Joaquin Basile Patron, Communications Intern at Prince’s Regeneration Trust, reflects on his impressions of BEFS two-day conference, Financing the Historic Environment.
On the 29 and 30 of March 2017, I attended the conference Financing the Historic Environment organized by Built Environment Forum Scotland, Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland and the BRICK (Building Resources, Investment & Community Knowledge) programme run by The Prince’s Regeneration Trust (PRT) where I currently work.
As a communications intern from Uruguay who has lived in London for less than two months, my background in heritage is limited, making the chance to be a part of this conference a great opportunity for increasing my understanding of relevant issues within the heritage field. Before I attended this conference, I did not know how heritage projects managed to obtain funding, and I was curious to discover the different processes that organizations must go through to achieve their goals. Listening to all the presentations and interviewing some of the key people at this conference allowed me to understand that finding funding for heritage projects can be a struggle, but with determination and community engagement, it is not impossible and, indeed, there are many success stories.
Different methods to achieve financial goals were successfully explored in both days of Financing the Historic Environment. On day one, a main topic discussed was “Commercial Investment in the Historic Environment,” which guided participants to better understand this alternative method for obtaining funds for project development. Representatives from Scottish Property Federation, Trevor Osborne Property Group and the Royal Bank of Scotland examined the risk factors behind investing in a historic building. Although the speakers initially established a slightly pessimistic scenario for historic buildings by agreeing on the greater economic appeal of modern buildings, they did share hope for those who intended to restore heritage sites. When an audience member enquired on how to address some of the given risks, the speakers agreed that, although the lack of flexibility and lower-level efficiency of historic buildings represent a risk to investors, the negative impact of these factors might be decreased through community engagement, increasing a project’s chances for funding.
On day two, I was able to understand the benefits of tourism on the preservation of historic treasures. On the section “Heritage Tourism Investment” Jana Hutt from Knockando Woolmill, Martin Hulse from Dunston Staiths and Paul Higson from Portsoy Sail Loft discussed their work on projects that were meant to attract tourism. Although combining touristic activity and historic buildings can be a challenging task, these speakers emphasized how a deep knowledge of a heritage project can benefit the project’s outcomes. When an attendee asked about the importance of collaboration among different heritage projects, Ms. Hutt argued that it is important to collaborate with other local projects to achieve better results. Day two also provided examples of success stories to help inspire delegates who are working on similar projects.
Overall, “Financing the Historic Environment” was a huge success, trending locally on Twitter (with #HeritageFinance) and with great attendance both on 29th and 30th of March. Personally, this conference has taught the difficulties for some projects to reach completion but also how rewarding it is for all those who were involved every step of the way. The tools provided by each speaker will hopefully encourage the preservation of other historic buildings that are significant to the history of the United Kingdom and that have the potential to provide new jobs and revive a local community. The diversity of the speakers presenting at Financing the Historic Environment further elevated this event by exposing me and the rest of the attendees to the benefits (and challenges) of obtaining both public and private funding and by providing insights into different heritage projects. Events such as Financing the Historic Environment share BRICK’s goals of supporting community groups that are trying to create a better future for their local area by saving their heritage sites. I believe that these kinds of events can be meaningful for communities and lead to new projects. I sincerely hope that more collaborations among heritage organizations happen in the future to preserve, what I see to be, one of the biggest parts of the UK’s culture.
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Insightful and colourful presentations from a range of speakers who contributed to BEFS two-day conference in Glasgow.
2017 is the Year of History Heritage and Archaeology, a celebration of what gives Scotland its unique character and draws people to live, work and visit. Caring for these assets is a collaborative effort across the United Kingdom undertaken by a wide range of organisations, from voluntary community groups to large-scale commercial development, public bodies and local and national government.
These are challenging times for public sector budgets and while the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act creates the potential for transfer of historic assets to communities there remains a need for the commercial sector to invest in historic places. In a changing economic landscape, an era of rapid technological advancement and the need to mitigate the challenges of climate change there is no escape from the historic environment’s need for increased investment.
What are the challenges faced by the investment community in developing historic buildings? How does grant aided investment lever in additional funding and stimulate economic activity? How can local authority and public body asset management make the most of the historic environment? What makes small scale tourist sites financially viable? How are national heritage organisations approaching investment in their portfolios? How can the heritage sector help overcome any barriers?
BEFS two-day conference, organised in collaboration with Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland and the BRICK programme run by The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, explored these questions and how local communities can be at the heart of solutions. To find out more, view the presentations of our wide range of speakers across the two days:
DAY ONE
Commercial Investment in the Historic Environment
- Paul Curran, Scottish Property Federation
- Robert Moore, Trevor Osborne Property Group
- Stuart Heslop, Royal Bank of Scotland
Local Investment
- Sarah Kettles, Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme
- Alan Lodge, Townscape Heritage Initiative
- Robin Webster, Glasgow City Heritage Trust
Keynote
Heritage Asset Management
- Richard Cairns, West Dunbartonshire Council
- Stewart Adams, NHS
- Gary Brown, Brymbo Heritage Group
Keynote
- Ian Marcus, The Prince’s Regeneration Trust
DAY TWO
Heritage Tourism Investment
- Jana Hutt, Knockando Woolmill
- Martin Hulse, Dunston Staiths
- Paul Higson, Portsoy Sail Loft
Keynote
Access to Funding
- Oluwaseun Soyemi, Heritage Enterprise
- Gordon Barr, Architectural Heritage Fund
- Ailsa Raeburn, Scottish Land Fund
Funding the National Collections
- Bryan Dickson, National Trust for Scotland
- David Mitchell, Historic Environment Scotland
Keynote
- Scott McCauley, New Lanark Trust
List of delegates who attended the conference.
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Organised in collaboration with Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland and the BRICK programme run by The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, this conference will take place on 29th-30th March at the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow.
Date: 29th and 30th March 2017.
Venue: Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow.
Organisers: Built Environment Forum Scotland, Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland and the BRICK programme run by The Prince’s Regeneration Trust.
2017 is the Year of History Heritage and Archaeology, a celebration of what gives Scotland its unique character and draws people to live, work and visit. Caring for these assets is a collaborative effort across the United Kingdom undertaken by a wide range of organisations, from voluntary community groups to large-scale commercial development, public bodies and local and national government.
These are challenging times for public sector budgets and while the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act creates the potential for transfer of historic assets to communities there remains a need for the commercial sector to invest in historic places. In a changing economic landscape, an era of rapid technological advancement and the need to mitigate the challenges of climate change there is no escape from the historic environment’s need for increased investment.
What are the challenges faced by the investment community in developing historic buildings? How does grant aided investment lever in additional funding and stimulate economic activity? How can local authority and public body asset management make the most of the historic environment? What makes small scale tourist sites financially viable? How are national heritage organisations approaching investment in their portfolios? How can the heritage sector help overcome any barriers?
This two-day conference, organised by Built Environment Forum Scotland, Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland and the BRICK programme run by The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, will explore these questions and how local communities can be at the heart of solutions.
View the full programme here.
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Get The Latest Historic Environment Events, Jobs, News And Publications In BEFS Bulletin.
BEFS News
BEFS conference, Financing the Historic Environment, organised in collaboration with Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland and the BRICK programme run by The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, will take place on 29th and 30th March at the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow. Check out the programme and booking your ticket here.
In the run up to the local government elections in May, HES has created a tool to search for designated assets by constituency and council ward. This interactive searchable map will prove a useful advocacy tool for you and/or your organisation when discussing the impact of the historic environment with your local politicians.
In addition to BEFS conference, there are a great number of events coming up this month organised by BEFS members and associates. Check out the ‘events’ section for full details.
