BEFS Bulletin – Scottish House Condition Survey

BEFS NEWS

Scottish House Condition Survey 2015 has now been published. Key findings include that 52% of all of Scotland’s homes have disrepair to critical elements, 68% of all of Scotland’s traditionally built homes (pre-1919) have disrepair to critical elements, and just under 44% (43.8%) of all dwellings failed to meet the SHQS. These findings suggest a small improvement in house conditions on the previous year.

A Member’s debate on Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site is taking place in the Chamber today at 12.45 pm: S5M-02445 Gordon Lindhurst: The Future of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site. You can watch the debate live over lunch on Parliament TV.

Do you want to make the next Scottish planning system more community-friendly? Tell the Scottish Government how by completing this short survey for research into barriers to engagement. The research results will feed into the Scottish Government’s Planning Review:

The Scottish Government is also seeking views on a proposed new maximum fee for major planning applications in a consultation on raising planning fees.

The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017 was launched last week by Cabinet Secretary, Fiona Hyslop MSP, at Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh. Nine events supported by a £300,000 Signature Events Fund have been announced with more to be revealed in the coming weeks. A Great Roman Bake-Off, large scale projections of Viking imagery, a live archaeological dig of St Kilda in Minecraft and an international weaving festival are among the events lined up for 2017.

CONSULTATIONS

Consultation on proposed ‘banning order offences’ under the Housing and Planning Act 2016 (DCLG 13/12/16)
Invites views and comments on which offences should constitute ‘banning order offences’ as defined in the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

Consultation on Raising Planning Fees (SG 05/12/16)
The Scottish Government recognises the importance of planning in supporting economic growth, in the delivery of quality homes and in community empowerment. We have committed to consulting on enhanced fees, following the independent review of planning recommendation that fees for major applications should be increased substantially so that the service moves towards full cost recovery.
Opened 5 Dec 2016 and Closes 27 Feb 2017.

PUBLICATIONS

SB 16-96 Housing Subject Profile (SP 05/12/16)
This briefing provides an overview of housing policy in Scotland.  It describes recent trends in housing tenure and the housing market and provides information on the legislative and administrative background.

SB 16-97 Implications of Leaving the EU – Environment (SP 05/12/16)
This briefing highlights the EU framework that relates to environment policy and explores the implications that leaving the EU may have on Scotland’s approaches to the environment. The briefing also sets out some views on how alternatives to EU membership may impact on Scotland’s approaches to environmental protection and some of the challenges associated with untangling EU, UK and Scottish environmental law.

Architectural Heritage Fund Celebrates Successful Year (AHF 01/12/16)
Successful historic building restoration projects across the UK are celebrated in the Architectural Heritage Fund’s annual report published on 1 December 2016. As well as showcasing award winning buildings and completed regeneration projects, the AHF’s first impact measurement survey reveals the indirect outcomes for local communities and highlights a number of issues relating to the health of the sector.

Climate Change Adaptation for Traditional Buildings (HES 10/16)
This Short Guide describes the key aspects of the external envelope of a traditional building that provide protection against the elements, and considers how these can be improved or adapted to increase a building’s resilience to extreme weather events.

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT NEWS RELEASES

Planning decision times published (SG 14/12/16)
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland. Latest quarterly statistics on planning applications decided in July to September 2016 show that the average decision time for local developments was faster than the equivalent quarter in the previous year, but that the average decision time for major developments was slower.

New build housing completions up by 4% on last year (SG 13/12/16)
A National Statistics Publication for Scotland. There were 15,991 new build homes completed in the 12 months to June 2016, an increase of 591 homes, or 4%, on the 15,400 homes completed in the previous year.

Changes to Modern Apprenticeships (SG 08/12/16)
New measures to boost access. New changes to Modern Apprenticeships will provide more flexibility for employers, including those in the public sector, while also widening access for rural communities, people with disabilities and experience of care.

80 affordable homes for Dumfries (SG 08/12/16)
£6.8m investment in charitable bonds. 80 affordable homes will be built in Dumfries as a result of the Scottish Government investing £6.8 million in charitable bonds.

