BEFS Bulletin 375: Capacity, Collaboration and Consultations
Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications & Consultations
BEFS News
On a gloriously sunny day last week BEFS Director attended the Construction Skills Demonstration at the Scottish Parliament, organised by The Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF) and supported by Historic Environment Scotland (HES). The event took place on the 14th and 15th of May on the Landscaped Gardens and was sponsored by Gordon MacDonald and Alex Rowley. Pupils from Edinburgh, Stirling, South Ayrshire and North Lanarkshire received mini masterclasses in masonry, slate roofing, painting and decorating, electrical engineering, digital documentation – and more – with the event highlighting the many and varied careers in the construction sector. Attending MSPs had the opportunity to meet the apprentices and businesses delivering the demonstrations and hear about the importance of skills and training opportunities for the future of our built environment.
Another vital skills area: UK heritage bodies Cadw, Historic England and Historic Environment Scotland have joined forces, publishing a new handbook to support learners undertaking retrofit qualifications. The handbook provides an additional resource for those working toward the Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency Measures for Older and Traditional Buildings. The publication supports a holistic approach to retrofit, providing learners with a robust understanding of building performance and pathology. Approximately 6.5 million buildings in the UK – 20%-30% of all buildings in England, Scotland and Wales – are of traditional construction, making these skills essential to meeting our net zero targets.
In an example of collaborative approaches to shared issues, over 20 of Scotland’s infrastructure organisations are working together to protect Scotland’s critical infrastructure from weather and climate related impacts. The ‘Climate Ready Infrastructure Scotland Forum’ was co-founded by Network Rail, Scottish Water and SP Energy Networks to build resilience against the growing impacts of climate change on Scotland’s infrastructure. The group aims to share best practice and advice, data and insights essential to ‘climate ready’ decision making, and work to better understand the climate-related risk interdependencies that exist between infrastructure systems in Scotland. The Forum also has longer-term aims of co-developing on-the-ground adaptation interventions in areas of shared climate-risk.
And last but not least, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has launched a consultation on its long-term strategy for heritage designation, seeking views on how the strategy can identify and legally protect Scotland’s most important historic sites and places. This strategy outlines HES vision for heritage designations by 2035, and highlights priorities for the next three years. Read the draft strategy and provide your feedback until 1 July 2025.
Parliamentary Questions & Answers
Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding Data, Housing, Funding Plans, and Culture.
Consultations
Climate change duties – draft statutory guidance for public bodies: consultation
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is gathering views to help inform new Statutory Guidance for public bodies, to support them in putting climate change duties into practice. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (‘the 2009 Act’) places duties on relevant public bodies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to delivery of the Scottish National Adaptation Plan, and to act in the most sustainable way. Under the 2009 Act, Scottish Ministers are required to provide public bodies with guidance, to support them in putting their climate change duties into practice. Statutory guidance was originally published in 2011 and now requires to be updated. This consultation seeks your views on new draft Statutory Guidance which has been developed for this purpose, and which will replace the 2011 guidance. The consultation paper contains a full draft of the proposed Statutory Guidance. The questions in this consultation are intended to gather your feedback on the content of the guidance. Please read or refer to the guidance while responding.
Closes 23 May 2025
Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill
Scottish Parliament
The Economy and Fair Work Committee wants to hear your views on the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill as set out in its accompanying Financial Memorandum. The purpose of this Bill is to ensure that CWB is implemented consistently across Scotland as an economic development tool. The Bill proposes to do three things: It would place a duty on the Scottish Ministers to publish a CWB statement which sets out the measures they will take to facilitate CWB. It would require local authorities and ‘relevant public bodies’ to publish and implement a CWB plan for their area. It would require ‘specified public bodies’ to have due regard to CWB guidance when developing their corporate plans and associated delivery strategies. The Scottish Government would like to hear views as to whether the Bill might achieve its aims, on the public bodies proposed, potential unintended consequences, and about benefits to local communities.
