BEFS Bulletin 390: Sector strategies, manifestos, and funding implications for places of worship

In January BEFS Members the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) launched a new strategy for the organisation, rising to meet the challenges facing the sector. SHBT’s Our Future at Fifty demonstrates the sector-wide collaboration needed in addressing Scotland’s heritage challenges, working with a wide range of communities, partners and regions to help the sector restore and reuse significant historic buildings across Scotland. BEFS particularly welcomes the commitment to work in genuine partnership on issues including the traditional buildings skills crisis and the need to invest in appropriate climate adaptation. The strategy outlines how the organisation will be both entrepreneurial and mission-focused, and BEFS  BEFS looks forward to continuing to work alongside SHBT as they deliver on these ambitious plans.

At the end of last month, the UK Government made a major announcement, revealing £1.5bn funding for arts and culture ‘to save more than 1,000 cherished arts venues, museums, libraries and heritage buildings across England from closure’. The move is intended to ‘fix urgent capital needs and open up access to culture for everyone, everywhere’.
Further implications for Scotland, as this announcement also clarified the future of its funding for places of worship, with the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme permanently closing at the end of March this year (2026). The focus remains south of the border, and a new capital funding scheme for listed places of worship, the Places of Worship Renewal Fund will be delivered by Historic England and applies to England only.
In her ministerial statement Baroness Twycross said ‘As heritage is a devolved policy area, the new Places of Worship Renewal Fund will be for England only. UK-wide heritage funding is available through organisations including the National Lottery Heritage Fund and we are working closely with funders in the sector to ensure that opportunities for funding places of worship throughout the UK are maximised.’ The full statement can be read here.
The concerns of the sector to this announcement will be reflected by The Places of Worship Forum (POWF) in letters to relevant UK Government and Scottish Government Ministers to query aspects of the decision-making, and ask whether there are any future plans to develop a continuity support programme in Scotland.
In parallel with this announcement, the Government has issued the Evaluation of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (LPWGS), which so many of you contributed to by filling in a questionnaire last year.

Hot off the press – as we move ever closer to the 2026 election, across the sector manifestos and strategies are highlighting the importance of the existing built environment. The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in Scotland’s newly published Election Manifesto ‘From Ambition to Delivery’ identifies key priorities towards addressing challenges for housing, climate change, and building safety – and outlines clear, tangible actions the next Government can take to move Scotland’s built environment policy from ambition to delivery.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) are seeking contributions to a new consultation. Are you an employer or an organisation in receipt of government funding?  If so, then HES want to know about your awareness and approach towards Fair Work. Fair Work is a core commitment of Our Past, Our Future: The Strategy for Scotland’s Historic Environment, and the findings of the survey will help to shape future learning and support across the heritage sector.

Exploring the role of alternative clean heating solutions
UK Government
The UK Government is committed to decarbonising the way we heat our buildings to protect consumers against high energy bills due to volatile global fossil fuel prices, reduce the UK’s dependence on foreign sources of energy and combat climate change. In that process, the UK Government is committed to ensuring there is a good solution for every building and that consumers have access to a range of suitable low-carbon heat technologies. This consultation will be of interest to stakeholders operating in the heat sector, business representative bodies, households, non-domestic buildings, and those with a wider interest in the UK’s net zero ambition.
Closes 10 February 2026 

Fair Work Across Scotland’s Historic Environment
Historic Environment Scotland
This survey is part of a wider programme of research exploring how Fair Work principles Work principles are understood and put into practice across Scotland’s historic environment sector. This survey relates to the Scottish Government’s Fair Work approach, which sets out principles for fair, inclusive and sustainable work across Scotland. HES want to build a clear baseline of current practice, identify where organisations are already delivering Fair Work in ways that work for them and better understand the barriers and support needs that exist; particularly for small, community-based and volunteer-led organisations. The survey focuses on organisational awareness and approaches to Fair Work rather than compliance or assessment.
*NEW* Closes 2 March 2026 

