BEFS Bulletin – HES Policy & Corporate Plan
Get The Latest Built Environment News, Events, Vacancies, Consultations And Publications In Our News Bulletin.
BEFS News
HES is consulting on its next corporate plan and to inform that are evaluating the existing HES Corporate Plan 2016-19. To help they are seeking responses to this short survey by Monday 11th June.
Many of you attended BEFS workshop in March on the replacement of the Historic Environment Scotland Policy Statement and you can find the report here. HES will be finalising their approach and developing content over the next couple of months with a full public consultation on a draft policy document in August 2018. They are now seeking your views on the approach they are taking in this short survey by Sunday 17th June 2018.
BEFS recent Land Value Capture event held in association with jhplanning, gathered a wide variety of professional perspectives and approaches. There was a clear desire to continue with collaborative approaches, particularly those which take different views into consideration, and an appetite for vital work to continue in this area. You can now download the slides from the event.
BEFS is delighted to be supporting Transition Edinburgh with their upcoming event ‘Carbon Neutral Edinburgh 2050: What will the city look like and how can we manage the journey there?’ Join a round-table conversation with key people from Edinburgh City Council – elected reps & officers – with Cockburn Association, Edinburgh World Heritage, Scottish Ecological Design Association, Scottish Solar Energy Group and Edinburgh Architectural Association.
The Architecture Fringe kicks off tomorrow with a fantastic line-up of events across Scotland. An evening of cross-disciplinary debate on public procurement and how the construction industry can deliver a better quality built environment, next Tuesday in Edinburgh, may be of particular interest.
Doors Open Days’ regional dates are firming up across Scotland’s 32 local authority areas. Further details now accessible on the website.
Have you nominated your Scottish Heritage Angle? The deadline for entries is approaching on 29th June.
Helen Lawrenson, Director of Centre for Stewardship, shares examples of successfully re-purposed historic buildings for sustainable uses, in this week’s blog: Falkland Estate: New Life for Old Buildings.
Consultations
Call for Evidence on Experience of Concentrated Land Ownership (SLC)
The call for evidence will be open until 30 June 2018.
Publications
A Review of Empty and Second Homes in Scotland (Greens 06/06/18)
Temporary Accommodation in Scotland: Interim Report (Social Bite 04/06/18)
RTPI Scotland briefing for the Planning Bill Stage 1 Debate (RTPI 05/18)
HES INFORM Guide – Thatched Roofs (HES 05/18)
Scottish Government News Releases
Empowering communities (SG 06/06/18)
£20 million to tackle poverty and inequalities. Communities will be able to decide how best they can tackle poverty and inequalities in their own area backed by a £20 million fund.
Improving energy efficiency (SG 04/06/18)
Equity loan scheme for homeowners expands. More homeowners will be able to carry out energy efficiency work and improvements on their properties as a pilot scheme expands.
Cladding removal VAT calls (SG 03/06/18)
Ministers back exemption for removal of combustible building cladding. Companies removing combustible cladding from their buildings in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy should have their VAT waived by the UK Government, Scottish Ministers have said.
£90.2 million City Region Deal for Stirling and Clackmannanshire (SG 31/05/18)
The UK and Scottish Government are investing over £90 million in Stirling and Clackmannanshire through an ambitious City Region Deal, which will drive economic growth across the region.
£5 million additional funding for Stirling and Clackmannanshire (SG 31/05/18)
City Region to receive £50.1 million in total from the Scottish Government. Additional investment of £5 million will be made by the Scottish Government in the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region.
Transforming temporary accommodation (SG 29/05/18)
Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group recommendations. Recommendations to transform temporary accommodation, including getting the right support in place from day one and giving more power to front-line workers, have been accepted by the Scottish Government.
News Releases
£90 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire UK City Region Deal launched (BG 31/05/18)
The UK Government is investing more than £45 million in the Stirling and Clackmannanshire UK City Region Deal. That will be matched by funding from the Scottish Government, bringing total funding to more than £90 million.
Tenement maintenance one step closer for Scotland (RICS 29/05/18)
Action on compulsory tenement maintenance in Scotland took a closer step last week as parliament agreed, following a vote on an opposition debate, to review existing legislation and consider the implementation of mandatory tenement health checks.
Ten-year transformation of Scottish village wins top UK planning award (RTPI 25/05/18)
A 10-year plan to regenerate a declining fishing village in Scotland has won the top prize at a prestigious national awards ceremony last night.
Visit Orkney Any Time – From the Comfort of Home! (HES 25/05/18)
Find out how to visit ten ancient cairns and two earth houses from the comfort of home in this post from Georgie about the magic of 3D digital modelling.
