BEFS Bulletin 367: Visitor Levy, EPC Reform & Cultural Heritage

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BEFS NEWS

In the aftermath of the recent storms, BEFS Team hopes our readers emerged safe and sound, with roofs and chimney stacks intact! Extreme weather instances are a very real reminder of the importance of repair and maintenance, particularly at high level, and illustrate the importance of ensuring that the historic built environment is at the forefront of conversations about climate change; through appropriate retrofit, bringing vacant buildings back into use, and appropriately and skilfully maintaining our historic buildings, we work towards systemic sustainability as part of a circular economy, while remaining prepared for changes to the Scottish climate. Work currently underway by the Tenement Maintenance Working Group looks at establishing solutions to aid, assist, and compel owners of tenement properties to maintain their buildings.

More on maintenance – last week Edinburgh Councillors formally agreed to Scotland’s first Transient Visitor Levy. From 24 July 2026, a 5% fee will be applied to the cost of overnight accommodation in Edinburgh and is projected to raise up to £50 million a year for the city to invest in ‘protecting, supporting and enhancing Edinburgh’s worldwide appeal as a place to live and visit’, including:

  • City Operations and Infrastructure
  • Culture, Heritage and Events
  • Destination and Visitor Management

With funds generated to be used for the improvement of public spaces, what does this mean for heritage? BEFS has previously raised concerns around a lack of hypothecation of revenue to the mitigation of tourism impacts on our built heritage assets, a primary draw for tourism, alongside essential and basic care and maintenance of existing and historic buildings and infrastructure. Edinburgh, as the first of many Scottish cities now also consulting on their own levies, has an opportunity to set the tone for holistic decisions towards good placemaking for residents and visitors alike.

Related to this – and one for the coffee break  – the second report of the AHRC Place-Based Research Programme, ‘Advancing People-Centred, Place-Based Approaches’ has been published, exploring how these can deliver policies and practices to secure improved socio-economic outcomes for people and place.

Some recent news around Energy Performance Certificate Reform, with newly released consultation analysis. EPCs are to act as basic evidence to support compliance with mandatory standards, providing an initial signpost towards more detailed assessment and technical advice where needed, in relation to traditionally constructed properties. The proposal is to develop an additional form of assessment beyond the EPC – a Heat & Energy Efficiency Technical Suitability Assessment (HEETSA), recognising fabric performance. How this works in practice and how it aligns to the Heat in Buildings Bill remains to be seen; readers may find this update from the Minister for Climate Action of interest.

A recent motion by Angus Robertson ‘Valuing Culture: Scotland’s Support to the Culture Sector’ was passed, garnering cross party support. An opportunity perhaps, to again highlight the role that heritage plays within Scotland’s arts and culture, with views being sought as part of a Culture Sector Support Survey which closes this week.

And last but very much not least – BEFS is delighted to announce that we are currently recruiting for new Trustees. We are looking for individuals with a passion for Scotland’s existing and historic built environment to join BEFS Board, driving strategic approaches to the key issues, challenges and opportunities facing Scotland’s built environment. For more information and to apply please visit this link. Deadline for applications is Monday 10 March 2025.

 

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding heritage, land reform, housing and planning.

 

CONSULTATIONS

Giving Voices to Historic Property Owners
Edinburgh School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture & City of Edinburgh Council
This University of Edinburgh project aims to understand what specific aspects of the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas planning guidance (Consultation Draft 2024) require further clarification, and to explore possible improvements that will make the guidance more practical and accessible for historic homeowners. This project focuses on improving the clarity of the guidance document and making the content more accessible to all and is currently recruiting focus group and workshop participants for the project. Participants must be owner-occupiers of listed buildings and properties in a conservation area in Edinburgh. For more information and to sign up, follow the link.
*NEW* January-May 2025

Culture Sector Support Survey
Scottish Government
The purpose of this research is to understand what you think needs to change to best meet the needs of the sector going forward. Your views will help the government gather valuable insights to inform the scope of a planned review of culture sector support in Scotland, which includes an independent review of Creative Scotland as the lead body for the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland.
*NEW* Closes 31 January 2025