Home Energy Model: Energy Performance Certificates
UK Government
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is consulting on Energy Performance Certificate assessment reform in England and Wales, and views on the new Home Energy Model methodology in particular. The Department is particularly interested in comment from retrofit professionals, energy assessors and product manufacturers. The consultation will support the UK Government’s commitments to reach net zero by 2050 and alleviate fuel poverty.
*NEW* Closes 18 March 2026 

Onshore Electricity Generation: Increasing threshold for applications under The Electricity Act
Scottish Government
This consultation seeks views on increasing the 50MW threshold which determines whether applications for onshore electricity generating stations are decided by Scottish Ministers or by the relevant planning authority.
Closes 27 March 2026 

New Inventory of Living Heritage – Expression of Interest
Living Heritage in the UK
Following ratification of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, UK Government invites communities to nominate their own cultural traditions for the inventories of living heritage in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Categories include oral expressions, performing arts, social practices, nature/land/spirituality, crafts, sport/games, and culinary practices.
*NEW* Closes 27 March 2026 

The Big Think: Place
UK Heritage Pulse
Sector-wide surveys organised by the UK Heritage Pulse, a research consortium convened by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England, will explore how heritage organisations work with place and what ‘place-based heritage’ means in practice. Monthly surveys on the theme will run in January, February and March, and are open to all heritage organisations.
*NEW* Closes 31 March 2026 

Scottish Building Regulations: Fire Safety review and Compliance: Call for Evidence
Scottish Government
This consultation seeks to obtain the views and opinions of stakeholders on a review of building standards and guidance relating to fire safety, and including work on the compliance plan approach, to help ensure the safety of people in and around Scotland’s buildings. The consultation covers three main areas: the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report recommendations on fire safety, including a fundamental review of Section 2 (Fire) of the Technical Handbooks; the compliance plan manager; and the compliance plan approach. The proposed review and changes outlined in the consultation aim to improve safety for the design and construction of all domestic and non-domestic buildings making them safer for those in and around buildings, particularly relating to fire safety and in the event of an outbreak of a building fire when considering the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report recommendations. The consultation paper contains full background information.
Closes 10 April 2026 

Draft Infrastructure Strategy 2027-2037
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government wants Scotland’s infrastructure to be planned and delivered in a way that supports net zero and environmental sustainability, inclusive economic growth and resilient and sustainable places. The ambition is to create a system that makes best use of existing assets, embraces innovation, and ensures investment decisions deliver long-term public value. However, delivering infrastructure is not without challenges. To meet these challenges, the strategy focuses on three key enablers that can help turn strategic ambition into practical outcomes, ensuring investment choices deliver long-term public value: Public Assets, Place-Making and Private Investment. The  consultation paper  contains full background information for respondents.
Closes 5 May 2026 

 Consultation Responses

HES Properties and Collections Strategy
BEFS arranged a Members’ consultation event on Historic Environment Scotland’s (HES) draft Properties and Collections Strategy: Towards Sustainable Stewardship in mid-January 2026. BEFS used the outcomes from this event as the basis for a response to a linked HES consultation. The response welcomed the draft Strategy’s clear intent to improve collaboration and transparency, and acknowledged the challenging context it has to operate in, including rising repair costs, skills shortages and climate change impacts. BEFS response also reflected Members’ concerns around a perceived disjointed nature between different sections of the Strategy, and the scale of any planned divestment of assets. It called for more clarity on how a new prioritisation approach would be operationalised, and suggested that committing to robust maintenance plans for each built environment asset in the HES portfolio would help to achieve better outcomes. (BEFS 23/01/26)

Visitor Levy (Amendment) Scotland Bill
The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee invited views on the Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill, which makes several changes to the 2024 Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act, including allowing for levies to be set as fixed amounts instead of percentages. BEFS provided the Committee with a statement that supported a formal three year review to resolve teething problems, supported by comprehensive and transparent annual reports on the allocation process and progress of specific projects. BEFS also drew attention to the risk of Visitor Levy income being used to backfill budgets for standard maintenance, such as waste bin replacement or road repairs, rather than providing additionality. (BEFS 26/01/26)

