BEFS Bulletin 358: OPOF one year on and a new look for BEFS Bulletin
Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications & Consultations
BEFS NEWS
On Tuesday, Scotland’s finance secretary Shona Robison presented the pre-budget fiscal update, announcing substantial cuts to government spending. In relation to Government Spend and Capital Budget, of note was that due to inflationary impact on construction costs, spend will be focused on essential maintenance to infrastructure. Ms Robison confirmed the Programme for Government, which is being announced later today, will outline plans for fair, green economic growth. BEFS will continue to monitor and provide updates as they appear over the coming days.
A new suite of reports has been published by Historic Environment Scotland, highlighting the strength and contribution of Scotland’s historic environment and looking at the steps needed for future success. Following the launch of Our Past, Our Future: The Strategy for Scotland’s Historic Environment last year, BEFS welcomes this work as a significant milestone. We look forward to the strategy further supporting collaborative working and innovative approaches towards delivering the benefits of the historic environment for people and places.
BEFS congratulates The Scottish Traditional Building Forum who are celebrating the end of a very successful 12th Edinburgh Traditional Building Festival. This year’s event was hosted by Edinburgh World Heritage and the free talks, demonstrations and tours raising the profile of the skills, materials and knowledge required to repair and maintain traditional buildings were well attended.
We were very sad to note the loss of Euan MacDonald MBE. Euan’s ground-breaking work led to improved accessibility for millions of people, with Euan’s Guide freely sharing information and advice to help remove barriers to accessing and enjoying Scotland’s places, including sites of historic significance.
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
See our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers and answers for recent questions regarding Short-term Lets, RAAC, Retrofitting and Permitted Development Rights.
CONSULTATIONS
Survey on Private Investment in Culture & Heritage
Creative Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland and Museums Galleries Scotland are working together to develop understanding of private investment in the cultural and heritage sectors in Scotland. The survey includes questions on organisational policies and processes related to private investment, the sourcing and management of private investment and the recent focus on private investment in culture and heritage. Responses to the survey are gathered anonymously and no organisational information will be shared publicly. The survey should take around 15 minutes to complete.
Closes 6 September 2024
Managing Change Guidance Review
Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
HES is seeking feedback on their Managing Change guidance series to ensure it aligns with current policy and national priorities. The survey aims to understand how the guidance is currently used and how it can be improved as a tool to support decision-making in the historic environment. Feedback will inform priorities for new guidance topics and updates. The survey covers various aspects of the Managing Change guidance, including its use in planning, land management, and other decision-making processes.
Closes 17 September 2024
Draft Tall Buildings Design Guide Consultation
Glasgow City Council
The Glasgow City Centre Strategic Development Framework (SDF), adopted in 2021, provides flexible urban design guidelines and suggests creating specific guidelines for tall buildings to assist developers and planners. For sustainable growth, these projects need to focus on quality and clear goals. To help with this, the Tall Building Design Guidance was created, offering advice for developers and planning officers to make the pre-application process smoother and ensure buildings are well-designed and appropriately located. This consultation covers the areas as defined by the City Centre SDF and welcomes views from members of the public, technical experts, and Strategic Partners on the impact of tall buildings in the city centre and ways to improve the city in this modern environment.
Closes 30 September 2024
Building Regulations: Determining the principles for a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard: Stage 1 consultation
Scottish Government
Scottish building regulations set minimum standards applicable to new buildings and to new work to existing buildings. This consultation is the first of two which will consider the technical, commercial and wider policy implications of improvements to building regulations in the context of broader action by the Scottish Government on climate change, to further our ambition of becoming a net-zero society by 2045.
Closes 23 October 2024
Calanais Standing Stones – Improving community, economic and conservation benefits
Historic Environment Scotland
This consultation focusses on potential changes to access and charging arrangements at Calanais Standing Stones. HES are working to deliver a new combined visitor experience at the site, in collaboration with the local community-led trust Urras nan Tursachan (UnT), who independently own, manage and operate the Calanais Standing Stones visitor centre. Further information on the visitor centre redevelopment can be found here.
Closes 31 October 2024
Survey on barrier to retrofitting historic buildings
FuturHist project
Help identify the barriers to decarbonise historic buildings by completing the FuturHist Barrier Survey. Practitioners, heritage specialists, architects, researchers, building managers and owners are welcome to participate in the study led by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). The survey is part of FuturHist, a European project cofunded by the European Union and the UK Research and Innovation. FuturHist aims to develop integrated and replicable retrofit solutions for historic buildings, using a typology-based approach, to ensure their transition towards clean energy.