Consultations
Consultation on HES Managing Change in the Historic Environment: Windows
Consultation on one in a series of guidance notes offering best practice advice on specific topics relating to the historic environment. They provide guidance on making changes to the historic environment in line with Scottish Planning Policy and Historic Environment Scotland Policy Statement. HES is particularly keen to hear from those who have experience in applying for permission to replace windows (whether as an applicant or agent) in listed buildings or within conservation areas and those in local authorities involved in determining applications.
This consultation will close at 6pm on Friday 28 April 2017.
Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement: A Consultation
A consultation on the Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement, which is a set of principles with an overarching vision that will guide the development of public policy on the nature and character of land rights and responsibilities in Scotland.
Closes 10 Mar 2017.
Consultation Responses
Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 – Participation Requests – Consultation on Draft Regulations – Analysis of Consultation (SG 23/02/17)
This report provides an analysis of responses to the Scottish Government consultation on draft regulations and guidance associated with participation requests under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. The consultation took place between 21 March 2016 and 22 June 2016.
Historic Environment Protection Reform Group
Summer Consultation 2016 responses: Heritage Protection Reform Proposals
Publications
Scottish Local Government Finance Statistics 2015-16 (SG 28/02/17)
Scottish Local Government Financial Statistics is an annual publication that provides a comprehensive overview of Scottish Local Authority financial activity. The publication covers Local Authority income, revenue and capital expenditure, outstanding debt, local taxation and Local Authority pensions.
Scottish Government News Releases
82 new affordable homes for Govan (SG 01/03/17)
£6.8m investment in charitable bonds. South Glasgow is set to benefit from 82 new affordable homes for social rent, helped by £5 million support from an innovative Scottish Government scheme.
Supporting urban regeneration (SG 28/02/17)
The Scottish Government’s SPRUCE (Scottish Partnership for Regeneration in Urban Centres) fund has been so successful that more money is now available. The fund initially invested £50 million, in loan form, in regeneration and energy efficiency schemes across Scotland. As those loans are starting to be repaid and some ahead of time, the investment can be recycled and used to deliver further regeneration projects.
Brexit meeting update (23/02/17)
“Urgent answers needed” on powers, farming, fisheries and environment. Guarantees over future powers and the protection of European funding and market access are needed urgently, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said.
Third sector vital to EU stability (23/02/17)
Uncertainty for sector in light of Brexit. Withdrawal from the EU would pose a threat to Scotland’s strong and dynamic third sector, which plays a crucial role in the drive for social justice and inclusive economic growth.
Commitment to regeneration (SG 21/02/17)
Clyde Gateway to benefit from £6.5 million of Scottish Government funding. Scotland’s largest regeneration project, Clyde Gateway has been awarded a £1 million loan from the Scottish Government’s SPRUCE (Scottish Partnership for Regeneration in Urban Centres) fund.
Tackling Climate Change (SG 20/02/17)
£10 million Climate Challenge Fund awarded. More than one hundred organisations across Scotland are to benefit from almost £10 million of funding to support local action to tackle climate change.
Scottish Land Fund awards (SG 16/02/17)
11 community groups share £2.1 million to develop community spaces. Communities the length and breadth of Scotland have been given the green light to realise their ambitions to take ownership of and redevelop local land.
Improving Scotland’s Energy Efficiency (SG 15/02/17)
£11m funding pot opens for new projects. A further £11 million of funding has been made available for councils across Scotland to make homes, public buildings and businesses more energy efficient.
News Releases
£6.2 million funding boost for Scotland’s historic towns and cities (HES 28/02/17)
Alex Paterson, Chief Executive of HES, announces funding to preserve the built heritage of Scotland’s town centres. Seven communities across Scotland will benefit from the latest round of Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) funding announced today.
Review of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund launched (DCMS & HLF 23/02/17)
The Government has today launched a call for evidence on the roles and responsibilities of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) and Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
Housing starts hit 9-year high (DCLG 23/02/17)
The number of new build homes that have started to be built continued to rise last year to the highest level since 2007, figures released today (23 February 2017) show.
Rural land prices predicted to fall during Brexit negotiations (RICS 23/02/17)
Demand for farmland in Great Britain has further decreased, having now been declining for the last 18 months, according to the latest RICS/RAU Rural Land Market Survey.
Celebrate Scotland’s history in 2017 (HES 22/02/17)
People across Scotland are being encouraged to get up close and personal with their history this year as we unveil our programme of events for 2017 as part of Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.
Historic sites break tourism record with four million visitors (HES 15/02/17)
Footfall at Scotland’s heritage attractions up 13% year-on-year. Historic Environment Scotland’s staffed heritage attractions have drawn in more visitors than ever before. Over the last 11 months – from April 2016 to present – a record breaking 4,000,000 people have flocked to historic sites across the length and breadth of the country.
Members’ News
Director’s Notes – February 2017 (EWHT 28/02/17)
Adam Wilkinson’s reflects on a busy start to the year at Edinburgh World Heritage.
SP=EED Verification in Fife (PAS 27/02/17)
Bill Lindsay – Service Manager (Development Plan) – Fife Council – blogs about commissioning PAS to deliver SP=EED Verification to a range of Fife Council staff.
Places, People and Planning – Development Planning (RTPI 24/02/17)
RTPI Scotland will working closely with our members over the coming months to prepare our response to the Scottish Government consultation paper Places, People and Planning. We have already published a paper setting out some key game changers Repositioning Planning. Alongside our Chapters we are running a series of member workshops across Scotland, each one tasked with exploring one of the review’s key themes.
Channel 4, Chocolate Media and RICS join forces to showcase the very best restoration projects (RICS 23/02/17)
Channel 4 has today announced the commission of an exciting new series, ‘Restoration of the Year’, from Chocolate Media. The series features projects entered into the RICS Awards and the series will be made in collaboration with RICS, who will judge the projects.
Delivery vs Engagement – A way through the tension? (RTPI 21/02/17)
Nick Wright gives his take on how to reconcile two potentially conflicting aims of the Planning Review: Better community engagement, and more efficient delivery.
Parliamentary Questions
Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.
S5W-07480 Monica Lennon: To ask the Scottish Government what financial and practical support it makes available to communities and individuals to participate in the statutory planning process. R (SP 24/02/17)
S5W-07597 Mike Rumbles: To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the initial projected cost of the Forth Replacement Crossing project was an overestimate. (SP 01/03/17)
S5W-07598 Mike Rumbles: To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the date the Forth Replacement Crossing will be (a) completed and (b) open to the public, and how this compares with the initial projected date. (SP 01/03/17)
Parliamentary Questions & Answers
Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.
Question S5W-06974: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 08/02/2017
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-06198 by Kevin Stewart on 30 January 2017, whether it will provide further details of the “novel proposals” that it is assessing in relation to the building of new mid-market rent homes, and at what stage these assessments are.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (24/02/2017)
Events
For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.
Painting the City, 250 Years of the New Town
When: Monday 6th March, 6.30pm.
Where: St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, Edinburgh.
Tickets on the Door, £5
Ahead of his exhibition at the Scottish Gallery in July 2017 the distinguished watercolourist Hugh Buchanan talks about the influence of Edinburgh’s architecture on his work and how it inspired him as a student at Edinburgh College of Art.
Post War Architecture
When: Tuesday 7th March, 6pm.
Where: LT2, Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, University of Dundee, DD1 4EN.
Free. Scotland’s theatres 1951-95 and St Peter’s, Cardross,
Alistair Fair and Diane Watters discuss twentieth century Scottish architecture.
‘A Monumental Essay’: a talk by Alastair Penman.
When: Saturday 11th March, 2pm
Where: Gordon Memorial Hall, St. Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Whitepark Road, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, DG7 1EX
Tickets on the door, £5 including refreshments. Alistair Penman is the director of the Stewartry Archaeological Trust and author of ‘Old Castle Douglas’, ‘Old Kirkcudbright’ and ‘Some Customs, Folklore, and Superstitions of Galloway’.
White, Black and Grey: Recent Discoveries at Aberdeen’s Medieval Friaries
When: 13 Mar 2017 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
Where: National Museum Scotland Auditorium (use Main entrance), Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF.
