BEFS News

The first two workshops of the COVID Historic Environment Resilience Forum (CHERF) focusing on Reopening Venues and on Conservation & Construction have now taken place, with participants from across the built environment sector in Scotland. The forum will inform the production of a route map of medium and longer-term actions to grow sector resilience, sustainability, and evidence the sector to be a beneficial participant in Scotland’s national recovery. More information on CHERF and future workshops can be found here. Outcomes and developments will also be made publicly available on this page.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has published the findings of research into the impact of COVID-19 on Scotland’s heritage sector. Key findings from the report show nearly 80% of respondents have experienced either a loss or postponement of work and revenue due to the current pandemic, while over 70% reported having to cancel planned income generating events. Almost a quarter (22%) said they face a high risk of their business not surviving the current situation without major intervention, with sole traders or partnerships (32%) reporting the highest level of risk, citing cashflow and future orders as the main source of concern.

A £2 million Towns and BIDs Resilience and Recovery Fund was announced by the Scottish Government on 12th June 2020. The fund is intended to support localised response activities contributing to town centre and high street resilience and recovery.

BEFS responded to the Scottish Government’s Advisory Group on Economic Recovery call for evidence. BEFS response draws on arguments made previously in relation to the Circular Economy, the Built Heritage Investment Group, Housing to 2040, and the essential part the built environment plays in supporting a skilled workforce. Making sure that communities across Scotland can make their views heard in relation to their environments will ensure the current policy work can go further, and faster, with increased economic and social benefits.

We have updated our COVID-19 heritage funding and advice page and downloadable Pdf with the latest information.

Have you submitted your favourite historic environment project or initiative as a best practice case study for our database and the OPiT 2019-20 report? More details.

The Scottish Government has been asked and responded to a large number of heritage related parliamentary questions since the last bulletin (see below). Questions range from topics including the tourism and culture sector, the National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, to community ownership of land, the Supporting Communities Fund, and more.

Consultations

Review of the Lobbying Act (Scotland) 2016 – Call for written views
Opened 17 Jun 2020 and closes 14 Aug 2020.

European Heritage Green Paper Outline
Europa Nostra in cooperation with ICOMOS is seeking your feedback on the European Heritage Green Paper, a new project that focuses on cultural heritage and the European Green Deal (EGD).
Deadline extended to 22 June. 

Digital Attitudes and Skills for Heritage (DASH) survey
Deadline to sign up is 26 June. 

The Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee has launched a call for views on the impact of COVID-19 on Scotland’s culture and tourism sectors. There is currently no deadline for responding.

Impact of Covid-19 on DCMS sectors – call for evidence
Extended closing date Friday 19 June 2020.

Coronavirus and Scotland Inquiry
You can submit evidence until Tuesday 23 June 2020.

Shortage occupation list: call for evidence
This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 24 June 2020.

Just Transition Commission – call for evidence
Extended closing date 30 June 2020.

Energy Efficiency of Existing Homes Inquiry
You can submit evidence until Monday 13 July 2020.

Consultation on proposed changes to the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012
This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 14 July 2020.

Consultation Responses

The role of public sector bodies in tackling climate change: consultation analysis

ScotLink Survey results on Circular Economy

Replacement for the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) Post-EU Exit in Scotland: consultation report

Publications

Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter from the Planning Minister about the role of certification (SG 17/06/20)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter from Building Standards Division about construction industry restart (SG 17/06/20)

Apply to the Low Carbon Energy Project Development Fund (SG 17/06/20)

Housing and regeneration outcomes framework: indicator updates (SG 16/06/20)

Third Sector Resilience Fund – summary of submissions (SPICe 06/20)

COVID-19 Sector Survey Report (HES 12/06/20)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): European Structural and Investment Funds (SG 12/06/20)

Land for Housing & Development – a briefing paper (SLC 11/06/20)

The Value of Early Engagement in Planning – Evidence of the benefits of early engagement in land use planning decisions (SLC 11/06/20)

An Investigation into Land Banking in Scotland (SLC 11/06/20)

Residential development land prices and house prices- A discussion paper (SLC 11/06/20)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): construction sector guidance (SG 11/06/20)

Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee Annual Report 2019-20 (SP 09/06/20)

Non domestic energy efficiency project support unit: 2020 to 2024 (SG 11/06/20)

Prospect highlights inaccuracy and hypocrisy in some responses to the use of furlough for Scottish heritage institutions (Prospect 04/06/20)

Cultural Renewal Taskforce and supporting Working Groups (UKG 06/20)

The World Remade by COVID-19: Scenarios for resilient leaders 3-5 years (Deloitte 04/20)

Help to Build: An emergency plan to support housing supply (CPS 06/20)

Scottish Government News Releases

Scottish research facing twin threats of COVID and Brexit (SG 12/06/20)
The double threat of coronavirus (COVID-19) and the potential loss of access to EU funding programmes could result in long-term damage to Scottish university research, unless the UK Government provides immediate financial support.

Support for tourism industry (SG 10/06/20)
Sector prepares for return to business. Further measures have been announced by Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing to support Scotland’s vital tourism industry.

Community funding maps (SG 09/06/20)
A new collection of digital maps is to display the funding being given to support communities across Scotland affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).

News Releases

Government invests £78m to help construction sector return to work (SCN 17/06/20)
More than £78 million is to be invested into the construction sector as part of a new Return to Work package to help stimulate Scotland’s economy following the coronavirus pandemic.

Government must act over gaps in support during lockdown (UKP 15/06/20)
The Treasury Committee publishes a unanimously-agreed interim report as part of its inquiry into the Economic Impact of Coronavirus called Gaps in Support.

Historic Environment Scotland response to Black Lives Matter (HES 12/06/20)
Recent events have once again confronted us with the reality of racism and sparked renewed urgency to the Black Lives Matter movement for racial justice across the world. We have been using this time to listen to our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities and reflect on our responsibilities as Scotland’s lead heritage body.

Call for Nominations for 7 Most Endangered 2021: Let’s save Europe’s endangered heritage sites together! (EN 12/06/20)
Many heritage treasures all over Europe are threatened due to a series of natural, human-related or climate change causes, particularly in these trying times.

Land for housing and development: time for change SLC 11/06/20)
Scotland’s reliance on the speculative private development model will not help to achieve the level of new homes needed or help build more affordable homes and the whole system requires fundamental reform, according to the Scottish Land Commission.

Our plans for re-opening properties (NTS 09/06/20)
Trust properties have been closed since March due to the coronavirus emergency. We’re sharing plans for re-opening over the coming weeks and months, in line with Scottish Government guidance.

Scottish Government ‘unable to take forward’ work on empty homes (SHN 09/06/20)
The Scottish Government’s work to tackle empty homes has been put on hold due to “changed priorities” and the implications of the coronavirus crisis, housing minister Kevin Stewart has admitted.

Take a Tour of Scotland in 3D (HES 08/06/20)
Immerse yourself in history from home by exploring our interactive 3D models of towers, tombs, brochs and standing stones!

Doors Open Days 2020 is going digital! (SCT 06/20)
Scotland’s biggest free festival of architecture will present its largest ever digital offering this September, as we celebrate Scotland’s buildings and stories online, through tours, lectures, DIY learning events and more.