Closes 15 September 2024
PETITIONS
Ministerial submission on PE2089: Stop More National Parks in Scotland (Scot Gov 21/08/2024)
NEWS RELEASES
Celebrating the Launch of Scotland’s Vacant and Derelict Land Hub (Scottish Land Commission 14/08/2024)
Three sites announced as pilot locations in UKNC’s groundbreaking new Climate Change & UNESCO Heritage project (UK National Commission 15/08/2024)
Applications are open for the SPAB Fellowship 2025 (SPAB 28/08/2024)
AHSS Advocates for Heritage Protection in Response to Scottish Government’s New Permitted Development Rights (AHSS 28/08/2024)
Our response to the Scottish Parliament’s pre-budget scrutiny for 2025-26 (Museums Galleries Scotland 21/08/2024)
Evidence submitted to Holyrood details how Scottish museums and galleries are facing funding disadvantages compared to the rest of the UK and to Scotland’s wider culture sector.
The Big Conversation: Money (SEDA 30/08/2024)
The seventh film (in a series of 10) from 2045:The Big Conversation, focusing on how we manage our financial resources to deliver effective and fair change for all.
Profits from community windfarm to fund a million native trees in Hebrides (Guardian 31/08/2024)
New reports highlight the strength and contribution of Scotland’s historic environment (HES 02/09/2024)
SCVO Briefing to Scottish Parliament: Programme for Government 2024/25 (SCVO 02/09/2024)
Who wants what from Programme for Government 2024 (NewsDirect 03/09/2024)
PUBLICATIONS
Retrofit at Scale (Sustainable Development Foundation 31/07/2024)
Driving ‘natural’ renewal – the progressive case for restoring the natural environment (IPPR August 2024)
How a strengthened National Performance Framework can drive effective government in Scotland (Carnegie UK August 2024)
Scotland’s Historic Environment Audit 2024 (HES 29/08/2024)
National Report on the Scottish Social Housing Charter – Headline Findings – 2023-2024 (Scottish Housing Regulator 30/08/2024)
How the government can build more homes (Institute for Government 30/08/2024)
National Report on the Scottish Social Housing Charter – Headline Findings – 2023-2024 (Scottish Housing Regulator 30/08/2024)
Our Past, Our Future – Annual Report 2023-24 (HES 02/09/2024)
Our Past, Our Future Delivery Framework (HES 02/09/2024)
Our Past, Our Future Summary and Detailed Baseline Reports (HES 02/09/2024)
Our Past, Our Future Year 1 Report (HES 02/09/2024)
SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS
The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2025-26: Submissions from the Local Government Information Unit, the Accounts Commission, the Scottish Human Rights Commission and Professor David Heald (Scot Parl August 2024)
Thematic analysis of responses to the inquiry on the National Performance Framework (SPICe 16/08/2024)
Non-domestic rates income statistics (Scot Gov 21/08/2024)
How to quantify the economic impact of the UK’s heritage (UK Gov 22/08/2024)
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group minutes: June 2024 (Scot Gov 27/08/2024)
The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-term Lets) (Amendment) Order 2024 Impact Assessments (Scot Gov 29/08/2024)
Fixing unsafe buildings must be faster, Deputy Prime Minister tells roundtable of regulators and partners (UK Gov 29/08/2024)
Planning: Proportionality of Assessments Short Life Working Group minutes: June 2024 (Scot Gov 30/08/2024)
Short Term Lets in Scotland Licensing Scheme: Part 1. Guidance for Hosts and Operators (Scot Gov 30/08/2024)
Housing (Scotland) Bill: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (Scot Gov 30/08/2024)
Correspondence between Ivan McKee and the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee on the work the government has taken to implement the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) (Scot Parl 30/08/2024)
Response from COSLA, Solace and CIPFA Directors of Finance to the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee’s Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2025-26 (Scot Parl 30/08/2024)
Correspondence between Paul McLennan and the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee regarding the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-term Lets) Amendment Order 2024 (Scot Parl 30/08/2024)
Delivering a wealthier, fairer and greener Scotland (Scot Gov 02/09/2024)
Culture Fair Work Taskforce minutes: July 2024 (Scot Gov 03/09/2024)
Housing (Scotland) Bill – clerks note (Scot Parl 03/09/2024)
Finance and Public Administration Committee: clerk’s note, SPICe summary of SFC publications, and meeting minutes (Scot Parl 03/09/2024)