Designing with the experts (SG 06/12/16)
£300k for local projects. Communities across Scotland have the opportunity to map out the future of their areas alongside design experts following the awarding of Charrette grants from the Scottish Government. Charrettes bring together the public, stakeholders and designers over a number of days to draw up proposals to make their towns and villages better places to live.

NEWS RELEASES

Napier’s timber technology research hub (FCS 08/12/16)
Edinburgh Napier University announced that it will be investing £3 million into a new research hub that will support the construction of sustainable housing in the UK. The University says that the facility will be open in the Spring 2017 and that it will work with the industry to “accelerate the development of a range of timber technologies.”

New national plan and funding brings bigger boost to estate regeneration (DCLG 08/12/16)
A new government strategy and additional funding will breathe new life into rundown estates Communities Secretary Sajid Javid announced today (8 December 2016).

A different way of addressing fuel poverty (STBF 07/12/16)
For properties to be energy efficient, the Scottish Traditional Building Forum believes the condition of Scotland’s properties needs to be urgently addressed by undertaking repairs to failed critical elements then ongoing maintenance to ensure they do no reoccur. Particular attention should be paid to traditional homes (pre 1919) due to highest level of disrepair and fuel poverty.

Europa Nostra supports nomination of Rosia Montana for UNESCO World Heritage status (EN 06/12/16)
Europa Nostra and its President Plácido Domingo welcome the landmark decision by the Romanian Government to nominate the ancient mining landscape of Ro?ia Montan? for UNESCO World Heritage status.

First year of Land and Buildings Transaction Tax “operationally successful” but too early for conclusions says Committee (SP 05/12/16)
Scotland’s transition to the new Land & Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) was ‘operationally successful’, says the Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Constitution Committee.

Data protection – how secure are you? (SCVO 05/02/16)
Exploring the seventh data protection principle: organisational and technological measures.

Edinburgh set to take increased action on climate change (HES 01/12/16)
City wide climate change vision set out in new action plan. A shared action plan and vision to improve Edinburgh’s resilience to climate change has been unveiled today – Thursday 1st December – at Holyrood Park. Edinburgh Adapts 2016-2020 is a city wide climate change action plan, the first of its kind, aiming to help the Scottish capital prepare for and adapt to the effects and challenges of a changing climate.

New Data Uncovers Surge in Heritage Interest in England (Historic England xx/12/16)
Visits to historic sites are growing, membership of heritage organisations is increasing and participation in heritage is becoming more inclusive, according to this year’s Heritage Counts reports. The reports have been published today by Historic England on behalf of England’s leading heritage organisations which make up the Historic Environment Forum.

Heritage Counts (Historic England xx/12/16)
Heritage Counts is the annual audit of England’s heritage, first produced in 2002. It is produced by Historic England on behalf of the Historic Environment Forum. The Historic Environment Forum is the high level cross-sectoral committee for England, bringing together chief executives and policy officers from public and non-government heritage bodies to co-ordinate initiatives and strengthen advocacy work and communications.

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”.

S5W-05424 Graham Simpson: To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) where vacant and derelict town centre buildings have been brought back into use as affordable housing through the Town Centre Housing Fund.(08/12/16)

S5W-05288 Mark Ruskell: To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that new fish farms do not undermine the conservation objectives of the marine protected area network. (SP 05/12/16)

S5W-05289 Mark Ruskell: To ask the Scottish Government how the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 supports participatory planning for coastal communities in relation to the development of fish farms, and what impact the proposals in the Islands Bill would have. (SP 05/12/16)

S5W-05277 Graham Simpson: To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the move toward e-building standards by local authorities and how this has impacted the delivery of building standards warrants (SP 05/12/16)

S5W-05282 Graham Simpson: To ask the Scottish Government how much local authorities have invested in technology specifically in advance of the e-building standards portal roll out. (SP 05/12/16)

S5W-05283 Graham Simpson: To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the uptake by local authorities of e-building standards. (SP 05/12/16)

(S5O-00438) Alison Harris: To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking in response to the findings of the Independent Review of the Scottish Planning System. (SP 01/12/16)

