BEFS Bulletin – New funding, new Events, and new Board members wanted!
Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications, Consultations And More.
BEFS News
BEFS would like to draw Members’ attention to two new funding streams. The first for nationally important heritage: The National Heritage Memorial Fund’s COVID-19 Response Fund is now open. This £40million fund will address the long-term impact of the coronavirus pandemic on nationally important heritage assets.
The second, is new funding from NLHF and is for Digital Volunteering. Previous research (DASH) found that the sector is calling out for digital innovation to help it move into a more resilient, creative future, and identified an opportunity to create new forms of volunteering to support this. Read all about the digital volunteering funding stream here.
This week UNESCO withdrew World Heritage Status from Liverpool. Edinburgh World Heritage have reflected on the warning this presents to Edinburgh.
BEFS team have had a busy time – and look forward to welcoming their new Communications and Membership Manager to the team in August. Until then, keep your eyes peeled for announcements of the programme for Edinburgh Traditional Building Festival, as BEFS are working with the Scottish Traditional Building Forum to highlight aspects of sustainability at this year’s festival.
As Covid restrictions are now lifting across Scotland there is a marked increase in events and organisational activity. Many of BEFS Members have got in touch to tell us what their plans are for the Summer – see below, as well as further details in both the Events and Training sections of the Bulletin.
The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards which celebrate community-led built environment projects that have transformed their locality, are now open for entries. The 2021 Awards have two categories: the general Award honours recently completed projects (2018-2020); and the Sustainability Award honours projects completed between 2001 and 2011 that demonstrate continued fitness for purpose, as well as having a robust approach to climate readiness.
More details are regularly being released about COP26 – with the high-level Presidency Programme now released. The final timetabled day focuses on Cities, Regions and the Built Environment. With much detail for the Green and Blue zones still to be finalised, and the hybrid nature of all events continually in flux, BEFS looks forward to the sustained focus that can be placed on the climate benefits which our existing environment can provide (environmentally, economically, and socially) – but, how to harness this global focus into meaningful outcomes remain unclear.
If your civic trust or local heritage society is making plans COP26 you can book rooms in the Scottish Civic Trust’s Glasgow City Centre offices free of charge to host exhibitions, events or meetings related to COP26.
NLHF are seeking Committee Members – including one for the Scotland Committee. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved with heritage grant making across Scotland. Full details – here.
After a successful Summer School for 2021 (clips are now available) IHBC would like to remind readers that the Gus Astley Student Awards submissions will close 31st July. Prizes include a place at IHBC’s 2022 Aberdeen School.
Nominations are closing soon for RTPI 2021 elections – including the Scottish Executive Committee vacancies for 2022. See more detailshere.
BEFS would also like to extend their congratulations to John Gerrard, on his recent IHBC Marsh award.
BEFS Bulletin is taking its own mini Summer Recess and will return on the 19th of August.
Consultations
Petition: To create a tax incentive to favour retrofit instead of demolition and new build
Closes 8 August 2021.
Consultation: Short term lets Regulation information
Closes 13th August 2021
Draft 2030 Climate Strategy – Edinburgh
Closes 12 Sep 2021.
Consultation – Building Standards Fire Safety, External Wall Systems
Opened 16th July 2021 – Closes 8th October 2021
Publications
Context – IHBC Journal – Applying Digital Technology (IHBC 07/2021)
Annual Report British Tourist Authority trading as VisitBritain and VisitEngland (UK HoC 14/07/2021)
ONS Economic Output and Productivity report (ONS 15/07/2021)
Centre for Policy Studies – Reshaping Spaces, Building back better (CPS 16/07/2021)
Principles of Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment IEMA, IHBC CIfA (IEAM 20/07/2021)
Sustainability Tools in Cultural Heritage STiCH
Scottish Government News Releases
Planning and Environmental Appeals: annual review 2020 to 2021
Planning Performance Statistics 2020/21: Quarterly (October 2020 To March 2021)
Impact of Developer Contributions in Scotland
Planning Circular – promotion and use of mediation, guidance.