Ms Alison Cameron from Cameron Archaeology Ltd will present a lecture entitled “White, Black and Grey: recent discoveries at Aberdeen’s medieval friaries”.
Save the Royal High School Public Meeting
When: Tuesday 14th March, 6.30pm.
Where: Central Hall, Tollcross, Edinburgh.
Everyone welcome, come along to find out about the new hotel application and what you can do. #SaveRHS
Property Maintenance Event – Caring for our Common Heritage
When: Wednesday 15 March 2017. Registration from 7.00pm Start 7.30pm.
Where: Carmelite Hotel, Stirling Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6JU.
Ensure you and your neighbours protect your biggest asset. With predicted increases of extreme weather events, it has never been more important to work collaboratively with neighbours to ensure that common repairs and maintenance of your traditional tenement or flat are carried out regularly and after damage occurs.
Property Maintenance Event – Remedying Traditional Building Deterioration
When: Thursday 16 March 2017. Registration from 7.00pm Start 7.30pm.
Where: Carmelite Hotel, Stirling Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6JU.
Identifying the causes and remedying the deterioration of traditional buildings can be one of the most challenging aspects of professional practice. This event will consider approaches to better understanding, identifiying and remedying deterioration and will provide the latest thinking on the use of traditional lime mortars.
The restoration of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Glasgow School of Art
When: March 21 @ 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm.
Where: Regent Building Lecture Theatre, Regent Walk, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX.
Liz Davidson OBE, Hon FRIAS, IHBC, Senior project Manager, Mackintosh Project, Glasgow School of Art, will present a lecture entitled “Restoring the Mackintosh Building following the 2014 fire”, exploring this iconic structure, the influence of Mackintosh and the Four and its restoration.
Patrick Geddes: A Botanist by Design?
When: Weds March 22nd – 13.00-16.30.
Where: Royal Botanic Garden, 20A Inverleith Row, EH3 5LR.
A Riddle’s Court event in advance of the Patrick Geddes Centre for Learning opening Sept 2017. From his rural Perthshire upbringing via his Professorship at University College, Dundee, botany played a central role in Patrick Geddes’ life and work. This Riddle’s Court event in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), will include a tour of the herbarium building and, uniquely, will reveal some of Geddes’ own botanical collections. Tickets available on Eventbrite or via SHBT.
Scottish Young Planners’ Conference 2017 – Skills that Young Planners Need to Succeed
When: 22 March 2017.
Where: The Golden Lion Hotel in Stirling.
The Scottish Young Planners’ Conference 2017’s packed programme focuses on developing essential skills. Sessions on leadership from Nicola Barclay, Chief Executive of Homes for Scotland, and innovative working from Irene Beautyman of the Improvement Service will equip delegates to be influential and effective in a reformed planning system. Hands on workshops on development economics, networking and mediation will promote active debate and participation. International contributions will place our responsibilities as planners in the global context of the New Urban Agenda. Registration is available now.
2017 Church Buildings Renewal Trust Conference in Inverness
When: 31 March 2017.
Where: Old High Church in Inverness.
The next conference of the CBRT will be held in the Old High Church in Inverness on 31st March 2017 under the title ‘Open All Hours: Churches for all the Community?’ To book please follow the link.
Training
Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage is delivering a series of training courses and events across Scotland.
Our training is best suited to registered charities and constituted community groups. Take a walk through our simple question and answer page to determine which course is right for you. We have two main training courses and a series of ‘In Focus’ events. If you are interested in any particular event or fundraising topic, please do get in touch – we may be able to bring an event to your area info@scotheritage.org.
Traditional Building Skills Training
Scottish Lime Centre Trust offer a wide range of vocational and professional courses combining theory and practical working sessions designed to ensure that there are courses to suit everyone.
Vacancies
Support Officers at Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF)
We are recruiting freelance part-time contractors in North East England and Northern Ireland and also an employed full-time post in Wales, all to start in April 2017.
Home-based, our Support Officers assist local communities who are seeking to rescue and re-utilise a historic building which they value. The AHF places particular emphasis on targeting help towards supporting community enterprises that wish to set up and/or grow their businesses in historic buildings, particularly those that are at risk and/or transferred from public ownership. Working as part of the Operations Team, each Support Officer will take a proactive approach to tackling heritage at risk by actively seeking out new projects and new types of beneficiaries of AHF support, in collaboration with the Heritage Lottery Fund and other partners.
For each role, experience of working in the heritage sector is not essential, although enthusiasm for the benefits of re-using historic buildings would be an advantage.
For the North East England role we are seeking a Support Officer with additional specialist skills in Communications, Public Relations & Marketing.
Full details including closing dates here.
Learning Officer
War Memorials Trust works to protect and conserve all war memorials within the UK.
The charity seeks a Learning Officer with initiative, enthusiasm and experience to deliver our Learning Programme. The Programme educates young people about the history and importance of war memorials and their preservation. As a conservation charity which gives repair and conservation grants the Trust’s Learning Programme is the means of engaging tomorrow’s custodians – ensuring the work we do today is continued in the years ahead. The Learning Officer delivers the Programme by producing materials and resources, shared on www.learnaboutwarmemorials.org, and undertaking visits to schools and youth groups to promote the importance of our shared war memorial heritage.
Closing date 6th March 2017 10am.
Information in the Bulletin is extracted from a number of websites including the Scottish Government (SG); the Scottish Parliament (SP); Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS); Historic Environment Scotland (HES); Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH); Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO); English Heritage (EH); Design Council (DC); Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG); Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS); Department of Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA); National Assembly for Wales (NAW); Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS); Scottish Government Building Standards (SGBS); Europa Nostra (EN); Historic England (HE).
If you have any questions or comments on the above, or would like to submit information to be included, please get in touch with Saskia Smellie or tel: BEFS Office on 0131 220 6241
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Get the latest historic environment events, jobs, news and publications in BEFS Bulletin.
BEFS News
We are delighted to introduce BEFS advocacy toolkit on BEFS new website. It is designed to provide the information you need to confidently speak up for your organisation and the built environment with politicians and councillors. It is aimed at organisations working in the built environment in Scotland, but may also be of use to individuals. The toolkit is a responsive document, which we are updating regularly with new content. So, if there is something you would like to see, do get in touch.
Ahead of the local government elections, BEFS also organised a workshop on advocacy. We invited former Labour MP for Edinburgh North & Leith and former Councillor, Mark Lazarowicz, and Museums and Galleries Scotland’s, Devon McHugh, to share their perspectives and experience. Read about it in our blog Advocacy does and don’ts.
Save the date! In partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland and the Princes Regeneration Trust, BEFS is holding a conference on Financing the Historic Environment on 29-30 March 2017 in the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow. Programme and booking details to follow shortly.
BEFS Annual Lecture this year returned to the topic of how Scotland addresses its housing needs. We invited Thomas Aubrey, Director of the Centre for Progressive Capitalism, and Alastair Parvin, co-founder of WikiHouse Foundation, to give their perspectives. If you missed it, you can now watch it here.
Last but not least, Kilmacolm Civic Trust share why their work concerns more than the built environment, in our second blog this week.
Consultations
Fixing our broken housing market: consultation (DCLG 07/02/17)
As part of the housing white paper, we are also consulting on changes to planning policy and legislation in relation to planning for housing, sustainable development and the environment.
Development Plan Consultations
Consultation on Outer Hebrides Local Development Plan: Proposed Plan and Associated Documents
Consultation on Raising Planning Fees
Closes 27 Feb 2017.
Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement: A Consultation
Closes 10 Mar 2017.
Consultation Responses
Property Condition and Energy Efficiency (STBF 08/02/17)
Scottish Traditional Building Forum’s submission of evidence to the Local Government and Communities Committee in response to the committee’s call for evidence on the Draft Climate Change Plan.
