BEFS Bulletin 339: Autumn Reports, Events across Scotland, & More

Consultations

Building Warrant Fees
Scottish Government
This consultation seeks to obtain the views on proposed increases to the building warrant fees required to deliver change to strengthen the building standards system and the development of a new building warrant fees model in Scotland.
Closes 24 October 2023

Mandatory training on planning for elected members
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is intending to implement mandatory training on planning for elected members as part of a wider package of measures to improve the performance of the planning system as a whole. This consultation is seeking views on the proposed approach to implementing this training.
Closes 26 October 2023

Heat networks regulation: consumer protection
UK Government
The UK Government is seeking views on consumer protection requirements such as pricing, which will be introduced as part of the heat networks regulatory framework.
Closes 27 October 2023

Management of burial grounds, application for burial, exhumation, private burial and restoration of lairs: regulation in Scotland
Scottish Government
The consultation paper sets out a range of proposals and approaches with the aim of clarifying and streamlining existing burial practices as well as introducing new provisions; including the management of burial grounds and restoration of lairs.
Closes 17 November 2023

Proposed Desecration of War Memorials (Prevention) (Scotland) Bill
Scottish Parliament
This consultation relates to a draft proposal lodged as the first stage in the process of introducing a Member’s Bill in the Scottish Parliament, to ensure that war memorials in Scotland receive the protection that they deserve by creating the specific offence of desecration of a war memorial.
Closes 19 December 2023

Outline Strategic Plan for Holyrood Park
Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
This survey on the Outline Strategic Plan for Holyrood Park will gather public views to help deliver a new future for the Park that reflects community aspirations, the needs of the City and the inherent value and sensitivity of Holyrood Park.
Closes 19 December 2023

*New* National Parks in Scotland
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government invites individuals, communities and organisations to develop and submit formal nominations for their area to become Scotland’s next National Park.
Closes 29 February 2024

*New* Survey Buildings at Risk Register (BARR)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
HES have commissioned Harlow Consulting, a leading research agency in the heritage sector, to undertake an extensive survey to help HES to understand who uses the Buildings at Risk Register, and the impact it is having.

Energy Performance & Certificate Reform (16/10/2023)
BEFS broadly agrees with the metrics proposed and supports the drive to improve the energy performance of Scotland’s homes, including traditionally built properties. The inefficiencies of the EPC in relation to traditional buildings has been raised previously and BEFS would reiterate that the existing built environment is the most sustainable building resource we have, through the embodied energy present and the potential for adaptation and reuse. Assessed appropriately our existing built environment presents an enormous opportunity to provide climate solutions. As such we are pleased to see greater consideration given to fabric within the proposals but would hope that inclusion of a Fabric Rating could and should positively contribute to a fabric first and maintenance approach to Scotland’s buildings, alongside appropriate retrofit.

News Releases

Six projects to measure value of culture and heritage (UK Research and Innovation 07/09/2023)

UK Green Building Council Report says Retrofit key to delivering Net Zero (UKGBC 03/10/2023)

Demolishing Station Hotel ‘would have huge environment impact’ (Ayr Advertiser 17/10/2023)

Guide to Sustainability in the Built Environment published by Charted Institute of Building(CIOB 05/10/2023)

Glasgow flats demolition project put on hold after court threat (The Herald 07/10/2023)

Stirling City Heritage Trust announce launch of New Retrofit and Energy Efficiency service in Winter 2024 (October 2023)

Historic Houses launch Changing Times, Valuing History: historic houses for the 21st century report (Historic Houses 17/10/2023)

Grants for projects across Scotland during Community Land Week (The National Lottery Community Fund 17/10/2023)

Funding secured for new community co-curation project exploring Aberdeen’s historic connections with empire in sub-Saharan Africa (Scottish Civic Trust 18/10/2023)

