BEFS Bulletin – New Historic Marine Protected Area

BEFS NEWS

Scottish Ministers have designated the wreck of the Iona I paddle steamer in the Clyde as a Historic Marine Protected Area (HMPA). Coming into effect on 9th November, this protection will preserve the wreck of a 19th century paddle steamer, Iona I, which was built in 1862 for use in the American Civil War, but sank shortly after launch in the Firth of Clyde.

Following the retirement of two long-serving trustees, the Scottish Redundant Churches Trust (SRCT) are looking to expand their board of six trustees, appointing additional members who will help shape the organisation, bring new skills, ideas and connections. More here.

There’s still time to book a place at the Community Heritage Conference in Aberdeen on the 12th November and for the Scottish Civic Trust’s Conference 2016: Celebrating Civic Pride in Linlithgow on 15th November.

Pauline Radcliffe, Project Manager of Twin Towns UK, shares with us the Carnegie Trusts’ fresh approach to the well-established ‘twinning’ concept in our latest blog.

Congratulations to this year’s RIAS Andrew Doolan Award Winner, The Saunders Centre in Glasgow by PagePark Architects.

CONSULTATIONS

The Future of Forestry in Scotland 

The Scottish forestry sector contributes substantially to our rural economy and a number of social and environmental outcomes, including climate change mitigation, biodiversity, natural flood management, recreation and people’s health and wellbeing. This consultation is primarily about completing the devolution of forestry to make the management of forestry directly accountable to Scottish Ministers.
Consultation closes on 9 November 2016.

Consultation on Special Protection Areas (SG 25/10/16)
Views sought over proposals for five new offshore SPAs. The Scottish Government has launched a consultation, led by Scottish Natural Heritage, on establishing five new offshore Special Protection Areas (SPAs). The proposals cover more than 18,000 square kilometres (7,000 square miles) of sea and furthers existing protection for unique and iconic seabirds and their habitats.

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site Consultation Feedback October 2016

PUBLICATIONS

Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) – results – Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design (SG 31/10/16)
Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) – results – for the 2016 Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design (YIAD). A full EQIA was undertaken to help boost the celebration of YIAD.

Local Authority Housing Income and Expenditure (SG 31/10/16)
Housing Revenue Acccount: Housing Income and Expenditure Statsitics.

Key Scottish Environment Statistics 2016 (SG 25/10/16)
This publication aims to provide an easily accessible reference document which offers information on a wide range of environmental topics. It covers key datasets on the state of the environment in Scotland, with an emphasis on the trends over time wherever possible.

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT NEWS RELEASES

Scottish Council Housing Income and Expenditure Statistics (2015-16) (SG 31/10/16)
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland. Statistics published today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician show that in 2015-16 Scottish councils spent over £930m on the day-to-day management and maintenance of council housing.

Support for apprenticeships (SG 31/10/16)
Industry endorsement for 30,000 Modern Apprenticeship target. Scotland’s share of funding from the UK Government’s apprenticeship levy should be used to support the delivery of 30,000 Modern Apprenticeships starts by 2020, responses to a consultation have found.

New protected marine areas announced (SG 27/10/16)
Two new Marine Protection Areas for Fair Isle and Firth of Clyde. Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham will today (26 October) designate two new Marine Protection Areas (MPAs) around the Fair Isle and in the Firth of Clyde. The announcement will be made at the Marine Conservation Society Annual Conference in Edinburgh.

NEWS RELEASES

Battle for Britain’s best high street: vote by 18 Nov (IHBC 02/11/16)
The Great British High Street competition has revealed the nation’s best high streets, and between now and 18 November you can cast your vote for free via thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk.

Half a million pounds to improve access to Wales’ Great Outdoors (WG 28/10/16)
Visitors and local communities will now be able to enjoy even more of Wales’ great outdoors thanks to over half a million pounds of access funding, announced by Environment Secretary Lesley Griffiths today.

Tackling the Housing Challenge – Blog by Jim MacDonald (A&DS 27/10/16)
In this blog Jim MacDonald, Chief Executive of Architecture and Design Scotland, reflects on delivering housing for Scotland.