Publications
Social Tenants in Scotland, 2015 (SG 14/02/17)
Scotland’s Chief Statistician today released Social Tenants in Scotland 2015, a new Official Statistics publication that presents an overview of social tenants and social rented housing in Scotland for the year 2015 covering topic areas such as stock, household characteristics, housing flows, and rents and income levels.
Housing white paper (DCLG 07/02/17)
Housing white paper and supporting documents setting out the government’s plans to reform the housing market and boost the supply of new homes in England.
Architecture & Design Scotland – Annual Review 2016 (02/02/17)
We have recently published our Annual Review of 2016 – an exciting year which featured the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design and the Festival of Architecture.
Introduction of an infrastructure charging mechanism: research report (SG 01/17)
This independent research report identifies and assesses the options for the introduction of an infrastructure charging mechanism in Scotland – Stages 1 and 2. Produced by Peter Brett Associates, it was commissioned to inform the review of the planning system.
Planning permission in principle: research report (SG 01/17)
This independent report examines the potential of granting planning permission for sites which are allocated in the development plan. Produced by Ryden LLP, it was commissioned to inform the review of the planning system.
Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report on the Draft Climate Change Plan and Draft Scottish Energy Strategy (SG 27/01/17)
A joint Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Draft Climate Change Plan: The Draft Third Report on Policies and Proposals 2017-2032 and Draft Scottish Energy Strategy: The Future of Energy in Scotland. The Environmental Report sets out the findings of this assessment.
Scottish Government News Releases
Strengthening support for creative sector (SG 03/02/17)
Creative Industry Advisory Group members and first meeting announced. Experts from across Scotland’s creative industries will meet for the first time next week to discuss how to make the sector stronger and enhance support, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said today.
History sparks tourism rise (SG 31/01/17)
International visitors drawn by Scottish heritage. Scotland is capitalising on the booming demand from international tourists who wish to explore the country’s history and heritage, Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop revealed today. Edinburgh-based Mercat Tours reported record turnover and footfall in 2016 with a 35% increase in history walking tours of the capital in December, compared to the previous year.
News Releases
Historic sites break tourism record with four million visitors (HES 15/02/17)
Footfall at Scotland’s heritage attractions up 13% year-on-year. Scotland’s staffed heritage attractions have drawn in more visitors than ever before. Over the last 11 months – from April 2016 to present – a record breaking 4,000,000 people have flocked to historic sites across the length and breadth of the country.
Professor Leigh Sparks: So you think you know Scottish Towns? (STP 15/02/17)
Deputy Principal of the University of Stirling, and Chair of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, Professor Leigh Sparks introduces the launch of the Understanding Scottish Places 2 data tool.
Place Standard nominated for prestigious planning industry award (A&DS 13/02/17)
The Place Standard is a finalist in the category for Planning for Wellbeing at the Royal Town Planning Institute’s (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2017. The RTPI Awards are the most established and respected awards in the UK planning industry.
£20m to build homes fit for the future (WG 09/02/17)
Communities and Children Secretary Carl Sargeant today announced a new programme to deliver innovative models of housing to help increase the number of homes built in Wales.
SPAB asks: ‘What’s your favourite old building?’ (IHBC 08/02/17)
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) publishes a ‘National Treasure’ feature in its quarterly SPAB Magazine – what building would you like featured?
Orkney’s Skara Brae shortlisted as UK’s best heritage site (Scotsman 08/02/17)
The 5,000-year-old settlement is the only Scottish visitor attraction on the shortlist drawn up by travel writer Bill Bryson for the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards.
Government announces ambitious plan to build the homes Britain needs (DCLG 07/02/17)
The government has introduced bold new plans to fix the broken housing market and build more homes across England.
Baroness Andrews leading debate on Built Environment Report in House of Lords (IHBC 03/02/17)
Following on from the publication last year of the report of the Select Committee on National Policy for the Built Environment, it was debated in the House of Lords on Tuesday 24 January, with Baroness Andrews leading discussions.
£10 million for regeneration of town centres (WG 03/02/17)
A £10 million fund to help bring empty, underused sites and premises in town centres back into use has been announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children Carl Sargeant.
Civil society calls on EU leaders to recognise fundamental role of cultural heritage for the future of Europe (EN 02/02/17)
Ahead of the informal summit of European leaders on the future of the EU in Valletta on 3 February 2017, 40 European heritage networks that form the European Heritage Alliance 3.3 are urging EU leaders to recognise the fundamental role of Europe’s shared cultural heritage for bringing people in Europe together.
Iconic Leith flats recognised at highest listing category (HES 01/02/17)
Historic Environment Scotland have decided to recognise Leith’s iconic Cables Wynd House (aka the ‘Banana Flats’) and neighbouring Linksview House at Category A. 1960s Brutalist buildings represent integral step in Scotland’s social housing evolution.
Parliamentary Questions
Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.
S5W-06974 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-06198 by Kevin Stewart on 30 January 2017, whether it will provide further details of the “novel proposals” that it is assessing in relation to the building of new mid-market rent homes, and at what stage these assessments are.(SP 09/02/17)
Parliamentary Questions & Answers
Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.
Question S5W-06198: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 16/01/2017
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any new models planned for building new homes and, if so, what they are.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (30/01/2017)
Question S5W-05981: Andy Wightman, Lothian, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 09/01/2017
To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it uses to determine whether housing can be regarded as “affordable”.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (18/01/2017)
Question S5W-06315: Gordon Lindhurst, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 18/01/2017
To ask the Scottish Government how it can work with Edinburgh City Council to bring the reported 5,000 empty homes in the city back into use in order to tackle housing shortages.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (31/01/2017)
Other Parliamentary Activity
The transcript of the Scottish Government Debate on Improving Scotland’s Planning: Improving Scotland’s Places that took place on Thursday, 26th January 2017 can be read in full here.
Motions
Motion S5M-03748: Fiona Hyslop, Linlithgow, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 30/01/2017
Celebrating Our Past: Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology
That the Parliament recognises the contribution that Scotland’s Themed Years play in celebrating and promoting some of its greatest assets; welcomes the 2017 Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology and the opportunities that it provides to celebrate Scotland’s rich and vibrant history and heritage with the people of Scotland and visitors alike, and acknowledges the social, cultural and economic benefits that can be realised by harnessing the opportunities offered by the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology to raise the profile of Scotland, both nationally and internationally, as a world-class tourism destination.
Supported by: Alasdair Allan
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31/01/2017
Motion S5M-03748.1: Lewis Macdonald, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 30/01/2017
Celebrating Our Past: Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology
As an amendment to motion S5M-03748 in the name of Fiona Hyslop (Celebrating Our Past: Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology), insert at end “, and considers that adequate funding of local authorities, Historic Environment Scotland and other relevant agencies will be essential to maintain the quality and accessibility of museums, galleries and heritage sites in 2017 and beyond.”
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31/01/2017
Events
For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.
#HHA2017 ScotlandHour
When: Wednesday 22 February, 21:00 – 22:00
Where: Twitter
ScotlandHour is delighted to announce that Dig It! 2017 is the Takeover Host for the #ScotlandHour February 2017 chat celebrating the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. Visit the website to find out how to get involved, read the questions ahead of time or learn more about the host and co-hosts.
Period Colour Today: Key Considerations for Architects & Interior Designers
When: 23rd February 2017 from 9am – 1pm.
Where: Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR.
Please join us at the first in a series of RIAS approved Edinburgh World Heritage CPD seminars, designed specifically for a professional architecture and interior design audience. At this informative half-day session you will hear about the importance of colour in conserving the values of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site; learn about the importance of scientific paint analysis with case studies; understand the benefits of using natural paint products; gain a historical perspective based on the interior design of Scottish country houses.
Archaeology Scotland Caves and Castles Time Tour
When: Saturday 25th March 2017.
Where: across central and east Fife.