Publications

The Built Environment Carbon Database (BECD 01/10/2023)
The Built Environment Carbon Database is a free-to-use repository of whole-life carbon assessments of built assets and product LCA data

UK Heritage Pulse Summer 2023 Review (Heritage Pulse September 2023)

Consumers and the transition to net zero – Consumer Scotland/Fraser Stewart (Consumer Scotland September 2023)

Creative & Cultural Skills – Literature Review on current recruitment challenges and skills needs for the creative and cultural sectors (Creative & Cultural Skills October 2023)

Historic Houses report Changing Times, Valuing History: historic houses for the 21st century (Historic Houses 17/10/2023)

Reform Scotland has submitted its response to the Scottish Government’s council tax consultation highlighting it is a missed opportunity to investigate the replacement of council tax in its entirety, and calling the consultation “effectively pointless.” (Reform Scotland 19/09/2023)

From missed chances to green advances: The case for a green industrial strategy (IPPR 05/10/2023)

Climate Emergency UK – How good is your council’s climate action? Climate Emergency UK assessed all UK councils on the actions they’ve taken towards net zero (Climate Emergency UK 18/10/2023)

Scottish & UK: Governmental & Parliamentary Publications

First Minister sets out agreed priorities on how the 2023-2024 commitments in the Policy Prospectus will be delivered. Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee (Scot Gov 03/10/2023)

Architecture & Planning News – Local Development Plans: Examples of graphic and visual communication for Local Development Plans (Scot Gov 05/10/2023)

The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) launch intergovernmental activity hub (Scot Gov 05/10/2023)

SPICe briefing on changes to the UK Government’s net zero policies and their implications for Scotland (SPICe 05/10/2023)

Greenhouse gas emissions, UK: provisional estimates: 2022 (ONS 09/10/2023)

The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022: report to the Scottish Parliament – 1 June to 30 September 2023 (Scot Gov 12/10/2023)

Letter from Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Committee (Scot Gov 12 October 2023)

Planning and environmental appeals: quarterly performance statistics Jul-September 2023 (Scot Gov 13/10/2023)

Report tracking the work of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee 2022-23 (Scottish Parliament 13/10/2023)

Rural and Islands Housing: action plan (Scot Gov 13/10/2023)

The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022: report to the Scottish Parliament – 1 June to 30 September 2023 (Scot Gov 16/10/2023)

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Agricultural Tenancies proposals Environmental Report (Scot Gov 16/10/2023)

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Small Landholdings and Land Use Tenancy Proposals Environmental Report (Scot Gov 16/10/2023)

Opinion & Comment

BBC Podcast series Building With Soul: Thomas Heatherwick (BBC Radio 4 first broadcast 03/10/2023)

Culture secretary admits world cycling event went £8m over budget days after £6.6m arts cut was revealed (The Scotsman 05/10/2023)

Culture Counts Scotland Update on the Last Two Weeks (Culture Counts 06/10/2023)

Edinburgh short-term lets: Consent refused for historic Holyrood park lodges owned by Scottish Ministers (Edinburgh News 06/10/2023)

How can Scotland face the challenges of climate change? ICE Scotland chair, Donald Bell(Project Scotland 06/10/2023)

Building Passports could help remedy future crises. Dr Charles Gillot (Project Scotland 09/10/2023)

Scottish Culture Secretary Angus Robertson gave MSPs his ‘gold plated’ commitment to restore Creative Scotland’s budget next year (Arts Professional 11/10/2023)

Luing slate: Islanders dream of return industry to its golden age (The Herald 13/10/2023)

Efforts to avoid ‘Grenfell- scale tragedy’ not taken seriously, says ex-mandarin (The Guardian 16/10/2023)

Lack of regulation on housebuilders leaving householders vulnerable to climbing bills and increased retrofitting costs (The Guardian 16/10/2023)

Stratum Masonry: Growing and keeping an ancient craft alive (The Herald 16/10/2023)