Stage 1 Debate on the Planning Bill (PAS 25/05/18)
The Local Government and Communities Committee published its report on the Planning (Scotland) Bill and the Stage 1 Debate will follow on 29 May at 2pm. The debate will be broadcast live on the Scottish Parliament website. Here are some of the key messages we have shared with MSPs in advance of the Stage 1 Debate.
PAS expanding youth team in the Year of Young People (PAS 24/05/18)
Scotland’s leading place charity, PAS, has announced the creation of a new Youth Education Team, to expand on its already thriving programme with young people.
Civic Conservation Area Audit’ toolkit (Civic Voice 05/18)
The Conversation Area Audit is a way for a community to assess the condition of a conservation area. It is your “first steps” to managing the change in your conservation area and has been designed in a way that anyone can use it without requiring a “consultant” to support the delivery.
Opinion & Comment
How can we use design to help create a caring place? (Karen Anderson, A&DS 06/18/)
New Town Child (Archaeological Drift 06/18)
Could a ‘caring town’ housing concept transform our age? (Phil Prentice, STP 31/05/18)
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”.
Alex Cole-Hamilton S5W-17029
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the figures released under Freedom of Information in January 2018 regarding vacant private sector homes across 23 local authorities, which record (a) 20,027 as being empty for more than six months and (b) 927 being empty for more than 10 years. (SP 04/06/18)
Iain Gray S5W-17016
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to facilitate wider opportunities for self-build housing. (SP 04/06/18)
Pauline McNeill S5W-16796
To ask the Scottish Government how many affordable homes it has built during the current parliamentary session. (SP 01/06/18)
Rachael Hamilton S5W-16963
To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to ensure that burial grounds are maintained and with the full consent and knowledge of anyone who may be affected by any actions such as the removal of headstones. (SP 30/05/18)
Ben Macpherson S5W-16906
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04448 by Kevin Stewart on 15 November 2016, whether it will outline the average Housing Association Grant (HAG) subsidy levels approved for housing association new development tender approval activity in Edinburgh and Glasgow over the last three years, broken down by type of tenure. (SP 29/05/18)
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-16770: Elaine Smith, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17/05/2018
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to meet the demand for accessible housing for disabled people.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (29/05/2018)
Question S5W-16769: Elaine Smith, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17/05/2018
To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages the private sector to modify homes in line with the needs of disabled tenants.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (29/05/2018)
Question S5W-16755: Elaine Smith, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17/05/2018
To ask the Scottish Government how many affordable homes in each local authority area have been (a) built and (b) demolished in each year since 2016.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (29/05/2018)
Question S5W-16754: Elaine Smith, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17/05/2018
To ask the Scottish Government how many affordable homes there have been in each local authority area in each year since 2016.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (29/05/2018)
Question S5W-16753: Elaine Smith, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17/05/2018
To ask the Scottish Government how many of its proposed 50,000 affordable homes will be accessible to disabled people.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (29/05/2018)
Question S5W-16603: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 11/05/2018
To ask the Scottish Government whether it still plans to introduce a Warm Homes Bill.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (22/05/2018)
Other Parliamentary Activity
Summer recess dates: 20 July 2017 – 5 September 2017.
Events
For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.
Building Conservation Careers Fair
Date: Friday 8 June to Saturday 9 June 2018, 10am – 4pm.
Venue: Engine Shed, Stirling FK8 1QZFK8 1QZ K8 1QZ.
Interested in a career in conservation, heritage or traditional crafts? Come along to speak to HES Staff and find out how to take the first steps to a new career.
Free. Visit our website or further details or to book a place.
The Politics of Cultural Memory in the Nations of Europe
Date: Monday 18th June 2018 at 17:45.
Venue: Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh EH2 2EL.
You are most warmly invited to a lecture, “The Politics of Cultural Memory in the Nations of Europe”, by Dr Emil Brix. Dr Brix is the Director of the International Academy of Diplomacy in Vienna and is a former Austrian Ambassador to London and Moscow. It is a joint event between the National Galleries of Scotland and the MCICH Network, with registration 1745 for 1800 start, and is one of a series to mark 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage.
Carbon Neutral Edinburgh 2050: What will the city look like & how to manage the journey there?
Date: Wed 20 June, 5.30 for 6.30-8.30pm.
Venue: City Chambers, 253 High St EH1 1YJ.