(S5O-00432) Mary Fee: To ask the Scottish Government when it last received an update from COSLA or the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers regarding the enforcement of minimum standards for Gypsy/Traveller sites. (SP 01/12/16)

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-05010: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24/11/2016
To ask the Scottish Government how many units were proposed in the Strategic Housing Investment Plans that were submitted to its More Homes Division (a) in total and (b) from each local authority.
Answered by Angela Constance (06/12/2016)

Question S5W-05008: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24/11/2016
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the Strategic Housing Investment Plans that were submitted to its More Homes Division.
Answered by Angela Constance (06/12/2016)

Question S5W-05007: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24/11/2016
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will allow Housing Infrastructure Fund loans to be used from 2017-18 to support the provision of community infrastructure, such as schools, that is required as a result of new housing development.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (05/12/2016)

Question S5W-05150: Murdo Fraser, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29/11/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of delays in obtaining building control consent on (a) the industry and (b) its housing targets.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (12/12/2016)

Question S5W-05149: Murdo Fraser, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29/11/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether local authorities have improved the quality of the building standards verification service since 2011.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (12/12/2016)

Question S5W-05147: Murdo Fraser, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29/11/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether local authorities are sufficiently resourced to provide the building standards verification service.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (12/12/2016)

Question S5W-05145: Murdo Fraser, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29/11/2016
To ask the Scottish Government (a) when and (b) how it will consult on the appointment of building standards verifiers.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (12/12/2016)

OTHER PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITY

The Parliament has agreed the following parliamentary recess dates:
•    24 December 2016 to 8 January 2017 (inclusive)
•    11 to 19 February 2017 (inclusive)

EVENTS

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

Hard hat tours of Riddle’s Court
When: Saturday 17th December, 2016, 10.00-16.00.
Where: Riddle’s Court – enter at 6 Victoria Terrace.
SHBT are opening Riddle’s Court as part of Edinburgh’s Christmas Advent Doors Open programme. This will be the final opportunity for the public to tour the site works. Our project team, including architects from LDN, will be guiding groups around the building. The tours are free but must be booked in advance.

Heritage and Conservation Seminar
When: Wednesday 25 January 2017 from 1.50pm to 6pm followed by a wine reception.
Where: University of Stirling.
Leading practitioners will explore current issues in heritage and conservation, supported by concrete examples. The aim is to encapsulate: different types of heritage (cultural and natural landscapes, buildings, monuments, intangible, collections); different aspects of heritage work (knowledge and understanding, understanding value, managing change, protection and conservation, engagement and enjoyment); different types of organisations (central and local government; heritage bodies; umbrella organisations, etc.); strategic and coal-face activities. Places are free for CIfA members only.

CIfA2017 Archaeology: A Global Profession
When: Wednesday 19 – Friday 21 April 2017
Where: Newcastle University.
The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists annual conference will provide an opportunity for heritage professionals to discuss, consider and learn about archaeological practice on a world stage through three broad themes of professionalism, protection and discovery. There will be half-day sessions within traditional paper format, discussion/panel seminars and CPD workshops, these themes will accommodate an exciting programme.

Training

GIS workshop 
When: Thursday 9 February 2017 from 10am to 4pm.
Where: High Life Highland, Highland Archive Centre, Inverness.
The course will provide basic instruction on using QGIS, an Open Source GIS programme. Students will learn how to add GPS data, background maps and images and to create point, polyline and polygon GIS files.

Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage is delivering a series of training courses and events across Scotland.
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. We have two main training courses and a series of ‘In Focus’ events. 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.

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.

VACANCIES

The Scottish Historic Buildings Trust has a number of Job Vacancies:

Project Manager
SHBT is seeking an experienced Project Manager to take responsibility for initiating and executing high quality conservation and restoration projects on behalf of the Trust, demonstrating best practice in adaptive re-use of old buildings. This post is full-time.A Job Description is available by emailing recruitment@shbt.org.uk or visiting www.shbt.org.uk.
Closing Date 20th January 2017.