Built environment ‘desperate for an upgrade’ says Building Engineering Services Association president (Scottish Construction Now 17/10/2023)

Parliamentary Questions & Answers

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament. Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 04/09/2023
S6W-20958
To ask the Scottish Government when it became aware of the safety concerns regarding reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
Current status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 3 October 2023

Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 19/09/2023
S6W-21467
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Institution of Structural Engineers regarding reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
Current status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 10 October 2023

Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 19/09/2023
S6W-21468
To ask the Scottish Government what contingencies it has put in place for the potential relocation of patients and staff in hospitals or health care facilities found to contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 13 October 2023

Tess White, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 19/09/2023
S6W-21458
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the national survey programme of the NHS estate to identify the use of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in NHS buildings, including the number of buildings at risk and their location.
Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 4 October 2023

Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 21/09/2023
S6W-21574
To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions its ministers have met with the Institution of Structural Engineers in the past year, and what issues were discussed.
Current status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 10 October 2023

Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 21/09/2023
S6W-21575
To ask the Scottish Government how many heating and plumbing apprentices have been funded through the Low Carbon Skills Grant to undertake heat pump training since the introduction of the scheme.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 5 October 2023

Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 21/09/2023
S6W-21576
To ask the Scottish Government how many people have received training through the Mobile Heat Pump Training Centre to date.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 5 October 2023Daniel Johnson, Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 22/09/2023
S6W-20944
To ask the Scottish Government how many organisations applied to develop pilots for the launch of the Culture & Business Scotland Marketplace in May 2023; how many organisations were awarded places beginning in May 2023; how many organisations had, in addition to the pilots, or the launch of the Marketplace, developed and tested programmes ready to be rolled out across companies, and which of those organisations had the resources to do so; whether any of the organisations that were subsequently awarded places in the Culture & Business Scotland Marketplace had previously been turned down for funding or had funding reduced by Creative Scotland; if so, whether there has been any communication between the Scottish Government, Creative Scotland and Arts & Business Scotland or Culture & Business Scotland regarding the Marketplace, and how many organisations had informed Arts & Business Scotland or Culture & Business Scotland by January 2023 that they had already developed and tested programmes that had a wealth of evidence to show their effectiveness, and had teams of practitioners who are leaders in the field of arts-based wellbeing and development.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 4 October 2023Meghan Gallacher, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 22/09/2023
S6W-21665
To ask the Scottish Government what changes in its budget it is considering to prevent any further closures or reduction of essential community facilities and services.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 5 October 2023Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 26/09/2023
S6W-21745
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to apply its proposed Energy Performance Certificate reforms to traditional buildings, and whether consideration has been given to changes to the building standards or minimum energy requirements for such properties.
Current status: Answer expected on 24 October 2023Pam Gosal, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 26/09/2023
S6W-21754
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported significant challenges in relation to the availability of a skilled and competent workforce that is able to carry out Single Building Assessments at scale.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 13 October 2023Pam Gosal, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 28/09/2023
S6W-21849
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to accelerate (a) the Single Building Assessment programme and (b) remedial works to ensure that buildings are safe.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 13 October 2023Daniel Johnson, Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 28/09/2023
S6W-21858
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Heat in Buildings Workforce Assessment Project outlined in its Heat in Buildings Strategy.
Current status: Answer expected on 26 October 2023

Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 29/09/2023
S6W-21882
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure that the key stakeholders in the private sector are aware of the issue of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete and know where to go for advice, as referenced in the minutes of the meeting of the Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) Cross Sector Working Group on 14 August 2023.
S6W-21883
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the meeting of the Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) Cross Sector Working Group on 14 August 2023, what action it has taken to “signpost and share information which supports effective assessment and reporting on RAAC as a potential building defect”.
Current status: Answers expected on 27 October 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date Lodged: 29/09/2023
S6W-21921
To ask the Scottish Government when an updated Estates Condition Survey for the college sector will be conducted and completed, in light of the last survey, which was completed in 2017 and estimated that £360 million of work was required in the subsequent five years to bring the college estate to a generally sound (wind and watertight) condition.
Current Status: Expected Answer date 27/10/2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date Lodged: 02/10/2023
S6W-21956
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether its Infrastructure Investment Plan is compatible with the emissions targets set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, in light of a reported breach of statutory duties identified by the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland and Good Law Project.
Current Status: Expected Answer date 30/10/2023

