BEFS Bulletin – Recovery Funding & Infrastructure
Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications, Consultations And More.
BEFS News
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has launched a new £2.6 million fund to support the recovery of Scotland’s historic environment sector from the impacts of COVID-19, with applications opening on Monday 12 October. The Historic Environment Recovery Fund has two funding streams available which organisations can apply to for grants from £10,000 – £100,000.
The Scottish Government has published its £24bn draft Infrastructure Investment Plan for Scotland 2021 22 to 2025 26. The plan sets out a vision for future infrastructure to support Scotland’s resilience and enable an inclusive, net-zero emissions society. The plan focuses on adopting and building on the recommendations of the Infrastructure Commission for Scotland’s phase 1 report and includes more than £8bn for environmental sustainability and the transition to net-zero emissions, including £250m for forestry and peatlands; almost £5bn to boost inclusive economic growth, including £30m for the National Islands Plan; and more than £11bn for cities, towns, villages and rural areas, including £275m for town centres and nearly £2bn on health infrastructure and equipment. BEFS Director, Euan Leitch, explores how the draft Infrastructure Investment Plan impacts on Scotland’s built heritage here.
The Vacant & Derelict Land Taskforce has made a series of recommendations to the Scottish Government which aim to prevent land falling into long-term disrepair. Recommendations include the introduction of legislation for compulsory sales orders, a review of existing land assembly mechanisms and reform of the current approach to public sector land disposals to lower barriers to land reuse.
Architecture and Design Scotland launched the report Designing for a Changing Climate: Creating Carbon Conscious Places this week. It sets out proposals on how the planning and design of our towns, cities and landscapes can help combat the climate emergency. Heather Claridge, Principle Design Officer, Architecture and Design Scotland, introduces the research and outlines the key findings here.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is looking for your views on Talking About Heritage. Talking About Heritage is guidance HES are producing to help to investigate, to share and celebrate, and to achieve recognition for the heritage that matters to you. It is intended to be used as a tool by anyone with an interest in exploring and talking about the heritage that is important to them. You might use it if you are creating a Local Place Plan or researching places that are important to you.
In the Autumn 2020 AHSS Magazine, BEFS Director Euan Leitch explores the links between historic attitudes to slavery and contemporary action on climate crisis in an article called Climate Culpability.
Consultations
Talking About Heritage
Opened 22 Sep 2020 and closes 15 Dec 2020.
Emerging from lockdown survey – Museums Galleries Scotland
Coronavirus (COVID-19): supporting people and communities – call for ideas
Responses should be submitted no later than 23 October 2020.
Programme for Reviewing and Extending Permitted Development Rights (PDR) in Scotland – Consultation on Phase 1 Proposals
Opened 1 Oct 2020 and closes 12 Nov 2020.
Draft Infrastructure Investment Plan – 2021-22 to 2025-26
Opened 24 Sep 2020 and closes 19 Nov 2020.
Scottish Planning Policy and Housing: Technical Consultation on Proposed Policy Amendments
Closes 9 Oct 2020.
Short Term Lets: Consultation on a licensing scheme and planning control areas in Scotland
Closes 16 Oct 2020.
A consultation on the future of the Land Court and the Lands Tribunal
Closes 19 Oct 2020.
External wall systems – advice note: background, consultation questions and response form
This targeted consultation will be completed on 25 October 2020.
Planning for the future (England)
Closes 29 October 2020.
Proposed Changes to Pre-Application Consultation Requirements in Planning
Closes 6 Nov 2020.
Publications
Building standards verification service: workforce strategy (SG 01/10/20)
Strategic Plan for 2020-23 (SLC 29/09/20)
Help to Buy (Scotland) monitoring: characteristics of households report: 2019-2020 (SG 29/09/20)
A New Economic Case for Social Housing (Shelter Scotland 29/09/20)
Heritage, Health and Wellbeing (THA 28/09/20)
Coronavirus (COVID-19): tourism and hospitality sector guidance (SG 25/09/20)
Further evidence on the impact of Covid-19 on Scotland’s heritage sector (NLHF 24/09/20)
Green Recovery: Low Carbon Energy Project Capital Funding: form and guidance (SG 24/09/20)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Phase 3: guidance for the safe use of places of worship (SG 18/09/20)
Coronavirus (COVID-19): impact on communities and priorities for recovery – research (SG 17/09/20)
Coronavirus (COVID-19): impact on wellbeing – research (SG 17/09/20)
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for the performing arts and venues sector (SG 17/09/20)
Engaging with our communities to support recovery and renewal (NSfCE 09/20)
Position Statement on Landscape and Resilience to Environmental Challenges (SLA 09/20)
Position Statement on Landscape and Health and Wellbeing (SLA 09/20)
Position Statement on Landscape, Land Use and Economy (SLA 09/20)
Landscape and Place for Success – Call for Action (SLA 09/20)
Scottish Government News Releases
Construction Recovery (SG 06/10/20)
The Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) has published a plan for the sector’s recovery from the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19).