Building/Events Managers
SHBT is seeking two experienced Building/Events Manager to take on the overall management of two of its Edinburgh properties – Custom House in Leith and Riddle’s Court in the Lawnmarket.  The Manager will be responsible for the day to day running of each property including management of all tenants as well as development and management of all events held within the public spaces.   A proven track record of running a mixed use venue is essential. Evening and weekend working is an essential requirement of this job. A Job Description is available by emailing recruitment@shbt.org.uk or visiting www.shbt.org.uk.
Closing Date 27th January 2017.

Audience Development Officer – Patrick Geddes Centre
SHBT is undertaking a major capital project to restore Riddle’s Court and give it new life as the Patrick Geddes Centre for Learning.  The construction phase is nearing completion and the Trust is seeking an experienced Audience Development Officer to develop new audiences in line with the Audience Development Plan to support the range of activities which will be delivered in the Centre when it opens in autumn 2017 and promote the Centre as a venue for hire. This post is part-time (currently 21 hours per week) and is part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Evening and weekend working is an essential requirement of this job. A Job Description is available by emailing recruitment@shbt.org.uk or visiting www.shbt.org.uk.
Closing Date 3rd February 2017.

Director – Patrick Geddes Centre
SHBT is undertaking a major capital project to restore Riddle’s Court and give it new life as the Patrick Geddes Centre for Learning.  The construction phase is nearing completion and the Trust is seeking to appoint a Centre Director who will be responsible for the strategic vision and direction of the Centre for Learning, overseeing the development and delivery of Learning Activities, delivering an interdisciplinary learning community and building an international reputation for the Patrick Geddes Centre in line with Patrick Geddes’ holistic approach to learning highlighted in the gateway to Riddle’s Court – ‘Vivendo Discimus’ – by living we learn. High level knowledge and understanding of the work of Patrick Geddes including a proven track record in delivering a range of learning activities and community programmes direct experience of managing Advisory Groups, teams of staff and volunteers and management of an educational or multi-purpose venue.  This post is full-time and is part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. A Job Description is available by emailing recruitment@shbt.org.uk or visiting www.shbt.org.uk.
Closing Date 3rd February 2017.

MEMBERS’ NEWS

Shaping Place – An Introduction to Landscape Assessment (PAS 12/12/16)
PAS volunteer, Alastair Smith, shares his thoughts on a recent volunteer training event on landscape assessment hosted by Doug Harman.

Trust announces senior appointments (NTS 08/12/16)
Heritage and conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland, which has lately been undergoing a major change programme, has announced appointments to important new leadership roles.

IHBC consultation response: Managing Heritage Assets – A Guide for Local Government (07/12/16)
Historic England consulted on this document with a selected group of stakeholders, including the IHBC, with the IHBC Consultation Panel findings including that the document should refer to BS 7913: 2013 and better reflect the English Heritage advice on Disposal of Heritage Assets: Guidance note for government departments and non-departmental public bodies.

IHBC Jobs etc – the service that helps careers, employers and heritage (IHBC 02/12/16)
The IHBC has just released some internal employment data from our sector-wide IHBC Jobs etc service, which to date this year has advertised posts with a combined maximum of more than £6million of stated salaries, for posts from property heads to facilities managers, and with 69% postings recommending IHBC membership or more.

Repositioning Planning – A vision for a reformed planning system (RTPI Scotland xx/12/16)
Kate Houghton outlines RTPI Scotland’s ambitions for coming planning reform.

Poor building maintenance – a threat to Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site (EWH 01/12/16)
Edinburgh World Heritage, together with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, has announced that complacency and lack of attention to basic building maintenance now represents a significant threat to the city’s World Heritage Site.

Information in the Bulletin is extracted from a number of websites including the Scottish Government (SG); the Scottish Parliament (SP); Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS); Historic Environment Scotland (HES); Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH); Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO); English Heritage (EH); Design Council (DC); Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG); Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS); Department of Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA); National Assembly for Wales (NAW); Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS); Scottish Government Building Standards  (SGBS); Europa Nostra (EN); Historic England (HE).

If you have any questions or comments on the above, or would like to submit information to be included, please get in touch with Saskia Smellie or tel: BEFS Office on 0131 220 6241

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