Alexander Stewart, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date Lodged: 03/10/2023
S6W-21929
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that some local residents were required by Clackmannanshire Council to evacuate their homes, in a majority council-owned block of flats, and move into short-term accommodation due to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete being found and the flats being deemed unsafe, what immediate action it can take to (a) help provide suitable long-term accommodation and (b) support any proposals for repairs of these properties.
Current Status: Expected Answer date 31/10/2023

Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date Lodged: 03/10/2023
S6W-21970
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of the 30 police buildings that Police Scotland plans to dispose of, as detailed in its proposals submitted to the Scottish Police Authority.
Current Status: Expected Answer date 31/10/2023

Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date Lodged: 03/10/2023
S6W-21969
To ask the Scottish Government whether ministerial responsibility for fair work in the culture sector sits with the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, or with the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture.
Current status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 10 October 2023

Alexander Stewart, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date Lodged: 05/10/2023
S6W-22038
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding short-term let licensing, what its position is on whether holiday accommodation providers that have multiple similar premises types on the same site should be required to pay a licence fee for each individual accommodation that they provide.
Current status: Expected Answer Date 02/11/2023

Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date Lodged: 05/10/2023
S6W-22054
To ask the Scottish Government which minister was responsible for the overall operation of the World Cycling Championships, in light of reports that the event overran its budget by £8 million.
Current Status: Expected Answer date 02/11/2023

Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date Lodged: 06/10/2023
S6W-22080
To ask the Scottish Government how many qualified engineers and assessors there currently are in Scotland who are able to ascertain whether reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete is present in a building, and whether it is able to determine how high the demand for these engineers and assessors currently is.
Current status: Expected Answer date 03/11/2023

Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date Lodged: 06/10/2023
S6W-22081
To ask the Scottish Government what training a person needs to be able to identify reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete and assess whether it is present in a building.
Current status: Expected Answer date 03/11/2023

Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date Lodged: 06/10/2023
S6W-22082
To ask the Scottish Government how many people in Scotland are currently registered as being qualified to assess whether reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete is present in buildings.
Current status: Expected Answer date 03/11/2023

Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date Lodged: 06/10/2023
S6W-22083
To ask the Scottish Government how many people in Scotland have undertaken any training necessary to be able to assess whether reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete is present in buildings.
Current status: Expected Answer date 03/11/2023

Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date Lodged: 06/10/2023
S6W-22084
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has been contacted by any organisations or local authorities about any issues in relation to finding people qualified to assess buildings for the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
Current status: Expected Answer date 03/11/2023

Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date Lodged: 06/10/2023
S6W-22063 R
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a similar scheme in Scotland to the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) delivered by Arts Council England, which is an open-access capital fund for non-national accredited museums and local authorities to apply for funding to undertake vital infrastructure and urgent maintenance that are beyond the scope of day-to-day maintenance budgets.
Current status: Expected Answer date 03/11/2023

Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date Lodged: 06/10/2023
S6W-22064
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking regarding the concerns raised by the Museums Association in its submission to the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee’s pre-Budget scrutiny that the majority of museums in Scotland are in historic and vitally important listed buildings and that there is currently a backlog in repairs and maintenance that requires urgent investment to fund the work.
Current status: Expected Answer date 03/11/2023

Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date Lodged: 06/10/2023
S6W-22065
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its refreshed Culture Strategy Action Plan, in light of it being delayed from summer 2022 and spring 2023.
Current status: Expected Answer date 03/11/2023

Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date Lodged: 06/10/2023
S6W-22077
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the contribution of its latest Infrastructure Investment Plan to meeting Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.
Current status: Expected Answer date 03/11/2023

Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date Lodged: 06/10/2023
S6W-22078
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on (a) its position on aligning its Infrastructure Investment Plan (IIP) with Scotland’s pathway for achieving net zero and (b) whether it has discussed creating a new methodology for assessing the contribution of individual infrastructure projects within the IIP to greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
Current status: Expected Answer date 03/11/2023

Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date Lodged: 09/10/2023
S6W-22101
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recommendations in the Community Land Scotland publication, Beyond community benefit – a new deal for thriving communities.
Current status: Expected Answer date 06/11/2023

Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date Lodged: 11/10/2023
S6W-22090
To ask the Scottish Government what support it has provided for town centre regeneration in each year since 1999.
Current Status: Answer expected on 8 November 2023

Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date Lodged: 12/10/2023
S6W-22221 ?
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the publication of the Remote, Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan.
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Paul McLennan on 13 October 2023

Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date Lodged: 13/10/2023
S6W-22209
To ask the Scottish Government how much total funding it allocated to (a) improve energy efficiency and (b) decarbonise the heating of homes in (i) social, (ii) owner-occupied and (iii) private rented housing in (A) 2021-22, (B) 2022-23 and (C) 2023-24.
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 November 2023

Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date Lodged: 16/10/2023
S6W-22243
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Short Life Working Group report arising from the Fatal Accident Inquiry recommendations following the fire at Cameron House Hotel, and in relation to the commitment to establish an expert working group to consider mandating automatic fire suppression systems where historic buildings are being converted into hotels, whether it will confirm (a) the membership of the group and (b) when the group’s (i) terms of reference and (ii) remit will be in place, and when it expects the group to report.
Current Status: Answer expected on 13 November 2023

Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date Lodged: 16/10/2023
S6W-22244
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Short Life Working Group report arising from the Fatal Accident Inquiry recommendations following the fire at Cameron House Hotel, when it will amend the guidance in the technical handbooks to promote the use of automatic fire suppression systems for historic building conversions to hotels.
Current Status: Answer expected on 13 November 2023

Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date Lodged: 16/10/2023
S6W-22245
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Short Life Working Group report arising from the Fatal Accident Inquiry recommendations following the fire at Cameron House Hotel, when it will carry out its commitment to “amend the Section 34 letter to Local Authority Chief Executives under the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 (Section 34 – Reports and Information – Notification of Application for Building Warrant – Section 2 – Fire) to require that a verifier must notify the Scottish Government where future conversions of historic buildings are to be used as hotel accommodation”.
Current Status: Answer expected on 13 November 2023

Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date Lodged: 16/10/2023
S6W-22246
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Short Life Working Group report arising from the Fatal Accident Inquiry recommendations following the fire at Cameron House Hotel, when the first workshop will be held with partners, including industry, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Local Authority Building Standards Scotland/The Building Standards Hub, and Historic Environment Scotland, to promote key fire safety messages around the dangers of historic construction techniques, materials, and fire spread in hidden voids.
Current Status: Answer expected on 13 November 2023

Apprentice of the Year 2023 Named as Ayr’s Charlie White
S6M-10840
Submitted by: Sharon Dowey, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
Date lodged: 16/10/2023
That the Parliament congratulates Ayr’s Charlie White on being awarded Apprentice of the Year at the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Awards; understands that Charlie was presented with this accolade at the APSE Building Maintenance Seminar, incorporating the APSE Apprentice Awards 2023; further understands that Charlie passed his Final Integrated Competence Assessment (FICA) at 98.55%, scoring 136 points out of 138; understands that Charlie is now a fully qualified tradesperson, having completed his four-year apprenticeship; congratulates Charlie on what it sees as a significant achievement, and wishes him the very best in his future career.

