BEFS Bulletin 363: Sector Vacancies, Housing Emergency Action & Climate Planning

BEFS NEWS

Job alert! BEFS is recruiting for a new Head of Policy and Strategy to join our small and dynamic team. The role will coordinate policy development initiatives, leading on BEFS co-ordinated and strategic approach to policy and legislation relating to the historic and built environment across Scotland. If you think you know the perfect candidate or want to find out more please visit BEFS website for details about the post.

A new management plan for Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns World Heritage Site has been agreed by committee. Developed in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland and Edinburgh World Heritage Trust through a process of public and stakeholder engagement, the plan outlines initiatives to address the climate crisis, enhance sustainable visitor experiences, and ensure the conservation and upkeep of buildings and public areas. Read more about the plan here.

A new report on Third Sector Funding Principles has been published, with MSPs calling for significant changes to support organisations’ sustainability. The recommendations include implementing multi-year funding arrangements, improving grant transparency, and introducing inflation-based adjustments to ensure third sector organisations can maintain vital services.

The Scottish Government has released its Planning and Housing Emergency Delivery Plan, outlining measures to accelerate housing development through planning reform. Key actions include establishing a Housing Planning Hub to unlock stalled developments, expanding postgraduate student bursaries, and refocusing efforts on planning obligations rather than the Infrastructure Levy. The plan also explores expanding Permitted Development Rights for developments like shop-top housing conversions.

A pre-Budget report by the Scottish Parliament’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee has called for clarity on multi-year funding, grant transparency and inflation-based adjustments for third sector organisations, including calls to prioritise longer-term funding models to create more stability and better use of resources across the sector. The report, published on 13 November, states that provisions for inflation-based adjustments in the next Budget would be vital for addressing the significant challenges impacting Scotland’s third sector.

The National Planning Improvement Service’s first annual report, published last week, outlines the progress made in its first year, emerging issues for planning authorities, and initial steps to tackling these. Based within the Improvement Service, the National Planning Improvement team engaged with people and organisations to shape a new National Planning Improvement Framework which is being piloted by planning authorities across the country.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding climate change initiatives, planning, land reform and cladding.

CONSULTATIONS

Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee Stakeholder’s Survey
UK Government
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has today launched an online survey that asks stakeholders to contribute their views on the issues they think the Committee should prioritise in 2025. The survey also asks stakeholders to share any long term or emerging issues that they think the Committee should scrutinise over the next five years. The Committee wants to make sure it is hearing from people and organisations that are affected by Defra’s responsibilities and so MPs are also asking how they could better gather and represent stakeholders’ concerns and the views of those in the sector, in the span of the Committee’s work. MPs intend to use the survey’s feedback to shape the Committee’s future programme of work and inform its strategic approach to scrutiny.
*NEW* Closes 25 November

A new Code of Conduct and Practice for Architects
Architects Registration Board
ARB has published a draft version of a revised Code for consultation. The revised Code is designed to act as a positive statement of what professionalism and ethics mean to architects. It explains to the public, clients, and those who work with architects the behaviours and high standards they should expect from the profession. It has been drafted using published research on public expectations as to how architects should behave and act, and following engagement with architects and other professionals in the built environment. The current edition of the Code was published in 2017, and this proposed revision is intended to address recent developments in building safety, environmental sustainability, and inclusivity to ensure that the Code continues to be fit for practice. This consultation seeks the views of architects, students, learning providers, clients, those who work with architects, and those who use the spaces that architects design.
Closes 12 December 2024

Open call for evidence: New Towns Taskforce
UK Government
The New Towns Taskforce is launching a call for evidence to explore opportunities for large developments. The Taskforce is interested in proposals that are regionally significant for both housing numbers and economic growth. The unifying principle will be that each of the new settlements will contain 10,000 homes, at the very least, and that most, if not all, will be far larger in size. A core part of the Taskforce’s work will be to consider how to fund and deliver new settlements. More information on the government’s expectations for new towns and the New Towns Taskforce is available in the policy statement on new towns.
Closes 13 December 2024

Historic Environment Scotland’s corporate plan 2025-28
HES
The Historic Environment (Scotland) Act 2014 mandates that HES has a corporate plan and that it is renewed every 3 years. The purpose of a corporate plan is to provide a roadmap for decision-making, resource allocation, and performance measurement, ensuring alignment and direction across the organisation. HES current Corporate Plan, Heritage for All, was first published in 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it underwent only a light-touch refresh when it was due to expire at the end of 2022-23 and now needs to undergo a more thorough review and update to ensure our new plan reflects this. This consultation draft is the product of engagement with people and organisations across Scotland. HES now want to hear thoughts on the draft plan from as broad and diverse a range of people and organisations as possible, and to give everyone the chance to have their say on the document before its finalised.
Closes 3 January 2025