Protecting built heritage
UK Parliament
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee is to examine the importance of built heritage in the UK and the barriers to its preservation. The inquiry will examine issues with funding and whether current finance models are suitable and accessible.  It will also engage with how the Government can tackle practical and regulatory challenges, such as the availability of skilled practitioners, the managed decline of assets on publicly-owned land, and policy issues arising from net zero targets and planning policy. Alongside this, MPs will highlight the importance of built heritage for economic regeneration and to community identities, as well as how those communities can be empowered to manage their local built heritage assets.
Closes 2 February 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.
Closes 14 February 2025

Building regulations – proposed review of fire safety topics
Scottish Government
The purpose of this review is to consider changes to the standards and processes set within The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (as amended) and other published guidance documents to improve provisions addressing fire safety. This consultation seeks to obtain the views and opinions of stakeholders on a review of building standards relating to the fire safety of historic buildings converted for hotel use and several other specific fire safety issues, to help ensure the safety of people in and around Scotland’s buildings. The Building and Fire Safety Expert Working Group was created to look at the long-term commitments outlined within the Cameron House Hotel SLWG Report and to review other aspects of Scottish Building Standards and fire safety guidance. This consultation reflects the outcomes and proposals of the Expert Working Group.
Information on the review process to date, including minutes of the building and fire safety expert panel meetings, can be found here.
Closes 7 March 2025

 

PETITIONS

The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee response to PE2118: Review and restructure Scotland’s flood risk management approach and operations (Scot Parl 20/12/2024)

National Farmer’s Union Scotland’s response to PE2089/F: Stop More National Parks in Scotland (Scot Parl 03/12/2024)

RICS’ response to PE2113/F: Provide support to RAAC-affected communities (Scot Parl 13/12/2024)

Paul McLennan’s response to PE2113/G: Provide support to RAAC-affected communities (Scot Parl 13/12/2024)

 

NEWS RELEASES

Increase in housebuilding could unlock £6.4 billion a year in subsidy for infrastructure (Centre for Cities 10/12/2024)

Farewells and New Beginnings at The Scottish Lime Centre Trust (Heritage Trust Network 19/12/2024)

We’re supporting communities to secure the future of their churches (Heritage Fund 23/12/2024)

Heritage Led Regeneration Toolkit (Historic England January 2025)

Scrutiny of culture budget: Submission to CEEAC (Culture Counts 06/01/2025)

Edinburgh poised to declare Scotland’s first visitor levy (City of Edinburgh Council 08/01/2025)

Megan Veronesi appointed Interim Director of Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH 13/01/2025)

2025 World Monuments Watch (WMF 15/01/2025)

Scotland to Introduce Radical Changes to EPCs in 2026 (Elmhurst Energy 23/01/2025)

 

PUBLICATIONS

Policy Framework: An overview over European policies for energy efficiency in historic buildings (FuturHist 23/09/2024)

Advancing People-Centred, Place-Based Approaches (The University of Glasgow November 2024)

Restarting housebuilding III: New towns and land value capture (Centre for Cities December 2024)

Heritage Sector Net Zero Projects Audit (HEF December 2024)

Environmental Heritage and Place Research Digest (Centre for Cultural Value 2025)

Carnegie UK: DFM’s pledge to reform National Performance Framework signals willingness to fix machinery of government (Carnegie UK 08/01/2025)

The Resolution Foundation Housing Outlook Q1 2025 (The Resolution Foundation 15/01/2025)

Advice to Ministers on Part 1 of the Land Reform Bill (The Scottish Land Commission 21/01/2024)

Consumer Scotland Draft Work Programme 2025-2026 (Consumer Scotland 21/01/2025)

 

SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Correspondence between Angela Rayner and all local authority Leaders and Metro Mayors and all local authority Chief Executives and combined authority Chief Executives in England regarding building the homes we need (UK Gov 12/12/2024)