Join a round-table conversation with key people from the City Council – elected reps & officers – with Cockburn Association, Edinburgh World Heritage, BEFS, SEDA, SSEG and Edinburgh Architectural Association. From first 5,000 responses to 2050 Edinburgh City Vision consultation four aspirations emerged: 1. Edinburgh becoming carbon neutral 2. Eradicating poverty as we understand it today 3. Re-imagining public space in Edinburgh 4. Making Edinburgh more caring. We’ll explore how to achieve the first. The event is being facilitated by Transition Edinburgh. They are holding a short annual general meeting from 5.30-6.15pm – to which all are invited. Registration for the Round-table event with refreshments will be available from 6.15pm.
Carving the Court Capital
Date: Thursday 21 June 2018, 10am – 12pm.
Venue: Engine Shed, Stirling FK8 1QZ.
Prices: £20.00 Non-member; £18.00 Concession; £18.00 Historic Scotland member.
The Four Courts, Ireland’s main court building was built over 200 years ago by architect James Gandon. 24 carved Corinthian capitals support the main dome, a number of which have become eroded and degraded over time and now need to be replaced. As part of a knowledge sharing agreement between Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and the Office of Public Works (OPW) Heritage Service in Ireland, one of the replacement capitols will be carved in Stirling by HES stonemasons and apprentices. Charles Jones who will supervise the training and carving of the capitals here in Scotland will talk about the project background, the work so far and include a visit to see the carving progress.
Industrial Archaeology Conference
Dates: Friday 22 June 2018 to Wednesday 27 June 2018, 9.30am – 5.30pm.
Location: Wick, Caithness
This industrial archaeology conference includes talks, tours and site visits in and around Caithness, with options starting and finishing in Inverness and a day in Orkney. Explore the exciting world of industrial archaeology in a part of Scotland noted for its geology, vernacular buildings, fishing stations and for the transformational presence of Dounreay and modern engineering firms. Book for as many days as you wish and arrange your own accommodation. This conference is a partnership between Historic Environment Scotland, the Scottish Industrial Heritage Society and the Scottish Vernacular Buildings Working Group and includes speakers from Tekniska museet, National Museum of Science and Technology.
Towns Tea Party 2018
Date: Monday 25 June 2018, 2pm – 4.30pm.
Venue: The Melting Pot, 5 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PR.
Come along to this annual opportunity to network with STP and other town stakeholders over tea and cake, and hear about the latest developments and opportunities for Scotland’s towns and city neighbourhoods. Taking place in The Melting Pot, Edinburgh, this is an excellent opportunity to gather with colleagues from across the country to network, learn and to be part of the launch of the fourth FutureTown Design Competition. Paisley Trust submitted the winning entry in 2017 and will help us launch the 2018 campaign. The Towns Tea Party will also incorporate the Scotland’s Towns Ltd Annual General Meeting and this is a great chance to be updated on STP’s progress and future activities. Free to STP Members – please RSVP here. Non Members £15+VA – please purchase ticket here.
Training
Technical Conservation Summer School
Date: Monday 11 June 2018 to Friday 15 June 2018, 9am to 5pm.
Venue: Engine Shed, Stirling FK8 1QZ.
Prices: £450.00 Non-members – full week; £405.00 Historic Scotland members – full week
Our exciting week-long summer school provides a complete introduction to the principles of conservation and traditional building materials and skills. Whether you’re a conservation enthusiast, or just getting started, book a place to brush up on your conservation knowledge and try our hands-on activities. Each day is suitable for people from all experiences and backgrounds. Taught through a mix of lectures, practical sessions and field trips, this is the perfect starting point to develop your knowledge of building conservation. Come along to the full week to learn about everything from digital documentation to stonemasonry, or book individual dates if a particular topic catches your eye. .
Conservation 101: What You Need to Know
Date: Monday 11 June 2018, 9am – 5pm.
Venue: Engine Shed, Stirling FK8 1QZ FK8 1QZ.
Prices: £90.00 Historic Scotland members – full day; £100.00 Non-members – full day.
Day one of our five-day conservation summer school will take you through conservation ethics and principles, materials used in traditional building construction and the planning and policy landscape we work within. This learning will then be put in context looking at heritage project design and management and a visit to a building at the beginning of its conservation journey.
Building Blocks: Stone and Lime
Date: Tuesday 12 June 2018, 9am to 5pm.
Venue: Engine Shed, Stirling FK8 1QZFK8 1QZ.
Prices: £100.00 Non-member; £90.00 Historic Scotland member.
Day two of our five-day conservation summer school will be taught through a mix of lectures and practical sessions and focus on stone and lime in traditional buildings. As well as learning how these materials are used, you can try your hand at stone-masonry, lime slaking and scientific stone and mortar analysis.
Conserving the Castle
Date: Wednesday 13 June 2018, 9am to 5pm.
Venue: Engine Shed, Stirling FK8 1QZ.
Prices: £100.00 Non-member; £90.00 Historic Scotland member.