Closes 23 May 2025
Heritage Science Data Service: User Needs Survey
National Heritage Science Forum
The National Heritage Science Forum (NHSF) is undertaking a User Needs consultation on behalf of Heritage Science Data Service (HSDS), as part of the Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science (RICHeS) programme. Heritage science is uniquely inter-disciplinary, covering disciplines including archaeology, conservation, materials science, art history, physics, robotics and computer science. The new HSDS provides core digital research services as part of the RICHeS programme, the UK’s Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science. If you create or use heritage science data as an employee, volunteer or student, you are encouraged to complete this survey. Your feedback will help shape and build the HSDS.
Closes 31 May 2025
Volunteer-involving heritage organisations survey
Historic Environment Scotland
Make Your Mark, a campaign to increase the number and diversity of heritage volunteers in Scotland, is running a survey with Volunteer Scotland and Our Past, Our Future, Scotland’s national strategy for the historic environment, to better understand volunteering in Scotland’s heritage sector. The survey is open to volunteer-involving heritage organisations and groups in Scotland and should be filled out by the person(s) who oversee the management/organisation of volunteers. Responses will inform what support is offered to volunteer-involving organisations, help advocate for needs within the sector, and help make heritage volunteering accessible, inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.
*NEW* Closes 16 June 2025
Developing an Ecosystem Restoration Code for Scotland
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is seeking views on developing an Ecosystem Restoration Code (ERC) for Scotland as a new high-integrity market mechanism to attract responsible private investment into nature restoration and biodiversity projects. This commitment, outlined in the 2024 Natural Capital Market Framework, is being delivered via a Scottish Government-NatureScot partnership project. An Engagement Paper has been published summarising the results of the Discovery Phase and setting out key issues to be explored during co-development with stakeholders. Responses to the survey will be analysed, alongside evidence from Engagement Phase events, to inform a series of recommendations for developing/writing the ERC during the later stages of this project.
Closes 29 June 2025
Skills Survey for Historic Environment Employers
Historic Environment Scotland
HES is seeking input from employers, sole traders and organisations in the heritage sector about skills needs, gaps, and training provision. The survey aims to monitor the skills health of the sector and inform planning for support programmes. This follow-up to the 2023 survey will help track trends and prioritise actions outlined in the Skills Investment Plan for the Historic Environment (SIP) published in April 2024. HES particularly wants to hear from those working in archaeology, heritage architecture, conservation, museums, traditional building skills, and related fields. Results will influence the direction of the SIP over the next four years.
Closes 30 June 2025
ECHOES Consultation
European Cloud for Heritage Open Science
The ECHOES project is building a shared digital space, the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH), designed to support heritage professionals and researchers across Europe. To ensure this platform meets real-world needs, ECHOES has launched a consultation survey to better understand the priorities, challenges, and expectations of the cultural heritage community. The consultation is open to all cultural heritage stakeholders, including professionals, researchers, computer scientists/developers, umbrella organisations and institutions with a vested interest in the development and application of the Cultural Heritage Cloud.
Closes end of June 2025
Scotland’s protected historic places – consultation on a long-term strategy for heritage designation
Historic Environment Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is looking for your views on their strategy for how to identify and legally protect Scotland’s most important historic sites and places. Heritage designation is the system used to provide legal recognition and protection for historic sites across Scotland. More than 55,000 sites are currently protected in this way. The strategy sets out a long-term approach to delivering national-level heritage designations. HES is setting out their vision for designations in 2035, their mission, and priorities for the three-year period 2025-28. Download the strategy consultation paper.
*NEW* Closes 1 July 2025
Clean Heat Market Mechanism: revisions ahead of Scheme Year 2 (2026/2027)
UK Government
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has launched a consultation on the heat pump credit target for Year 2 of the Clean Heat Market Mechanism. It also explores views on proposals to name the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) the sole certification scheme for the Clean Heat Market Mechanism. The consultation seeks views on setting a Year 2 heat pump target level within the proposed range of 8-10% of relevant boiler sales.