Scottish Land Fund leads to community ownership of Eyemouth ‘Cat. B’ Listed Building (IHBC 26/10/16)
Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders is the latest community to benefit from funding from the Scottish Land Fund, with an eco-innovation centre being established in the former Town Hall, a ‘Category B’ Listed Building.

IHBC launches £2500 fund to help local Civic Trusts celebrate 50 Years of Conservation Areas in 2017 – the process could not be more simple, so APPLY NOW! (IHBC 22/10/16)
The IHBC has launched a fund allocation of up to £2500 for Civic Trusts in England Scotland and Wales seeking help on local celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the introduction of Conservation Areas, with a prize of a place at the IHBC’s Annual School on offer for the most effective project.

Heritage at Risk 2016 (HE 21/10/16)
Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register 2016 is published today, providing the annual insight into the state of England’s most valued historic places. The Register brings attention to the sites across England that are at risk of being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.

CIC reveals brand refresh with a new logo and strapline (CIC 21/10/16)
At the 101st Meeting of Construction Industry Council (CIC) Members held yesterday at the London offices of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in Kingsway, CIC’s new logo, together with its new strapline: BUILT ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONS TOGETHER, was officially launched.

Cabinet Secretary says strong Welsh budget for housing will help provide 20,000 homes (WG 20/10/16)
Communities Secretary Carl Sargeant said the strong Welsh budget for housing would help the Welsh Government meet their target to deliver an extra 20,000 affordable homes over the lifetime of this government.

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”.

S5O-00243 Colin Smyth: To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting town centre regeneration in South Scotland. (SP 24/10/16)

S5O-00251 Neil Bibby: To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making towards the full implementation of the Town Centre Action Plan. (SP 24/10/16)

S5O-00256 Daniel Johnson: To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that there is meaningful and inclusive community engagement in the planning system. (SP 24/10/16)

S5W-03922 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the £50 million that has been made available to the Housing Infrastructure Fund for 2016-17 is reliant on the local
authority strategic housing investment plans for 2017-18 to 2021-22 that are due for submission by 30 November 2016. (SP 24/10/16)

S5W-03923 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made to the Housing Infrastructure Fund and what the total value of these are, also broken down by how much each application was for. (SP 24/10/16)

S5W-03924 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) loans and (b) grants from the Housing Infrastructure Fund have been agreed and what the total value of these are, also broken down by how much each payment will be. (SP 24/10/16)

S5W-03925 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Government which non-public sector
organisations have made applications to the Housing Infrastructure Fund. (SP 24/10/16)

S5W-03928 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Government whether all of the £50 million that has been made available to the Housing Infrastructure Fund for 2016-17 will be allocated for developments by the end of that financial year and, if not, whether the unallocated funds will be carried forward to 2017-18. (SP 24/10/16)

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-03377: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 30/09/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage the private sector to build more homes to alleviate housing shortages.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (13/10/2016)

Question S5W-03378: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 30/09/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on extending the Scottish Housing Quality Standard to (a) the private rented sector and (b) tied housing.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (12/10/2016)

MOTIONS

*S5M-02041 Liam McArthur: Orkney Scottish Heritage Angel Awards Success—That the Parliament congratulates the Orkney Heritage Society volunteers who recently won a Scottish Heritage Angel Award; notes that these awards are funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and that the Orkney volunteers were selected from a 12-strong shortlist from across Scotland; understands that the award was in recognition of the society’s work in restoring the Kitchener Memorial Tower, which included engraving the bricks in the wall of the tower with the names of each of the men who died on HMS Hampshire, which sank in 1916; recognises that the monument was built by in 1926 to honour Lord Kitchener, who also died on the ship, and to create a memorial in recognition of all those who lost their lives; notes that, to carry out this work, Neil Kermode and his team raised £165,000 through a mix of Orkney Council funding, private donors and donations from the public; believes that Neil and everyone involved with the project are worthy winners, and thanks them for their work, which, it understands, is encouraging more and more people to visit the memorial.
Supported by: Douglas Ross*, Richard Lyle*, John Finnie*, Graeme Dey*, Gordon Lindhurst*, Donald Cameron*, Kenneth Gibson* (SP 24/10/16)