2020 SURF Awards Open for Applications (SURF 04/06/20)
The prestigious national 2020 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration were launched online today (4/06/20) and is now open to applications.

Joint Heritage Sector Statement on Climate Change (HE 06/20)
Climate change is one of the most significant and fastest growing threats to people and their cultural heritage worldwide. Responding to climate change requires action but that does not need to be at the expense of our cultural heritage which can help society adapt to the dual challenges of new climates and a low carbon future.

Lottery funder sees record number of applicants for £200m government (NLHF 29/05/20)
A £200m government fund for smaller charities, run by the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF), received a record-breaking number of applications when it opened last week.

Lords considers Covid-19 impact on museums and galleries (UKP 22/06/20)
Members of the Lords asked the government what steps it was taking to support museums, galleries, and historic buildings open to the public that are affected by the restrictions in place to address the Covid-19 pandemic.

Opinion & Comment

The Value of Early Engagement (SLC 15/06/20)

Coronavirus in Scotland: Put locals back at heart of city life, urges heritage boss (Times 15/06/20)

Land for Housing – Time for change? (SLC 11/06/20)

‘The crisis of crises’: Scotland’s heritage sector hit hard by coronavirus (FT 10/06/20)

The Removal of the Statue of Edward Colston, Bristol (HE 07/05/20)

Do you want beautiful, sustainable and safe tall buildings? Use wood (Guardian 06/06/20)

Planning for the long term public interest (SLC 03/06/20)

Parliamentary Questions

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

Question S5W-29857: Maurice Golden, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 11/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what the timeline is for further talks between it, the National Trust for Scotland and Scottish Enterprise, following the meeting on 26 May 2020.

Question S5W-29858: Maurice Golden, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 11/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what immediate support it can provide to properties owned by the National Trust for Scotland that are unable to support social distancing regulations, while the talks over long-term assistance are ongoing.

Question S5W-29669: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 08/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the efficacy of the 2016-21 land use strategy, and what progress is being made with the preparations for the updated strategy.

Question S5W-29671: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 08/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how the updated land use strategy will reflect changes in climate change policy, and what engagement it has had with stakeholders regarding this.

Question S5W-29674: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 08/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the performance of the land use strategy in contributing to meeting its climate change and biodiversity targets.

Question S5W-29760: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 09/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government which tourist attractions it considers will not be allowed to reopen at phase 3 of its COVID-19 route map.

Question S5W-29767: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 09/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it will provide to businesses and tourist attractions that are allowed to reopen at phase 3 of its COVID-19 route map.

Question S5W-29591: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 03/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what mechanisms are in place to enable Historic Environment Scotland to progress current projects while staff are furloughed.

Question S5W-29571: Alexander Stewart, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 02/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications to the Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises Hardship fund have been (a) approved and (b) rejected, and how many payments have been made.

Parliamentary Questions & Answers

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

Question S5W-29005: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the financial loss will be to the arts, culture and tourism sectors as a result of COVID-19.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (21/05/2020)

Question S5W-29004: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of jobs lost in the arts, culture and tourism sectors as a result of COVID-19, also broken down by the number that it estimates could be lost in these sectors in 2020.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (21/05/2020)

Question S5W-29003: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how many fewer tourists have visited Scotland from January to May 2020 compared with the same period in 2019.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (21/05/2020)

Question S5W-29002: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it has made available to the arts, culture and tourism sectors as a result of COVID-19; how many grants have been awarded, and how many applications were rejected.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (21/05/2020)

Question S5W-29147: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what funding it will make available to the arts and culture sector to allow for adaptions to be implemented to allow social distancing to be observed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (29/05/2020)

Question S5W-29145: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how much net income it estimates will be lost in the (a) arts and culture and (b) tourism sector in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and when it expects it to return to the 2019 level.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (01/06/2020)

Question S5W-29148: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what communications it has had with the National Trust of Scotland regarding potential redundancies in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and what action it is taking to help save these jobs.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (01/06/2020)

Question S5W-29149: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it has made available to the National Trust of Scotland in each of the last five years, and whether additional funding will be provided over the next 12 months in light of the COVID-19 pandemic to help protect (a) jobs and (b) venues.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (01/06/2020)

Question S5W-29195: John Finnie, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government, where it is the owner of land, how it ensures that there is no conflict of interest between its roles as asset holder and asset transfer manager when a community seeks transfer of that land to community ownership.
Answered by Aileen Campbell (04/06/2020)

Question S5W-29202: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how many community organisations made applications to the Supporting Communities Fund, and when the application process will open for the next £10 million available.
Answered by Aileen Campbell (04/06/2020)

Question S5W-29201: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what role SCVO has in allocating grants from the Supporting Communities Fund.
Answered by Aileen Campbell (04/06/2020)

Question S5W-29197: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what criteria were used to allocate the first tranche of funding from the Supporting Communities Fund, and what criteria it will use to allocate the second tranche.
Answered by Aileen Campbell (04/06/2020)

Question S5W-29229: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 20/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what COVID-19 funding support packages it has in place for people working in the cultural sector, and how many people have been supported to date.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (01/06/2020)

Events

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

Parks and the City: Edinburgh and New York
Date & time: Tuesday 23rd June at 7.15pm
Online platform: Zoom.
Join Professor Cliff Hague, of the Cockburn Association, and Commissioner Mitchell Silver, of the New York City Dept of Parks and Recreation, in a live online discussion about the current challenges and future possibilities in planning and managing the greenspaces in these two unique global cities. This conversation builds from the public summit held by the Cockburn Association in January 2020, which captured increasing public concern of the impact to parks and gardens of Festivals and special events, especially those that restricted public access due to private promotion. Free, but donations welcome.

Fortnight Fringe | Sarajevo / Glasgow
Date & time: 23 June 2020; 17:30 – 18:30.
Online.
A photographic journey from the ruins of war-torn Sarajevo to the battleground of regeneration Glasgow. Award-winning photographer Chris Leslie takes us on a 24-year visual journey from the former Yugoslavia of 1996 to early 21st Century Scotland exploring how the urban environment is shaped by violence; from war to urban reorganisation. Presenting previously unseen imagery, we’ll travel back to many post-conflict towns and cities in Croatia and to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia & Herzegovina. Later we’ll arrive into the urban shifts of regeneration Glasgow, to see the destruction and reconstruction of entire neighbourhoods as the 2014 Commonwealth Games looms.

Fortnight Fringe | PureBeamersTV
Date & time: Tue, 23 June 2020; 19:00 – 20:00.
Online.
“Rip It Up And Start Again: Running a Fiercely Independent Design Studio in 2020”. It is a time of deep reflection. The world has changed. Many of us are exploring our own accountability and expanding our responsibilities in thought and action. How might independent designers navigate the times ahead, as active participants in working towards a just and equitable future? For PureBeamersTV our host is Interior Designer JACO JUSTICE. Jaco is joined by Fashion Designer EMILY MILLICHIP and Graphic Designer EMLYN FIRTH to explore how running a fiercely independent design studio in 2020 responds to global happenings. Sharing their own histories, practices and experiences, the conversation will touch on business opportunities and the effect of COVID-19, collaborations and global outreach as well as diversity, social mobility, ethics and sustainability.