*NEW* Closes 2 July 2025
Housing (Scotland) Bill
Scottish Government
This consultation seeks views on how powers within the Housing (Scotland) Bill could be used to exempt certain types of properties from rent control. It also looks into circumstances where rents could be increased above the level of the rent cap and scope for clarifying how joint tenancies in the private sector are ended. The Bill brings forward a package of reforms to help ensure people have a safe, secure and affordable place to live. It includes measures that provide a framework for a long-term system of rent control in Scotland. The consultation addresses three main areas: properties that should be exempt from rent control area restrictions; properties that should be subject to modified rent control area restrictions; and clarifying how joint tenancies in the private rented sector are ended.
Closes 18 July 2025
Rural Tourism in Scotland Survey
Historic Houses Scotland and Scottish Land & Estates
Member properties of Historic Houses Scotland and Scottish Land & Estates are invited to complete this survey to provide data for a major report on rural tourism in Scotland. The survey aims to gather evidence on the impact of rural tourism businesses on Scotland’s economy and address challenges and opportunities facing the sector. The report will feed into VisitScotland and the Scottish Government’s aims for growing tourism across Scotland in a sustainable way. The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.
No closing date specified
ScotLand Futures
Scottish Land Commission
ScotLand Futures is a national initiative led by the Scottish Land Commission exploring what a fully reformed approach to land in Scotland could look like and how to make it happen. The initiative aims to think big, tackle challenges, provide certainty for the future, and find practical solutions to ensure land benefits everyone. The Scottish Land Commission wants to hear from people across Scotland, whether they live in a city, town, village or rural area, about what land reform means to them and what changes they want to see.
No closing date specified
Consultation Responses
Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill
As stated above, the Scottish Parliament’s Economy and Fair Work Committee issued a call for views on this Bill, introduced to Parliament in March 2025. BEFS drew attention to Members’ particular interests around Community Wealth Building principles relating to vacant and derelict buildings, local procurement and workforce development. The response cautioned that significant progress towards aspirations for enhanced nationwide activity and consistency in Community Wealth Building would be difficult to achieve without wider investments in the built environment.
(BEFS 16/05/25)
Petitions
Submission on PE1885: Make offering Community Shared Ownership mandatory for all windfarm development planning proposals (Scot Parl 02/05/2025)
Submission on PE2150: Amend the Scottish Housing Regulator’s mandate or create a body to protect owners of ex-council properties (Scot Parl 08/05/2025)
News Releases
British Academy Report: Value of social and cultural infrastructure ‘risks being neglected in decision-making’ without new measurement framework (The British Academy 30/04/2025)
What does the volunteer cohort of the heritage sector look like in 2025? (Historic England 06/05/2025)
Climate Ready Infrastructure Scotland Forum (Adaptation Scotland 07/05/2025)
Industry Update: 2025-26 Programme for Government – Key Headlines for Tourism and Hospitality Businesses (Scottish Tourism Alliance 07/05/2025)
What would abolishing the UK government’s department for culture mean for the arts? (The Art Newspaper 07/05/2025)
Edinburgh appoints visitor levy forum chair (City of Edinburgh Council 08/05/2025)
Apply for Europe’s most prestigious heritage awards (Europa Nostra 08/05/2025)
Prosperity begins at home: Scottish housing policies for faster, fairer economic growth (David Hume Institute 08/05/2025)
The Open University Scotland 2026 Scottish Parliament Election Manifesto (The Open University Scotland 08/05/2025)
Scottish Historic Buildings Trust and Leith Civic Trust Celebrate Community Partnership at Leith Custom House (SHBT 11/05/2025)
Bridging the retrofit skills gap (PBC Today 14/05/2025)
Dunbar backland support centre builds traditional skills (Urban Realm 15/05/2025)
Historic England warns of ‘significant barriers’ for disabled people in heritage sector (Arts Professional 15/05/2025)
Publications
Guidance for owners on the installation of solar panels, heat pumps or insulation in common parts of tenements in Scotland (Harper McLeod LLP March 2025)
A Brief Introduction to Semi-Detached Housing (Historic England 12/05/2025)
A Workforce Fit for the Future: Reforming Scottish skills and employability services to support growth (Our Scottish Future 12/05/2025)