News Releases
Scottish Futures Trust Construction Pipeline Forecast Tool
The Construction Pipeline Forecast Tool provides a look forward as to the anticipated public sector spend within construction. The forecast tool has been developed by the Scottish Futures Trust in partnership with industry and public sector bodies.
Public Health Scotland Covid 19 Research Repository
Public Health Scotland (PHS) has collaborated with universities to create a comprehensive repository of pandemic-related data. The platform, which contains research about Covid-19 in Scotland in a range of formats, is a fully accessible and searchable digital resource. It reduces duplication of effort and makes research easier for policymakers, researchers and the public to find and use.
Art Fund – Museum of the Year
Art Fund Museum of the Year, the world’s largest museum prize, returns. A celebration of the UK’s museums and galleries, the 2021 prize will reflect the resilience and imagination of museums throughout the pandemic.
Opinion & Comment
Adaptive Reuse of Fortified Churches in Transylvania – Challenges & Opportunities (07/2021)
Funding cuts to go ahead for university arts courses in England (Guardian20/07/2021)
Liverpool loses Unesco World Heritage status over waterfront development (i 21/07/2021)
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”.
S6W-01482 Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date Lodged: 15 July 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what powers it will devolve to local authorities to help them meet climate change targets, in response to calls made at the International Net Zero Local Leadership Summit.
S6W-01470 Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date Lodged: 15 July 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has received regarding how material shortages and increased contractor prices in the construction sector are impacting householders redeeming Home Energy Scotland Loan offers.
UK – Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – World Heritage Sites
Other Parliamentary Activity
The Scottish Parliament is in recess from 26th June 2021 – 29th August 2021
The UK Parliament is in recess 22nd July 2021 – 6th September 2021
Statement by the UK Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government – Building Beautiful Places 20th July 2021 – Related UK publications include: National Model Design Code and an updated Planning Framework
The UK Government Community Ownership Fund Round 1 has opened. Deadline Mid-August
First evidence session of the Sustainability of the Built Environment inquiry,for the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC)
Parliamentary Motions
Motion: S6M-00615 That the Parliament congratulates The Ridge in Dunbar on its recent award of £250,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Motion S6M-00603 That the Parliament recognises that Dunbar Battery, which is based at the town’s harbour, was one of five finalists in the Exterior Spaces category of the European Award for Architectural Heritage Intervention
Events
AHSS – Principles are Principles, but Variety is the Spice of Life – James Simpson
Date: 29th July – 5pm
Online
The joy of conservation practice, whether one is a textile conservator, a botanist or an architect lies in the range of tasks one has to face. Each project and each day are different: ‘variety is the spice of life’!
In this talk, work to three buildings will be described, the survival of which has taken massive effort, but each has proved to be far more valuable in the end than seemed likely at the beginning.
Pathways to Traditional Skills; A European Perspective
Date: Tuesday 24 August 2021 – one day conference
Online
Historic Environment Scotland has led a research outcome of the Erasmusplus Traditional Building Skills project working with Scottish and EU partners comparing educational routes into building craft skills and developing new courses in schools and colleges. This conference will report the findings from this work, assess how we can learn from other models and consider the future of building craft skills and how they can be passed on to the next generation.
SURF Annual Conference – Partners in Place
Dates: 24th, 25th, 26th August 2021
Booking now open for a series of three 90min virtual sessions focusing on: Post-Covid Recovery; Place-based Regeneration and Climate Change.
HTN & HCS At the Heart of the Community – A Future for Your Church
Session Three: Finding New Uses (you do not need to have attended the previous sessions)
Date: Wednesday 1st September 2021, 10-11.30am
Online
In this event we will hear from Harriet English from the Plunkett Foundation, who will introduce the new Community Businesses in Places of Worship project and the support available. We will then go on to have an informal discussion with attendees on the topic of finding new uses, challenges and successes.