Events

For further listings, please see our events calendar.

AHSS Lecture – Glasgow City Heritage Trust; 15 years – 15 projects
Date & Time: Thursday 19 October 2023; 7:30-9pm
Location: St Andrews West Church & Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow
Lectures will also be streamed online via Zoom
Niall Murphy, Director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, discusses the work of the Trust over the last 15 years, focusing on 15 key projects drawn from across that period for what they reveal about the Trust, its mission and objectives and why the Trust does what it does.Under One Roof – Tenement maintenance and repair management event
Date & Time: Thursday 26 October; 1-3pm
Location: Civic Hall, Perth
Join us for an informative event hosted by Under One Roof and Perth & Kinross Council, aimed at owner-occupiers and landlords who want to learn more about maintaining and managing their tenement building. Topics covered will include a pro-active approach to common repairs, the benefits of owners’ associations and tips for setting one up in your building, and the importance of regular building checks and surveys. Additionally, we will be joined by Louis Daillencourt from Novoville Shared Repairs, who will give an overview and demonstration of the Shared Repairs app that can be used to help owners organise common repairs.RIAS – Conservation 2023: Climate, Policy and Practice
Date & Time: Tuesday 31 October 2023; 1-4:30pm
Location: Online
Presentations will be from RIAS Conservation Accredited architects on: the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Palm House restoration project and the historical research and carrying out of practical conservation at Invereshie House in the Cairngorm National Park. Learn about Historic Environment Scotland’s Climate Change policy in relation to the historic built environment and various aspects of retrofit, including issues of moisture, damp and condensation and other key issues.BE-ST – The International Retrofit Conference
Date & Time: Thursday 2 November 2023; 8:30-5pm
Location: BE-ST Innovation Campus
The free day-long event aims to reimagine the challenge through co-creation between communities, users of the built environment, those creating the built environment and those setting the net zero policy.Heritage Trust Network – A Future for Your Church: Creating a Church Plan
Date & Time: Friday 3 November 2023, 9:30-11am
Location: Online via Zoom
Heritage Trust Network and Historic Churches Scotland are joining forces to host the next event in this series for any group contemplating the future of their church building. At this event Isobel Milne from The Churches Conservation Trust will explain the key elements of a Church Plan and how to create your own using a helpful template. A copy of CCT’s template will be provided for you to adapt and use at your own church.IHBC – Retrofit Workshop with IHBC Scotland branch
Date & Time: Monday 6 November; 10:30-3.30pm
Location: Glasgow City Heritage Trust, Glasgow
Workshop on retrofit in Glasgow by John Edwards (Edwards Hart – Consultants). Introducing the IHBC Retrofit Toolbox, the value of a holistic approach and of maintenance as well as interventions to meet the standards. Fee £20 includes lunch.Scottish Historic Buildings Trust – Cardross Seminary: Fate, Failure or Tragic Myth?
Date & Time: Wednesday 8 November; 6:30-8:30pm
Location: Riddles Court, Edinburgh
Dr Diane Watters will summarise the sixty-odd year history of Cardross Seminary as outlined in her book of 2016, and place Cardross within the wider religious, architectural and preservation movements of which it formed an important symbolic part. Its history divides neatly into two: the story of its design and use, and the story of its decline and salvage.RTPI – Sustainability and resilience through planning – building adaptability to future challenges
Part of the World Town Planning Online Programme
Date & Time: Wednesday 8 November 2023 8:30-9:45am
Location: Online
On World Town Planning Day planners and communities all over the world come together to celebrate how good planning improves the lives of people and benefits society at large, creating places where to live, work and play together. You are invited you to join our special online webinar programme as part of our pre National Planning Conference programme.RTPI – Grampian AGM and Quiz
Date & Time: Thursday 9 November 5:30-9:30pm
Location: Advocates Library, Aberdeen
This in-person AGM will take place in the Advocates Library. The AGM will be followed by the Quiz and an opportunity to catch up with colleagues. Light bites and refreshments will be provided. Please sign up as individuals but teams will be a maximum of four. If you can’t make up a team we can coordinate one.Institution of Civil Engineers – The Burrell Collection Refurbishment
Date & Time: Thursday 9 November 2023; 6-8pm
Location: University of Strathclyde, Lecture Theatre TL455
A presentation by the structural engineer and architect on the Burrell Renaissance project.Scotland’s Towns Conference 2023: Delivering Towns for All
Date & Time: Wednesday 29 November 2023; 9-5pm
Location: Apex Hotel, Dundee
Join Scotland’s Towns Partnership and around 200 industry stakeholders for this year’s Scotland’s Towns Conference – Delivering towns for all. Scotland aims to deliver places for all – a wellbeing economy – creating equality and opportunity for an economy that ensures our towns, neighbourhoods and communities are thriving, engaging and viable for all.