Imagination infrastructures: Pathfinders: learnings from 2 years of supporting future-building practice (Joseph Rowntree Foundation 12/05/2025)
Sustainable infrastructure for a thriving Scotland 2025-30 Corporate Plan (Scottish Futures Trust 12/05/2025)
Scottish Futures Trust 2025-30 Business Plan (Scottish Futures Trust 12/05/2025)
A smarter approach to homelessness: Prioritising prevention in the 2025 spending review (Institute for Government 13/05/2025)
Housing Supply for a Growing Economy (Prosper 14/05/2025)
Scottish & UK: Governmental & Parliamentary Publications
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee: Housing (Scotland) Bill Stage 2 consideration (Scot Parl 06/05/2025)
Planning and Infrastructure Bill: Impact assessment (UK Gov 06/05/2025)
Public appointment: Chair appointed to the Board of Environmental Standards Scotland (Scot Gov 06/05/2025)
Public appointment: Members reappointed to the Environmental Standards Scotland Board (Scot Gov 06/05/2025)
Reforms to get Britain building will boost economy by billions (UK Gov 06/05/2025)
Programme for Government 2025 to 2026 (Scot Gov 06/05/2025)
Infrastructure investment plan 2021-22 to 2025-26: major capital projects progress update – February 2025 (Scot Gov 07/05/2025)
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee: Housing (Scotland) Bill Minutes (Scot Parl 07/05/2025)
The Final Countdown to election 2026: Programme for Government 2025-26 – Building the Best Future for Scotland (SPICe 07/05/2025)
Public appointment: Members appointed to the Board of Scottish Futures Trust (Scot Gov 07/05/2025)
Green Industrial Partnership: UK – Norway memorandum of understanding (UK Gov 08/05/2025)
Kinloch Castle Study: Final report (Scot Gov 08/05/2025)
Economy and Fair Work Committee: Scotland’s City and Regional Growth Deals (Scot Parl 09/05/2025)
New £1m fund to prevent homelessness (Scot Gov 12/05/2025)
Place Directors: factsheet (Scot Gov 12/05/2025)
Debate on ‘Impact of Churches and religious buildings on their communities’ (UK Parl 13/05/2025)
Community Rights to Buy: overview (Scot Gov 13/05/2025)
Housing Statistics for Scotland, 2023-24 (Scot Gov 13/05/2025)
Second homes in Scotland – facts, figures and policy (SPICe 13/05/2025)
Planning and Infrastructure Bill Debate: Clause 45 – Training for local planning authorities in England (UK Parl 13/05/2025)
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee Official Report (Scot Parl 13/05/2025)
Construction Skills for the Future Debate (Scot Parl 13/05/2025)
Planning Reforms: Energy and Housing Costs – Questions (House of Lords 15/05/2025)
Third marshalled list of amendments and third grouping of amendments on the Housing (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 15/05/2025)
Scotland’s Housing Emergency – one year on (SPICe 15/05/2025)
Report on the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee’s inquiry into the housing emergency in Scotland (Scot Parl 15/05/2025)
UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement Report: trade in services, youth mobility, and touring artists; and opportunities to improve the UK-EU trading relationship (Scot Parl 16/05/2025)
Planning obligation appeals: form and guidance (Scot Gov 16/05/2025)
Wind turbine appeal decisions: statistics (Scot Gov 20/05/2025)
Compulsory purchase orders: register (Scot Gov 20/05/2025)
Affordable Housing Supply Programme: resource planning assumptions (Scot Gov 20/05/2025)
Opinion & Comment
‘Year of service’ would help young Scots gain skills – report (STV 12/05/2025)
Welsh thatching and ship figurehead carving added to UK crafts red list (The Guardian 13/05/2025)
Study reveals disability barriers for UK heritage employees (Museums & Heritage Advisor 14/05/2025)
50 years since Local Democracy Died (Land Matters 15/05/2025)
Poor building standards add £1,000 to energy bills of new homes (The Guardian 16/05/2025)
Motions
S6M-17598
Submitted by: Mairi Gougeon, Angus North and Mearns, Scottish National Party
Date Lodged: 19/05/2025
That the Parliament recognises Scotland’s islands’ invaluable contribution to Scotland’s economy, culture and identity; welcomes the investments that have accompanied Scotland’s first ever national islands plan; recognises the positive impact that the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 has had, but notes the need for further action to tackle island challenges; welcomes the extensive community engagement to develop the new national islands plan, and notes that measures to address depopulation and create community wealth should be key themes of the new plan; further welcomes the positive progress and impact of the Carbon Neutral Islands project, and agrees that the Scottish Government should continue to work towards prosperous and sustainable island communities.