11% rise in number of new build homes completed in 2019 (SG 29/09/20)
In the year to end December 2019, 22,386 new build homes were completed across all sectors. This was a 2,291 (11%) increase on the previous year and the highest number of homes built since 2007.
Delivering housing (SG 29/09/20)
The annual number of affordable homes approved and started has increased, despite the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown.
Rebuilding a fairer Scotland after COVID-19 (SG 28/09/20)
Organisations and community groups are being asked to share ideas and evidence based on their experiences of responding to the pandemic, and their engagement with people with lived experience of poverty and inequality.
Recovery and renewal on the Clyde (SG 27/06/20)
The mission to make the area around the River Clyde an engine of sustainable and inclusive growth and kick-start its economic recovery has been bolstered by the launch of a new fund.
Protecting Scotland’s marine environment (SG 25/09/20)
Europe’s largest Marine Protected Area (MPA) has been announced by Natural Environment Minister Mairi Gougeon.
£24bn infrastructure plan will boost jobs (SG 24/10/20)
Tens of thousands of jobs will be supported by the Scottish Government’s new £24 billion Draft Infrastructure Investment Plan (IIP).
Driving international climate action (SG 24/09/20)
Scotland has been formally confirmed as European Co-Chair of the Under2 Coalition, a network of more than 200 governments set up to drive climate action across the world.
Helping communities through the pandemic (SG 24/09/20)
The Scottish Government has now committed more than £350 million to support communities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
News Releases
COVID-19 Museum Development Fund opens today (MGS 08/10/20)
We are pleased to announce that our COVID-19 Museum Development Fund opens today for organisations that manage Accredited museums and are not eligible for the Recovery and Resilience Fund.
HES launches £2.6 million recovery fund for Scotland’s historic environment sector (HES 06/10/20)
The Historic Environment Recovery Fund will support organisations and safeguard jobs following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scottish Government Emergency Funds Update (NL 01/10/20)
With so many announcements of late, we want to provide you with a status update on the Scottish Government’s emergency funds for creativity and culture being delivered through Creative Scotland, to keep you informed through these times.
Re-use derelict land to support economic growth and wellbeing, says Taskforce (SLC 01/10/20)
Derelict land is a wasted resource that should help to deliver national ambitions for a fair and green recovery, a national taskforce said today.
Historic Environment Scotland celebrates its 5th Birthday (HES 01/10/20)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is marking a special milestone today (Thursday 1 October) as the organisation turns five years old.
RIAS Showcase 2020 (RIAS 10/20)
The RIAS Awards 2020 showcase is now live! This celebrates the eighteen shortlisted projects for the 2020 RIAS Awards.
IHBC’s CPD Circular (IHBC 29/10/20)
Sign up for a digest of webinars, lectures, conferences, training, and other events focused on the historic built environment, taken from IHBC Branches, Recognised CPD Providers, and our wider network. Anyone can sign up to the free monthly CPD Circular, or browse our Events Calendar.
2020 SURF Awards Shortlist Revealed (SURF 25/09/20)
In what has been an unprecedented year for everyone SURF is pleased to announce the 2020 shortlist for our prestigious national awards scheme, which showcases success in responding to regeneration challenges in communities across Scotland.
Scotland’s Landscape Alliance Launches Landscape And Place For Success (SLA 09/20)
Scotland’s Landscape Alliance Launches Call for Action – Landscape and Place for Success and the Working Groups established at the SLA launch have developed 3 detailed Position Statements.