Love Local – Creating Effective Place-Based Communication Strategies 
Date & time: Tuesday 23rd June, 10.00am – 11.30am
Online platform: Zoom
As the country gradually phases out of lockdown, attracting both residents and visitors into town centres and high streets, and making them feel confident to do so, will be key to local economic recovery. Scotland’s Towns Partnership’s next learning event will focus on sharing expertise, tips and examples of effective communications and marketing strategies to promote your place and encourage the public to ‘love local’. A free event to all, you will hear from experts in campaign planning, media relations and from specific towns who are currently creating effective place campaigns. Join us on 23rd June for an opportunity to learn, be inspired and share your questions.

Community Engagement, Planning and Covid-19
Date & time: Thu 25 June, 10:00 – 11:00
Online platform: Zoom.
If you are a community group, local authority, or planning stakeholder join PAS for a roundtable discussion on issues relevant to community engagement in planning during Covid-19. There will be no presentations – rather this is an open forum to air your views and debate issues in a safe environment. At the session we will discuss how/if community councils are currently commenting on planning applications, engagement with local development plans and local place plans during these times, and how to ensure seldom heard groups continue to be heard.  This will be an opportunity to share your views, experiences and knowledge in a facilitated group setting. Participant numbers have been limited to help ensure active debate and dialogue.

Training

CPD on Traditional Roof Slating
Date & time: 25 June 2020 from 13.30 – 14.30.
Online platform: Zoom.
Delivered by Graeme Millar (NFRC) and hosted by Tyler C Lott, BA MSc, Scotland Officer, Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. CPD touches on many topics relevant to the maintenance and upgrade of traditional Scottish slate roofs. Topics covered in the CPD include:
•    Scottish slate
•    Properties of – colour, size (random, thickness)
•    Supplies of Scottish slate
•    Alternative slates available
•    When to re-slate and when to repair
•    When to redress and reuse slate introducing minimum new slates
•    When to totally strip and re-slate
•    When re-roofing gives you an opportunity to retrofit insulation to roof voids
•    Comparisons of finished roofs with different slates (especially those on terraced/tenement properties where the new slate abuts a roof with Scottish slate, good and bad examples)
This will be an online event delivered through Zoom, the access code will be sent out via email nearer the time.

Vacancies

Microvolunteering Opp: Noting Scotland’s digital heritage
Do you have a bit of time to spare in lockdown? Fancy doing some volunteering from home for the Scottish Civic Trust? This is a flexible opportunity – whether it’s twenty minutes or three hours, we’d love your help at DoorsOpenDays.

Living Museums: Creating a Built Heritage Asset Management Information System (BMIS) to assist decision making in the Heritage Sector – PhD opportunity at Queen’s University Belfast.

BEFS News

The first meeting of the COVID Historic Environment Resilience Forum (CHERF) will take place on Friday, 12 June. This will be an introduction to the aims of the forum and an opportunity to look at re-opening sites and venues, itself a short-term challenge but with long term consequences. Book your place here.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has published a six-month Action Plan in response to the impact COVID-19 has had on its business and across Scotland’s wider historic environment sector. HES has also published its aims for designations for 2020 onwards. You can see how they delivered their last plan in this report on work undertaken during the Designations Three Year Plan 2016-19.

The latest in a suite of legislative rights for communities looking to buy land, the new Right to Buy Land to Further Sustainable Development, came into force on the 26th April 2020. This new legislation gives communities, or nominated third parties, compulsory purchase powers over land in certain circumstances. You can see a webinar Community Land Scotland hosted with Dave Thomson of the Scottish Government Community Land Team, which provides an overview of the legislation, here. The Scottish Land Commission also has a useful blog on the subject.

Scotland’s Chief Planner has announced that the draft National Planning Framework 4 has been postponed until Autumn 2021.

Scottish Natural Heritage and Historic Environment Scotland have launched their survey Joint Planning System Customer Survey 2020. The findings will help SNH and HES to ensure their services which support the planning system are fit-for-purpose and meet the needs of stakeholders. There are also some questions about the Key Agencies, including on how well they have adapted to providing their services since the Covid-19 lockdown. Submit your response no later than 17th June 2020.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) have launched their Digital Attitudes and Skills for Heritage (DASH) survey, which is a free resource that allows heritage organisations to capture a summary of key digital skills and attitudes of their staff and volunteers, as well as reflect on what they do well and where there are opportunities for improvement. Deadline to sign up is 26 June and surveys need to be completed by 10 July. As part of the digital skills initiative, NLHF are also running a series of online events on digital topics, including online safety, accessibility and online learning. Details of the first webinar can be found on their digital skills homepage along with other free resources being developed

We have updated our COVID-19 Funding Advice page with recent developments

Finally, check out the range of online events coming up this month below.

Consultations

The Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee has launched a call for views on the impact of COVID-19 on Scotland’s culture and tourism sectors. There is currently no deadline for responding.

The role of evaluation and research in arts, cultural and heritage organisations 
Open until Sunday 14 June.

Scottish public authorities sharing data: consultation
Extended closing date 15 Jun 2020.

Scottish Natural Heritage & Historic Environment Scotland: Joint Planning System Customer Survey 2020
Submit your response no later than 17th June 2020.

Impact of Covid-19 on DCMS sectors – call for evidence
Extended closing date Friday 19 June 2020. 

Energy Efficiency of Existing Homes Inquiry
You can submit evidence until Monday 22 June 2020.

Coronavirus and Scotland Inquiry
You can submit evidence until Tuesday 23 June 2020.

Shortage occupation list: call for evidence
This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 24 June 2020.

Digital Attitudes and Skills for Heritage (DASH) survey
Deadline to sign up is 26 June.

Just Transition Commission – call for evidence
Extended closing date 30 June 2020. 

Consultation on proposed changes to the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012
This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 14 July 2020.

Consultation Responses

Developing Scotland’s circular economy – proposals for legislation: analysis of responses

Publications

HES Action Plan 2020-21 (HES 29/05/20)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): planning procedures – Chief Planner letter May 2020 (SG 29/05/20)

Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme: progress report 2020 (SG 29/05/20)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): European Structural and Investment Funds (SG 29/05/20)

COVID19: concise support directory for Scotland’s towns, improvement districts and communities (STP 29/05/20)

Safe return and restart -Expanded Guideline to Underpin Construction: Scotland’s Safe Operating Guidance (CICVForum 28/05/20)

Faster, further, fairer: Putting people at the heart of tackling the climate and nature emergency (IPPR 27/05/20)

Designations 2020 Onwards (HES 26/05/20)

A Vision for High Street Regeneration Report (STP 25/05/20)

Retrofitting to decarbonise UK existing housing stock – RICS net zero policy position paper (RICS 19/05/20)

Scottish Government News Releases

Planning’s practical help with the COVID-19 crisis, our recovery – and beyond (SG 01/06/20)
The coronavirus pandemic has turned life upside down for us all and we thank colleagues and partners for their support at this time. We’re continuing our work to create a resilient, digitally driven planning system – in parallel to looking to the future.

Leading the way with digital pathfinders (SG 01/06/20)
To support the development of the digital strategy for Planning and help address the urgent requirement for digital ways of working, the Scottish Government has commissioned three Pathfinder explorations.