Current status: Due to be taken in the Chamber on Wednesday 21 May 2025
Events
For further listings, please see BEFS events calendar
Upright Gallery – Architecture Reassembled
Date & Time: Saturday 31 May – Friday 20 June
Location: Upright Gallery, 3 Barclay Terrace, Edinburgh EH10 4HP
This exhibition brings together two artists, Ros Lawless & Charles Young, whose interest lies in the built environment – both real and imagined. Ros Lawless’ practice is influenced by her immediate surroundings, in particular architecture, which she uses to organise pictorial space and form. Charles Youngs’ work has its basis in architectural model making and draws on the forms of the built environment. He focuses on the relationship between invented structures and the built history of the existing city.
SURF – Awards Launch Event
Date & Time: Thursday 5 June 2025; 2-2:45pm
Location: Online via zoom
Join SURF to find out more about the 2025 SURF Awards process and the 5 Award categories. Attendees will hear from former SURF Award Winners with their top tips for a successful application. If you have ever considered entering (or re-entering) the Awards or want to know more about this year’s process and what is involved, or to hear directly from projects who have gone through the process, then this event is definitely for you. Find out more about the SURF Awards here and follow this link to book.
Architecture Fringe 2025: Reciprocity – Opening Party
Date & Time: Friday 6 June 2025; 6-9pm
Location: The Briggait, 72 Clyde Street, Glasgow G1 5HZ
The Briggait plays host to the opening party for this year’s Architecture Fringe. In celebration of a jam-packed two week long festival programme come along to an evening of exhibitions, conversation, music and performance. Glasgow-based community brass band Brass, Aye? will be bringing some singing, dancing and carnival vibes. Award-winning independent choreographer and dance-maker Janice Parker will be responding to the space through dance and resident DJ at Scandal Glasgow BELLAROSA will be on the decks with a hypnotic set weaving together beats from across the globe. The Full Festival Programme for the Architecture Fringe 2025 has been made possible through the support of Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding, Moxon Architects, Helen Lucas Architects, and Collective Architecture.
Under One Roof – Navigating Tenement Building Repairs for Landlords, with Dundee City Council
Date & Time: Tuesday 10 June 2025; 11am-12pm
Location: Online
Landlords in Dundee are invited to a free one-hour webinar to learn about basic tenement repair and maintenance. Topics covered include: understanding relevant legislation; the difference between individual, mutual and common repairs; and how to organise and pay for repairs with your co-owners and co-landlords.
IHBC – Annual School Shrewsbury. Heritage in Context: Value | Plan | Change
Date & Time: Thursday 12 – Saturday 14 June 2025
Location: Shrewsbury Theatre Severn, Frankwell, Shrewsbury SY3 8FT
And
Date & Time: Friday 13 June 2025; 9am-3:45pm
Location: Online
Join the IHBC for this year’s annual school in historic Shrewsbury, to explore the rich topic of ‘Heritage in Context’, and how context informs the way in which we understand, value, care for and change our historic environment. There will be a variety of opportunities to engage with the school, from the 3-day Full School which includes local tours and welcome reception for in person delegates, to the Friday Day School, available in person and online, and offering a fantastic programme of talks with expert speakers.
