented, and we will discuss how the impact of climate change is assessed and addressed through case studies and the latest in sector research. We invite you to join us for any or all of these free, public CPD sessions, to ask questions and build your understanding on how heritage can be a solution to the climate emergency.
SURF’s Scottish Election Question Time
Date & time: 15th April 2021, 2pm-3.30pm
Online: Zoom
SURF’s 2021 Manifesto for Community Regeneration proposes actions the SURF network believe would improve place-based regeneration activities and outcomes across Scotland, including in the fields of land use, transport and climate change. This online event will take place on the afternoon of Thursday 15 April. Representatives from Scotland’s leading political parties will be invited to respond to SURF’s Manifesto, highlight their party’s key regeneration policies, and answer questions from the SURF audience.
Mark Turnbull Travel Award Presentations– Climate Change, Innovations and Making Room for Social Spaces
Date & time: 6.15 -7.15pm 21st April 2021
Online.
The speakers include: 1) Samuel Cortis: Joint Winner of Mark Turnbull Travel Award: Making Room for Social Spaces; an exploration of how community focused and managed landscapes can shape development strategies for Scotland 2) Dr Amber Roberts: Joint Winner of Mark Turnbull Travel Award – Food and Flood Resilience: Climate Change Innovations – Learning from Europe 3) René Sommer Lindsay – Senior Urban Designer and Climate Resilience consultant. Placemaking infrastructure for resilient, sustainable, liveable cities and communities.
April Lecture and Election – “The Knights Templar and Historical Revisionism in the Modern Era” by Dr Rory MacLellan
Date & time: 26th April 2021 @ 6:00pm to 7:30pm (GMT/UK).
Online: Zoom.
In this online talk, Dr Rory MacLellan will discuss how certain members of the far-right have appropriated the memory of the Knights Templar for their own ends. He will then examine why the Templars hold such a strong appeal for parts of the far-right and how pseudo-histories and myths about the order can act as an entry-point for this dark historical revisionism. This event will also feature the first election of new Fellows to the Society outside of our Anniversary Meeting on St Andrew’s Day for a long time.
Communities for a Changing Population
Date & time: 29 April 2021 from 10am to 12.30pm.
Webinar.
This event is an ideal opportunity for architects, planners, placemaking professionals, local and national government officers, elected representatives at local and national level, infrastructure providers, engineers and all other relevant stakeholders to engage with other thought leaders and potential partners that can help forge solutions to the challenges and make the most of the opportunities presented by the current pandemic.
Archaeological Research in Progress Conference 2021
Date & time: May 29th, 2021 GMT/UK (Times to be confirmed).
All day conference (details to be confirmed).
Archaeological Research in Progress is a national conference organised each year by Archaeology Scotland and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Topics, timings, and technology still to be confirmed.
June Lecture “The Public and Private Worlds of Sir Walter Scott”
Date & time: June 28th, 2021 @ 6:00pm to 7:15pm (GMT/UK).
Online: Zoom.
Focusing on the lesser-known aspects of Sir Walter Scott – his life, career, and interests, hosted by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Chaired by Gerry Carruthers FSRE, this talk will be carried out by two speakers from the societies, Dr Iain G. Brown FSA FRSE FSAScot and Kirsty Archer-Thompson FSAScot, discussing: “Sir Walter Scott and the Scottish Antiquarian Tradition: Mr Oldbuck in Context” by Dr Iain G. Brown FSA FRSE FSAScot. “Chewing the Cud of Sweet and Bitter Fancy”: Navigating the Unquiet Mind and Life Philosophy of Walter Scott, by Kirsty Archer-Thompson FSAScot.
Training
Scottish Lime Centre Trust Courses
We are so pleased to be back and able to run face-to-face training again from 26 April 2021, of course following strict COVID 19 guidance as we were doing before this latest lockdown. We are restricting numbers of learners to 6 per course only to maintain social distancing. Download a full programme here.
Vacancies
Advice Service Manager
PAS are currently recruiting for an Advice Service Manager to our advice service which deals with hundreds of enquiries from individuals and community groups every year.
Closing at 9am on Tuesday 13 April 2021.
Head of Training
The Ridge are looking for a special person to join our Training team, with potential to develop and expand the role and really make a difference.
Closing on 16th April 2021.
Open Research Tenders
This is an invitation from RTPI Scotland to tender to examine the operating environment to embed digital planning in Scotland.
The deadline for responses is 9am on 19th April 2021.
Traditional Buildings Inspector
Stirling City Heritage Trust is looking for a building professional or craftsperson for the role of Traditional Buildings Inspector with our team.
Closing Date: Thursday 22 April 2021 at noon.