BEFS Bulletin – Our Place in Time Evaluation
Get The Latest Built Environment News, Events, Vacancies, Consultations And Publications In Our News Bulletin.
BEFS News
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has commissioned DC Research to carry out an evaluation of ‘Our Place in Time – The Historic Environment Strategy for Scotland’. This is a mid-term evaluation which seeks to understand and identify what has been achieved so far, as well as looking at priorities for the future, and potential areas for improvement. As part of the evaluation a survey is taking place – please take the time to respond. It should only take 10-12 minutes to complete, and HES are keen to receive responses from a wide range of organisations and individuals. It gives you the opportunity to provide feedback on the achievements of the strategy, future priorities, as well as identify any areas for improvement around structures and delivery arrangements. The deadline for responding is Friday 2nd August 2019.
HES has also launched a major survey about how historic sites and heritage places affect our wellbeing. The research will explore how people use the historic environment across Scotland and the contribution it makes to their lives. The findings will be used to understand how people benefit from Scotland’s historic environment, and to guide the organisation’s work over the next few years. The survey is being carried out by Progressive Partnership and will run until 25 August 2019.
HES would also be grateful if you would complete an evaluation survey about the Engine Shed. This survey is being conducted by Jura Consultants, to inform an evaluation of the delivery of services and activities to date and to take views from the sector and the public on priorities for the future.
Launched in 2012, it is now seven years since the national Scottish Archaeological Research Framework (ScARF) was created and published online. If you have used or been involved in the creation of any of the ScARF resources since then, please take a few moments to complete a short survey. The survey seeks views from everyone who has used or contributed to ScARF and will close on the 31st of July. Please share your views to help plan for the future development of the framework!
The Sustainable Development Goals report ‘On Target for 2030?’ has now been published and is available via the UWS-Oxfam Partnership website here. BEFS contribution to the recent consultation is included in the publication.
Readers may also be interested in Housing to 2040, which sets out the Scottish Government’s draft vision and principles for 2040. It now includes references to existing housing stock and to maintenance which were absent in the initial discussion paper.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed The Big Climate Conversation, which will run nationwide to discuss action to tackle the global climate emergency, will take place in Scotland this summer. The first six engagement events have been scheduled.
Have you signed the latest UK parliamentary petition, Zero-rate VAT on deep retrofit/eco-refurbishment building works on all homes, to cut VAT on ‘energy-saving measures’?
Don’t miss the opportunity to promote your activities! Submit your project as a best practice case study for our historic environment database and the next Our Place in Time (OPiT) performance report. Deadline for submissions is 26th July.
Watch this space for the launch of the full Doors Open Days 2019 – 30th anniversary programme.
Consultations
Are Scotland’s Roads Funded Properly?
The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee is looking for views from a wide range of road users on the effectiveness of the current approach to road maintenance in Scotland and whether current funding levels are sufficient. The deadline for submissions is 6 September 2019.
Strengthening Fire Safety for High Rise Domestic Buildings
Closes 17 Jul 2019.
Short-Term Lets: Consultation
Closes 19 Jul 2019.
Building a safer future: proposals for reform of the building safety regulatory system
Closes 31 July 2019.
Proposed Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill
Consultation closes on 6 August 2019.
Consultation on the Enhanced Heating Regimes within the new definition of Fuel Poverty
Closes 16 Aug 2019.
The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2019
Closes 13 Sep 2019.
Consultation on the Right to Buy Land to Further Sustainable Development
Closes 19 Sep 2019.
Consultation Responses
Scottish charity law: consultation analysis (SG 02/07/19)
Publications
Climate Change and Older Buildings – Key Sources (IHBC 07/19)
Rebuilding Trust Research Finding Summary (Grosvenor 10/07/19)
Rebuilding Trust Discussion Paper (Grosvenor 10/07/19)
Local Government Finance: Facts and Figures 2013-14 to 2019-20 (SG 02/07/19)
Future of Our Pasts: Engaging Cultural Heritage in Climate Action Report (ICOMOS 02/07/19)
Warmer Homes Scotland: annual review 2017 to 2018 (SG 28/06/19)
Urban Built Heritage – Research Summary (NT 07/19)
Scottish Government News Releases
Charity law consultation responses published (SG 03/07/19)
A majority of responses to the Scottish charity law consultation support changes to increase transparency and accountability.
Improved energy efficiency standards reducing bills (SG 27/06/19)
Low income households are saving on their fuel bills as a result of improved energy efficiency measures in their homes.