Social Justice and Social Security Committee: clerk’s note (Scot Parl 04/09/2024)
Housing (Scotland) Bill – clerk’s note (Scot Parl 04/09/2024)
OPINION & COMMENT
‘This shouldn’t have happened’: Women into Construction shuts down (Construction News 16/08/2024)
A visit to Glasgow’s vibrant cultural heritage scene, created by people for people (European Heritage Hub 19/08/2024)
Edinburgh backs introduction of new ‘tourist tax’ (BBC News 22/08/2024)
National register needed of buildings with RAAC, say Lib Dems (STV News 25/08/2024)
Glasgow city council to consider case for tourist tax (The Herald 27/08/2024)
Can new towns give Keir Starmer the answer to Britain’s housing crisis? (The Observer 01/09/2024)
Will the Glasgow School of Art ever be rebuilt? (Apollo Magazine 02/09/2024)
Budget cuts will have ‘profound effect’ on Scottish services – Robison (BBC News 03/09/2024)
EVENTS
For further listings, please see BEFS events calendar
Doors Open Days 2024
Date & Time: 4 Weekends in September; see link for regional dates
Location: Throughout Scotland
The 2024 Doors Open Days festival programme is now live! Hundreds of events have been listed and more are being added each day. A fascinating variety of doors and sites will be open up and down the country. Be a tourist on your very own doorstep and unlock Scotland this September!
STP & HES – Improving places through heritage
Date & Time: Tuesday 10 September 2024; 12-1pm
Location: Online
This webinar, delivered by Historic Environment Scotland, will provide you with an overview of the sector strategy for the Historic Environment, Our Past our Future, as well as highlighting some key resources, including funding, available to support you in your plans to consider how heritage can improve your local places. The session will conclude with an opportunity for your questions and to enable you to share your thoughts on what is needed to meet the ambitions for the historic environment in your area.
Under One Roof – Preserving our tenements with East Lothian Council and Dunbar CARS
Date & Time: Thursday 12 September 2024; 5-7pm
Location: The Dunbar Townhouse, High St, Dunbar EH42 1ER
Presentations will cover managing common repairs, how to navigate roofing and gutter maintenance, dealing with mixed tenure repairs, and an update from Dunbar Conservation and Regeneration Scheme. Under One Roof will be joined by architect Jo Parry-Geddes of Mill Architects who will give a presentation on tenement roof repairs. There will also be a Q&A session at the end.
Ainmean Charraige – Carrick’s Gaelic Heritage
Date & Time: Saturday 14 September 2024; 9:15am-4:30pm
Location: The Carrick Centre, Culzean Rd, Maybole KA19 7DE
Ainmean Charraige/Carrick Names is holding a one-day conference on the subject of Carrick’s Gaelic Heritage. Carrick was Gaelic speaking for hundreds of years until comparatively recently – as the thousands of Gaelic place-names across the Earldom will testify. An expert panel of speakers has been arranged for the day in order to bring this hidden Gaelic heritage to life.
A&DS – What next for place?
Date & Time: Wednesday 18 – Thursday 19 September 2024
Location: Advanced Research Centre (ARC), University of Glasgow, 11 Chapel Lane Glasgow G11 6EW
Imagine a future where place-based policies and practices are driven by the stories and identities that make our communities unique. What if we could harness the power of design and creativity to forge meaningful and equitable partnerships? How can this collaborative approach lead to positive outcomes for people, the places we inhabit, and the planet itself? These are the critical questions at the heart of the “What next for place?” conference. This event, over one and half days, is a catalyst for advancing next practices in creating places. Practitioners and academics will meet for a collaborative exploration of these crucial themes and work together over the event to co-produce some suggested principles for future place-based practices.
SPAB – Scotland’s Churches
Continuing the SPAB Scotland series investigating practical measures for those thinking about taking on a church for sale, whether privately or as part of a community group.
Joseph Hansom’s Architecture
Date & Time: Thursday 19 September 2024; 12-1:30pm
Location: Online
This talk aims to highlight the richness of Scottish architecture in the ecclesiastical world. It complements an in-person Church Maintenance Day being hosted at St Mary at Lochee the following week.