The Cockburn Association – Campaigning For Edinburgh Book Launch
Date & Time: Thursday 19 June 2025; 7-9pm
Location: Laigh Hall, Faculty of Advocates, Parliament Square, Edinburgh EH1 1RF
Join The Cockburn Association for the launch of their new publication, Campaigning for Edinburgh. To mark the 150th anniversary of the Association in 2025, this publication outlines the many issues and campaigns in which the Association was involved. It reflects on Henry Cockburn’s legacy, who asked in 1849, “how will Edinburgh look in 1949, or 2049?”. The evening will include talks from the authors, an exhibit from the Faculty of Advocates’ collections on Lord Henry Cockburn, and a reception.
IHBC/RTPI – Finding the Balance: Built Heritage & Landscape Conservation in Development Planning
Date & Time: Friday 20 June 2025; 10am-4:15pm
Location: Dunkeld and Birnam
The neighbouring communities of Dunkeld and Birnam in Perthshire are locations for this training day. They benefit from multiple and overlapping heritage designations. This event will review the history of planning in Dunkeld and consider the challenges and opportunities facing today’s planners in allowing development while conserving their rich built heritage. Hosted by IHBC Scotland and RTPI Scottish Young Planners Network.
Training
SPAB – Maintaining Scottish Churches
Date & Time: Wednesday 28 May 2025; 9:30am-3:45pm
Location: Lochgilphead Parish Church, Oban Road, Lochgilphead PA31 8NE
Are you involved in caring for and maintaining a place of worship in Scotland? Caring for a historic building can feel like a never-ending task, but thankfully there are some simple steps you can take to keep your building in good condition and reduce the likelihood of large repair projects further down the line. In this introductory one-day course, find out how historic faith building works and the practical steps you can take to look after it.
HES/Engine Shed – Level 3 Qualification in Energy Efficiency Measures in Older and Traditional Buildings
Dates & Times: Wednesday 28/Thursday 29 May; Wednesday 10/Thursday 11 September 2025
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
This 2-day course is accredited by the National Open College Network (NOCN) and delivered by experts leading the way in energy efficiency for traditional and older buildings. The programme includes three modules: recognise the age, nature, and characteristics of older and traditional buildings; evaluate the appropriate options for introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings; make recommendations and give advice on introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings. The cost of this is £495 for the two days.
HES/Engine Shed – Introduction to Building Conservation Week
Date and Time: Monday 2-Friday 6 June 2025
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
This 5-day intensive course will be delivered by Historic Environment Scotland conservation professionals at the Engine Shed in Stirling. Through a series of lectures, activities and site visits, this series of informative and enjoyable days will explore the traditional building skills and materials used in conservation and repair projects throughout the Scottish built environment. The cost of this is £495 for the full week or £110 per day.
Frew Conservation – Repairing Historic Buildings: Traditional Masonry & Joinery
Date & Time: Monday 9 June 2025; 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: The Stables, Falkland Estate, Falkland, Fife KY15 7AF
Join building conservation specialists Craig Frew, Darren McLean & Jamie Ryan for an engaging one-day seminar and workshop focused on the repair of traditional masonry and joinery in historic buildings. Key Topics Include: Stonework conservation and repair; stone cleaning and paint removal; lime mortars, harling and limewash; repair & upgrading of traditional windows and doors; paints and coatings for exterior timber This course is Recognised by the Institute for Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) for CPD.
Heritage Network – Carbon Literacy Training
Date & Time: Monday 9 & 16 June 2025; 10am-12:30pm
Location: Online
Carbon Literacy is a key way for organisations to gain an awareness of the causes and impacts of climate change and an understanding of carbon emissions. It provides a great foundation for individuals, teams and organisations to begin to take steps towards reducing their carbon emissions and become more environmentally sustainable. As a sector, this training will help to collectively make a difference through taking responsibility and committing to lowering emissions. The focus of Carbon Literacy is about empowering people to take action. To become certified as Carbon Literate you must pledge to undertake an individual and group action that will help you and your organisation to achieve net zero. The £15 (member) and £30 (non-member) charge for this course covers your Carbon Literacy Trust certification fee. If you have any questions, please email Samya Kelly.