Government response to the proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system consultation (UK Gov 12/12/2024)

Correspondence between Ariane Burgess and the Minister for Housing concerning the Building (Procedure) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 (Scot Parl 19/12/2024)

Passivhaus standard – determining the principles for a Scottish equivalent: consultation analysis (Scot Gov 27/12/2024)

Paul McLennan gives update on cladding remediation work (Scot Parl 06/01/2025)

Cladding – Single Building Assessments and additional work assessments: standards (Scot Gov 06/01/2025)

Housing statistics: Scottish Landlord Register data (Scot Gov 07/01/2025)

Adapting historic homes for energy efficiency: what progress has been made on Historic England’s review into the barriers to delivering the Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency Measures for Older and Traditional Buildings (UK Parl 08/01/2025)

Meeting of the Parliament 08 January (Scot Parl 08/01/2025)
led by the Finance and Public Administration Committee concerning the government’s national outcomes.

Budget Scrutiny 2025-26 – Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, 1st Meeting, 2025 (Session 6) (Scot Parl 09/01/2025)

Correspondence between Alasdair Allan and the Convener for Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee concerning Heat in Buildings (Scot Parl 09/01/2025)

Correspondence between Mark Roberts and the Convener for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee concerning the Draft Scottish Budget 2025/26 (Scot Parl 10/01/2025)

Chair of Creative Scotland review confirmed (Scot Gov 13/01/2025)

The Building (Procedure) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024: island communities impact assessment (Scot Gov 13/01/2025)

Correspondence between David Bookbinder and the Convener for Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee regarding the GWSF submission to the Scottish Housing Regulator (Scot Parl 13/01/2025)

Housing Associations: Development and finances – Oral evidence (UK Parl 14/01/2025)

To ask His Majesty’s Government, following Historic England’s publication of the latest Heritage at Risk Register, what plans they have to ensure adequate support for listed historic buildings (House of Lords 14/01/2025)

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, 2nd meeting 2025 – Budget Scrutiny 2025-26 clerk’s note and minutes (Scot Parl 14/01/2025)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee, 1st meeting 2025 – Housing inquiry and budget scrutiny 2025-26 public paper and minutes (Scot Parl 14/01/2025)

Debate on valuing culture: Scotland’s support to the culture sector (Scot Parl 14/01/2025)

Correspondence between Kate Forbes and the Convener for Health, Social Care and Sport Committee regarding the Committee’s report on the National Performance Framework: Proposed National Outcomes (Scot Parl 14/01/2025)

Environmental sustainability and housing growth – Oral evidence (UK Gov 15/01/2025)

Guest blog: How can the Scottish Parliament improve its public consultations? (SPICe 15/01/2025)

Joint investment in Scottish City Deals now more than £3 billion (UK Gov 15/01/2025)

Public appointment: Land Commissioners and Tennant Farming Commissioner appointed to the Scottish Land Commission (Scot Gov 16/01/2025)

EPC Reform Consultation: Government Response (Scot Gov 21/01/2025)

Listed Places of Worship Debate (House of Lords 22/01/2025)

Delivering 1.5m new homes and investing in public infrastructure – Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee launches new inquiry on land value capture (UK Gov 22/01/2025)

Energy Performance Certificate reform: consultation analysis (Scot Gov 23/01/2025)

Prime Minister clears path to get Britain building (UK Gov 23/01/2025)

Enabling communities to thrive (Scot Gov 24/01/2025)

10 Year Infrastructure Strategy Working Paper (UK Gov 26/01/2025)

Creative Industries Debate (UK Parl 27/01/2025)

Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings: Energy (UK Parl 27/01/2025)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee 3rd Meeting – Housing (Scotland) Bill clerk’s note (Scot Parl 28/01/2025)

Scottish House Condition Survey: 2023 Key Findings (Scot Gov 28/01/2025)

 

OPINION & COMMENT

Rachel Reeves’s new year predicament (IFS 10/01/2025)