Reading a Church
Date & Time: Thursday 3 October 2024; 12-1:30pm
Location: Online
If you know what to look for, it’s possible to uncover a building’s secrets by looking around for clues. This ‘reading’ of a building is a great skill, and this lecture by architect Ian Mitchell Davidson will follow the development of a single building from beginning to end, tracing its history and development through the centuries.
Heritage Trust Network – Conference 2024
Date & Time: Sunday 29 September – Tuesday 1 October 2024
Location: Dunfermline
Heritage Trust Network is bringing its conference to Dunfermline in 2024. Conference is always the highlight of the year, a fun and friendly mix of inspirational speakers, lively discussions and fascinating tours and visits to historic sites and community projects. Dunfermline has been chosen as the venue because of its fascinating mix of historic sites and the way local organisations are working together to make the most of its heritage assets following the granting of city status in 2022. The incredible philanthropic legacy of Andrew Carnegie is woven through the city’s cultural infrastructure. Network member, Fife Historic Buildings Trust, has recently been granted three-years of funding to help it develop restoration and re-use projects in Dunfermline.
Edinburgh 900 – Archaeology Conference 2024
Date & Time: Saturday 12 October 2024; 9am-5pm
Location: Lecture Theatre A, University of Edinburgh, 40 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JX
This conference is organised jointly by the City of Edinburgh Council Archaeology Service and the University of Edinburgh Department of Archaeology as part of the official celebrations for Edinburgh’s 900th Anniversary. The conference is open to all with an interest in our capital’s rich history. Attendees will hear and discuss the results of important archaeological fieldwork and scientific research on a wide range of topics, from the Burgh’s foundation in the 12th century through to the 20th century.
National Churches Trust – Building Sustainable Futures for Scottish Churches : Meet the Funders
Date & Time: Friday 1 November 2024; times tbc
Location: Paisley Abbey, Abbey Close, Paisley PA1 1JG
Join the National Churches Trust at Paisley Abbey to chat with funders and advisers all under one roof. They are there to help support all aspects of the work within your church building, whether it is from community, heritage, faith, tourism, or climate action sectors. Whether you are a congregation looking to repair a roof or to expand your community outreach; or a community organisation considering how to prepare a business plan and get advice on which insurance you will need, there will be someone there to help. Meet with the experts across the sectors and chat with churches, communities and organisations who have already tackled the challenges you are facing. A detailed programme is being compiled. Check this page for updates or sign up for updates below.
TRAINING
C&BS – Fundraising Matters: Introduction to Fundraising
Date & Time: Tuesday 10 September 2024 & Tuesday 17 September 2024; 9:30am-12:30pm
Location: Online
This introductory course, led by Pam Judson, gives you the best possible foundations for starting your fundraising career.
£120 + VAT for C&BS members. £190 + VAT for non-members
C&BS – Board Matters: Thinking of Joining a Board?
Date & Time: Thursday 12 September 2024; 12-1pm
Location: Online
Do you care about the culture sector and want to play a part in its future? Then being a board member or trustee just might be for you. This webinar with Catriona Reynolds will help you understand what being on the Board of a cultural charity is all about.
FREE for C&BS members. £35 + VAT for non-members.
SPAB – Maintaining Scotland’s Churches
Date & Time: Thursday 26 September 2024; 9:30am-3:45pm
Location: St Matthew’s Church, Tay Street, Perth PH1 5 LQ
Are you involved in caring for and maintaining a place of worship in Scotland? This introductory one-day course will explore how your historic church building works and the practical steps you can take to look after it. You’ll be able to put your new knowledge into action right away, with a practical exercise looking at the host building inside and out to identify maintenance issues and areas of vulnerability. There will also be the opportunity to discuss your own church building with the course tutors and others attending.
VACANCIES
Scottish Historic Buildings Trust seeks four new trustees with expertise in areas such as strategy, finance, heritage conservation, marketing, fundraising, property development and asset management. Help shape the future of this leading organisation dedicated to preserving Scotland’s historic buildings. 3-year term, 4 meetings per year. For more information visit www.shbt.org.uk. To apply, email CV and cover letter to maggie.wright@mwa.co
We’re truly grateful for your continued support and engagement. Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in us to deliver relevant and timely information about the built environment sector.Please consider forwarding this newsletter on to colleagues, friends and family who are part of the sector, so they know where to go for staying informed about built environment sector news, vacancies, insights, policies.If you’d like to receive the bulletin as a bi-monthly email, you can subscribe here.Your support helps us grow and improve our service to the existing Scottish built environment community. Thank you for being part of our journey!