News Releases

Historic England Announces Covid-19 Emergency Grants to Help Recovery of Heritage Sector (HE 29/05/20)
Historic England has announced £1.8 million in grants for 70 projects to help tackle the impact of Coronavirus on the heritage sector. The grants range from social distancing guidance for archaeologists during digs, to supporting voluntary organisations and craft workers.

Environmental charities challenge politicians to meet 5 tests for a ‘green recovery’ (SEL 29/05/020)
Leading Scottish environmental charities have today jointly published five tests for politicians to meet when implementing a ‘green recovery’ from COVID-19.

New dates agreed for COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference (DBEIS 28/05/20)
The COP26 UN climate conference will now take place between 1 and 12 November 2021 in Glasgow.

Museums Galleries Scotland provides emergency funding to over 30 sites (MGS 27/05/20)
Museums Galleries Scotland has confirmed the award of emergency funding to more than thirty cultural institutions across Scotland. The development body has also published a report examining the impacts of Covid-19 on the sector.

Recovery Plan (EC 27/05/20)
The European Commission has put forward its proposal for a major coronavirus recovery plan. It plans to create a new recovery instrument, Next Generation EU, to ensure the recovery is “sustainable, even, inclusive and fair” for all Member States. An adjusted Work Programme for 2020 has also been published.

Scottish route map good for construction but housing market fears remain (SCN 26/05/20)
RICS head of UK government relations and city strategy Hew Edgar urges the Scottish Government to raise more awareness of the six-phase return plan for construction and issue clearer guidance with regard to the housing market.

New Homes Quality Board – interim board launched (HFS 26/05/20)
Natalie Elphicke MP has been announced as the interim chair of the interim New Homes Quality Board, a new independent body that will have responsibility for the quality of new build homes and consumer redress.

New innovative technology launched to help care for Scotland’s traditional buildings (HES 25/05/20)
Innovative new technology which could transform how Scotland’s historic buildings are managed, maintained and repaired has been launched.

Retrofitting to decarbonise UK existing housing stock (RICS 19/05/20)
A new RICS paper calls on Government to make a step-change in policies for decarbonising existing UK housing stock, as people spend more time at home due to the Coronavirus lockdown.

Opinion & Comment

Planning for the long-term public interest (SLC 01/06/20)

England’s sites stayed open during lockdown and hundreds of construction workers died (The Developer 27/05/20)

Britain’s Historic Castles Face “Armageddon” as Coronavirus Torpedoes Tourist Season (VF 21/05/20)

Other Parliamentary Activity

The Scottish Parliament will continue to sit throughout the summer recess because of Covid-19.  Holyrood is expected to hold a mix of hybrid and virtual sessions in July to allow MSPs to continue to scrutinise the Government’s handling of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Events

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

Case study: Installing wireless services in an old home
Date & time: 04 June 2020; 14:00 – 14:45
Online platform details: Crowdcast
Brian Sayer, SPAB member and owner of a 16th century thatched cottage, joins us to take members through a case study of introducing wireless services into his historic home during repair works. Register to hear about Brian’s experience and join the discussion on use of these new technologies in a conservation context.

Beside the Sea: Exploring Seaside Vernaculars, Online Lecture
Date & time: 05 June 2020; 14:30
Online platform details: Crowdcast
Step into summer with architectural historian and seaside specialist Dr Kathryn Ferry on this virtual trip to the coast, to share her love of some of the smallest structures that give the seaside its distinctive sense of place. Join Kathryn’s excursion to find out more about promenade buildings including beach huts, shelters and seafood stalls.

Archaeological Research in Progress Conference 2020
Date & time: Saturday 6th June, 10:00am-3pm (videos and articles available from 10am)
Online platform details: Archaeology Scotland Private Facebook Event
Archaeological Research in Progress 2020, an online version of the annual conference which presents new research findings and best practice in archaeology covering all periods from across Scotland and beyond. It is organised in alternate years by Archaeology Scotland and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, with support from Historic Environment Scotland. We will be posting links to video submissions and articles (hosted on the Dig It! website) in our private event group via Facebook. Q&A with the speakers will take place on Twitter and Facebook. Tickets can be reserved on Eventbrite.

Designing for a Changing Climate: Climate, Health & Place
Date & time: Tue, 9 June 2020; 10:50 – 12:30.
Online event.
Architecture and Design Scotland invites you to explore how to plan places to make a step change in responding to the climate crisis and meeting the national carbon reduction targets. Chaired by Ben Twist, Director of Creative Carbon Scotland, this online event will take a creative look at how we can use design and collaborative placemaking to shape places that are climate ready, healthier, happier and support low carbon lifestyles.

Fortnight Fringe | Post-Pandemic Cities
Date & time: Tue, 9 June 2020, 17:30 – 18:30.
Online event.
The cononavirus pandemic changes everything we think about cities. Or does it? Will we be diving straight back into the urban crowd post-lockdown, as if nothing has changed? Will we want to flee the city altogether? Are we discovering new cities we hadn’t seen or experienced before? Or will we be carefully redesigning what we have? A discussion about urban architecture, its history and future in the light of the virus with Suzanne Ewing (Professor of Architectural Criticism, University of Edinburgh), Christoph Lindner (Professor of Urban Studies, The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London), and Richard J Williams (Professor of Contemporary Visual Cultures, University of Edinburgh).

Policy and Persuasion: Heritage Impact Assessment 
Date & time: 11 June 2020; 14:00
Online platform details: Crowdcast
This presentation from SPAB member and heritage consultant, Jhilmil Kishore, will explore key aspects of preparing heritage impact assessments and how to approach them as a successful persuasion tool.

Brochs: the amazing drystone towers of Iron-Age Scotland, Online Lecture
Date & time: 12 June 2020; 14:00 – 15:00
Online platform details: Crowdcast
The Iron-Age societies in Scotland managed to build towers in drystone masonry at an incredible scale and complexity. The brochs are scattered primarily across the NW Atlantic edge of Scotland, providing a variety of sheltered spaces within their volume that are worthy to be looked at in detail, together with some of the features that made them stand. Restored cases like the inspiring remains of Dun Telve show such achievements, but others like Gurness indicate the perils of misinterpreting the complex successive phases that often occurred in these monuments.

Planning Skills – The Value of Early Engagement in land use planning decisions with the Scottish Land Commission
Date & time: Wed, Jun 17, 2020 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
The Planning Skills programme are joined by Kathie Pollard from the Scottish Land Commission and Nick Wright from Nick Wright Planning to look at their recent research on the value of early public engagement. This is a chance to hear about one a series of papers by Scottish Land Commission on Land, Housing & Development. The intention was to explore exactly what developers, property agents, landowners and planners in the public and private sectors believe the benefits of early engagement are and the implications for land use decision-making more widely.

Sir Patrick Geddes Commemorative Lecture – Shaping the new normal with a wellbeing economy: The role for place and planning
Date & time: 18 June 2020 at 04:00 PM – 05:30 PM.
With momentum growing for us all to look at a new normal, many desire an economy that serves people, planet and equity. An end to growth in and of itself and a recognition that our economy is just one way to achieve the ultimate ends we seek: good lives on a healthy planet. Where does Place and the Planning Profession make its contribution? Katherine Trebeck takes on this theme explaining what is different about a Wellbeing Economy to our system, its links into Scotland’s National Outcomes and the role of Place and Planning moving forward.