*S5M-02027 Angus MacDonald: Friends of Kinneil Wins a Scottish Heritage Angel Award—That the Parliament congratulates the Friends of Kinneil on winning the award for Sharing and Celebrating at the Scottish Heritage Angel Awards, which were presented at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh on 18 October 2016; notes that the awards, which were established in 2014, support the historic environment strategy, Our Place In Time, and community participation in heritage; further notes that they are presented in partnership with the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, Historic Environment Scotland, the Scottish Civic Trust, the Scottish Government and Archaeology Scotland, and recognise the work of volunteer-led charities and organisations that protect and promote heritage; understands that, for over a decade, the Bo’nessbased group has worked tirelessly to protect the heritage of Kinneil House, and its estate and museum, and promote its historic significance to the surrounding area and across the globe; notes that the estate is part of Frontiers of the Roman Empire world heritage site, which includes the Antonine Wall and a Roman fortlet, and also has other sites of major significance, including James Watt’s cottage, where Watt developed one of most important innovations of the industrial revolution, the separate condenser, which helped lead to the steam engine; considers the group an exceptional force in ensuring that all of this is protected for the world, and wishes it continued
success.
Supported by: Sandra White*, James Dornan*, Ben Macpherson*, Graeme Dey*, Alison Harris*, Stuart McMillan*, Ash Denham*, Fulton MacGregor*, Tom Arthur*, Richard Lyle*, David Torrance*, Ivan McKee*, Bill Kidd*, Ruth Maguire* (SP 24/10/16)

EVENTS

For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.

Community Heritage Conference – Aberdeen
When: Saturday 12th November 2016, from 10am.
Where: Town House in Aberdeen.
Why not come along to the third of this year’s Scotland’s Community Heritage Conferences celebrating community-led projects across Scotland and supporting people as they explore their connection to the past. The event is open to anyone with an interest in history, heritage or archaeology, and includes interactive workshops, inspirational displays and stimulating networking opportunities. Come and hear from the volunteers what’s been happening locally and nationally.

SCT Annual Conference 2016: Celebrating Civic Pride
When: 15 November 2016, 10am – 4pm.
Where: Linlithgow Burgh Halls.
The next Scottish Civic Trust annual conference will showcase and celebrate the work of local civic trusts, amenity societies and heritage volunteers. The people that make up these groups work tirelessly to promote and protect local heritage, places and spaces. The conference will provide them with a platform to show what they have achieved, explain why they do it and set out the challenges and difficulties they face. The conference will feature representatives from voluntary organisations and practitioners behind some of the projects recognised in the annual Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards and Scottish Heritage Angel Awards.

TRAINING

Traditional Building Skills Training
Scottish Lime Centre Trust offer a wide range of vocational and professional courses combining theory and practical working sessions designed to ensure that there are courses to suit everyone:

Repairing Traditional Masonry P1 – Professional Level 1  – 9.30 – 4.30
21 – 22 November 2016 at Charlestown Workshops, Fife KY11 3EN
This 2 day workshop aims to provide an introductory guide to the use of a range of lime and other traditional binders for the effective conservation and repair of traditional masonry.

Winter Working – 9.30 – 12.30
2 December 2016 at Charlestown Workshops, Fife KY11 3EN
Our definitive guide to winter working with lime mortars with hints, tips and practical advice to help you extend your working season successfully.

Lime Pointing – 9.30 – 4.30
21 January 2017 at Merryhill Training Centre, Fife KY11 3DR
Learn the skills to help you carry out your own mortar pointing repairs.

Making & Using Traditional Mortars C1 – Contractor Level 1 – 09.30 – 16.30
24 – 25 January 2017 at Merryhill Training Centre, Fife KY11 3DR
Our most popular two day introductory course – this practical workshop will provide attendees with a strong understanding of lime technology

CE1 Intro to Lime Based Mortars and Traditional Materials for the Repair of Civil Engineering Structures – 09.30 – 16.30
27 January 2017 at Charlestown Workshops, Fife KY11 3EN
This workshop introduces the range of lime and early patented cement based mortars that have been used in the past for the construction of masonry arch bridges, culverts, tunnels, light houses, viaducts, canals, harbours, retaining walls, piers and other masonry structures which contribute so much to the richness of our built heritage.

