BEFS Bulletin – A long-term approach to COVID-19
Get the latest built environment news, policy developments, publications, consultations and more.
BEFS News
On behalf of OPiT, BEFS is coordinating a long-term strategic response to COVID-19, articulating the main challenges identified by the historic environment sector and the role heritage can play in recovery. As an important first step, Historic Environment Scotland have published preliminary findings from their research into the impact of COVID-19 on the country’s heritage sector.
BEFS Director Euan Leitch was interviewed ahead of today’s Historic Environment Working Group meeting for an article on the future of Scotland’s historic sites. Read the full article here.
The Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill passed at stage 3 last night, with various amendments. The legislation gives Scottish Ministers the power to temporarily manage care home services and legislative changes were made in relation to non-domestic rates, the criminal justice system and tax arrangements. A Discretionary Housing Payment will be made available through local authorities. Meanwhile, the First Minister will make her statement today on Scotland’s route map out of lockdown in the Scottish Parliament and will take questions from both party leaders and backbenchers.
A number of BEFS members submitted responses to the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework 4 call for ideas, including the RTPI, Landscape Institute Scotland, CIfA and ALGAO. You can also find Historic Environment Scotland’s submission here.
We have once again updated our COVID-19 heritage funding and advice page with the latest information and links to resources from across the sector.
Consultations
COVID-19 Committee Call for Evidence
The closing date for submissions is Friday 29 May.
Call for Views: Advisory Group on Economic Recovery
Opened 18 May 2020 and closes on 31 May 2020.
Energy Efficiency of Existing Homes Inquiry
You can submit evidence until Monday 22 June 2020.
Coronavirus and Scotland Inquiry
You can submit evidence until Tuesday 23 June 2020.
The Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee has launched a call for views on the impact of COVID-19 on Scotland’s culture and tourism sectors.
There is currently no deadline for responding.
Shortage occupation list: call for evidence
This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 24 June 2020.
Consultation on proposed changes to the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012
This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 14 July 2020.
The role of evaluation and research in arts, cultural and heritage organisations
Scotland Business Survey – Impact of COVID-19
Scottish public authorities sharing data: consultation
Extended closing date 15 Jun 2020.
Impact of Covid-19 on DCMS sectors – call for evidence
Extended closing date Friday 19 June 2020.
Just Transition Commission – call for evidence
Extended closing date 30 June 2020.
Consultation Responses
Written Submissions Received on the Impact of COVID-19 on Scotland’s Culture and Tourism Sectors
Publications
Active travel mapping resource
Coronavirus (COVID-19): culture and creative sector support (SG 19/05/20)
Coronavirus (COVID-19): European Structural and Investment Funds (SG 15/05/20)
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) – sector-specific guidance (DBIES 11/05/20)
Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making – supporting evidence (SG 07/05/20)
Coronavirus (COVID-19): European Structural and Investment Funds (SG 07/05/20)
Coronavirus (COVID-19): liquidity support for SME housebuilders (SG 07/05/20)
Construction Leadership Forum: Safe Operating Procedures and Site Report Repository (CLF 05/20)
Scottish Government News Releases
Extra funding to support tenants (SG 20/05/20)
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart has announced £5 million additional investment to support tenants under financial pressure during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Help for businesses (SG 20/05/20)
The Scottish Government’s Business Support Fund has been increased by £40 million to provide additional support for key sectors of the Scottish economy.
Extra support for charities (SG 12/05/20)
Properties occupied by charities can now apply for the £10,000 Small Business Grant Scheme to help with pressures caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Second Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill (SG 11/05/20)
Emergency measures to protect people facing financial hardship and allow public services to operate effectively have been introduced to Parliament in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
SME support doubles to £90m (SG 08/05/20)
A fund launched last week to provide grants for small and medium-sized businesses affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) is to be doubled from £45m to £90m.
Emergency loan fund for SME housebuilders (SG 07/05/20)
Housebuilders will be able to apply for short-term loans of up to £1 million from the Scottish Government to support them through the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
News Releases
RIAS announces Presidential Candidates (RIAS 20/05/20)
The RIAS has announced details of the candidates for the 2020 Presidential campaign and we’re delighted to introduce the following inspiring members.
Additional £58 million to help Scotland tackle coronavirus (SSS 16/05/20)
The UK Government has today announced an additional £58 million to help the devolved administration in Scotland respond to the challenge of the coronavirus.
RICS calls on Scottish Government for clarity on housing market (SHN 14/05/20)
RICS has called on the Scottish Government for clarity on when the house buying and selling process can restart as it suggested house prices will be 4% lower when the market reopens.
Calls for retrofit drive to spark post-Covid ‘green economic recovery’ (AJ 13/05/20)
The government should launch an ambitious retrofitting programme to spur the UK’s recovery from coronavirus, industry organisations have said.
News and Ideas Exchange 2020 Online Seminar Series – Get Involved (ICON Scotland 13/05/20)
The Icon Scotland Group is excited to be launching a new, online ideas sharing and networking event based on the successful format of the ‘Paper Conservators in Scotland: 5 Minute Presentations’ series. We are looking for volunteers, from all disciplines and locations, to contribute to these events.
Government announces roadmap taskforces (UKG 13/05/20)
New ministerial-led taskforces have been set up to plan how closed sectors can reopen safely including on recreation and leisure, tourism, culture & heritage, libraries, entertainment & sport (led by DCMS.
Applications for Self-Employment Income Support Scheme open early (UKG 13/05/20)
The government’s world-leading scheme to support the self-employed has today opened for claims – weeks ahead of schedule.
