BEFS Bulletin – CHERF & HES Key Findings
Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications, Consultations And More.
BEFS News
The first two workshops of the COVID Historic Environment Resilience Forum (CHERF) focusing on Reopening Venues and on Conservation & Construction have now taken place, with participants from across the built environment sector in Scotland. The forum will inform the production of a route map of medium and longer-term actions to grow sector resilience, sustainability, and evidence the sector to be a beneficial participant in Scotland’s national recovery. More information on CHERF and future workshops can be found here. Outcomes and developments will also be made publicly available on this page.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has published the findings of research into the impact of COVID-19 on Scotland’s heritage sector. Key findings from the report show nearly 80% of respondents have experienced either a loss or postponement of work and revenue due to the current pandemic, while over 70% reported having to cancel planned income generating events. Almost a quarter (22%) said they face a high risk of their business not surviving the current situation without major intervention, with sole traders or partnerships (32%) reporting the highest level of risk, citing cashflow and future orders as the main source of concern.
A £2 million Towns and BIDs Resilience and Recovery Fund was announced by the Scottish Government on 12th June 2020. The fund is intended to support localised response activities contributing to town centre and high street resilience and recovery.
BEFS responded to the Scottish Government’s Advisory Group on Economic Recovery call for evidence. BEFS response draws on arguments made previously in relation to the Circular Economy, the Built Heritage Investment Group, Housing to 2040, and the essential part the built environment plays in supporting a skilled workforce. Making sure that communities across Scotland can make their views heard in relation to their environments will ensure the current policy work can go further, and faster, with increased economic and social benefits.
We have updated our COVID-19 heritage funding and advice page and downloadable Pdf with the latest information.
Have you submitted your favourite historic environment project or initiative as a best practice case study for our database and the OPiT 2019-20 report? More details.
The Scottish Government has been asked and responded to a large number of heritage related parliamentary questions since the last bulletin (see below). Questions range from topics including the tourism and culture sector, the National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, to community ownership of land, the Supporting Communities Fund, and more.
Consultations
Review of the Lobbying Act (Scotland) 2016 – Call for written views
Opened 17 Jun 2020 and closes 14 Aug 2020.
European Heritage Green Paper Outline
Europa Nostra in cooperation with ICOMOS is seeking your feedback on the European Heritage Green Paper, a new project that focuses on cultural heritage and the European Green Deal (EGD).
Deadline extended to 22 June.
Digital Attitudes and Skills for Heritage (DASH) survey
Deadline to sign up is 26 June.
The Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee has launched a call for views on the impact of COVID-19 on Scotland’s culture and tourism sectors. There is currently no deadline for responding.
Impact of Covid-19 on DCMS sectors – call for evidence
Extended closing date Friday 19 June 2020.
Coronavirus and Scotland Inquiry
You can submit evidence until Tuesday 23 June 2020.
Shortage occupation list: call for evidence
This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 24 June 2020.
Just Transition Commission – call for evidence
Extended closing date 30 June 2020.
Energy Efficiency of Existing Homes Inquiry
You can submit evidence until Monday 13 July 2020.
Consultation on proposed changes to the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012
This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 14 July 2020.
Consultation Responses
The role of public sector bodies in tackling climate change: consultation analysis
ScotLink Survey results on Circular Economy
Publications
Apply to the Low Carbon Energy Project Development Fund (SG 17/06/20)
Housing and regeneration outcomes framework: indicator updates (SG 16/06/20)
Third Sector Resilience Fund – summary of submissions (SPICe 06/20)
COVID-19 Sector Survey Report (HES 12/06/20)
Coronavirus (COVID-19): European Structural and Investment Funds (SG 12/06/20)
Land for Housing & Development – a briefing paper (SLC 11/06/20)
An Investigation into Land Banking in Scotland (SLC 11/06/20)
Residential development land prices and house prices- A discussion paper (SLC 11/06/20)
Coronavirus (COVID-19): construction sector guidance (SG 11/06/20)
Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee Annual Report 2019-20 (SP 09/06/20)
Non domestic energy efficiency project support unit: 2020 to 2024 (SG 11/06/20)
Cultural Renewal Taskforce and supporting Working Groups (UKG 06/20)
The World Remade by COVID-19: Scenarios for resilient leaders 3-5 years (Deloitte 04/20)
Help to Build: An emergency plan to support housing supply (CPS 06/20)
Scottish Government News Releases
Scottish research facing twin threats of COVID and Brexit (SG 12/06/20)
The double threat of coronavirus (COVID-19) and the potential loss of access to EU funding programmes could result in long-term damage to Scottish university research, unless the UK Government provides immediate financial support.