National Galleries warns flagship attractions face closure over ‘seismic’ £40m funding crisis (The Scotsman 08/01/2025)

Glasgow Life boss to retire (Arts Professional 09/01/2025)

Major Scottish arts venues report large deficits (Arts Professional 10/01/2025)

Three Scottish colleges in ‘financial distress’ handed more than £8.3m in lifeline funding (The Scotsman 13/01/2025)

‘Grave consequences’ over Scotland’s failure to invest in skills as 88% of firms struggle to recruit (The Scotsman 14/01/2025)

Heritage Fund invests £27m in seven heritage sites (Arts Professional 14/01/2025)

Historic England chief executive retires (Arts Professional 15/01/2025)

Business leaders warn capital councillors over visitor levy timing (STV News 16/01/2025)

‘Operational chaos’: Edinburgh warned over visitor levy plan (The Herald 16/01/2025)

Who will save our crumbling churches? Not this government (The Times 23/01/2025)

Blog: Andy Wightman. Scottish Land Commission Amendments (Land Matters 23/01/2025)

 

MOTIONS

S6M-15708
Submitted by: Kenneth Gibson, Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: 05/12/2024
That the Parliament notes the findings and recommendations in the Finance and Public Administration Committee’s 10th Report, 2024 (Session 6), Report on the National Performance Framework: Review of National Outcomes (SP Paper 685), and the responses from other committees, as referenced in annexe B to the report.
Taken in the Chamber on 08 January 2025

S6M-16092
Submitted by: Angus Robertson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 13/01/2025
That the Parliament celebrates arts and culture in Scotland in all their diverse forms, past, present and emerging; recognises the transformational impact that they can have on people’s lives across Scotland; welcomes the economic contribution that the cultural and creative industries workforces make to society and the economy; acknowledges the importance of the community culture sector, and commends the innovative local organisations, in both rural and urban areas, for the work that they do to support participation in cultural pursuits; considers that a strong and successful culture sector is central to the prosperity of the nation; welcomes that, against a backdrop of cultural funding being cut by the UK Government, the draft Scottish Government Budget for 2025-26 increases frontline culture funding by £34 million, and believes that Scotland’s cultural communities can be supported to continue to develop and innovate in exhibition, performance and participation in Scotland’s artistic life.
Taken in the Chamber on 14 January 2025

S6M-16114
Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: 14/01/2025
That the Parliament agrees that the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (additional amount: transactions relating to second homes etc.) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2024 (SSI 2024/367) be approved.
Taken in the Chamber on 15 January 2025 – Vote passed

S6M-16110
Submitted by: Gillian Mackay, Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party.
Date lodged: 15/01/2025
That the Parliament congratulates environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, on its 25th anniversary; celebrates all that has been achieved in collaboration with schools, communities, local authorities and businesses to inspire real action to combat climate change, tackle litter and waste, restore nature and biodiversity and improve places, and encourages support and involvement with its activities in 2025, particularly Spring Clean, which starts on 21 March and will last for one month, which, it understands empowered more than 45,000 people to litter pick in 2024.

 

EVENTS

For further listings, please see BEFS events calendar

SHBT – Digital Space & Place: “Health is greater than History” Conserving Edinburgh’s Social Housing
Date & Time: Wednesday 12 February 2025; 6-7:30pm
Location: Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG
How far do conservation principles apply when the subject isn’t an A-listed castle or country house, but public housing?