PETITIONS

PE2118/A: Review and restructure Scotland’s flood risk management approach and operations (Scot Parl 28/10/2024)

PE2089: Stop More National Parks in Scotland (Scot Parl 13/11/2024)

Submission from MSP Murdo Fraser in support of PE2113/E: Provide support to RAAC-affected communities (Scot Parl 06/11/2024)

NEWS RELEASES

Future of theatres unclear amid prolonged RAAC closures (Arts Professional 09/10/2024)

Celebrating Archaeology in Scotland 2024 (HES 01/11/2024)

Short-term funding cycles are creating financial instability for Scotland’s charities (Third Force News 13/11/2024)

How can Scotland re-establish its building stone industry? (HES 14/11/2024)

PUBLICATIONS

CITB Net Zero Toolkit (CITB 2023)

Visitor Levy Guidance for Local Authorities (Visit Scotland October 2024)

RTPI Interim Route Map to Strategic Planning (RTPI 15/10/2024)

Industry Update: UK Government Autumn Budget 2024 – Scotland Office Summary (Scottish Tourism Alliance 30/10/2024)

Outcomes Report (Scottish Futures Trust 07/11/2024)

Dendrochronology Research Framework for Scotland  (Society of Antiquaries of Scotland/ScARF 18/11/2024)

SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee official Report and minutes (Scot Parl 05/11/2024)

Report on Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2025-26 – Managing Scotland’s Public Finances: A Strategic Approach (Scot Parl 07/11/2024)

Correspondence between Mairi Gougeon and the Convenor for the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee (Scot Gov 07/11/2024)

Heat in Buildings: Local Government Oversight Group minutes: September 2024 (Scot Gov 07/11/2024)

Correspondence between the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee and Gillian Martin concerning the Pre-budget Scrutiny 2025-26 (Scot Parl 08/11/2024)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee official report and minutes (Scot Parl 05/11/2024)

Planning Applications Statistics 2023/2024: Annual and Quarterly (October 2023 to March 2024) Official Statistics (Scot Gov 11/11/2024)

Ministerial Statement: Scotland’s Planning System – Supporting Investment and Economic Growth and Delivering Quality Homes (Scot Parl 12/11/2024)

Planning and the housing emergency: delivery plan (Scot Gov 12/11/2024)

Planning for housing – delivery plan: Ministerial letter – November 2024 (Scot Gov 12/11/2024)

Planning permission appeals: housing development statistics (Scot Gov 12/11/2024)

Planning: Proportionality of Assessments Short Life Working Group minutes: September 2024 (Scot Gov 12/11/2024)

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2025-26: Third sector funding principles (Scot Parl 13/11/2024)

Budget: Arts, Heritage and Cultural Organisations – House of Lords Debate (UK Gov 14/11/2023)

Housing (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 Report (Scot Parl 14/11/2024)

Report on the National Performance Framework: Review of National Outcomes (Scot Parl 15/11/2024)

OPINION & COMMENT

City Competitiveness Redefined: which cities will thrive in the era of climate change? (ARUP October 2024)

Highland tourist tax could raise £10m a year (BBC 08/11/2024)

‘SNP workers’ rights policy is no more than feel good fluff’ (The Herald 11/11/2024)

Planning permission waiting times ‘concerning’ admits minister (The Herald 11/11/2024)

Why drive to net zero could see the rebirth of Scotland’s disused quarries (The Scotsman 14/11/2024

MOTIONS

S6M-15392
Submitted by: John Mason, Glasgow Shettleston, Independent.
Date lodged: 12/11/2024
That the Parliament notes the UK Budget of 30 October 2024 and, in particular, the reported indication of £3.4 billion extra spending for Scotland, including £600 million for capital expenditure; believes that there will be many demands in relation to how that extra capital spending should be used, including for affordable housing or for dualling the A9; regrets that there have reportedly been around eight deaths per year on the A9 between Perth and Inverness since 1979, and extends its condolences to the families and friends affected; understands, however, that there have been over 500 excess winter deaths in Scotland per year, partly caused, it believes, by homelessness or living in cold damp homes; considers, therefore, that the priority for the Scottish Budget for 2025-26 needs to be on building more affordable houses, in both urban and rural areas, rather than on building roads, and believes that such a priority would maximise the number of lives saved.