Planning Aid Scotland – Community Engagement Skills Training SP=EED
Dates & Times: Wednesday 18 June 2025; 10am-3:30pm (Edinburgh); Wednesday 1 October 2025; 10am-3:30pm (Glasgow)
Locations: The Crannie Community Hub, 9 Cranston Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BE & Edward House, 199 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3EX
Delivered by highly experienced trainers with over a decade of expertise in community engagement and training, these workshop offers practical, hands-on guidance using the SP=EED framework. This structured approach will give participants the confidence and tools to approach engagement with clarity and ease. The training focuses on key principles such as how to consult, engage and inform communities effectively. Whether you’re new to community engagement or looking to strengthen your existing skills, this training provides valuable insights and techniques.
Vacancies
SURF – Policy & Advocacy Manager
Salary: £32,500 per annum
Status: Permanent, full-time (35 hours per week), working a 9-day fortnight
Location: Hybrid, with every Monday based at the Govan office
Join SURF as their new Policy and Advocacy Manager. Since its inception, SURF has operated from two basic principles: Successful and sustainable regeneration is only achievable when all aspects of physical, social, economic and cultural regeneration are addressed in a holistic approach and; The people who are the intended beneficiaries of any regeneration effort must be meaningfully involved in the process if it is to be successful in planning, implementation and maintenance. These are reflected in their support for the Place Principle, advocating for its equitable implementation. SURF are looking for candidates for this role who share these values and commitment to ensuring communities are at the heart of regeneration. The successful candidate will play a key role in analysing the impact of existing policies on community-led regeneration, identifying barriers to success, and generating innovative ideas to empower communities. Collaboration with SURF members will be essential to gather strong evidence, which will be used to influence decision-makers and shape policy development. This is a small, dynamic and friendly staff team, led by Euan, the Chief Executive, supported by Emma, the Events, Information and Communications Manager and possibly you. The Policy & Advocacy Manager will also work alongside Linda (Alliance for Action Facilitator, Peterhead), Zanne (Alliance for Action Facilitator, Girvan), and Alison (Financial Administrator). SURF is a Scottish Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee, a Scottish Living Wage Accredited Employer, and an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Please email the Application Form to euan@surf.scot
Policy & Advocacy Manager Job Description
Closing date: 9am on Monday 2 June 2025
Historic Houses – External Affairs & Communications Officer
Salary: £35,000 per annum + benefits
Status: Full time (37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday). Occasionally hours outside of these times may be necessary from time to time. Fixed term, 18 months.
Location: Based at Warwick House, 25-27 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0PP. Historic Houses has a hybrid working policy, but strongly encourage regular office attendance. The role will also require travel to Historic Houses member places outside London. Historic Houses are looking for a bright, proactive External Affairs & Communications Officer with a passion for the special places they represent, a keen eye for a good story, sharp attention to detail and creative flair. If you’re energised by the opportunity to shout about the amazing things going on at Historic Houses member places, they want to hear from you! A genuine interest in heritage and culture is really important, as is your ability to craft a good story and create compelling content, whether that be in writing or on video. This is a new role for Historic Houses, which comes with a desire to enhance the public profile and campaigning activities. You’ll sit in the policy & public affairs team, but be working extremely closely with the marketing & development team. No two days at Historic Houses are the same, and this is a particularly exciting time to join a small, high-impact team, working hard to deliver for members and raise the profile of independent heritage across Westminster, Holyrood, Cardiff and Stormont, having plenty of fun whilst doing so! Full Job Description. Please email your CV and a covering letter (outlining your suitability for the role with reference to the essential skills and experience specified above) to Sarah Roller, Director of Policy & Public Affairs: sarah.roller@historichouses.org. Please include contact information for two referees and details of your notice period (where applicable).
Closing date: 12pm on Wednesday 4 June 2025
We are truly grateful for your continued support and engagement. Thank you for the trust you have 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 would 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!