News Releases
The country needs more homes but it has never been harder – Rebuilding Trust Research (Grosvenor 10/0719)
Grosvenor Britain & Ireland (GBI) has conducted the largest ever canvassing of public trust in placemaking in the UK.
Make “places not just homes” and transform retail parks into thriving communities, says Commission (MHCLG 09/07/19)
Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission publishes interim report.
Welsh government demands 50% affordable housing on new developments (IH 09/07/19)
Wales’ housing minister is calling on planning departments across the country to demand that at least 50% of housing on development sites be affordable.
Sir Mark Jones named as new NTS Chair (NTS 04/07/19)
Sir Mark Jones will take over as National Trust for Scotland Chairman, when Sir Moir Lockhead steps down in August 2019.
Edinburgh Traditional Building Festival prepares for seventh annual outing (SHN 04/07/19)
Sponsored by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and forming part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, this year’s event will focus on the need to repair and maintain traditional buildings which follows the findings of the Tenement Working Group in the Scottish Parliament.
“Future of Our Pasts” report to increase engagement of cultural heritage in climate action (ICOMOS 02/06/19)
Putting forward a multi-disciplinary approach to cultural heritage, the report is intended for site managers, scientists, researchers, but also to climate activists and policy-makers.
Orkney world heritage sites threatened by climate change (BBC 02/07/19)
The world heritage status of Orkney’s archaeological treasures is threatened by climate change, a report has warned.
Orkney Report submitted to World Heritage Committee (HES 02/07/19)
A report outlining how climate change prevention methods will be trialled in Orkney is launched during the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting on Tuesday 2 July.
RICS consultation on Home Survey Standard (IHBC 01/07/19)
RICS has launched a consultation on a new mandatory RICS Home Survey Standard, which closes on 29 July.
Scottish Living History Festival (AS 06/19)
Archaeology Scotland are working hard to make their 75th anniversary celebration of Scotland’s history, heritage, & archaeology incredible and free of charge. They have set up this crowdfunding campaign to help make it happen!
Project to use space technology to protect Scotland’s historic environment (HES 28/06/19)
A new partnership to harness space and satellite technology to protect Scotland’s historic sites from climate change has been launched.
Local Place Plans: communities call for greater support to create success (PAS 28/06/19)
Earlier this year, PAS ran a short survey to gather views on what support communities would like to see, what barriers they believe may prevent them from taking part in a Local Place Plan and how these barriers might be overcome. 350 people responded to the survey.
Tourism: Sector Deal (DCMS 28/06/19)
The Tourism Sector Deal sets out how the government and industry will work in partnership to boost productivity, develop the skills of the UK workforce and support destinations to enhance their visitor offer.
Braw Buildings 2019 (SCT 28/06/19)
Scottish Civic Trust are delighted to deliver the Braw Buildings Project, a part of Doors Open Days 2019, in partnership with Hostelling Scotland.
RIBA announces National Award winners (RIBA 27/06/19)
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the 54 winners of 2019 RIBA National Awards for architecture. The awards recognise the UK’s best new construction projects and provide an insight into the UK’s design and economic trends.
The European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage (EN 25/06/19)
Europa Nostra Awards is Europe’s top honour in the heritage field. It recognises the best achievements in conservation, research, dedicated service as well as education, training and awareness-raising. In 2020 and 2021 two new ILUCIDARE Special Prizes will be awarded in cultural heritage-led innovation and diplomacy. Deadline: 1 October 2019.
Opinion & Comment
Here’s how we can end Scotland’s housing crisis (Tammy Swift-Adams in The Scotsman 09/07/19)
Planning (Scotland) Bill – Collaborate to Move Forward (HOPS 05/07/19)
Design can’t solve all our problems, so stop pretending it can (dezeen 02/07/19)
Understanding the ugly building, with Timothy Hyde (Prospect Magazine 27/06/19)
City or Symbol? Dundee and perils of regeneration (Christopher Silver 24/06/19)
What is the future of Urban Heritage? (NT 21/06/19)
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-24286: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 09/07/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to all five pathfinder housing first pilots reportedly being behind in meeting their June 2019 targets.
Question S5W-24217: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 03/07/2019
To ask the Scottish Government, of the 35,000 homes for social rent due to be delivered by the end of this parliamentary session, how many have (a) been completed and (b) started construction.
Question S5W-24145: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 02/07/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how many of the 50,000 affordable homes that it has committed to building in the current parliamentary session have started construction.