Historic Environment Scotland – Heritage Planning
Date & Time: Wednesday 18 October 2023; 9:30-1:30pm/9:30-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Stirling
Members of Historic Environment Scotland’s Heritage Team and Stirling Council will discuss how they manage change to Scotland’s built heritage, both in strategic terms as well as practical matters. This includes how proposals to alter listed buildings or build new developments in conservation areas are reviewed, considered and determined both fairly and transparently. A networking lunch will provide an opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed and the full-day experience includes an afternoon tour through Stirling’s Old Town to discuss recent developments in the conservation area, key buildings of concern for the council and other matters affecting the significance of the city’s historic townscape.Culture & Business Scotland – Legacy giving: now is the time if you do it right!
Date & Time: Tuesday 24 October 2023; 11-3pm
Location: Online
From triggering interest to cultivating prospects, this excellent four-hour crash course on integrating legacy giving into your fundraising programme (at little or no cost!) is delivered by legacy specialist Richard Radcliffe and is backed up by data and practical advice. The course also runs Wednesday 8 November; 11-3pm.Culture & Business Scotland – Going for gold – securing business sponsorships from start to finish
Date & Time: Tuesday 7 November; 9.30-4pm
Location: Online, on Zoom
This practical course, led by Alice Samtoy, provides comprehensive training to deepen your knowledge and take your corporate fundraising to the next level.Culture & Business Scotland – Effective copywriting: from blank page to impactful story
Date & Time: Tuesday 14 & Wednesday 15 November; 10–1pm
Location: Online
Move from a blank page to a compelling case for support in the capable hands of professional copywriter, Allison Traynor. Packed with tips, tools and techniques and delivered in two live classroom online sessions over two days.

The National Trust for Scotland – Heritage Compliance Officer
Salary: £34,376-£38,027 (subject to experience)
Status: Full-time (flexible working possible)
Location: Hybrid working, available for meetings in Edinburgh
The National Trust for Scotland is looking to recruit a heritage compliance officer to help identify and manage the conservation and operations risks. This is a unique opportunity to work across all aspects of a major heritage organisation, liaising with colleagues in all disciplines.
All enquiries and applications should be addressed to: Diarmid Hearns, Head of Public Policy, Risk and Environment.

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust – Director
Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) is a dynamic and innovative charity which plays a unique role in preserving and promoting the nation’s heritage, with over 40 years’ experience delivering complex projects that regenerate neglected historic buildings and give them a sustainable future. SHBT holds a property portfolio of important historic buildings that are available to lease or hire for offices, events and functions. SHBT are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Director to lead this Building Preservation Trust, providing strategic vision, financial management and leadership.Scottish Civic Trust – Trustee with Legal Experience
The Scottish Civic Trust is recruiting for a new Trustee with experience of the legal sector to join their board. As a Trustee, you’d participate in decision-making at the national organisation for local heritage, civic and community groups and join new professional networks.
Deadline: Friday 27 October