We will be touring historic and archaeological sites across central and east Fife in the comfort of a luxury bus and travelling back at least 4,000 years on this all-day excursion. Our on-board guide, Peter Yeoman, will be describing the sites and giving insight into the lives of our ancestors as we visit different sites including the Balfarg Henge, Balbirnie Stone Circle, East Lomond Hillfort, Lochore Castle, the intriguing Wemyss Caves and others sites along the way. Places are limited so call 0300 012 9878 to book your seat or email development@archaeologyscotland.org.uk you can also book online.
CIfA2017 Archaeology: a global profession
When: Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 April 2017
Where: Newcastle University.
Our annual conference and training event is bursting with exciting sessions, CPD workshops and networking opportunities. You can see what is on the programme on our website http://www.archaeologists.net/conference/2017
Don’t forget to book your place via Eventbrite.
The Dundee Conservation Lecture series programme is now out and can be viewed here. The programme is now in its 24th year and is a joint initiative between the University of Dundee, The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland and Dundee Historic Environment Trust.
Training
Asbestos awareness training course
When: Wednesday 29 March between 12pm and 4pm.
Where: The College of Animal Welfare (CAW) in Edinburgh.
RSK Environment Ltd. will deliver the training. The aim of the course is to provide awareness and develop knowledge of the hazards and risks posed by asbestos containing materials (ACMs), in order that employees can conduct work safely. This course is suitable for archaeologists of all levels of experience and responsibility. Places are free for CIfA members! For more details and to book please go to our Eventbrite page.
Vacancies
Trusts & Events Fundraiser Part-Time
Great opportunity for someone with Trust fundraising experience who also likes to get out meeting people at events. Are you good with social media? If you can write a good case for support and are a great organiser then Archaeology Scotland want to hear from you. Grants fundraising is an important part of our funding strategy but equally important is raising awareness of our work through our events. If you think you have the right combination of skills then send us a letter of application and your CV to e.macqueen@archaeologyscotland.org.uk
Closing Date for Applications: 23rd February 2017.
Interviews will be held on the 27th February 2017 at our office in Musselburgh.
Scottish Civic Trust Project Officer – Doors Open Days & My Place Photography Competition
3 days per week, 9-5
Salary: £25-26K PA (pro rata) depending on experience.
This is a fixed-term contract, which will run to 31 March 2018. The role may be extended beyond this period depending on 3rd-party funding.
This is a unique opportunity to help deliver two of Scotland’s most exciting architecture and heritage projects.
Closing date for applications: Friday 17 February 2017.
National Project Manager- Scottish Empty Homes Partnership-Edinburgh
Maternity cover until January 2018 – Edinburgh
Shelter Scotland is looking for an influential individual with strong project management and project development experience to join us as National Project Manager and bring strategic direction and day-to-day management to the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP).
Closing date: Tuesday 28th February 2017 at 11.30pm.
Themed Years Marketing and Communications Executive
The post of the Themed Years Marketing & Communications Executive will operate as part of the wider EventScotland/VisitScotland Communication Teams and as such will be an important conduit for information and coordination. The post holder will be responsible for day to day duties of Scotland’s Themed Years Marketing and Communications activity.
Job Closing Date : 01/03/2017.
Recruiting a part time Assistant Director
The Cockburn Association has established an Urban Design Group, the Assistant Directors manage the activities of this Group. The Assistant Directors bring together expert contributions from different professional backgrounds as a basis for the Cockburn Association’s submissions on significant planning proposals and on draft strategic plans affecting the city and its environs. We are looking for an individual committed to place-making – influencing how areas within Edinburgh can be made as attractive, sustainable, and functional as possible, so as to enrich the lives and experience of all those who live and work in, and those who visit, the city.
Deadline for applications: Friday, 3 March 2017.
Members’ News
Would you like to be recognised for your skills in community engagement? (PAS 14/02/17)
We hear a lot about the importance of community engagement in the planning system and more widely in community planning and placemaking generally – but do we really know what effective public involvement looks, or even feels, like?
We’ve launched a brand new online shop (GCHT 08/02/17)
By buying from Glasgow City Heritage Trust’s online shop you are supporting our charitable work promoting the understanding, appreciation and conservation of Glasgow’s historic buildings for the benefit of the city’s communities and its visitors, now and in the future
Advocacy from the perspective of someone who has been on the receiving end of it in national and local government.
Earlier this month, BEFS launched an advocacy toolkit designed to give organisations and individuals the information needed to confidently speak up for their local built environment with politicians and councillors. Coinciding with the launch and ahead of the local government elections in May, BEFS organised a workshop on advocacy for its membership. We invited former Labour MP for Edinburgh North & Leith and former Councillor, Mark Lazarowicz, to share his perspective. The aim of the workshop was to hear about the dos and don’ts of advocacy from someone who has been on the receiving end of it for over 30 years, both in local and national government. We were also joined by Museums and Galleries Scotland’s Relationships and Partnerships Development Manager, Devon McHugh, who shared ideas and her experience one year into an advocacy campaign of behalf of approximately 400 museums across Scotland.
By the end of the afternoon, our speakers had clearly identified a number of key messages on successful advocacy, including the importance of building relationships with politicians, the need to involve constituents and ‘keep it local’ and that the time for advocacy head of the local elections is now!
Mark Lazarowicz kicked off the discussion with pragmatic and practical advice on contacting your local politicians. The most effective advocacy is from constituents. Therefore, if you are an organisation, get your members involved. He emphasised the importance of contacting the politician responsible for the issue in hand; do not address local politicians on national policy and vice versa. Remember that both local and national politicians have full time jobs, so do not turn up unannounced or unprepared. Be practical in your approach. Bulk emails do have their place and a high volume of emails from constituents may well get an issue on the agenda. Summarise key points and link to further information as opposed to sending large chunks of text. Invite all your local representatives to your events, to meet your group or organisation, to visit that historic site or exhibition, as ahead of elections they will likely welcome the opportunity to meet constituents. Mark also stated that the role of cross party groups and providing evidence to cross party committees at a national level should not be underestimated.
In relation to the upcoming elections, this is the time to get pledges of commitment from your local politicians to champion your local built environment interests. A good option for making contact with politicians is at larger cross party hustings. Provide evidence and data to support your key points and link with human stories and the impact on communities and people. You can also contact your representatives via social media. Politicians often manage their own social media accounts and will follow discussions on local issues or respond to your questions. Remember that local party manifestos and councillors’ pledges and commitments are managed at a local level. There is no central party line. So, develop key messages based on local interests and the impact of the built environment on local communities.
Ultimately, both guest speakers highlighted that engagement with politicians and councillors is not only feasible but also expected. Politicians and councillors expect to be at the receiving end of advocacy ahead of an election and if invited to events in their local area or ward are often delighted to attend. Politicians are interested in and beholden to their constituents. Therefore, advocacy needs to be about people and communities not just things. As Devon put it, lead with the work you do, how it is important, and how it makes people’s lives better. Build relationships with your local politicians, approaching them with a positive message or invite them to an event or to meet your team. This will make them more receptive when an issue arises. Finally, tailor your advocacy to local needs and interests.
For more tips and tools on which of your local representatives to contact and how, as well as information around messaging and building the case for the built environment, check out BEFS Advocacy Toolkit.
BACK
BEFS Annual Lecture this year returned to the topic of how Scotland addresses its housing needs.
We invited Thomas Aubrey, Director of the Centre for Progressive Capitalism, and Alastair Parvin, co-founder of WikiHouse Foundation, to give their perspectives.
The evening was excellently chaired by Pam Ewen, Senior Planning Manager at Fife Council.
Thomas looked at how infrastructure could be funded through land value capture as happens elsewhere, necessitating amendment pf the Land Compensation (Scotland) Act 1961.
https://vimeo.com/203082834
You can read a full report from the Centre for Progressive Capitalism on Bridging the Infrastructure Gap and Thomas has agreed to model what his proposal would mean for the Edinburgh City Region. BEFS will be sharing the report when ready.