Day three of our five-day conservation summer school will explore the various techniques used to monitor and conserve the monuments in our care. Survey and recording workshops will take you through digital documentation, non-invasive testing methods and research techniques.
Sustainable Materials and Practice
Date: Thursday 14 June 2018, 9am to 5pm.
Venue: Engine Shed, Stirling FK8 1QZ.
Prices: £100.00 Non-members; £90.00 Historic Scotland members.
Day four of our five-day conservation summer school will delve into Scottish architectural traditions and how climate change is affecting our built heritage. The first half of this day will examine vernacular architecture and traditions, and look at fired and unfired earth in more detail. The afternoon will look at the risks to our heritage through climate change and examine what we can do to both protect and adapt buildings and make them more energy efficient.
Conservation in Context
Date: Friday 15 June 2018, 9am to 5pm.
Venue: Engine Shed, Stirling FK8 1QZ.
Prices: £100.00 Non-members; £90.00 Historic Scotland members.
The final day of our five-day conservation summer school will be this day-long field trip examining conservation challenges and principles in situ. With guided trips through archaeological sites, active conservation work and examining our streetscapes this will provide a true insight into work undertaken to protect, understand and enhance our historic environment. This trip will include a scaffold tour, PPE can be provided if required.
From quarry to quoin: a conservation guide to stonework
Date: 19 June 2018, 9am-1pm
Venue: Walpole Hall, Chester Street, Edinburgh EH3 7EN
Price: £50/£40 EWH members
Join us for the next instalment of our training series: a comprehensive training session where we will explore all aspects of stonework from the quarry to the workshop and beyond.
Speakers include:
• Marcus Paine, Hutton Stone: From the quarrier’s perspective
• Katie Strang, Scottish Lime Centre: The geology of the building stones of Edinburgh
• Luis Albornoz, British Geological Survey: Stone matching
• Christa Gerdwilker, Historic Environment Scotland: Stone conservation approaches
• Maggie Tennant, St Mary’s Cathedral Workshop: Health and safety when working with stone
• Jordan Kirk, St Mary’s Cathedral Workshop: Practical demonstration
• Fiona MacDonald, Edinburgh World Heritage: Grants case study
The RIAS is happy to recommend this event to its members, and it is recognised by the IHBC for CPD.
Vacancies
International Project Officer (Edinburgh World Heritage)
We are looking to appoint an International Project Officer to assist with the delivery of the Heritage Skills Build Peace and Capacity (KORU) project, which is funded by the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund. Edinburgh World Heritage and the Istanbul-based Association for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (KMKD) have formed a partnership to deliver a joint training programme in Turkey.
Closing date for applications: 5pm on Friday 8th June 2018.
Project Engagement and Monitoring Officer (Edinburgh World Heritage)
Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing development is a category B listed complex of housing blocks located on Canongate in the Old Town of Edinburgh, built between 1967 and 1969. It is characterised by high energy use, low EPC rating, poor maintenance, high running costs and low community engagement. We have a vision to improve the energy efficiency of these buildings and consistently restore or repair features across the development. We are looking to appoint a Project Engagement and Monitoring Officer to assist with the delivery of the project by supporting the residents of the Canongate Housing development, particularly with financial aspects of the project, and by ongoing monitoring of energy use during and after works.Closing date for applications: 5pm on Friday 15th June 2018.
Heritage Consultancy Team Assistant (Simpson & Brown)
Simpson & Brown is looking for an enthusiastic, dynamic and well qualified person to join the Heritage Consultancy Team in Edinburgh. The position is aimed at a recent graduate of a relevant degree, or similar. The post would be full time, for a six-month initial period. Start date would be as soon as possible following successful interview, at the end of w/c 18th or w/c 25th June 2018. Simpson & Brown are leading experts in historic buildings and sites with 40 years of experience working with some of the United Kingdom’s most important built heritage. The Heritage Consultancy Team specialises in conservation plans and statements of significance for all types of heritage asset. Working in this team requires versatility and a willingness to be involved in a variety of work relating to the historic built environment. Further details are on Simpson & Brown’s website. Closing date: Monday 18th June 2018.
PAS Board now recruiting new volunteer Board members (PAS)
The PAS Board creates a strategic and policy framework for PAS and is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the organisation fulfils its statutory requirements. The Board focuses on strategic direction and vision rather than organisational management and service delivery. In achieving this, the Board’s key consideration is how to implement the organisation’s charitable aims and objectives and its Strategy. The PAS Board is now looking to recruit new volunteer Board members with expertise in any of the following areas: Fundraising; Law; Financial Planning.
Closing date 6 July 2018