EVENTS

Date & Time: Thursday 21 November 2024; 7:30-9:30pm
Location: St Andrews West Church & Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JP; and online
In its centenary year, Niall Murphy, Director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, discusses Sir John James Burnet’s design for the Glasgow Cenotaph and how it sits within the context of the other war memorials he produced for the likes of the Imperial War Graves Commission.

Scotland’s Community Heritage Conversations 2024: Connect & Create Capacity
Date & Time: Thursday 21 November 2024; 9:15am-4:15pm
Location: Hybrid; Online & The Engine Shed, Forthside Way Stirling FK8 1QZ
People are at the heart of community heritage, and the health of our cultural, built, natural, and archaeological heritage is intricately tied to the passion, dedication, expertise and energy of the people who care for it. But in the face of ever-growing pressures on resources and capacity, how can the sector remain robust and adapt to address the changes and challenges that it faces? Archaeology Scotland want to use the next Scotland’s Community Heritage Conversation to discuss how creating new connections can help access a wider pool of knowledge and support, unlocking fresh enthusiasm and ideas. They will explore how innovative approaches to audience engagement, volunteering and workforce development can build greater capacity, foster inclusivity, aid advocacy and ensure that our activities are vibrant, relevant, and accessible to all.

BE-ST – HeatSource Heat Networks in Action
Date & Time: Tuesday 26 November 2024; 12:30-4:30pm
Location: Sandman Hotel, St. Andrews Street, Aberdeen AB25 1AD
An in-person event exploring heat networks with speakers from Scottish Government’s Heat Network Support Unit, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Heat and Power and Vital Energi discussing the £25million Torry District Heat Scheme. Event includes insights from Heatsource champions on supply chain innovation and a Torry Heat Network Learning Journey the following day.

Heritage Trust Network – Network Day
Date & Time: Tuesday 27 November 2024; 3-4:30pm
Location: Online
An online mini conference offering informative and practical sessions about heritage projects. Topics include: The Basics with Ethical Property Foundation, funding updates from National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage 2033, expert panel discussions, and special interest presentation on the Bloomberg Connects App.

Scotland’s Towns Partnership – Conference 2024
Date & Time: Wednesday 27 November 2024; 9am-5pm
Location: Perth Concert Hall, Perth PH1 5HZ
STC24 highlights the importance of cultural, built, and natural assets in driving economic, social, and environmental progress in Scotland’s towns and places. Discuss, learn about and connect with the resilient and thriving places showcasing at Scotland’s Towns Conference 2024: “Investing in Our Assets for Sustainable Towns of the Future.” This year’s conference will delve into the critical role of cultural, built, and natural assets in fostering local economic, social, and environmental transformative change. Join the STP for an inspiring yet practice-based experience featuring study visits, keynote speakers, interactive workshops, collaborative world café sessions and a solutions-based exhibition.

Europa Nostra – Adapting Europe’s Cultural Heritage to a Rapidly Warming World: Climate Change Policy and Practice for Heritage Professionals
Date & Time: Thursday 5 December 2024; 3-4:30pm
Location: Online
Participants will learn from Preserving Legacies colleagues about emerging best practices in climate risk assessment and adaptation planning for heritage places, including approaches that are locally-led, science-based and values-driven. In addition, climate adaptation policy frameworks relevant to heritage will be discussed at national, European and international level. This will include an update from the team of the European Heritage Hub pilot project, who will have just returned from the 2024 UN Climate Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

AHSS Lecture – Simon Laird: The New Town of Edinburgh and Other Stories
Date & Time: Monday 9  December 2024; 6:30-8pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
Note: Lecture will also be streamed online via Zoom
Simon Laird explores the evolution of Edinburgh New Town, brainchild of Lord Provost George Drummond. Why was it built? How did it evolve during design and construction? And how has it accommodated 250 years of change? During his six terms as Lord Provost, Drummond was responsible for other developments in and around the Old Town, including points of interest close to our venue, which our speaker will also consider. Tickets available in advance or on the door: £6 / students £2 /

Scottish Council on Archives – Annual Conference 2024: Building Evidence. How Archives and Records support Scotland’s Historic Environment
Date & Time: Tuesday 10 December 2024; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
Building Evidence will explore how archives and records support engagement with, conservation of, and research into Scotland’s historic environment. The event will be structured around the three priority areas of Our Past, Our Future – The Strategy for Scotland’s Historic Environment: Delivering the transition to net zero; Empowering resilient and inclusive communities and places; Building a wellbeing economy. In addition to these key themes, Building Evidence will shine a spotlight on the urgent need for a national strategy for archives and records in Scotland, ensuring their preservation and relevance for future generations.