Alastair attempted to unpick the Gordian knot of housing issues, focusing on how more homes could be delivered through a number of means, particularly through co-housing and self-build. He also looked at the transformative role technology is having in the fourth industrial revolution, in construction and potentially in planning.
https://vimeo.com/203087287
The Q&A session that followed revealed an audience well versed in land and housing matters.
The following day Alastair and Thomas presented to civil servants from planning, architecture and housing divisions at Victoria Quay and to researchers and MSPs at the Scottish Parliament. BEFS is grateful to Andy Wightman MSP for hosting the latter even and it was encouraging to see cross party interest across the two days from national and local politicians. The audience for the topic was also diverse reflecting interests across heritage, volume housing building, landowners, architecture, planning, and both public and private sectors.
Was the housing nut cracked? Jemmied open, maybe. It needs political leadership to address the underlying land issues to make it affordable for individuals and communities to pursue alternative ways of providing homes in Scotland.
BACK
Kilmacolm Civic Trust share with us how their work concerns more than the built environment.
Kilmacolm lies close to Port Glasgow, Greenock, Paisley and Glasgow Airport, yet it’s surrounded by countryside. Two swathes of Green Belt run into the village, reinforcing its bucolic appeal. A rural hamlet through most of recorded history, there are few references to the built environment until 1489, when King James IV personally oversaw some alterations to nearby Duchal Castle, attacking it with the famous Mons Meg cannon during a siege.
The arrival of the railway in 1869 transformed the village and its prospects. The clean air drew new, wealthy entrepreneurs, who wanted to raise their families away from the grime and pestilences of Glasgow – while the railway let them live close enough to the ports and factories to keep an eye on their growing businesses.
They commissioned the leading architects of the day to build fine houses, including Charles Rennie Mackintosh, William Lieper, Austin Laird and James Salmon. Many of these are to be found in the higher ground in the village, and this area has enjoyed Conservation Area status since 1976. In 2014 conservation status was also given to the heart of Kilmacolm, with its unique late Victorian/Edwardian character. In 1876 William Quarrier established his first Orphan Home, creating Quarriers Village two miles away, alongside the river Gryffe; and its original core is a further Conservation Area. The closure of the railway line in 1983 eventually led to the creation of a cycle track, which has become a popular amenity.
Both these villages are the focus of the Kilmacolm Civic Trust, formed in 1969. Our objective is to enhance, preserve and promote the character and amenities of Kilmacolm, Quarriers and the surrounding countryside, not just within the Conservation Areas.
The built environment is extremely important to us, and each month our Executive Committee examines all relevant planning applications, to help secure our heritage and try to ensure the highest calibre of any future development. Of course we can’t keep the villages in aspic, and homes, new and old, will always need to adapt to the changing needs of their inhabitants. Indeed, rather than being excessively conservative, sometimes we’re disappointed that applicants and architects are not a little bolder, or that materials have not been selected with the same care that has gone into designing otherwise promising new structures.
The work of the Trust concerns more than the built environment – we are proud custodians of an extensive archive of documents, books, maps and memorabilia. We are beginning an exciting project to list, organise and safely store this material, and digitising items where possible. The cost and time entailed are daunting, especially at this first stage, as our Committee members painstakingly go through the boxes of documents to list each item. The Trust has been extremely fortunate to have expertise within the Committee, as well as practical help from both Glasgow University Archive Service and Inverclyde Libraries. Right now, we’re learning about copyright issues and how to negotiate the funding maze.
Ultimately, this project will enable the Trust to engage more fully with its members, local residents, and beyond, and to create more dynamic resources for academic and lay interests alike.
Our other, equally ambitious project is to create an Oral History, and several exploratory recordings have already taken place as proof of concept. Our ‘talking heads’ format, with two locals reminiscing on a theme has produced some fascinating stories about village life, and residents’ adventures further afield. We were captivated by a tale of Stalin’s gift of a (live) reindeer to a local resident’s young daughter during WWII. Unfortunately the animal didn’t survive the journey from Murmansk!
In the past two years we have also worked on projects with local schools, helping to develop artistic skills and engage the students’ interest in the villages. A permanent exhibition has been established in the Kilmacolm Community Centre, of pupils’ architectural drawings, mounted on slates by a local community enterprise. Spreading our brief even further, a second set of slates was commissioned for our French twin town of Mérignies.
A creative writing project by pupils of St Columba’s School and their Writer in Residence resulted in a series of monologues about village life, which were recorded and posted online. These included an account of a true story about a visit by Charles Rennie Mackintosh to his clients, the Davidsons at Windyhill, the home he had designed for them.
So for Kilmacolm Civic Trust, the built environment is important, but the further challenge is for us to re-awaken the material in our custody, to crystallise the living memories of our residents, and to ensure our youngsters understand their stake in our wonderful corner of Scotland. With our 50th Anniversary in two years’ time, we’re celebrating our past and embracing the future!
BACK
Get the latest historic environment events, jobs, news and publications in BEFS Bulletin.
BEFS News
BEFS Chair, Graeme Purves, reflects on the challenges and opportunities for the built environment sector in 2017 in his new year message.
Less than a week until our event ‘Cracking the Housing Nut’, with Thomas Aubrey and Alastair Parvin. Do not miss this timely discussion on addressing the housing challenge, at the National Galleries Scotland. Book your ticket here.
BEFS is holding a workshop (Thursday 9th February 10-1pm) on the Scottish Government’s consultation on the future of the planning system – Places, People and Planning. Join us to hear directly from Chief Planner John McNairney and discuss key themes within the consultation document. Book your place here.
Follow the Scottish Parliament debate on Improving Scotland’s Planning: Improving Scotland’s Places live this afternoon from 2.30pm on Parliament TV. We are also anticipating a Scottish Parliament debate on Celebrating Our Past: Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology on Tuesday, 31st January 2017.
BEFS Heritage Data Seminar on the 2016 Heritage Index, Understanding Scottish Places, Town Centre Review and the SHEA 2016 results, is also just around the corner. The event is free but do book a place.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has recently published an interim policy on how it will facilitate Asset Transfer under The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 and would like to hear your views. Read more about it in BEFS news.
The national heritage agencies – HES, Historic England and Cadw in Wales – have commissioned Landward Research to undertake a new survey of specialists in the study of the historic environment. The project aims to find out more about the distribution of specialists. If you are an archaeological, buildings history or garden history specialist or scientist, complete the questionnaire.
Check out the training offered by Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage for upcoming courses on effective copyrighting (31st January), fundraising strategies (8th February) and full cost recovery (22nd February) – all tailored to the heritage sector.
Visit Scotland have now created social media and web banners to promote your activities as part of #HHA2017. They are available to download from the #HHA2017 Business Toolkit at visitscotland.org.
Consultations
Draft Climate Change Plan RPP3 – ECCLR Call for Evidence (SP 01/17)
The Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee has agreed to review the Scottish Government’s draft Climate Change Plan (third Report on Proposals and Policies – RPP3) as part of a collaborative scrutiny approach with the: Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee, Local Government and Communities Committee and Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee.
The deadline for responses is 10 February 2017.
Consultation on a Scottish Energy Strategy: The future of energy in Scotland (SG 24/01/17)
A consultation on a draft Scottish Energy Strategy, which sets out the Scottish Government’s vision for the future energy system in Scotland, to 2050.
Consultation closes on 30 May 2017.
Consultation on Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme (SG 24/01/17)
The Scottish Government has designated energy efficiency as a National Infrastructure Priority, the cornerstone of which will be Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme (SEEP) – a 15 to 20 year programme.
Consultation closes on 30 May 2017.
Consultation on Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies, and Regulation of District Heating (SG 24/01/17)
The Scottish Government designated energy efficiency as a national infrastructure priority in June 2015, covering energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation of both domestic and non-domestic buildings.