Support for tourism industry (SG 10/06/20)
Sector prepares for return to business. Further measures have been announced by Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing to support Scotland’s vital tourism industry.
Community funding maps (SG 09/06/20)
A new collection of digital maps is to display the funding being given to support communities across Scotland affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).
News Releases
Government invests £78m to help construction sector return to work (SCN 17/06/20)
More than £78 million is to be invested into the construction sector as part of a new Return to Work package to help stimulate Scotland’s economy following the coronavirus pandemic.
Government must act over gaps in support during lockdown (UKP 15/06/20)
The Treasury Committee publishes a unanimously-agreed interim report as part of its inquiry into the Economic Impact of Coronavirus called Gaps in Support.
Historic Environment Scotland response to Black Lives Matter (HES 12/06/20)
Recent events have once again confronted us with the reality of racism and sparked renewed urgency to the Black Lives Matter movement for racial justice across the world. We have been using this time to listen to our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities and reflect on our responsibilities as Scotland’s lead heritage body.
Call for Nominations for 7 Most Endangered 2021: Let’s save Europe’s endangered heritage sites together! (EN 12/06/20)
Many heritage treasures all over Europe are threatened due to a series of natural, human-related or climate change causes, particularly in these trying times.
Land for housing and development: time for change SLC 11/06/20)
Scotland’s reliance on the speculative private development model will not help to achieve the level of new homes needed or help build more affordable homes and the whole system requires fundamental reform, according to the Scottish Land Commission.
Our plans for re-opening properties (NTS 09/06/20)
Trust properties have been closed since March due to the coronavirus emergency. We’re sharing plans for re-opening over the coming weeks and months, in line with Scottish Government guidance.
Scottish Government ‘unable to take forward’ work on empty homes (SHN 09/06/20)
The Scottish Government’s work to tackle empty homes has been put on hold due to “changed priorities” and the implications of the coronavirus crisis, housing minister Kevin Stewart has admitted.
Take a Tour of Scotland in 3D (HES 08/06/20)
Immerse yourself in history from home by exploring our interactive 3D models of towers, tombs, brochs and standing stones!
Doors Open Days 2020 is going digital! (SCT 06/20)
Scotland’s biggest free festival of architecture will present its largest ever digital offering this September, as we celebrate Scotland’s buildings and stories online, through tours, lectures, DIY learning events and more.
2020 SURF Awards Open for Applications (SURF 04/06/20)
The prestigious national 2020 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration were launched online today (4/06/20) and is now open to applications.
Joint Heritage Sector Statement on Climate Change (HE 06/20)
Climate change is one of the most significant and fastest growing threats to people and their cultural heritage worldwide. Responding to climate change requires action but that does not need to be at the expense of our cultural heritage which can help society adapt to the dual challenges of new climates and a low carbon future.
Lottery funder sees record number of applicants for £200m government (NLHF 29/05/20)
A £200m government fund for smaller charities, run by the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF), received a record-breaking number of applications when it opened last week.
Lords considers Covid-19 impact on museums and galleries (UKP 22/06/20)
Members of the Lords asked the government what steps it was taking to support museums, galleries, and historic buildings open to the public that are affected by the restrictions in place to address the Covid-19 pandemic.
Opinion & Comment
The Value of Early Engagement (SLC 15/06/20)
Coronavirus in Scotland: Put locals back at heart of city life, urges heritage boss (Times 15/06/20)
Land for Housing – Time for change? (SLC 11/06/20)
‘The crisis of crises’: Scotland’s heritage sector hit hard by coronavirus (FT 10/06/20)
The Removal of the Statue of Edward Colston, Bristol (HE 07/05/20)
Do you want beautiful, sustainable and safe tall buildings? Use wood (Guardian 06/06/20)
Planning for the long term public interest (SLC 03/06/20)
Parliamentary Questions
Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.