Climate Change Plan
BEFS participated in the Scottish Government’s 2025/26 consultation on its Draft Climate Change Plan, which sets out policy actions for addressing and adapting to the effects of climate change in the 2026-40 period. BEFS confirmed its general agreement with the vision and principles, and welcomed a commitment to transformational change in approach to climate adaptation in residential and public buildings, but felt the Plan was light on the detail on practical delivery. BEFS called for a wider, whole systems policy approach to strengthen impact, and commented on the Plan’s thematic content, including on skills and training, the Heat in Buildings (Scotland) Bill, reuse of vacant and derelict land and buildings, circular economies, place-making, and local government duties. (BEFS 29/01/26)

Delivering net zero for Scotland’s buildings – Heat in Buildings Bill: consultation analysis (Scot Gov 29/12/2026)

Scotland’s Economic Mandate for the next Parliament (Trade Associations’ Scotland/Scottish Tourism Alliance January 2026)

The Bare Bones Toolkit (Archaeology Scotland January 2026)

Focus group: Sustainability in an era of climate change and declining resources (UK Heritage Pulse 09/01/2026)

Housing Quality and Health – an Economic Analysis (CaCHE 12/01/2026)

Museums: Scotland’s Stories, Scotland’s Future – national advocacy campaign ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary Elections (Museums Galleries Scotland 23/01/2026)

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust Strategy 2026-29: Our Future at Fifty (SHBT 26/01/2026)

Cities Outlook 2026 (Centre for Cities 26/01/2026)

Scottish & UK: Governmental & Parliamentary Publications

DCMS announces £1.5bn to tackle underfunding across culture sector  (Museums Journal 21/01/2026

How nine towns hope to spend their slice of £20m (BBC News 23/01/2026)

Legal bid to protect Scots brutalist landmark from bulldozer (The Herald 24/01/2026)

Zoning in on Leith, Edinburgh – ‘It’s been a joy to watch the area reinvent itself’ (The Guardian 27/01/2026)

Swift bricks to be installed on all new buildings in Scotland as MSPs back law (The Guardian 28/01/2026)

National Retrofit Centre named Public Sector Project of the Year (Scottish Construction Now 28/01/26)

Nature is not the blocker – skills are. Green design skills as an enabler for growth (Design Council 29/01/2026)

Blog: Community Ownership and Local Landed Power (Land Matters 29/01/2026)

Blog: Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme Cancellation – Where now for Scottish places of worship? (Scotland’s Churches Trust 30/01/2026)

RAAC and Ruin: Karin Goodwin investigates the human cost of a flawed building material (BBC Radio 4/BBC Sounds 01/02/2026)

Events

Training

Scottish Lime Centre Trust – Introduction to Plain Lime Plastering
Date & Time: Tuesday 10 February 2026; 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: Merryhill Training centre, Charlestown, Dunfermline KY12 3DR
This one day workshop aims to provide an introductory guide to the preparation and application of plain lime plaster to both lath and masonry backgrounds which abound our historic buildings for internal wall and ceiling finishes. This workshop is aimed at plastering, building and heritage professionals and home owners of tradition buildings with historic plasterwork schemes who are inquisitive as to the necessary preparation of plaster materials, backgrounds (both lath and onto masonry), application techniques and aftercare requirements for achieving successful plain lime plastering (also known as flatwork).

Scottish Lime Centre Trust – Introduction to Stonemasonry
Date & Time: Tuesday 17 & Wednesday 18 February 2026; 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: Merryhill Training centre, Charlestown, Dunfermline KY12 3DR
Taught by a time served Stonemason, this two-day practical course is suitable for all abilities and covers an introduction to tools, techniques and uses of basic stonemasonry. Learners can take away their practice stones at the end of the day. This practical course is designed for those individuals with little or no experience in cutting and dressing natural stone; building contractor working on traditional stone buildings and structures and just want to learn the basic masonry skills for cutting and dressing sandstone; or a semi-skilled operative who needs to add to his skills set and be able to produce stone masonry units to plumb, level and plane with traditional tooling finishes.