SPAB: Inverness Castle Pre-Works Visit
Date: 18th September 2pm
Location: Inverness Castle
This is a unique chance to take part in a tour of this fascinating group of buildings before major conservation and development works start. The buildings have been stripped out of previous modern fittings, and this will be an interesting moment to see the original shapes of the buildings.
Training
HES are now recruiting for an MSc in technical building conservation. Full details here.
Architectural Conservation CPD: Timber Decay and Repair in Traditional Buildings
Date & time: Wed. 25 August, 12:30-13:30 (from 12:15).
Online via Microsoft Teams, streamed live from Lower City Mills, Perth.
The more technical second half of the 2020 CPD programme opens with this session on timber decay and repair. Delivered by Historic Environment Scotland’s Technical Research Manager Roger Curtis, this CPD will look at the use of timber in traditional construction, decay processes, remedial measures and repair techniques to structural and finishing timber. Sessions are hosted online with Q&A and networking opportunities and delivered using live and recorded content by industry accredited professionals and are recognised CPD by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).
Scottish Lime Centre Trust: The Structural Repair of Historic buildings
Date & time: 24th September, 9:30 -16:30
Location: Charlestown Workshop
This masterclass led by Ian Hume, aims to provide professionals with a sound understanding of the philosophy of conservation. Suitable for: This masterclass is suitable for anyone involved in the structural repair of historic buildings. Conservation officers, architects, engineers, site managers and others would find this seminar helpful.
IHBC CPD – Conservation Engineering
Date & time: 28-29 September, 10.00-13.00 both days
Online
The sessions are intended to help conservation professionals understand some of the structural engineering problems and solutions which historic buildings might have. The sessions will attempt to put conservation professionals in a position to hold informed discussions with project structural engineers, some of whom may not be particularly familiar with the constraints which conservation might put on their structural solutions.
COTAC Conference 2021 – Protecting our World, Protecting our Heritage
Date & time: 23-24 November, 10.00-13.00 both days
Online
Day 1 will explore the expected impact of climate change on the built heritage, and the potential impact of climate change mitigation on the built heritage. Day 2 will explore ways to support development of the training, skills, and expertise needed to protect the built heritage and reduce emission of greenhouse gases.
Vacancies
The Cockburn Association: New Treasurer for governing Council
The Cockburn Association is looking for a new Treasurer to join the governing Council of the Association. Information and details available – contact Terry Levinthal.
Fife Historic Buildings Trust – Project Development Officer
A new full-time fixed term post, funded by Historic Environment Scotland, to work with the FHBT team to develop new historic environment regeneration projects in Fife, principally the restoration and re-use of historic buildings at risk. Closing Date: noon – Thursday 29th July 2021
Edinburgh World Heritage – Graveyards Engagement Officer
Edinburgh World Heritage is looking to appoint a Graveyards Engagement Officer to play in key role in engaging audiences in one of our five historic burial sites in the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site. Closing Date: Friday 30th July at 12noon
Edinburgh World Heritage – Operations & Finance Manager
Edinburgh World Heritage is looking to appoint an Operations & Finance Manager who is responsible for managing the operation of the charity, leading on the delivery of finance, governance, HR and office objectives to enable the organisation to run smoothly and efficiently.
Closing Date: Monday 16th August at 5pm
Heritage Trust Network: Board of Directors
Heritage Trust Network is recruiting new members to its Board of Directors. This is a unique opportunity to join the leadership of one of the fastest growing organisations in community-led heritage regeneration. You could help steer their ambitious strategy to strengthen the organisation and help their members succeed.
Closing Date: 23rd August 2021
Director of Scotland’s Churches Trust
Due to the retirement of the present post holder at the end of 2021, it is looking to recruit a Director who will be responsible for the day to day running of the Trust and related activities, and who will report to the Board of Trustees. Closing Date: 1 September 2021
Volunteer with North Lanarkshire Doors Open Days – Coordinator
This is a great opportunity to help people in your local area freely access heritage sites and events; network with professionals across Scotland’s heritage sectors; and develop skills in project management, communication and website management. You will be supported by a friendly national network of Doors
Closing date: applications accepted on a rolling basis.