SHBT – The Case for Reconstruction: Glasgow School of Art & other stories
Date & Time: Wednesday 11 December 2024; 6-7:30pm
Location: Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG
The loss of a significant building is often taken to be an opportunity to rebuild with a contemporary structure. But when should we, and how should we, attempt accurately to reconstruct buildings which have been destroyed?

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland – December Lecture: ‘The tools of the trade of field-working oral historians and folklorists’
Date & Time: Thursday 12 December 2024; 6-8pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
The tape-recorder, microphone, camera, notebook, and pencil, and now their digital equivalents, are the tools of the trade of field-working oral historians and folklorists. This paper discusses the contribution that fieldwork in oral history and folklore can make to identifying objects and their uses, documenting and interpreting the past, and recording the experiences of the men and women who used the objects. Illustrated with photos, audio-recordings, and film from community projects. This talk will be given by Professor Margaret Bennett, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

 

C&BS – Scoping the Future Funding Landscape
Date & Time: Wednesday 4 December 2024; 3-7pm
Location: National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF
This C&BS Forum will explore the reality the future holds for culture organisations from a private funding perspective, and scope out the challenges and opportunities.

VACANCIES

BEFS Head of Policy & Strategy
Salary: £42,000 depending on experience.
Status: Permanent role, subject to organisational funding. 37hrs per week with occasional evening events
Location: Home working with regular meetings in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
This role involves leading on BEFS co-ordinated and strategic approach to policy and influencing strategic policy and legislation relating to the historic and built environment across Scotland. Key responsibilities include:

• Consultation: Co-ordinate and compile responses to strategic Government (and other key stakeholder) consultations on behalf of BEFS and BEFS Members.
• Advocacy: Develop shared statements (manifestos, legislative ‘asks’, written evidence to parliamentary committees etc) on strategic issues arising from within BEFS work.
• Events: Working with colleagues and external stakeholders, plan and facilitate stakeholder engagement events which inform policy development and produce written reports for these events.
• Secretariat: Act as secretariat to multiple working groups, preparing agenda and meeting papers, recording meetings and circulating minutes.
• Horizon-scanning: Undertake regular horizon-scanning through contact with Government and key stakeholders, to identify key issues of interest to BEFS Members.
• Communication: Provide colleagues with written material to communicate key messages arising from BEFS discussions (such as website content, blogs), and contribute strategic content to BEFS bi-monthly bulletin.
• Project development: Develop and shape projects (from initial idea to project brief) which will inform/evidence advocacy activity.
• Reporting: Provide and contribute to regular reports to funders and BEFS Board.
• Facilitation: Provide facilitation for Members events, workshops and stakeholder engagement.
• Team: Participate actively as part of a small and busy team, supporting and working with colleagues as necessary.

Person specification
Essential

• Strong ability to demonstrate breadth of sector knowledge, particularly across policy frameworks.
• Experience of the process of strategic policy and legislative development within Scotland, across the wider policy landscape.
• Strong analytical skills, with an ability to distil policy information and stakeholder opinions, across a broad range of policy topics/disciplines in the built environment sphere.
• Knowledge and experience of the historic and wider built environment sector, including key stakeholders and lead organisations.
• Highly self-motivated, able to work flexibly, balancing priorities as necessary.
• High attention to detail, with strong written and verbal communication skills, including facilitation experience.
• Advanced use of IT packages including Office 365 and Adobe etc.

Desirable

• Degree or post-graduate qualification (or equivalent experience) in built environment-related discipline (e.g., planning, conservation, surveying, archaeology, architecture) or public affairs.
• Experience of stakeholder engagement/facilitation skills.
• Confidence with online/remote working technologies and programmes such as Teams, Zoom. (Knowledge/familiarity of other programmes such as Miro, Eventbrite, SurveyMonkey, WordPress and MailChimp are also an advantage.)

BEFS expects all applicants to support the values, ethos and objectives of BEFS, demonstrating credibility and integrity, and proactively committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion. Benefits package includes pension, flexible leave, and more.
To download full job description and details on how to apply please click this link
BEFS is an equal opportunities employer. Please see our Fair Work and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statements on BEFS website for more information.
Closing date: 12 noon on Friday 6 December 2024.