Question S5W-29857: Maurice Golden, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 11/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what the timeline is for further talks between it, the National Trust for Scotland and Scottish Enterprise, following the meeting on 26 May 2020.
Question S5W-29858: Maurice Golden, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 11/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what immediate support it can provide to properties owned by the National Trust for Scotland that are unable to support social distancing regulations, while the talks over long-term assistance are ongoing.
Question S5W-29669: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 08/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the efficacy of the 2016-21 land use strategy, and what progress is being made with the preparations for the updated strategy.
Question S5W-29671: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 08/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how the updated land use strategy will reflect changes in climate change policy, and what engagement it has had with stakeholders regarding this.
Question S5W-29674: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 08/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the performance of the land use strategy in contributing to meeting its climate change and biodiversity targets.
Question S5W-29760: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 09/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government which tourist attractions it considers will not be allowed to reopen at phase 3 of its COVID-19 route map.
Question S5W-29767: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 09/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it will provide to businesses and tourist attractions that are allowed to reopen at phase 3 of its COVID-19 route map.
Question S5W-29591: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 03/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what mechanisms are in place to enable Historic Environment Scotland to progress current projects while staff are furloughed.
Question S5W-29571: Alexander Stewart, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 02/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications to the Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises Hardship fund have been (a) approved and (b) rejected, and how many payments have been made.
Parliamentary Questions & Answers
Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.
Question S5W-29005: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the financial loss will be to the arts, culture and tourism sectors as a result of COVID-19.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (21/05/2020)
Question S5W-29004: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of jobs lost in the arts, culture and tourism sectors as a result of COVID-19, also broken down by the number that it estimates could be lost in these sectors in 2020.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (21/05/2020)
Question S5W-29003: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how many fewer tourists have visited Scotland from January to May 2020 compared with the same period in 2019.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (21/05/2020)
Question S5W-29002: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it has made available to the arts, culture and tourism sectors as a result of COVID-19; how many grants have been awarded, and how many applications were rejected.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (21/05/2020)
Question S5W-29147: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what funding it will make available to the arts and culture sector to allow for adaptions to be implemented to allow social distancing to be observed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (29/05/2020)
Question S5W-29145: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how much net income it estimates will be lost in the (a) arts and culture and (b) tourism sector in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and when it expects it to return to the 2019 level.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (01/06/2020)
Question S5W-29148: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what communications it has had with the National Trust of Scotland regarding potential redundancies in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and what action it is taking to help save these jobs.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (01/06/2020)
Question S5W-29149: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it has made available to the National Trust of Scotland in each of the last five years, and whether additional funding will be provided over the next 12 months in light of the COVID-19 pandemic to help protect (a) jobs and (b) venues.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (01/06/2020)
Question S5W-29195: John Finnie, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government, where it is the owner of land, how it ensures that there is no conflict of interest between its roles as asset holder and asset transfer manager when a community seeks transfer of that land to community ownership.
Answered by Aileen Campbell (04/06/2020)
Question S5W-29202: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government how many community organisations made applications to the Supporting Communities Fund, and when the application process will open for the next £10 million available.
Answered by Aileen Campbell (04/06/2020)
Question S5W-29201: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what role SCVO has in allocating grants from the Supporting Communities Fund.
Answered by Aileen Campbell (04/06/2020)
Question S5W-29197: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what criteria were used to allocate the first tranche of funding from the Supporting Communities Fund, and what criteria it will use to allocate the second tranche.
Answered by Aileen Campbell (04/06/2020)
Question S5W-29229: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 20/05/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what COVID-19 funding support packages it has in place for people working in the cultural sector, and how many people have been supported to date.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (01/06/2020)
Events
For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.
Parks and the City: Edinburgh and New York
Date & time: Tuesday 23rd June at 7.15pm
Online platform: Zoom.
Join Professor Cliff Hague, of the Cockburn Association, and Commissioner Mitchell Silver, of the New York City Dept of Parks and Recreation, in a live online discussion about the current challenges and future possibilities in planning and managing the greenspaces in these two unique global cities. This conversation builds from the public summit held by the Cockburn Association in January 2020, which captured increasing public concern of the impact to parks and gardens of Festivals and special events, especially those that restricted public access due to private promotion. Free, but donations welcome.