1 Day Rendering with Lime – 09.30 – 16.30
17 February 2017 at Merryhill Training Centre, Fife KY11 3DR
This course will enable you to apply a variety of lime render finishes to a wide range of backgrounds including matching to existing finishes.

Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage is delivering a series of training courses and events across Scotland. The venues for each of the events will be based on demand for the courses and travel bursaries are available to support your attendance.
Are you ready to take part in a Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage training course? Our training is best suited to registered charities and constituted community groups. Take a walk through our simple question and answer page to determine which course is right for you (http://www.resourcingscotlandsheritage.org/training-and-events/areyoureadytofundraise-2/). We have two main training courses and a series of ‘In Focus’ events.  For further information on the courses please read our full course descriptions for ‘Fundraising: Make it Happen’, ‘Fundraising: Planning to Progress’  and the ‘In Focus’ sessions.
If you are interested in any particular event or fundraising topic please do get in touch – we may be able to bring an event to your area info@scotheritage.org.

VACANCIES

Head of External Relations
Edinburgh World Heritage is seeking to appoint a Head of External Relations.
This new role is critical to the ongoing success of our organisation. Key responsibilities will include forming strategies for and leading EWH’s communications, advocacy and learning / interpretation programmes;  building public awareness of EWH, its work and the values that set our World Heritage Site apart; and managing and growing EWH’s membership base and programme.

RPTI Scotland – Intern Project Officer
These are important and exciting times for planning in Scotland. The planning review is advancing. A White Paper is expected by the end of the year that will change how planning works at all scales. RTPI Scotland is heavily involved in this review, looking to provide evidence and solutions to support Scottish Government in making the coming reforms as successful as possible. We are looking for a motivated person who can use evidence gathering and analytical skills to support our research into new ways for the planning system to work in Scotland. You will be organised, have a degree level qualification in a relevant social science subject and have strong communication skills and an understanding of the current issues facing planners and the planning system.

Call for new SRCT Board Members
A charity caring for nationally important churches is looking for dynamic new trustees to join the board at an exciting time of change for the organisation. Many of Scotland’s historic places of worship face an uncertain future and the SRCT is gearing up to respond to the challenge. We are seeking additional board members to play a vital role in the transition of the SRCT to a more entrepreneurial and financially resilient organisation: achieving our objective of safeguarding Scotland’s religious heritage by working with local people to conserve, regenerate, and put historic churches back at the heart of communities.

The Scottish Redundant Churches Trust (SRCT) is a charitable trust (SC024407) founded in 1996. Having acquired 7 former churches of national significance and won awards for our conservation work, we are breaking new ground with an innovative £2.4 million project at the A-listed ‘at-risk’ St Margaret’s Church, Braemar.

New Trustees will assist in driving forward the transition process and the shaping and resourcing of the organisation to meet the changing needs of the religious heritage sector. They will also support the raising of the profile of the sector and its cultural and social value. We’re looking for people who support the objectives of the Trust and can offer skills or experience in some of the following areas:
finance or business; property management; tourism or arts; marketing, PR or media; fundraising; law; And who think strategically, enjoy working collaboratively with colleagues and are interested in the heritage sector.

Applications should be by CV and a covering letter explaining why you are interested in the role and how you think your skills and experience relate to our work. If you would like to know more please contact our Director, Victoria Collison-Owen on victoria@srct.org.uk or 0131 563 5135. Scottish Redundant Churches Trust, 15 North Bank Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2LP.  www.srct.org.uk.

MEMBERS’ NEWS

Dig It! TV team of volunteers awarded commendation (SoAoS 24/10/16)
Thanks to the dedicated Dig It! TV team of volunteers spending hours researching, writing, presenting, directing, filming and editing each video Dig It! TV was shortlisted for the ‘Sharing and Celebrating’ category, along with the fantastic Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust and The Friends of Kinneil, in this year’s Scottish Heritage Angel Awards.

2016 Rhind Lectures now online! (SoAoS 24/10/16)
The 2016 Rhind Lectures by Professor Roey Sweet are now available to view from our Resources section of the website.  Head there now and enter “Rhind” into the search box! “Antiquaries, archaeologists and the invention of the historic town c.1700-1860” was presented by Professor Roey Sweet, University of Leicester, Centre for Urban History.

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