Trust confirms emergency measures (NTS 12/05/20)
The magnitude of this year’s expected income losses are of a level similar to the Trust’s current financial reserves and, without taking these actions, it would put the future and wellbeing of some of Scotland’s most iconic places, such as Culzean, Glencoe, Culloden and Mar Lodge Estate, in jeopardy.
Council confirm radical new economic model to drive region post Covid-19 (AC 06/05/20)
NORTH Ayrshire Council is set to outline radical long-term economic plans that will shape how they move forward post Covid-19. Their Community Wealth Building (CWB) approach – which will see the Council and other ‘anchor organisations’ working in partnership with communities and businesses – marks a fundamental change in how we tackle inequality and poverty to create a fairer and more resilient local economy.
Scotland’s Low Emission Zones paused (TS 07/05/20)
Plans to implement low emission zones across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee have been paused temporarily in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards 2020 announced (EU 07/05/20)
The European Commission and Europa Nostra have announced the winners of the 2020 European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards, funded by the EU’s Creative Europe programme.
How to enjoy heritage from home (NLHF 05/20)
We’ve put together a list of heritage-inspired activities you can do from home – we’ll be updating the list, so keep checking back to find new things.
Opinion & Comment
We need a new body to protect Scotland’s heritage (James Simpson, The Times 19/05/20)
Parliamentary Questions
Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.
Question S5W-29229: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 20/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what COVID-19 funding support packages it has in place for people working in the cultural sector, and how many people have been supported to date.
Question S5W-29227: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 20/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for support from the Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises Fund it has received; what the total value of funding requested was; how many applications were approved, and what the total value of the awards made was, also broken down by the (a) creative and cultural, (b) tourism and (c) hospitality sector.
Question S5W-29197: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what criteria were used to allocate the first tranche of funding from the Supporting Communities Fund, and what criteria it will use to allocate the second tranche.
Question S5W-29201: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what role SCVO has in allocating grants from the Supporting Communities Fund.
Question S5W-29202: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how many community organisations made applications to the Supporting Communities Fund, and when the application process will open for the next £10 million available.
Question S5W-29195: John Finnie, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government, where it is the owner of land, how it ensures that there is no conflict of interest between its roles as asset holder and asset transfer manager when a community seeks transfer of that land to community ownership.
Question S5W-29149: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it has made available to the National Trust of Scotland in each of the last five years, and whether additional funding will be provided over the next 12 months in light of the COVID-19 pandemic to help protect (a) jobs and (b) venues.
Question S5W-29148: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what communications it has had with the National Trust of Scotland regarding potential redundancies in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and what action it is taking to help save these jobs.
Question S5W-29145: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how much net income it estimates will be lost in the (a) arts and culture and (b) tourism sector in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and when it expects it to return to the 2019 level.
Question S5W-29147: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what funding it will make available to the arts and culture sector to allow for adaptions to be implemented to allow social distancing to be observed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Question S5W-29002: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it has made available to the arts, culture and tourism sectors as a result of COVID-19; how many grants have been awarded, and how many applications were rejected.
Question S5W-29003: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how many fewer tourists have visited Scotland from January to May 2020 compared with the same period in 2019.
Question S5W-29004: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of jobs lost in the arts, culture and tourism sectors as a result of COVID-19, also broken down by the number that it estimates could be lost in these sectors in 2020.
Question S5W-29005: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the financial loss will be to the arts, culture and tourism sectors as a result of COVID-19.
Parliamentary Questions & Answers
Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.
Question S5W-28557: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 20/04/2020
To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will resume the work of the Sustainable Housing for Everyone (SHORE) standards, and for what reason it paused this workstream.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (27/04/2020)
Events
For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.
Making Decisions and Leading Through Crisis
Date & time: May 22, 2020 11:00am.
In partnership with HES and the Social Enterprise Academy we will be running the following webinar looking at Making Decisions and Leading Through Crisis. A crisis can cause a number of reactions within individuals and teams, all of which can impact decision making. Whether you notice decisions are currently speeding up, slowing down or not happening at all this session will support you to develop your understanding about what a good decision making process looks like for your organisation. This session is an opportunity for you to develop your confidence in making decisions during this uncertain and unpredictable period and gain an understanding of helpful tools and techniques that can support you and your teams to make effective decisions. The session will also offer an opportunity for you to connect with your peers and learn from each other’s successes and challenges during this period of crisis.
IHBC Virtual Conference OLD TOWNS | NEW FUTURES Heritage Reflections and Speculations from a Global Pandemic
Date & time: 19 June; morning & afternoon sessions
Current specialist takes on urban challenges from the global pandemic, with lead international experts including Carl Elefante, 94th President, American Institute of Architects; Cliff Hague, RTPI Past President; Carol Souter, former HLF CE, now Oxford; Prof, Plácido González Martínez, Tongji University; and more in IHBC’s ‘Virtual’ conference, 19 June, with wide-ranging expert talks, Q&A, polls, morning / afternoon options from only £15+VAT. Certified IHBC CPD.
Vacancies
Edinburgh World Heritage Director
Edinburgh World Heritage plays a central role in the management and protection of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. Our current Director is leaving us in June and the Board of Trustees is looking to appoint a Director who will build on our achievements and lead us in the next stage of our development. This exciting opportunity is one of the most important leadership roles in the heritage sector in Scotland, if not the UK.
Closing date Monday 15th June at 5pm.
President of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is looking for candidates to replace the current President, Dr David Caldwell, when he steps down after two terms on 30 November 2020. This is an opportunity to lead a major independent charitable heritage organisation in Scotland with a global membership.
The deadline for applications is 12 midnight Tuesday 30 June 2020.
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