Consultation closes on 18 Apr 2017.
Publications
National Infrastructure Priority for Energy Efficiency – Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme (SG 24/01/17)
Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme will operate over 15 – 20 years and make our homes, shops, offices, schools and hospitals warmer and easier to heat. By reducing energy demand it will help to tackle fuel poverty, help businesses improve their energy productivity and competitiveness and release savings in the public sector for front line services. We are now formally consulting and seeking your views on these different options for programme and policy design.
Asset Transfer under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015: Guidance for Community Transfer Bodies (SG 23/01/17)
A step-by-step guide for community bodies setting out who can make an asset transfer request; how to get information about suitable properties; how to make a request and how the relevant authority will deal with it. It also covers review and appeal procedures.
Asset Transfer under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015: Guidance for Relevant Authorities (SG 23/01/17)
A step-by-step guide for relevant authorities on the requirements for dealing with asset transfer requests, including who can make a request; registers of land and provision of information; procedures for processing requests and matters to be considered in making a decision. It also covers review and appeal procedures.
Brexit: What Scotland Thinks – major study published by Holyrood’s European Committee (SP 20/01/17)
A major parliamentary report detailing the views and concerns around Brexit of more than 150 Scottish organisations and individuals is published today.
Draft Climate Change Plan – the draft Third Report on Policies and Proposals 2017-2032 (SG 19/01/17)
This document is a draft of the Climate Change Plan, the third report on proposals and policies (RPP3) for meeting Scotland’s annual greenhouse gas emissions targets that the Scottish Ministers must lay before the Scottish Parliament in accordance with the requirements in section 35 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
Evidence Review of the Potential Wider Impacts of Climate Change Mitigation Options: Built Environment Sector (SG 19/01/17)
This review summarises the evidence of potential wider impacts arising from Climate Change mitigation measures in the Built Environment sector.
Scottish Government News Releases
European links under threat (SG 25/01/17)
Brexit impedes cultural and tourism opportunities. Membership of the EU Single Market and free movement of people is critical to the health of Scotland’s culture, tourism and creative sectors.
Greater power for Scotland’s communities (SG 23/01/17)
Community Empowerment Act. A new law will make it easier for communities in Scotland to take over land or buildings that are currently in public ownership. The asset transfer section of the Community Empowerment Act (Scotland) 2015 has come into force today.
Tacking Climate Change (SG 19/01/17)
Draft plan represents ‘a new level of ambition.’ Detailed proposals to achieve a 66% reduction in Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions have been published by Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Roseanna Cunningham.
Homelessness and Housing Options Statistics Published (SG 17/01/17)
Scottish Local Authorities received around 17,100 applications for homelessness assistance during April to September 2016, 3% lower than in the same period in 2015. However, the number of children in temporary accommodation increased by 826 children (+17%), comparing figures at 30 September 2016 with the same date one year ago.
£29 million to build fairer Scotland (SG 16/01/17)
First Minister opens new funding for communities and third sector. Community and third sector projects that try new ways to tackle poverty and improve people’s lives can now apply for a share of £29 million funding, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
News Releases
What’s Your Heritage? Campaign seeks local groups to help change future policy (HES 25/01/17)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the heritage body in charge of listing buildings in Scotland, has today unveiled a toolkit to help local groups across the country answer the question ‘What’s Your Heritage?’
Archaeological Research in Progress 2017 – Call for Papers (SoAoS 25/01/17)
Scotland’s national annual Archaeological Research in Progress (ARP) conference will take place on Saturday 27 May 2017 at the National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh. The Society and Archaeology Scotland hosted event aims to cover archaeological research in progress from around Scotland covering all periods. For 2017 Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology we will also invite colleagues from beyond Scotland to share their exciting research too.
The role of HES under the Community Empowerment Act (2015) – Asset Transfer Request comes into force (HES 24/01/17)
As of Monday 23 January, Part 5 of The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 – relating to Asset Transfer Requests (ATRs) – comes into force.
LAUDF: Delivering Place Quality in Housing (A&DS 20/01/17)
The latest meeting of the Local Authority Urban Design Forum (LAUDF), was held at the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation on 8th Dec 2016. The Forum focussed on the topic of Delivering Place Quality in Housing.
An exciting new network has been launched – Urbanistas (PAS 20/01/17)
Urbanistas is a network of local chapters for women working in the built environment and has just started up in Edinburgh. Interested in finding out more? Please follow on twitter @UrbanistasED or go to the website.
Partnership primed to capitalise on Scotland’s expertise (HES 19/01/17)
Scotland’s £2.4billion heritage sector is set to benefit from an ambitious new educational partnership which will promote and develop expertise in managing Scotland’s heritage assets, as well as providing new training opportunities from apprenticeships to post graduate level qualifications.
£10 million contributed to local economies during England’s 2016 Heritage Open Days festival (IHBC 18/01/17)
The Heritage Open Days (HODs) 2016 Impact Report shows the huge numbers of people that explored England’s heritage for free in September 2016 – with an estimated 3 million visitors attending 5293 events.
Parliamentary review into local government archaeology services evidence published (CiFA 18/01/17)
The evidence which supported a parliamentary review into the Future of Local Government Archaeology Services has been published online (link is external).
International: First round of Cultural Protection Fund projects announced (British Council 18/01/17)
The British Council has announced the initial projects to be supported by the Cultural Protection Fund, which will protect heritage overseas.
Parliamentary Questions
Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.
S5W-06315 Gordon Lindhurst: To ask the Scottish Government how it can work with Edinburgh City Council to bring the reported 5,000 empty homes in the city back into use in order to tackle housing shortages. (SP 19/01/17)
Parliamentary Questions & Answers
Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.
Question S5W-05981: Andy Wightman, Lothian, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 09/01/2017
To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it uses to determine whether housing can be regarded as “affordable”.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (18/01/2017)
Other Parliamentary Activity
Scottish Government Debate on Improving Scotland’s Planning: Improving Scotland’s Places
Thursday, 26th January 2017
Kevin Stewart: S5M-03612
Improving Scotland’s Planning: Improving Scotland’s Places
That the Parliament recognises that improving Scotland’s planning process will require making the planning system more plan-led and accessible, increasing the influence of local people on decisions about the future of their communities and ensuring the delivery of the high quality homes and infrastructure that Scotland needs; agrees that, together with developing skills, smarter resourcing and digital transformation of the planning service, as well as removing any unnecessary procedures and practices that do not add value, planners can focus on delivering great places for people to live and work, and notes the publication of Places, people and planning: A consultation on the future of the Scottish planning system, which includes steps being taken to ensure that the planning system plays a proactive and positive role in attracting investment and creating great places in Scotland.
Graham Simpson S5M-03612.1
Improving Scotland’s Planning: Improving Scotland’s Places
As an amendment to motion S5M-03612 in the name of Kevin Stewart (Improving Scotland’s Planning: Improving Scotland’s Places), leave out from “which includes” to end and insert “and urges the Scottish Government to put greater emphasis on protecting green spaces in its final proposals, noting their importance to the environment, quality of life, health and wellbeing.”
Alex Rowley S5M-03612.4
Improving Scotland’s Planning: Improving Scotland’s Places
As an amendment to motion S5M-03612 in the name of Kevin Stewart (Improving Scotland’s Planning: Improving Scotland’s Places), leave out from “recognises” to end and insert “believes that the central purpose of the planning system is to regulate the use of land in the public interest; values transparency, efficiency and openness in all aspects of the system and welcomes steps to improve the experience of all interested parties, including applicants, developers and communities; notes the publication of Places, people and planning – a consultation on the future of the Scottish planning system, which includes steps being taken to ensure that the planning system plays a proactive and positive role in attracting investment and creating great places and homes in which to live in Scotland; believes that the operation of the statutory planning system has been undermined by cuts to local government; recognises concerns about the barriers facing individuals and communities to fully engage in the planning process, despite a shift towards frontloading, and notes their limited rights to challenge decisions, and believes that reforming the system is an opportunity to put communities and people at the heart of decision-making and that the proposed planning bill presents an opportunity to help tackle inequality and improve public health.”