Question S5W-24130: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 02/07/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of social landlords currently meet its minimum site standards for Gypsy/Travellers, broken down by local authority.
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-23544: John Finnie, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 30/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of it declaring a climate emergency and committing to review all its policies, how long it expects this assessment to take and for action to be taken to ensure that coastal communities in the Western Isles are adequately protected.
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham (07/06/2019)
Events
For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.
Monuments in Monuments 2019
Date & time: Mon. 2 – Wed.4 September 2019; 10am – 4pm.
Venue: The Engine Shed.
Full ticket: £300. Day tickets: £120
This conference explores the conservation challenges facing carved stones and objects inside historic buildings. Hear from specialists from all over the world about how traditional skills, emerging technology and conservation science are helping to overcome these challenges. You can buy full conference or individual day tickets. Student rates are available.
IPTW: Crafting the Future
Dates: Thursday 5 – Saturday 7 September 2019.
Venue: The Engine Shed.
We are delighted to be hosting the first International Preservation Trades Workshop (IPTW) held outside of the US, in partnership with the Preservation Trades Network (PTN). This unique event brings together practitioners of traditional trades to share skills, knowledge and best practice. Enjoy a packed programme with craft demonstrations from both the USA and the UK, lectures, tours and more. On Saturday 7 September, everyone from families to enthusiasts will be able to see traditional crafts up close at our free demonstrations. The event will close with a ceilidh and auction in the magnificent Great Hall at Stirling Castle. The proceeds from the renowned PTN auction are used to fund educational bursaries and specific projects.
Interested in taking part? Have knowledge or expertise you want to share? Participating in an IPTW is a great way to connect with the traditional trades. You’ll have the opportunity to network with the wider industry. We are looking for a variety of craft demonstrators with varying experience willing to showcase their skills. If you are interested, please fill out our application form accessible on our webpage here, and return to ian.walker@hes.scot or charles.jones@hes.scot.
Scottish Land Commission Conference – Scotland’s Land & Economy
Date & time: Wed, 2 October 2019; 09:30 – 16:30.
Venue: Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS.
Join us at the Scottish Land Commission’s conference to look at the role of land reform in achieving Scotland’s agenda for sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Land ownership and use are central to increasing productivity, reducing inequalities, creating a fair and prosperous Scotland. We will explore these themes through a number of key note speakers and panel discussions.
The conference will explore:
- Land reform and it’s role in growing Scotland’s economy
- Productive land ownership – what it means and how it can be achieved
- What can we learn from international experience
- Learning from other sectors
Training
Stone, Digital Documentation, and Energy Improvements
Date & time: Friday 9 August; 9.30am – 12.15pm.
Venue: The Engine Shed
Hear from Historic Environment Scotland experts on how to source and select stone for repairs, improve energy efficiency in traditional buildings and receive an introduction to digital documentation. Run in conjunction with the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. This event is free, but booking is essential.
The Damp in Buildings Masterclass
Date & time: 6 September 2019; 09.30 – 16.30.
Venue: Charlestown Workshops, Fife
Cost: £190 + vat …… Remember if you are a BLF, IHBC, RIBA or RIAS member you are eligible for 20% discount on this seminar. Please just give us a call with your member number.
We are pleased to welcome back Mike Parrett, one of the world’s leading building pathologists and co-author of the RICS’ bestselling book ‘Diagnosing Damp’, recognised as the primary reference work on dampness in buildings.
Vacancies
Engagement Manager
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is recruiting for a full time Engagement Manager on a permanent contract based in Scotland.
The closing date for applications is Midnight 12 July 2019.
Project Officer (Journal Editor)
Archaeology Scotland is seeking a Project Officer for its Discovery and Excavation in Scotland journal.
Closing Date for Applications: Sunday 14th July at 12 midnight.
Traditional Buildings Inspector
Stirling City Heritage Trust are looking for a new inspector to join our Traditional Buildings Health Check team.
The closing date is Monday 15 July 2019.
Parks Endowment Communication Manager
greenspace scotland is looking for an experienced communications and marketing manager (employed or freelance role) to lead the public facing phase of our exciting programme to develop an Endowment Fund for Scotland’s parks.
Closing date: Mon 29 July.
Green Health Programme Manager (Lothians)
greenspace scotland is recruiting a Programme Manager to lead and support delivery of the Lothians Green Health Strategy.
Closing date: 29 July 2019.
Scottish Land Commission Internship
Scottish Land Commission are looking for an intern to research and develop at least two innovative community funding models for the Scottish context.
Deadline for applications: 29 July 2019.