AHSS Lecture – Fiona McLachlan: An Evolving Identity: Colour at Cables Wynd House and Linksview House
Date & Time: Monday 10 February 2025; 6:30pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
Note: Lecture will also be streamed online via Zoom
Retrofitting 20th-century modernist buildings offers an opportunity to consider how change can be accommodated as part of an evolving identity. Drawing on her collaboration with Collective Architecture and ongoing research on colour, Professor Fiona McLachlan, University of Edinburgh, will discuss the development of a colour strategy for two A-listed Brutalist housing blocks in Leith and the role of painting as a tool for discussion and collaborative practice. Tickets available in advance or on the door: £6 / students £2 /

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland – February Lecture: ‘Hillforts: a perspective from the Pentland Firth to the western Mediterranean’
Date & Time: Thursday 13 February 2025; 6-8pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
Amongst later prehistoric settlement types found in Scotland, hillforts offer particular scope for exploring diverse linkages through Britain and Ireland to the nearer continent. A selection of these will be outlined, from aspects of the architecture of their defences, through evidence for violence and the use of fire in their destruction, to the character of the societies they may have contained. This talk will be presented by Abercromby Emeritus Professor Ian Ralston OBE MA PhD DLitt FRSE MAE FSA FSAScot, University of Edinburgh.

Heritage Trust Network & Historic Churches Scotland – A Future for Your Church: Insuring your building
Date & Time: Tuesday 18 February 2025; 10-11:30am
Location: Online
Are you a community group thinking about taking ownership of your local church? Are you already managing your church for the benefit of the community? This free online event is for you. 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 you will hear from Kerr Henderson, Account Executive at Howden Brokers (formerly Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers). Kerr will give an overview of what you need to know when insuring your building. You will also hear from Kirkcaldy Old Kirk Trust who has been through the process, followed by a Q&A session with the speakers and an informal discussion with attendees.

AHSS Lecture – Fergus Sutherland – Balloch Castle, a Romantic House in a Sublime Landscape
Date & Time: Thursday 20 February 2025; 7:30pm
Location: St Andrews West Church & Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JP
Note: Lecture will also be streamed online via Zoom
Purchased by Glasgow Council in 1914, Balloch Castle and estate on Loch Lomond is one of Glasgow’s forgotten treasures. Designed by Robert Lugar, Fergus Sutherland of Icosse Heritage and Media, will show that it is a key part of the picturesque movement and gothic revival in Scotland.
Tickets available in advance or on the door: £6 / students £2 / season ticket for all 5 lectures: £25

AHSS Lecture – Rockville: James Gowans’ ‘Romantic Rationalist’ Masterpiece
Date & Time: Monday 10 March 2025; 6:30pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
The Merchiston Pagoda, Tottering Towers, Crazy Manor, Sugar Loaf House – call it what you may, Rockville was one of the most notable buildings in Victorian Edinburgh and indeed Scotland. Andy Arthur looks at the history of this remarkable building and its builder, James Gowans, and shows how Rockville’s ornate, Gothic form hid a formulaic, rationalist approach to architecture that has much in common with the ideas of Le Corbusier.
Tickets available in advance or on the door: £6 / students £2 / season ticket for all 5 lectures: £25

 

TRAINING

HES/Engine Shed – Stone in Scotland: Past, Present and Future
Date & Time:  Tuesday 4 February 2025; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
Stone has been used to create Scotland’s historic built environment for thousands of years. These talks will introduce you to the wide range of stone used in Scotland and share current best practice in stone repairs. There will also be a review of innovative methods of identifying and procuring new stone for conservation and newbuild projects. A networking lunch will provide you with the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. In the afternoon, the speakers will lead a walking tour around Stirling’s Old Town to discuss a wide range of stone conservation issues. For those who cannot join in person, a virtual ticket is available for the morning only.

Scottish Community Councils Network – Introduction to Local Place Plans (Part 1)
Date & Time: Wednesday 12 February 2025; 5:30-6:30pm
Location: Online
Understanding what a Local Place Plan (LPP) can and can’t achieve for your community enables you to make an informed decision as to whether creating a Local Place Plan is the right step for your group. This first of two introductory sessions is designed to introduce the basics of a Local Place Plan.  Bring your own questions and concerns and there will be a Q&A at the end to address these. All training sessions will be delivered by Imagine If.Space and Place at the Table.