Lessons learned from repairing historic properties
Date & time: 18 June 2020; 14:00
Online platform details: Crowdcast
SPAB member Martin Telling takes members through the joys and tribulations of owning and repairing two Grade II* listed properties, and through his current repair project to a village inn that has turned out to be one of the last unrecorded medieval buildings in Gloucestershire.

Introduction to technical drawing
Date & time: 25 June 2020; 14:00
Online platform details: Crowdcast
Introduction to Technical Drawing: Front, Side, Section and Plan Elevations and 3D Drawing – led by SPAB member Frank de Caires from On-Change. This interactive session will explore how to measure and create a layout and drawing of an object (and the same principles can be used for drawing a house, building or furniture). This can be useful when planning any building works, construction or designing objects. We will try out methods during the session together.

How grateful one is … John Betjeman & SPAB
Date & time: 26 June 2020; 14:00
Online platform details: Crowdcast
John Betjeman described himself as a “poet and a hack”. He was the nation’s teddy-bear and a devotee of unfashionable causes. Grottos, Victorian railway stations, the Metroland and churches were amongst the threatened icons of English culture that Betjeman sought to save. Betjeman was a life-long supporter of the SPAB. He helped with monumentally important campaigns when he was in his early-twenties, becoming a life-member of the Society aged just 25. He sat on the SPAB Committee from 1952 until his death in 1984. In this lecture, Rachel Morley will take a look back over Betjeman’s involvement with SPAB, highlighting his most influential conservation campaigning work and considering his legacy.

Understanding Wallpaper
Date & time: 07 July 2020; 13:00
Online platform details: Crowdcast
Join the SPAB and the William Morris Gallery for this online afternoon seminar focusing on historic wallpapers, coinciding with the gallery’s exhibition The Yellow Wallpaper – a series of portraits by American artist Kehinde Wiley, which frame contemporary London women in settings inspired by iconic Morris floral designs. Combining a concise history of wallpaper and examination of historic examples, their curation and conservation, with a curator’s introduction to the WMG’s current exhibition, this event will appeal both to general interest and professional audiences seeking to explore technical and social aspects of wallpaper as decoration.

Training

Online CPD: The SPAB Approach in Action: Townscape Heritage
Date & time: 09 June 2020; 12:30 – 13:30
Online platform details: Crowdcast
Jonathan will do a quick run through of the background to Townscape Heritage schemes; their intended outcomes; and their key stages. The focus will then be on the delivery stage and the role of the Townscape Heritage Officer in ensuring that repair and reinstatement works are implemented in accordance with best practice, using appropriate traditional materials, by competent conservation contractors. Community engagement programmes accompany capital works schemes and their contribution towards building an appreciation of old buildings and an understanding of appropriate repair and maintenance of them will be outlined.

BEFS News

On behalf of OPiT, BEFS is coordinating a long-term strategic response to COVID-19, articulating the main challenges identified by the historic environment sector and the role heritage can play in recovery. As an important first step, Historic Environment Scotland have published preliminary findings from their research into the impact of COVID-19 on the country’s heritage sector.

BEFS Director Euan Leitch was interviewed ahead of today’s Historic Environment Working Group meeting for an article on the future of Scotland’s historic sites. Read the full article here.

The Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill passed at stage 3 last night, with various amendments. The legislation gives Scottish Ministers the power to temporarily manage care home services and legislative changes were made in relation to non-domestic rates, the criminal justice system and tax arrangements. A Discretionary Housing Payment will be made available through local authorities. Meanwhile, the First Minister will make her statement today on Scotland’s route map out of lockdown in the Scottish Parliament and will take questions from both party leaders and backbenchers.

A number of BEFS members submitted responses to the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework 4 call for ideas, including the RTPI, Landscape Institute Scotland, CIfA and ALGAO. You can also find Historic Environment Scotland’s submission here.

We have once again updated our COVID-19 heritage funding and advice page with the latest information and links to resources from across the sector.

Consultations

COVID-19 Committee Call for Evidence
The closing date for submissions is Friday 29 May.

Call for Views: Advisory Group on Economic Recovery
Opened 18 May 2020 and closes on 31 May 2020.

Energy Efficiency of Existing Homes Inquiry
You can submit evidence until Monday 22 June 2020.

Coronavirus and Scotland Inquiry
You can submit evidence until Tuesday 23 June 2020.

The Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee has launched a call for views on the impact of COVID-19 on Scotland’s culture and tourism sectors.
There is currently no deadline for responding.

Shortage occupation list: call for evidence
This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 24 June 2020.

Consultation on proposed changes to the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012
This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 14 July 2020.

The role of evaluation and research in arts, cultural and heritage organisations

Scotland Business Survey – Impact of COVID-19

Scottish public authorities sharing data: consultation
Extended closing date 15 Jun 2020.

Impact of Covid-19 on DCMS sectors – call for evidence
Extended closing date Friday 19 June 2020. 

Just Transition Commission – call for evidence
Extended closing date 30 June 2020.

Consultation Responses

Written Submissions Received on the Impact of COVID-19 on Scotland’s Culture and Tourism Sectors

Publications

Active travel mapping resource

Coronavirus (COVID-19): culture and creative sector support (SG 19/05/20)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): European Structural and Investment Funds (SG 15/05/20)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter from the Planning Minister about guidance on the verification of building work (SG 14/05/20)

Tourism and transport: Commission’s guidance on how to safely resume travel and reboot Europe’s tourism in 2020 and beyond* (European Commission 13/05/20)

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) – sector-specific guidance (DBIES 11/05/20)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making – supporting evidence (SG 07/05/20)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): European Structural and Investment Funds (SG 07/05/20)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): liquidity support for SME housebuilders (SG 07/05/20)

Construction Leadership Forum: Safe Operating Procedures and Site Report Repository (CLF 05/20)

Scottish Government News Releases

Extra funding to support tenants (SG 20/05/20)
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart has announced £5 million additional investment to support tenants under financial pressure during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Help for businesses (SG 20/05/20)
The Scottish Government’s Business Support Fund has been increased by £40 million to provide additional support for key sectors of the Scottish economy.

Extra support for charities (SG 12/05/20)
Properties occupied by charities can now apply for the £10,000 Small Business Grant Scheme to help with pressures caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Second Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill (SG 11/05/20)
Emergency measures to protect people facing financial hardship and allow public services to operate effectively have been introduced to Parliament in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

SME support doubles to £90m (SG 08/05/20)
A fund launched last week to provide grants for small and medium-sized businesses affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) is to be doubled from £45m to £90m.

Emergency loan fund for SME housebuilders (SG 07/05/20)
Housebuilders will be able to apply for short-term loans of up to £1 million from the Scottish Government to support them through the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

News Releases

RIAS announces Presidential Candidates (RIAS 20/05/20)
The RIAS has announced details of the candidates for the 2020 Presidential campaign and we’re delighted to introduce the following inspiring members.

Additional £58 million to help Scotland tackle coronavirus (SSS 16/05/20)
The UK Government has today announced an additional £58 million to help the devolved administration in Scotland respond to the challenge of the coronavirus.