Fortnight Fringe | Sarajevo / Glasgow
Date & time: 23 June 2020; 17:30 – 18:30.
Online.
A photographic journey from the ruins of war-torn Sarajevo to the battleground of regeneration Glasgow. Award-winning photographer Chris Leslie takes us on a 24-year visual journey from the former Yugoslavia of 1996 to early 21st Century Scotland exploring how the urban environment is shaped by violence; from war to urban reorganisation. Presenting previously unseen imagery, we’ll travel back to many post-conflict towns and cities in Croatia and to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia & Herzegovina. Later we’ll arrive into the urban shifts of regeneration Glasgow, to see the destruction and reconstruction of entire neighbourhoods as the 2014 Commonwealth Games looms.
Fortnight Fringe | PureBeamersTV
Date & time: Tue, 23 June 2020; 19:00 – 20:00.
Online.
“Rip It Up And Start Again: Running a Fiercely Independent Design Studio in 2020”. It is a time of deep reflection. The world has changed. Many of us are exploring our own accountability and expanding our responsibilities in thought and action. How might independent designers navigate the times ahead, as active participants in working towards a just and equitable future? For PureBeamersTV our host is Interior Designer JACO JUSTICE. Jaco is joined by Fashion Designer EMILY MILLICHIP and Graphic Designer EMLYN FIRTH to explore how running a fiercely independent design studio in 2020 responds to global happenings. Sharing their own histories, practices and experiences, the conversation will touch on business opportunities and the effect of COVID-19, collaborations and global outreach as well as diversity, social mobility, ethics and sustainability.
Love Local – Creating Effective Place-Based Communication Strategies
Date & time: Tuesday 23rd June, 10.00am – 11.30am
Online platform: Zoom
As the country gradually phases out of lockdown, attracting both residents and visitors into town centres and high streets, and making them feel confident to do so, will be key to local economic recovery. Scotland’s Towns Partnership’s next learning event will focus on sharing expertise, tips and examples of effective communications and marketing strategies to promote your place and encourage the public to ‘love local’. A free event to all, you will hear from experts in campaign planning, media relations and from specific towns who are currently creating effective place campaigns. Join us on 23rd June for an opportunity to learn, be inspired and share your questions.
Community Engagement, Planning and Covid-19
Date & time: Thu 25 June, 10:00 – 11:00
Online platform: Zoom.
If you are a community group, local authority, or planning stakeholder join PAS for a roundtable discussion on issues relevant to community engagement in planning during Covid-19. There will be no presentations – rather this is an open forum to air your views and debate issues in a safe environment. At the session we will discuss how/if community councils are currently commenting on planning applications, engagement with local development plans and local place plans during these times, and how to ensure seldom heard groups continue to be heard. This will be an opportunity to share your views, experiences and knowledge in a facilitated group setting. Participant numbers have been limited to help ensure active debate and dialogue.
Training
CPD on Traditional Roof Slating
Date & time: 25 June 2020 from 13.30 – 14.30.
Online platform: Zoom.
Delivered by Graeme Millar (NFRC) and hosted by Tyler C Lott, BA MSc, Scotland Officer, Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. CPD touches on many topics relevant to the maintenance and upgrade of traditional Scottish slate roofs. Topics covered in the CPD include:
• Scottish slate
• Properties of – colour, size (random, thickness)
• Supplies of Scottish slate
• Alternative slates available
• When to re-slate and when to repair
• When to redress and reuse slate introducing minimum new slates
• When to totally strip and re-slate
• When re-roofing gives you an opportunity to retrofit insulation to roof voids
• Comparisons of finished roofs with different slates (especially those on terraced/tenement properties where the new slate abuts a roof with Scottish slate, good and bad examples)
This will be an online event delivered through Zoom, the access code will be sent out via email nearer the time.
Vacancies
Microvolunteering Opp: Noting Scotland’s digital heritage
Do you have a bit of time to spare in lockdown? Fancy doing some volunteering from home for the Scottish Civic Trust? This is a flexible opportunity – whether it’s twenty minutes or three hours, we’d love your help at DoorsOpenDays.