BEFS Bulletin 364: A Parliamentary Bill, Safeguarding Heritage, and the Scottish Budget

BEFS NEWS

It is budget day! This afternoon the Scottish Government will publish its initial spending and tax proposals for next year, followed by parliamentary scrutiny. Amidst the wider conversations around funding for culture (BEFS notes Culture Count’s well received campaign, highlighting culture as an ‘engine for economic growth, a foundation for social wellbeing and as a cornerstone of our national identity’) the cultural, economic, societal, and environmental benefits of investing in Scotland’s heritage must not be overlooked. Last year saw £100 million a year pledged by 2028/29, including an increase of £25m next year towards the culture sector. This could go some of the way to sustaining cultural and historic assets such as theatres, museums and galleries as well as seeing real impacts for people and place. Will calls to prioritise longer-term funding models towards stability and better use of resources across the sector be heard? More generally, BEFS will be keeping an eye on how spending plans relate to National Outcomes, Local Government allocations and wider impacts for the sector and our readership.

The Housing (Scotland) Bill has passed stage 1 in the Scottish Parliament. This legislation aims to tackle poverty across Scotland by improving the renting experience for tenants, through a range of new rights and a system of rent controls, in a way that maintains investment. Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “The Housing (Scotland) Bill will play an important role in helping to tackle poverty by keeping rents affordable and ensuring people can stay in their homes.”

Dates for Historic Environment Scotland’s engagement sessions on the draft version of their new Corporate Plan have been announced. These workshops are a chance to have your say on the draft plan and are open to everyone with an interest in HES’ work. The consultation itself, along with the draft corporate plan, can be found here.

HES are also running an online engagement session to gather feedback on their new Communities Framework. Planned as an interactive and engaging session with members of HES’ Community and Economic Development Team, attendees will have the opportunity to provide their thoughts and ideas. The event is free to attend but booking is essential.

BEFS Members the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland have announced their first grant award through the Audrey Henshall Legacy Fund, to recipients Archaeology Scotland, also Members of BEFS. £50,000 has been awarded to a project which will investigate Scotland’s early Neolithic megalithic chambered and passage tombs and aim to answer key questions about when they were built and who built them. Congratulations to both organisations.

And last but not least – there is still time to apply for the role of BEFS Head of Policy & Strategy. This is a key role in BEFS Team, 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. Closing date is this Friday, 6 December!

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding housing, planning, cladding remediation, land reform, energy transition, and building safety.

CONSULTATIONS

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

Edinburgh Visitor Levy Draft Proposal
City of Edinburgh Council
The Edinburgh Council is seeking views on its draft proposal to introduce a visitor levy in Edinburgh. This consultation offers an opportunity to shape how the levy would work in practice following the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024.
Closes 15 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’s 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

A Proposed New National Park in Scotland
NatureScot
Scottish Ministers have made a statutory proposal to establish a new National Park in the Galloway area (including parts of East and South Ayrshire). At this stage, no decision to establish this National Park has been made and Ministers are keen to gauge the level of support for the proposal and alternatives to it. Ministers appointed NatureScot as the ‘Reporter’ to consult and advise them on the proposal. This consultation is part of the programme of work to fulfil these requirements. It follows a phase of pre-consultation work to inform and engage communities and stakeholders across the proposed area. This consultation therefore seeks all views on designating a National Park in the southwest of Scotland, and on the possible area and potential functions, powers and governance it could have.
*NEW* Closes 14 February 2025

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

BEFS response to Building Safety Levy Bill: consultation on proposals (18/11/2024)

PETITIONS

The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee has published a submission from the Scottish Government on PE2105: Safeguard Scottish Listed Buildings at risk of unnecessary demolition.

The Building Standards Division has published further information on member discussions concerning PE2105/C: Safeguard Scottish Listed Buildings at risk of unnecessary demolition.

NEWS RELEASES

People in Place Practice Network (SURF November 2024)

England’s church heritage ‘danger zones’ revealed (National Churches Trust 18/11/2024)

The North East Scotland Preservation Trust Acquires Four New Buildings (Heritage Trust Network 19/11/2024)

How land reforms will help deliver the homes we need (New Economics Foundation 20/11/2024)

The Scottish Tourism Alliance response to the UK Government Autumn Budget (STA 30/11/2024)

PUBLICATIONS

Scottish Planner Issue 198 (RTPI October 2024)

Architectural Heritage Fund Annual Review 2023-24 (AHF November 2024)

The Future of Cultural Devolution in the UK (Culture Commons November 2024)

PlaceTech Innovation Lab Pilot Project Summary Report (Scottish Futures Trust November 2024)

Community Wealth Building: Centre for Excellence (EDAS 2024)

Scottish Tourism Alliance Budget Priority Asks  (STA 05/11/2024)

Scottish Tourism Index: Autumn 2024 Edition (56 Degree Insight 19/11/2024)

Whole Tenement Retrofit Feasibility Study (Under One Roof 24/11/2024)

Scotland’s Budget Report 2024 (Fraser of Allander Institute 29/11/2024)

SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Correspondence between Alasdair Allan and the Convener of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee concerning the New Build Heat Standard (NBHS) (Scot Parl 08/11/2024)

Correspondence between Jennifer Henderson and the Economy and Fair Work Committee regarding public sector land ownership via the work of the Registers of Scotland (Scot Parl 12/11/2024)

Retrofitting our homes for a net zero future (UK Parl 19/11/2024)

Written Answers – Retrofitting buildings (UK Parl 19/11/2024)