RICS calls on Scottish Government for clarity on housing market (SHN 14/05/20)
RICS has called on the Scottish Government for clarity on when the house buying and selling process can restart as it suggested house prices will be 4% lower when the market reopens.

Calls for retrofit drive to spark post-Covid ‘green economic recovery’ (AJ 13/05/20)
The government should launch an ambitious retrofitting programme to spur the UK’s recovery from coronavirus, industry organisations have said.

News and Ideas Exchange 2020 Online Seminar Series – Get Involved (ICON Scotland 13/05/20)
The Icon Scotland Group is excited to be launching a new, online ideas sharing and networking event based on the successful format of the ‘Paper Conservators in Scotland: 5 Minute Presentations’ series. We are looking for volunteers, from all disciplines and locations, to contribute to these events.

Government announces roadmap taskforces (UKG 13/05/20)
New ministerial-led taskforces have been set up to plan how closed sectors can reopen safely including on recreation and leisure, tourism, culture & heritage, libraries, entertainment & sport (led by DCMS.

Applications for Self-Employment Income Support Scheme open early (UKG 13/05/20)
The government’s world-leading scheme to support the self-employed has today opened for claims – weeks ahead of schedule.

Trust confirms emergency measures (NTS 12/05/20)
The magnitude of this year’s expected income losses are of a level similar to the Trust’s current financial reserves and, without taking these actions, it would put the future and wellbeing of some of Scotland’s most iconic places, such as Culzean, Glencoe, Culloden and Mar Lodge Estate, in jeopardy.

Council confirm radical new economic model to drive region post Covid-19 (AC 06/05/20)
NORTH Ayrshire Council is set to outline radical long-term economic plans that will shape how they move forward post Covid-19. Their Community Wealth Building (CWB) approach – which will see the Council and other ‘anchor organisations’ working in partnership with communities and businesses – marks a fundamental change in how we tackle inequality and poverty to create a fairer and more resilient local economy.

Scotland’s Low Emission Zones paused (TS 07/05/20)
Plans to implement low emission zones across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee have been paused temporarily in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards 2020 announced (EU 07/05/20)
The European Commission and Europa Nostra have announced the winners of the 2020 European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards, funded by the EU’s Creative Europe programme.

How to enjoy heritage from home (NLHF 05/20)
We’ve put together a list of heritage-inspired activities you can do from home – we’ll be updating the list, so keep checking back to find new things.

Opinion & Comment

We need a new body to protect Scotland’s heritage (James Simpson, The Times 19/05/20)

Coronavirus comment: Culture is central to who we are – now more than ever we must work to protect it (Fiona Hyslop in Herald 17/05/20)

Parliamentary Questions

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

Question S5W-29229: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 20/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what COVID-19 funding support packages it has in place for people working in the cultural sector, and how many people have been supported to date.

Question S5W-29227: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 20/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for support from the Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises Fund it has received; what the total value of funding requested was; how many applications were approved, and what the total value of the awards made was, also broken down by the (a) creative and cultural, (b) tourism and (c) hospitality sector.

Question S5W-29197: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what criteria were used to allocate the first tranche of funding from the Supporting Communities Fund, and what criteria it will use to allocate the second tranche.

Question S5W-29201: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what role SCVO has in allocating grants from the Supporting Communities Fund.

Question S5W-29202: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how many community organisations made applications to the Supporting Communities Fund, and when the application process will open for the next £10 million available.

Question S5W-29195: John Finnie, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government, where it is the owner of land, how it ensures that there is no conflict of interest between its roles as asset holder and asset transfer manager when a community seeks transfer of that land to community ownership.

Question S5W-29149: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it has made available to the National Trust of Scotland in each of the last five years, and whether additional funding will be provided over the next 12 months in light of the COVID-19 pandemic to help protect (a) jobs and (b) venues.

Question S5W-29148: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what communications it has had with the National Trust of Scotland regarding potential redundancies in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and what action it is taking to help save these jobs.

Question S5W-29145: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how much net income it estimates will be lost in the (a) arts and culture and (b) tourism sector in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and when it expects it to return to the 2019 level.

Question S5W-29147: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what funding it will make available to the arts and culture sector to allow for adaptions to be implemented to allow social distancing to be observed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Question S5W-29002: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it has made available to the arts, culture and tourism sectors as a result of COVID-19; how many grants have been awarded, and how many applications were rejected.

Question S5W-29003: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how many fewer tourists have visited Scotland from January to May 2020 compared with the same period in 2019.

Question S5W-29004: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of jobs lost in the arts, culture and tourism sectors as a result of COVID-19, also broken down by the number that it estimates could be lost in these sectors in 2020.

Question S5W-29005: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the financial loss will be to the arts, culture and tourism sectors as a result of COVID-19.

Parliamentary Questions & Answers

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

Question S5W-28557: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 20/04/2020
To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will resume the work of the Sustainable Housing for Everyone (SHORE) standards, and for what reason it paused this workstream.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (27/04/2020)

Events

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

Making Decisions and Leading Through Crisis
Date & time: May 22, 2020 11:00am.
In partnership with HES and the Social Enterprise Academy we will be running the following webinar looking at Making Decisions and Leading Through Crisis. A crisis can cause a number of reactions within individuals and teams, all of which can impact decision making. Whether you notice decisions are currently speeding up, slowing down or not happening at all this session will support you to develop your understanding about what a good decision making process looks like for your organisation. This session is an opportunity for you to develop your confidence in making decisions during this uncertain and unpredictable period and gain an understanding of helpful tools and techniques that can support you and your teams to make effective decisions. The session will also offer an opportunity for you to connect with your peers and learn from each other’s successes and challenges during this period of crisis.

IHBC Virtual Conference OLD TOWNS | NEW FUTURES Heritage Reflections and Speculations from a Global Pandemic
Date & time: 19 June; morning & afternoon sessions
Current specialist takes on urban challenges from the global pandemic, with lead international experts including Carl Elefante, 94th President, American Institute of Architects; Cliff Hague, RTPI Past President; Carol Souter, former HLF CE, now Oxford; Prof, Plácido González Martínez, Tongji University; and more in IHBC’s ‘Virtual’ conference, 19 June, with wide-ranging expert talks, Q&A, polls, morning / afternoon options from only £15+VAT. Certified IHBC CPD.

Vacancies

Edinburgh World Heritage Director
Edinburgh World Heritage plays a central role in the management and protection of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. Our current Director is leaving us in June and the Board of Trustees is looking to appoint a Director who will build on our achievements and lead us in the next stage of our development. This exciting opportunity is one of the most important leadership roles in the heritage sector in Scotland, if not the UK.
Closing date Monday 15th June at 5pm.

President of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is looking for candidates to replace the current President, Dr David Caldwell, when he steps down after two terms on 30 November 2020. This is an opportunity to lead a major independent charitable heritage organisation in Scotland with a global membership.
The deadline for applications is 12 midnight Tuesday 30 June 2020.

BEFS News

Throughout 2019 and early 2020 BEFS, on behalf of the OPiT Built Heritage Investment group, has been continuing the development of the prioritisation strand of work. Further events, feedback, and consultation has taken place with a wide range of stakeholders and potential ‘users’, refining the thinking and documentation. Some of this feedback changed how the project was referred to; the prioritisation work has developed into the Sustainable Investment Toolkit (SIT). This Toolkit was due to be released for consultation by Historic Environment Scotland (on behalf of the OPiT group) in March/April 2020. Due to the COVID-19 situation this consultation has been understandably delayed. However, the SIT Toolkit can be found here. Further information on the development of the process can be found on BEFS Prioritisation page.