Scottish Lime Centre Trust’s Traditional Building Skills Bursary Scheme (SLC 09/20)
We wouldn’t want you to miss out if the cost of our courses is an issue! That’s why we are always trying to find ways of helping you cover the cost of attending our courses.
Community Building Grants (TRT 09/20)
Capital funding for a building to support the work of charities with an annual income of between £25,000 and £2 million.
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-32140: Oliver Mundell, Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29/09/2020
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its short-term let consultation document makes no reference to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism sector.
Question S5W-32142: Oliver Mundell, Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29/09/2020
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered piloting its proposed short-term let regulations before implementation.
Question S5W-32143: Oliver Mundell, Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29/09/2020
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its Programme for Government advising that plans for the Transient Visitor Levy have been put on hold due to COVID-19, and that “future consideration of the levy will take account of the changed context the industry is operating in”, for what reason a similar approach was not extended to its proposals on short-term let regulation.
Question S5W-31963: Edward Mountain, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 22/09/2020
To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Tourism Recovery Task Force will publish its report on the recovery of the industry.
Question S5W-31866: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 17/09/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what lessons it can learn from the roll-out of Spaces for People regarding the need for effective and accessible community consultation, which can be applied to other initiatives.
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-31595: Jackson Carlaw, Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 04/09/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in determining how best to involve religious groups in formulating the Places of Worship fund, and to help with the development of it.
Answered by Humza Yousaf (16/09/2020)
Question S5W-31594: Jackson Carlaw, Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 04/09/2020
To ask the Scottish Government whether its Places of Worship fund will still have a value of £500,000.
Answered by Humza Yousaf (16/09/2020)
Question S5W-31593: Jackson Carlaw, Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 04/09/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what recent work has taken place on establishing a Places of Worship fund, and whether this will be available at some point in 2020, as was planned prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Humza Yousaf (16/09/2020)
Question S5W-31610: Colin Smyth, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 07/09/2020
To ask the Scottish Government when it expects all Spaces for People schemes to be completed.
Answered by Michael Matheson (22/09/2020)
Question S5W-31609: Colin Smyth, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 07/09/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has taken against councils and other public bodies that have delayed the implementation of Spaces for People schemes.
Answered by Michael Matheson (22/09/2020)
Question S5W-31608: Colin Smyth, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 07/09/2020
To ask the Scottish Government which (a) local authorities and (b) other public bodies have not yet completed the implementation of Spaces for People schemes.
Answered by Michael Matheson (22/09/2020)
Question S5W-31607: Colin Smyth, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 07/09/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance has been given to local authorities for monitoring Spaces for People schemes and the criteria for assessing whether measures can be made permanent.
Answered by Michael Matheson (22/09/2020)
Events
For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.
COVID19 – A Tax Update for the Culture Sector
Date & time: Tuesday, 13 October 2020; 12:30 to 13:30.
Online
Fees: Free for Arts & Business Scotland members and £20 + VAT for non-members.
This hour-long Business Briefing will bring you up-to-date with the fast-moving changes to tax in this pandemic world, as well as to possible savings and opportunities available for your business. Scott Craig and Kirsty Murray from Azets (formerly Scott Moncrieff) will be sharing some vital updates on changes to tax that have taken place over the last few months, and a summary of the current tax issues that cultural organisations must be aware of.
Legacy Giving. Now is the Time – If You Do It Right. Learn How To!
Date & time: Wednesday, 21 October 2020; 11:00 – 15:00.
Online
Fees: £60 + VAT for Arts & Business Scotland members and £80 + VAT for non-members.
As the virus continues this is the most crucial moment in recent times to give every stakeholder the option of giving a gift in their Will. This course is focused on how to integrate legacies into your current fundraising at little or no cost at a time when more people are making Wills than we have witnessed in decades.
Local and Community Resilience 2020 Creating Self-Sufficient, Crisis-Proof Communities
Date & time: 27th October 2020; 10 – 12:30.
Webinar
The current situation with the covid pandemic and it’s social, economic and environmental impacts has brought to the fore the importance of communities and the impact of the ability to deliver services, employment, health care, wellbeing, economic services and more at a local level while dealing with the issues that previous economic, infrastructure and social structures left us vulnerable to.
What Value Culture?
Dates: 2-13 November 2020.