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee Official Report and minutes (Scot Parl 19/11/2024)

Correspondence between Gillian Martin and the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on the effectiveness of environmental governance arrangements (Scot Parl 19/11/2024)

Written Answers – VAT on Retrofitting buildings (UK Parl 20/11/2024)

National Planning Policy Framework reforms and the environment – Oral evidence (UK Parl 20/11/2024)

Correspondence between Paul McLennan and the Local Government Housing and Planning Committee providing further information on the Housing (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 21/11/2024)

How can permitted development rights help address the housing emergency? (Scot Gov 21/11/2024)

Housing Investment Taskforce minutes: September 2024 (Scot Gov 21/11/2024)

Evaluating Change: Key Themes in Scotland’s Proposed National Outcomes (SPICe 21/11/2024)

Correspondence between Ariane Burgess and the Minister for Housing concerning amendments to rent control provisions in the Housing (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 21/11/2024)

Carbon-neutral islands project: progress report (Scot Gov 22/11/2024)

Interministerial Group for Net Zero, Energy and Climate Change communiqué (UK Gov 22/11/2024)

Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill – Royal Assent (Scot Parl 22/11/2024)

New skills hubs launched to get Britain building (UK Gov 22/11/2024)

Acting Net Zero Secretary comments on COP29 (Scot Gov 26/11/2024)

Correspondence between Shona Robinson and the Convener of the Finance and Public Administration Committee concerning the Scottish Budget Bill timeline (Scot Parl 26/11/2024)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee official report and minutes (Scot Parl 26/11/2024)

Cultural engagement in Scotland: what is it and why does it matter? (Scot Gov 27/11/2024)

Cultural engagement in Scotland: insights from people’s experiences (Scot Gov 27/11/2024)

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Statistics: Scottish Local Authority Housing Income and Expenditure 2023-24 (near actuals) and 2024-25 (estimates) (Scot Gov 27/11/2024)

Correspondence between Alasdair Allan and the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee on the review of the New Build Heat Standard (Scot Parl 28/11/2024)

Housing (Scotland) Bill passes stage 1 (Scot Gov 28/11/2024)

West Lothian Council Emergency Action Plan 2024-25 submission to the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee (Scot Parl 28/11/2024)

Capital investment in Scotland and the transition to net zero (SPICe 28/11/2024)

High Streets: Life beyond retail? (House of Lords Built Environment Committee 28/11/2024)

Environment Statistics from the Scottish Household Survey 2023 (Scot Gov 02/12/2024)

Households in Scotland by housing tenure: Scottish Household Survey, 2023 (Scot Gov 02/12/2024)

Automatic Fire Suppression System installations – traditional building conversion to hotels: cost benefit analysis (Scot Gov 02/12/2024)

Wind turbine appeal decisions: statistics (Scot Gov 03/12/2024)

What to look out for in the 2025-26 Scottish Budget (SPICe 03/12/2024)

Building standards – guidance changes January 2025: letter to local authority verifiers – 25 November 2024 (Scot Gov 03/12/2024)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee’s 33^rd meeting concerning scrutiny of the Scottish Housing Regulator (Scot Parl 03/12/2024)

Retrofitting homes for net zero – oral evidence (UK Parliament 04/12/2024)

OPINION & COMMENT

The Scottish government will offer 30 bursaries for postgraduate studies in planning in 2025/26
(Housing Today 15/11/2024)

Island councils team up to study feasibility of visitor levy scheme (Shetland News 19/11/2024)

Almost 90% of short-term let planning applications refused by Edinburgh Council (Insider 20/11/2024)

John Muir Trust backs Galloway National Park just transition (The Herald 20/11/2024)

Burrell Collection in Glasgow named Scotland’s building of the year (Scottish Construction Now 22/11/2024)

Missed net zero targets added as a risk to Highland Council (BBC News 24/11/2024)

Creative spaces, healthier places: How the arts can drive social impact (Arts Professional 25/11/2024)

The UK Budget has improved the Scottish funding outlook, but tough choices loom down the line (IFS 26/11/2024)

“Shortsighted”: Rachel Reeves slammed for doubling-down on NI hike for sector (Third Force News 27/11/2024)

Scottish councils call for ‘widespread reform’ of funding (The Herald 27/11/2024)

MOTIONS

S6M-15637
Submitted by: Mairi Gougeon, Angus North and Mearns, Scottish National Party
Date Lodged: 26/11/2024
That the Parliament notes the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee’s consideration and recommendation of three appointments to the Scottish Land Commission at its meeting on 12 November 2024; welcomes the Committee’s recommendation that the Parliament approves the appointment of Dr Lucy Beattie and Dr Calum MacLeod as Land Commissioners to the Scottish Land Commission and the appointment of Robert Black as Tenant Farming Commissioner to the Scottish Land Commission, and approves the appointments as required by section 10 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016.

S6M-15650
Submitted by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour.
Date lodged: 28/11/2024
That the Parliament congratulates the Burrell Collection on being awarded the Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland; notes that the Burrell Collection is a prominent museum in Scotland, housed in a late 20th century building; recognises that the award comes after a major refurbishment by John McAslan + Partners, which undertook the most comprehensive refurbishment of the museum since its opening in 1983; welcomes that the architecture firm repaired the grade A listed building, upgraded its environmental performance and found ways to display more of the collection, and notes that the Doolan Award judges praised the refurbishment as “an outstanding example of problem-solving and future-proofing that has rejuvenated an old friend”.

EVENTS

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.

• 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.

• 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.)