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2020 was laid before the Scottish Parliament on 23 April and came into effect on 24 April 2020. The Order amends the GPDO to grant planning permission for certain development carried out by, or on behalf of local authorities or health service bodies for the purposes of  preventing, reducing, mitigating or controlling the effects of the current emergency caused by the spread of the COVID 19 virus and its impacts on public health. The amendment is time limited and will cease to have effect on or before 31 December 2020. You can also find a Policy Note on The Town and Country Planning (Miscellaneous Temporary Modifications) (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Regulations 2020, which addresses public events, here.

Two of BEFS Associate Members have commented on these, and other recent amending legislation, with regard to the wider implications for public engagement in planning. You can read the full piece with comments from the Cockburn Association and Planning Democracy here.

Within the current £50m Heritage Emergency Fund, the National Lottery Heritage Fund are creating a new grant range of £50,000 – £250,000. They will be developing the detail for how to apply to these new grants in the coming week. Find out more.

BEFS is taking part in DASH – The Digital Attitudes and Skills for Heritage survey. It’s a free resource, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, that allows UK heritage organisations to capture a summary of key digital skills and attitudes of their staff and volunteers, and use this to support reflection and identify improvement opportunities for working better together. Many organisations are currently assessing their digital skills and involvement. 100 organisations are already signed-up. To read more and become a responding organisation (10 staff/volunteers needed per organisation) visit the website.

The Heritage Alliance are launching Heritage Digital, a digital skills training programme to build the capacity of heritage organisations across the UK. More details and how to register your interest or volunteer here.

We have updated our COVID-19 heritage funding and advice page and downloadable Pdf with the latest information.

Have you submitted your favourite historic environment project or initiative as a best practice case study for our database and the OPiT 2019 report? More details.

The IHBC’s 2020 Virtual School, Old Towns | New Futures – Heritage Reflections and Speculations from a Global Pandemic, on 19th June, brings together leading authorities and representatives from across and beyond the world of heritage, conservation, government and development to address the urban challenges from the global pandemic. More details on speakers and registration here.

Finally, check out the other online events and training available in the coming weeks below.

Consultations

Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making – Call for ideas
Opened 5 May 2020 and closes 11 May 2020.

The Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee has launched a call for views on the impact of COVID-19 on Scotland’s culture and tourism sectors. There is currently no deadline for responding.

The role of evaluation and research in arts, cultural and heritage organisations

Scotland Business Survey – Impact of COVID-19 

The practice of cash retention under construction contracts
Closes 13 May 2020. 

Scottish public authorities sharing data: consultation
Extended closing date 15 Jun 2020.

Impact of Covid-19 on DCMS sectors – call for evidence
Extended closing date Friday 19 June 2020. 

Just Transition Commission – call for evidence
Extended closing date 30 June 2020.

Consultation Responses

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has published the findings of a survey into the progress of remediation work to improve fire safety in residential buildings.

Publications

Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making – further information (SG 05/05/20)

Planning for Scotland in 2050 National Planning Framework 4 – Programme For Engagement Update April 2020 (SG 04/20)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): construction sector guidance (SG 01/05/20)

Talk of the Town: Supporting place based storytelling (UKCT 30/04/20)

Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2019 (SG 28/04/20)

Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey – site register (SG 28/04/20)

Which Local Areas are Most at Risk of Impacts of Coronavirus on Employment (RSA 27/04/20)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on allocations for the housing sector (SG 26/04/20)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making (SG 23/04/20)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): planning guidance on pre-application consultations for public events (SG 23/04/20)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): culture and creative sector support (SG 23/04/20)

INFORM Guide: Tenement Maintenance (HES 23/04/20)

COVID-19 and our Towns (Centre for Towns 23/04/20)

Scottish Government News Releases

Aid for private rental landlords (SG 05/05/20)
A £5 million fund will offer interest-free loans to landlords whose tenants are having difficulty paying rent during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

£100m funds to help business (SG 03/04/20)
A £100 million package of additional grant support for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) and newly self-employed people opens for applications later today.

News Releases

Public are asked to help identify Scotland’s archives (HES 06/05/20)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has asked the public to help identify over 5,000 archive images which are now available online for the first time.

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Update (SoAoS 06/05/20)
Society lectures are now available to watch free on YouTube. So why not have a quick look at the list of our filmed lectures to see if one is of particular interest? They cover a wide range of Scottish heritage, history and archaeology topics, the most recent lecture focusses on Bronze Age hoards and what they can tell us about Scotland 3,000 years ago. Also keep an eye out for rescheduled events on the website.

CICV Forum infographic offers key to understanding essential work (SCN 04/05/20)
A new infographic aims to provide greater clarity over essential work and help the public understand exactly what construction projects key workers can carry out.

Scottish Land & Estates calls for planning flexibility in rural communities (SHN 04/05/20)
Greater flexibility and a rural focus in the planning system is required if rural communities are to thrive in the future as the lasting impact of the coronavirus pandemic takes it toll, according to Scottish Land & Estates (SLE).

Coronavirus: National Trust ‘faces £200m losses this year’ (BBC 02/05/20)
The National Trust has warned it could lose up to £200m this year following the coronavirus outbreak – putting some of its key projects at risk.

Reallocating road space for walking, cycling and wheeling during COVID-19 (Improvement Service 30/04/20)
Watch the Webinar hosted by the Place Network Scotland and Improvement Service, on 30th of April 2020.

RTPI Awards for Research Excellence – open for Entries (RTPI 30/04/20)
The RTPI Awards for Research Excellence recognise and promote high quality, impactful spatial planning research carried out by chartered members and accredited planning schools from around the world. The awards are open for entries until Monday 18 May.

RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2020 (RTPI 30/04/20)
This year we rolled out the virtual red carpet as we came together online to celebrate the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2020.The details of the winners, commendations and finalists in this year’s awards.

Winners announced: My Place Photography Competition 2020 (SCT 30/04/20)
My Place Photography Competition is a Scotland-wide built environment photography competition for school age young people (4-18).  The theme for the 2020 competition was water, to celebrate Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters.

Good Energy partnership to help Scottish cultural sector ‘go green’ (CCS 30/04/20)
A new collaboration between Creative Carbon Scotland and Good Energy will support Scotland’s cultural sector to go green.

£7.3 million of National Lottery cash bolster incredible efforts of Scottish community projects (NL 28/04/20)
The incredible efforts of Scottish community groups, their staff and volunteers are being recognised with £7 million of National Lottery funding announced today (TUESDAY 28TH APRIL).

£10 million to support pop-up active travel infrastructure (Transport Scotland 28/04/20)
To better enable physical distancing, the Scottish Government will fully fund a new infrastructure programme for pop-up walking and cycling routes or temporary improvements to existing routes.

Shaping our futures – Communities and the Right to Buy for Sustainable Development (SLC 26/04/20)
With the Community Right to Buy for Sustainable Development coming in to place this weekend, Land Commissioner Megan MacInnes looks at what it means for communities and for land reform.