Historic Houses – Policy Officer
Salary: £34,000 per annum + benefits.
Status: Permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday) with occasional hours outside of these times.
Location: Based at Warwick House, 25-27 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0PP (hybrid working with regular office attendance). Also occasional travel to Historic Houses events outside London.
Are you Passionate about heritage, keenly interested in policy-making and driven to make a difference to the future of the UK’s historic environment? Historic Houses are looking for a Policy Officer, based near their London head office. Historic Houses represents around 1,450 historic houses, castles and gardens in independent ownership across the UK and, as a membership association, enables independently owned historic houses and gardens to speak with one powerful voice. It does this through policy and public affairs activity, marketing and promotion, and technical advisory services. A dedicated policy team (the Director of Policy & Public Affairs, the Parliamentary & Public Affairs Officer, the Policy Officer and the Policy Adviser for Wales) work closely with government, stakeholders and politicians across the political spectrum to shape and influence policy for the benefit of heritage and tourism.  The Policy Officer role is particularly focused on heritage sector policy – both in terms of getting to grips with the fine detail of the broad range of policy affecting heritage, but also managing Historic Houses’ relationships with colleagues across the heritage, tourism, environmental and creative industries sectors.  No two days at Historic Houses are the same, and this is a particularly exciting time to join a small, high-impact team. If you are a bright, proactive Policy Officer with a passion for the special places represented by Historic Houses and a keen interest in advocacy and sharp attention to detail, as well as being energised by the opportunity to make a real difference in policy-making, and keen to champion the future of our historic environment, you can find out more here.
Closing Date: 9am on Friday 6 December 2024

Edinburgh World Heritage – Trustees
Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) are looking for new Board trustees with drive and enthusiasm who are passionate about Edinburgh and the Old and New Towns of the Edinburgh UNESCO World Heritage Site and interested in how to connect and engage all people in our heritage. Skills and experience in one or more of the following areas: conservation and maintenance of the built environment; legal; finance; HR; events and fundraising would be appreciated. The purpose of EWH is to pro-actively protect and champion the Edinburgh World Heritage Site for current and future generations through the conservation of historic buildings, delivering improvements to the public realm, developing a new climate emergency programme and engaging people directly with the rich heritage of the city. As a trustee you will be responsible for the strategic direction of the organisation and stewardship of public and charitably-given funds, supporting and adding value to the work of its professional team in conservation, engagement and capacity building. They are looking for people from a broad range of backgrounds, demographics and cultures to steer and inform their work, aiming for inclusivity, richness of experience and diversity on the Board and in their workforce. Particularly welcome are applications from young people or those interested in applying for their first trusteeship.
Details of the current Trustees, staff and initiatives are available on their website and full details of the post may be downloaded from here. To express interest in joining the Board, please apply here.
Closing date: 10am on Monday 9 December 2024

Heritage Trust Network – Business Development Manager
Salary: £35,000 per annum
Status: full time (37 hours per week) with a 3-month probationary period
Location: Working from home or from an agreed shared workspace anywhere in the UK
Heritage Trust Network is seeking a Business Development Manager. This role is being created as part of the Essential Networks project delivery phase. Essential Networks is a major development and resilience project that will transform the Network’s ability to empower people to rescue and reuse historic buildings and spaces for the benefit of their communities. It will run from November 2024 to March 2029. This post is ideally suited to someone with experience in community heritage, culture and regeneration, and a background in social enterprise and/or the development of income-earning services within the context of a heritage, cultural or membership organisation. Additional skills would include being financially literate and able to communicate a product or service offer and to pitch a proposal to prospective customers. More information and application pack can be found here.
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 6 January 2025

Heritage Trust Network – Marketing & Communications Officer
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Status: full time (37 hours per week) with a 3-month probationary period
Location: Working from home or from an agreed shared workspace anywhere in the UK
Heritage Trust Network is seeking a Marketing & Communications Officer. This role is being created as part of the Essential Networks project delivery phase. Essential Networks is a major development and resilience project that will transform the Network’s ability to empower people to rescue and reuse historic buildings and spaces for the benefit of their communities. It will run from November 2024 to March 2029. This post is ideally suited to someone who has developed marketing and communications skills through work in heritage, culture, community development or regeneration. Additional skills would include being able to think strategically, collaborate with colleagues to co-design campaigns, and get involved in day-to-day content development and delivery.  This role would suit a self-motivated and hard-working team member who is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, where team spirit and excellent customer service runs throughout everything you do from timely communication with colleagues, to the satisfaction of a job well done when supporting members and building relationships. An interest in regeneration, heritage and sustainability in the built environment is evident as would be a willingness to promote the work of the Network. More information and application pack can be found here.
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 6 January 2025