How do people define culture and its value to them, and how does that impact on our society; the way we learn, play, grow, live and interact? In this uncertain climate, does our engagement with arts, heritage, culture and screen have more value than ever before? These are just some of the questions we will be posing this November, as we launch the Centre for Cultural Value’s free online festival of ideas from 2–13 November.
Heritage Trust Network Conference 2020 – Grassroots Heritage: Empowering recovery
Dates: Friday 20th November, with lead up events on the 17th, 18th and 19th.
Online
Join HTN members and friends from across the UK, to find out how to drive your heritage project through recovery. Our expert speakers will offer guidance, knowledge and inspiration on a range of topics aimed to help you adapt and succeed in the most difficult of times. We will have sessions on fundraising, environmental sustainability, strategy and innovation, along with workshops from our key partners. Any queries, please contact admin@heritagetrustnetwork.org.uk.
Training
Test and Protect: What Data Protection Lessons Can We Learn From COVID-19
Date & time: Wednesday, 4 November 2020; 13:00 – 16:00.
Online.
Fees: £50 + VAT for Arts & Business Scotland members and £70 + VAT for non-members.
Test and Protect is the name of the scheme that the Scottish Government is using to try to ensure that anyone who has been in contact with someone diagnosed with Covid-19, can be traced and provided with information about isolating and getting tested. Certain organisations are required to collect this information and some are choosing to follow the guidance which recommends collecting this information. Both provide data protection challenges and Laura Irvine, a lawyer and data protection specialist, will work through the issues thrown up by Test and Protect to demonstrate best practice in relation to all forms of personal data processing.
Telling It Like It Is – Effective Copywriting
Date & time: Wednesday, 10 November 2020; 10:00 – 12:30.
Online
Fees: £50 + VAT for Arts & Business Scotland members and £70 + VAT for non-members.
This training session is aimed at anyone looking to improve their copywriting skills to support their fund-raising activities. Offering a combination of project-based, hands-on writing exercises with tips, techniques and critical theory, the session explores the five stages of the copywriting process. While the training provides a specific focus on writing a case for support, the resulting learning can be applied to all kinds of fundraising communications.
Planning Law for Heritage and the Arts – A Survival Guide
Date & time: Thursday, 12 November 2020; 13:00 – 15:30.
Online
Fees: £50 + VAT for Arts & Business Scotland members and £70 + VAT for non-members.
Operations and development managers in the Arts and Heritage sector work within increasingly complex regulations, including the planning regime. Planning law governs how land and buildings are used and can be crucial to delivering cultural objectives and securing funding. Planning is also undergoing significant reform, with emergency Covid-19 measures in place while wider reform continues apace. This session aims to identify potential planning pitfalls and how to deal with them. It will give you an understanding of the key concepts underpinning the Scottish planning system. This training and knowledge sharing event will illustrate how an Arts and Heritage development is regulated in practice and review the consequences of breaching planning controls. Topical issues and upcoming reforms will also be covered, alongside questions and comments from delegates throughout the session.
Vacancies
Policy & Practice Officer
Do you want to help the profession influence the National Planning Framework 4 and the implementation of the Planning Act? RTPI Scotland are looking to appoint a full time Policy and Practice Officer.
Closing date: 9am on Monday 12th October 2020.
Grants Officer
Historic Environment Scotland is seeking a Grants Officer. This is a temporary post to provide backfill while existing staff members help to deliver the refresh of our grants programme. The successful applicant will support grants management staff with the administration of live and complete projects and liaise with internal and external contacts to contribute to the smooth running of grants programmes.
Closing Date: 14 October 2020 at midnight.
Project Manager
Museums Galleries Scotland are looking for a Project Manager to lead on the effective delivery of Empire, Slavery & Scotland’s Museums: Addressing Our Colonial Legacy. This project will explore how Scotland’s existing and future museum collections can better recognise and represent a more accurate portrayal of Scotland’s historic involvement in colonialism and the trans-Atlantic trade in enslaved African people.
Closing date: Monday 26th October at 9am.
Trustees
An opportunity has arisen for three Trustees to join the Glasgow City Heritage Trust’s Board. The roles are unremunerated and will require a commitment to attend quarterly Board meetings and additional sub-committee(s). Applications are sought from enthusiastic and innovative individuals with business expertise at a senior level and a passion for Glasgow’s historic environment.
Closing date is Friday, 30th October 2020.