Opinion & Comment

Coronavirus: we’re in a real-time laboratory of a more sustainable urban future (TC 27/04/20)

Socially connected, physically distant (PAS 23/04/20)

Retrofit empty homes and bring them into use, says new RetroFirst backer (AJ 21/04/20)

Parliamentary Questions & Answers

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

Question S5W-28434: Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 16/04/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with creative sector leaders regarding COVID-19 funding for Creative Scotland, and whether it plans to allocate further funding to the creative sector beyond what it has already announced.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (05/05/2020)

Question S5W-28430: Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 16/04/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how much Creative Scotland has allocated to the (a) Creative Scotland Bridging Bursary Fund and (b) Screen Scotland Bridging Bursary Fund to support practitioners impacted by COVID-19.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (04/05/2020)

Question S5W-28429: Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 16/04/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated to Creative Scotland in relation to COVID-19 financial support.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (04/05/2020)

Question S5W-28557: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 20/04/2020
To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will resume the work of the Sustainable Housing for Everyone (SHORE) standards, and for what reason it paused this workstream.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (27/04/2020)

Events

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

Edinburgh World Heritage in conversation with…architects
Date & time: 6pm – 7.30pm Thursday 7 May 2020
Online: Zoom, free to attend
Is Edinburgh architecture at the dawn of a new ‘Golden Age’? Today’s Edinburgh skyline reveals not only the towers and spires of our renowned World Heritage Site, but also countless cranes and gantries which signify the biggest building boom the city has seen for many years. In this conversation with leading architects Rab Bennetts, Malcom Fraser, and Richard Murphy, we will look at how the city is changing and ask whether future generations will look back and call this a ‘golden age’.

Magical House Protection: The Archaeology of Counter-Witchcraft
Date & time: 15 May 2020 : 18:00 – 19:00
Venue:  Online
In this lecture Brian will talk about the evidence of witchcraft beliefs which has been discovered in the fabric of buildings throughout Britain and far beyond. Objects such as witch-bottles, dried cats, horse skulls, written charms and markings which have been carved onto surfaces are all testimony to these strong the beliefs which were once commonplace. Brian has been conducting research into the archaeology of magical building protection since 1999. He has a popular website and in 2019 his book, Magical House Protection – The Archaeology of Counter-Witchcraft was published by Berghahn Books. When not in lock-down he lectures widely for groups all over the UK and Europe.

Managing Maintenance – The Traditional Buildings Health Check Scheme
Date & time: 22 May 2020 : 18:00 – 19:00
Venue: Online
Tune in to hear Mitchell Fotheringham discuss the Traditional Buildings Health Check (TBHC), a pilot project funded by Historic Environment Scotland and Construction Industry Training Board, which operated in Stirling from 2013 to 2018. The TBHC’s main objective was to inform property owners on the condition of their pre-1919 buildings through a detailed report produced by building inspectors. The report prioritises all defects and maintenance issues and provides advice on the traditional methods and materials which should be used in their repair.

IHBC Virtual Conference OLD TOWNS | NEW FUTURES Heritage Reflections and Speculations from a Global Pandemic
Date & time: 19 June; morning & afternoon sessions.
Location: Online.
Current specialist takes on urban challenges from the global pandemic, with lead international experts including Carl Elefante, 94th President, American Institute of Architects; Cliff Hague, RTPI Past President; Carol Souter, former HLF CE, now Oxford; Prof, Plácido González Martínez, Tongji University; and more in IHBC’s ‘Virtual’ conference, 19 June, with wide-ranging expert talks, Q&A, polls, morning / afternoon options from only £15+VAT. Certified IHBC CPD.

Training

Digital Heritage Lab – A Digital Skills Development Programme for Small & Medium Heritage Organisations in the UK
Digital Heritage Lab is funded through the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Digital Skills for Heritage initiative. It is a free programme for small and medium heritage organisations seeking to develop their digital capabilities and capacity.

TRepair and Maintenance Case Studies –  Member Skill-Share
Date & time: 07 May 2020 : 14:00 – 14:45
Venue: Online
We are pleased to welcome SPAB member and surveyor Martin Hall to share some maintenance and repair case studies from his recent work. You can find out more about Martin and his work here.

Decorative Plasterwork in Traditional Buildings: History, Research and Conservation Techniques
Date & time: 12 May 2020 : 12:30 – 13:30
Venue: Online CPD Session.
William’s presentation will cover the development of decorative plasterwork from the mid-16th century to the present day and its appropriate repair. He will discuss changes of styles, materials and techniques over the centuries, and the challenges which face the craft today and in the future.

Identifying & dealing with buildings at risk – member skill-share
Date & time: 14 May 2020 : 14:00 – 14:45
Venue: Online
Join SPAB member and heritage consultant Bob Kindred for an online session on identifying and dealing with buildings at risk. You can find out more about Bob and his work here.

New Design for Old Buildings
Date & time: 19 May 2020 : 12:30 – 19:30
Venue: Online CPD Session.
An introduction, informed by the SPAB’s distinctive approach, to the principles of designing new work for old buildings, and to integrating alterations and additions sensitively and sustainably, whilst protecting historic character and fabric. Roger Hunt is an award-winning writer and blogger with a particular interest  in sustainable and vernacular architecture and the materials and techniques used in construction. His book New Design for Old Buildings (co-authored with Iain Boyd, with a foreword by Kevin McCloud) explores how effective contemporary design can give new life to the historic environment. He is also co-author (with Marianne  Suhr) of both the bestselling Old House Handbook and Old House Eco Handbook, recently republished in a second edition. He is also the author of Rural Britain: Then and Now, a celebration of the British countryside, Villages of England, and Hidden Depths, an archaeological exploration of Surrey’s past. Roger lectures on building-related issues and is a judge of annual awards for new housing. His latest renovation project is a 1900 house on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA.

Conversion of casemate 52, Fort Cumberland – member skill-share
Date & time: 21 May 2020 :
Venue: Online
This virtual session led by architect and SPAB member Deniz Beck will talk attendees through the conversion of one of the casemates of Fort Cumberland in Portsmouth into a traditional timber workshop, now used for renovating timber boats. Find out more about Deniz and her work here.

Heritage and Climate Change
Date & time: 03 June 2020 : 12:30 – 13:30
Venue: Online CPD Session.
Heritage can play a large roll in contributing to climate change solutions, but we also have to be cognisant of how climate change can affect heritage. Hear Managing Director of Carrig Conservation International Ltd. Peter Cox discuss how climate change can affect heritage, and how we can mitigate the effects. Peter Cox is Managing Director of Carrig Conservation International Ltd. and President of the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Energy Sustainably and Climate Change.

Understanding Building Performance
Date & time: On Demand until 08 July 2020.
Venue: Online CPD Session.
Dr Robyn Pender is a Senior Building Conservation Adviser in Historic England’s Policy and Evidence directorate. A physicist with a PhD in moisture transfer in porous materials, and lead editor of the Building Environment volume in HE’s Practical Building Conservation series, she advises on all aspects of building performance, including damp, energy and carbon, and climate change issues. She will discuss the different methods of assessing building performance, and explain why environmental monitoring is important, particularly in old buildings. This is a pre-recorded session that was part of our 2020 CPD series.