Events
For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.
Painting the past: using geological techniques to identify artists’ pigments in Roman archaeology – Edinburgh
When: February 13 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Where: Auditorium National Museum Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Dr Ruth Siddall, University College London, will present a lecture entitled “Painting the past: using geological techniques to identify artists’ pigments in Roman archaeology”.
‘A more collaborative planning system – what can a mediation approach offer?’
When: Tue 21 February 2017 from 09:45 – 16:00.
Where: PAS, 3rd Floor, 125 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AD.
PAS and Scottish Mediation would like to invite you to their first joint conference. With the recent Independent Planning Review having referenced mediation in three of its recommendations, PAS and Scottish Mediation are looking to explore how this can be facilitated to improve engagement within planning. The conference will include a number of plenaries, collaborative exercises and case studies which will give participants the opportunity to consider the wider use of collaborative approaches in the planning system and to hear from professional planners and mediators.
CIfA2017 Archaeology: a global profession
When: Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 April 2017
Where: Newcastle University
A full timetable is now available on our website. Book here.
Training
Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage is delivering a series of training courses and events across Scotland.
Our training is best suited to registered charities and constituted community groups. Take a walk through our simple question and answer page to determine which course is right for you. We have two main training courses and a series of ‘In Focus’ events. If you are interested in any particular event or fundraising topic, please do get in touch – we may be able to bring an event to your area info@scotheritage.org.
Traditional Building Skills Training
Scottish Lime Centre Trust offer a wide range of vocational and professional courses combining theory and practical working sessions designed to ensure that there are courses to suit everyone.
Vacancies
Scottish Civic Trust Project Officer – Doors Open Days & My Place Photography Competition
3 days per week, 9-5
Salary: £25-26K PA (pro rata) depending on experience.
This is a fixed-term contract, which will run to 31 March 2018. The role may be extended beyond this period depending on 3rd-party funding.
This is a unique opportunity to help deliver two of Scotland’s most exciting architecture and heritage projects.
Closing date for applications: Friday 17 February 2017.
Communications Officer
Edinburgh World Heritage is looking to appoint an ambitious and creative Communications professional to this important role within our team. Specifically, the role will build awareness of Edinburgh World Heritage among designated target audiences in Edinburgh and beyond, deliver leadership levels of positive news coverage which accurately capture our vision, mission and strategic key messages, extend the reach and impact of our Social Media and digital channels, improve effectiveness and efficiency of our website as well as drive overall traffic and repeat usage, and provide support for advocacy activities with a range of key stakeholders. Deadline: 5PM, Friday 27th January 2017.
Community Engagement Officer
An exciting opportunity has become available for an entry-level professional to support the implementation of Glasgow City Heritage Trust’s educational heritage grants programmes. Using social media, publicity, outreach and learning, events, seminars, conferences, print, website development, interpretation, promotional activities, exhibitions and partnerships you will be expected to promote the understanding and appreciation of Glasgow’s historic environment and the work of Glasgow City Heritage Trust. You will be reporting directly to the Heritage Outreach Officer. Closing date Tuesday, 31 January 2017 at 12:00 noon.
Vacancies at NTS
There are a number of vacancies on the NTS site just now. A few may be of particular interest to members with a gardens and landscape remit.
Members’ News
Conservation Areas 50th anniversary Parliamentary Debate (IHBC 25/01/17)
The IHBC has warmly welcomed the Parliamentary Debate on the 50th anniversary of Conservation Areas, supported by Robert Jenrick MP, scheduled for 26 January and inspired by Civic Voice’s ‘Big Conservation Conversation’, with the IHBC submitting data on the decade-long, 35%+ decline in England’s conservation services as well as its own ‘5-point plan’ for their survival.
Stunning Artwork Launches Scottish Archaeology Celebrations (SoAoS 19/01/17)
A Glasgow-based artist has brought new life to six stories from the Mesolithic to Victorian era as part of Dig It! 2017. Dig It! 2017, the year-long celebration of Scottish archaeology, commissioned the artwork as the centrepiece for their event programme. The printed teaser programme features 49 events and is available across Scotland, while the online listings feature over 80 events – with hundreds more to be added throughout the year.
RIAS Awards 2017 Launched (RIAS 17/01/17)
Submission to the RIAS Awards entitles entrants to be considered for the following awards:
• RIAS Awards (including RIAS/ Forestry Commission Scotland/Wood for Good Timber Award, RIAS/Historic Environment Scotland Conservation and Climate Change Award, the RIAS/Saint-Gobain Emerging Architect Award, RIAS/Scottish Government Scotland’s Client of the Year Award) and RIAS/Zero Waste Scotland Resource Efficiency Award,
• RIAS Andrew Doolan Award
• RIBA Awards (including National Award, Client of the Year Award, RIBA House of the Year, Stephen Lawrence Prize)
• RIBA Stirling Prize
RICS Awards 2017 – deadline extension (RICS 01/17)
The RICS Awards showcase the most inspirational regional initiatives and development in land, property, construction and the environment. This is the prime opportunity for surveyors, property developers, engineers, planners and architects, to showcase their talent.
Entry deadline extension: 27 January 2017.
Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards 2017: final call for nominations (SCT 19/01/17)
Call for nominations deadline: 31 January 2017.
Don’t forget to make your nomination for the Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards, and to encourage schools to enter the My Place Photography Competition.
Scottish Civic Trust to launch Civic Day in Scotland (SCT 19/01/17)
Civic Day is an initiative first implemented by Civic Voice in England in 2011. It’s a day for local groups to engage with their members and the wider public to explore and celebrate the places they live. This year, we will be teaming up with Civic Voice to bring Civic Day to Scotland. It’s very easy to get involved.
• Save the date – Saturday 17 June 2017
• Brainstorm activities you could organise on this day
• Join in the conversation #CivicDay
For more information or to discuss ideas, contact Gaby Laing at Scottish Civic Trust – 0141 221 1466 or email gaby.laing@scottishcivictrust.org.uk
Information in the Bulletin is extracted from a number of websites including the Scottish Government (SG); the Scottish Parliament (SP); Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS); Historic Environment Scotland (HES); Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH); Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO); English Heritage (EH); Design Council (DC); Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG); Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS); Department of Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA); National Assembly for Wales (NAW); Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS); Scottish Government Building Standards (SGBS); Europa Nostra (EN); Historic England (HE).
If you have any questions or comments on the above, or would like to submit information to be included, please get in touch with Saskia Smellie or tel: BEFS Office on 0131 220 6241.
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Historic Environment Scotland (HES) would like to hear your views.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has recently published an interim policy on how it will facilitate Asset Transfer under The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 and would like to hear your views.
The Community Empowerment Act was created to provide community bodies with legal rights, including extending the right to buy land and buildings, participation in decision-making, and the right to make asset transfer requests to public bodies for land and buildings. HES is included in the Act as a public body with delegated responsibility for properties in care of Scottish Ministers. As the lead public body for the historic environment, they also have an important role in utilising the new legislation to enable communities’ to engage with, celebrate, and protect their historic environment.
As of 23rd January, responsibilities under Part 5 of the Act – regarding Asset Transfer Requests (ATR) – came into force. In support of this, HES have published Interim Policy, Procedure and Guidance as well as their Register of Assets (applicable under the Act) on the Community Empowerment section of the HES Website, which provides further information on their role in relation to community empowerment.
Historic Environment Scotland will be seeking views on the interim policy and guidance over an eight-week long a public consultation, which opens on Monday 30th January.
Further information on how to provide your views will be available on HES’s consultation webpage next week.
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