HES/Engine Shed – Lime Mortar: Principles and Practices
Date & Time:  Tuesday 18 February 2025; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
Lime is a traditional bedding, pointing and finishing material in Scotland’s historic built environment. These morning talks will start with the basic principles of processing raw limestone or shells into mortar and plaster, and go on to share current best practice and the innovative techniques used to identify (and replicate) parts for conservation and repair projects. A networking lunch will provide you with the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. In the afternoon, the speakers will lead a walking tour around Stirling’s Old Town to discuss a wide range of conservation issues. For those who cannot join in person, a virtual ticket is available for the morning only.

Scottish Community Councils Network – Introduction to Local Place Plans (Part 2)
Date & Time: Wednesday 19 February 2025; 5:30-6:30pm
Location: Online
This second of two introductory sessions is designed to introduce the basics of a Local Place Plan.  It is assumed you will have attended or watched a video of part 1 before you join. This seminar will look at what the legislation and guidance say about what types of organisation can submit a Local Place Plan and whether your group qualifies; what the indicative deadlines for submission actually mean and when the ultimate final submission dates for a Local Place Plan actually are; the benefits that can come to your place and community as long-term outcomes for developing a Local Place Plan; and lastly a brief introduction to what is involved to create a Local Place Plan. All training sessions will be delivered by Imagine If.Space and Place at the Table.

Scottish Community Councils Network – Project Managing your Local Place Plan
Date & Time: Wednesday 26 February 2025; 5:30-6:30pm
Location: Online
This session outlines the big picture of how to create a Local Place Plan for your community. The stages of developing a Local Place Plan are clearly broken down to give you an overview of stages involved in running a Local Place Plan process. This session will look at all these questions with a Q&A at the end.These questions will be considered during this session with a Q&A at the end. All training sessions will be delivered by Imagine If.Space and Place at the Table.

Edinburgh Napier University/ Pattiesmuir Ltd – Introduction to Carbon Management and Achieving Net Zero
Dates & Times: Wednesday 5, 12, 19, 26 March 2025; 6-8pm
Location: Online
Following a successful pilot in 2024, Abi Truebig and Dr Keith Baker, directors of Pattiesmuir Ltd, will be delivering a second run of their Introduction to Carbon Management and Achieving Net Zero upskilling course for Edinburgh Napier University. The course has been developed by Abi as part of her roles as carbon accountant with one of Pattiesmuir’s partner companies and as a PhD researcher at Napier. It is focussed on understanding the professional development needs of built environment and energy professionals, and so is designed specifically for adult learners.
This year the course is being tailored towards housing, the built environment, and construction, and will include a guest session led by Magdalena Blazusiak, a chartered architectural technologist and a director of the Scottish Ecological Design Association. The course is being run online as four two-hour weekly evening sessions in March covering climate change, carbon accounting, and carbon management.

 

VACANCIES

 

Edinburgh World Heritage – Finance & Operations Manager
Salary: £39,871 pro rata
Status: Full-time/0.8 FTE (hybrid)
Location: Edinburgh (min 2 days in office)
Edinburgh World Heritage seeks an experienced Finance & Operations Manager to lead on finance, governance, HR, digital and office operations. The role offers an exciting opportunity to play a key role in managing a charity dedicated to Edinburgh’s historic environment, working with skilled staff, Trustees, and partners. Key responsibilities include financial management, corporate governance, HR and operational management, and senior management duties. Candidates should have significant experience in financial management, relationship building, and working with boards/committees. More information can be found here.
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 10 February 2025

BEFS Board – Trustees
The role of our Board of Trustees is to support our work and ensure strategic oversight of our advocacy, events and other activities. Whilst you don’t need to have previous board level experience, participation in other types of collective / voluntary group work and working as a team would be beneficial; and you do need to have a passion for the built environment. BEFS can support and provide training if you are new to being a board member. As a BEFS Trustee, you will have the opportunity to make an impact on Scotland’s historic and existing built environment, bringing your professional expertise to bear on shaping the organisation as we enter a new phase of development. Trustees are appointed for a period of three years, which can be extended for up to two additional periods. Trustees are required to attend four Board meetings a year, plus the AGM in December; meetings will be a mix of online and in-person (Edinburgh). We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with experience of the following:

  • Finance and fundraising;
  • Communications, digital and marketing;
  • Legal and contractual;
  • Human Resources;
  • Public Affairs;
  • Sustainability & Net Zero

Alongside these key skills we are also inviting expressions of interest for the roles of Chair and Treasurer. To find out more, please visit our website. To apply, please send us your CV accompanied by a completed application form to info@befs.org.uk. We actively encourage applications from people who identify as trans, non-binary, and genderqueer, neurodiverse and disabled; people from BAME backgrounds; people from working-class backgrounds, and people from all religious backgrounds. Whilst Board positions are not paid, BEFS will reimburse travel and subsistence expenses and make any reasonable adjustments to support you to participate.
Closing date: Monday 10 March 2025

Scottish Federation of Housing Associations – Policy Lead
Salary: £47,188 per annum
Status: full time
Location: Hybrid, Glasgow
SFHA are looking for a Policy Lead to help them to understand the issues their members are facing and work to find solutions. SFHA is the membership body for, and collective voice of, housing associations and co operatives in Scotland. SFHA members collectively provide safe, warm affordable rented homes for around half a million people and exist to represent, support and connect their members. Although you’ll work flexibly across policy areas where needed, you’ll have a particular focus on issues around developing new homes, and building safety and maintenance, and are likely to have experience in one or both of these areas. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you’ll organise SFHA’s engagement with members in these areas, develop policy, create reports, briefings and consultation responses, represent SFHA externally and build strong relationships with their members. Scotland is facing a housing emergency, and SFHA members are a crucial part of tackling it. This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a job that really matters. More information can be found here
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 10 February 2025

Loco Home Retrofit – Retrofit Technical Manager
Salary: £35,000 – £41,000 per annum FTE
Status: Flexible 3 to 5 days per week; permanent.
Location: Hybrid between central Glasgow office, working from home and sites across Glasgow City Region.
Loco Home Retrofit is creating a new role of Retrofit Technical Manager. This is an opportunity to take the senior technical role in an expanding built environment enterprise focused on domestic retrofit and the climate change crisis. Heading up the technical team and reporting to the CEO, the Technical Manager will be responsible for developing and delivering household advice and support services with technical excellence, reliability, consumer protection and efficiency. Depending on the skills and experience of the leading candidate, this role may also take responsibility for the company’s risk management processes. In addition they will extend the company’s network of reliable contractors.
More information can be found here
Closing date: No closing date set. Apply early.

Loco Home Retrofit – Innovation Programme Manager
Salary: £33,000 – £40,000 per annum FTE
Status: Flexible 3 to 5 days per week; permanent.
Location: Hybrid between central Glasgow office, working from home and project sites across Glasgow City Region.
Loco Home Retrofit is creating a new role of Innovation Programme Manager. This is an opportunity to work at the leading edge of retrofit and clean heat innovation in the UK. Reporting to the CEO, the innovation programme manager will develop and deliver the cooperative’s portfolio of innovation projects. This role requires skills in project management, academic writing and demonstrated success with funding bids. Awareness of construction, domestic retrofit and renewables is preferred but not required. More information can be found here
Closing date: No closing date set. Apply early.

Loco Home Retrofit – Marketing and Community Engagement Manager
Salary: £35,000 – £41,000 per annum FTE
Status: Flexible 3 to 5 days per week, permanent.
Location: Hybrid between central Glasgow office, working from home and frequent in-person events across the region including evenings and weekends.
This role is an opportunity to take a senior role in an expanding social enterprise focused on the climate change crisis. The Marketing and Community Engagement Manager will drive demand for householder services. This will be achieved primarily through in-person community engagement events. Public speaking is a key part of this role. This role also covers brand development, digital marketing and traditional advertising but these are lesser considerations than expertise with in-person activity. In addition, they will ensure an excellent customer experience using customer feedback and market knowledge to steer improvements in service design. More information can be found here.
Closing date: No closing date set. Apply early.


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