The Engine Shed – Stone in Scotland: Past, Present and Future
Date & Time: Tuesday 24 February 2026; 9:30am-4pm
Location: Hybrid – The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ and Online
Stone has been used to create Scotland’s historic built environment for thousands of years. These three morning 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. In the afternoon, the speakers will lead a walking tour around Stirling’s Old Town to discuss a wide range of stone conservation issues.A networking lunch will provide you with the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. Cost: £85 for the in person full day learning experience; £30 for virtual attendance.

The Engine Shed – Lime Mortar: Principles and Practices
Date & Time: Tuesday 17 March 2026; 9:30am-4pm
Location: Hybrid – The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ and Online
Lime is a traditional bedding, pointing and finishing material in Scotland’s historic built environment. These three morning talks will start with the basic principles of processing raw limestone or shells into mortar and plaster. The speakers will also 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. Cost: £85 for the in person full day learning experience; £30 for virtual attendance.

Vacancies

Historic Churches Scotland – Director
Salary: £40,000-£50,000 per annum
Status: Full time
Location: Scotland
Historic Churches Scotland is a charity and Building Preservation Trust dedicated to protecting and conserving Scotland’s most significant at-risk historic churches, ensuring they remain open, sustainable, and valued by local communities. As the organisation prepares for a new phase of growth and increased public engagement, they are seeking an experienced and inspirational leader to guide its strategic direction, fundraising, operational delivery, and stakeholder relationships. This is a senior leadership opportunity for a candidate with strong heritage, conservation, or property management experience, combined with excellent financial, governance, and people management skills. The successful candidate will ideally hold a degree or professional qualification in art history, architectural history, architecture, surveying, conservation of historic buildings, or a related discipline. To apply or for further information, please contact Nicole Limmer at Anderson Knight on Nicole@andersonknight.co.uk on 0141 348 7762. Download the full job specification here.
Closing Date: Monday 9 February 2026

Edinburgh World Heritage – Head of Operations and Business Support
Salary: £41,067 per annum
Status: Full-time permanent (0.8 FTE may be considered)
Location: Edinburgh; hybrid working option available
Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) is looking for a new Head of Operations and Business Support. A member of the Senior Management team, you will be responsible for the smooth management of a charitable company committed to the protection, enhancement and promotion of the Old and New Towns World Heritage Site. You will be an experienced manager with considerable finance and administrative experience, with a strong knowledge of digital and HR operations.  You will also be experienced in working within a charity structure and will share a passion for Edinburgh as both a heritage city but also as a fantastic place to live and work. Read the full job description and person specification here.
Closing date: Friday 20 February 2026

Planning Aid Scotland – Opportunities for chartered planners
Becoming chartered is a significant professional milestone, signalling competence and a commitment to public service. Planning Aid Scotland, the national charity working to widen access to planning, offers newly chartered planners a way to put these values into practice through its national planning Advice Service. Volunteers support members of the public with a wide range of planning questions, gaining direct experience that is often hard to find in day-to-day roles. The opportunity is flexible and open to all chartered planners. In return, volunteers receive professional training, access to a video archive, and ongoing support.
Get in touch to find out more at volunteer@pas.org.uk
Closing Date: Not applicable

Planning Democracy – Trustees
Planning Democracy are looking for new trustees to join their board. They are particularly interested in recruiting trustees who have skills in the following areas:

• Governance

• Communications (social media, online resources, website management)

However, they are also keen to hear from anyone who feels that Planning Democracy is an organisation they are interested in getting involved with. In return they are offering training opportunities, learning opportunities, experience in campaigning and advocacy, the opportunity to travel in Scotland and meet new people, as well as being part of a committed group of people.
If you are interested, contact Chair, Helen Todd on info@planningdemocracy.org.uk and they can then send you an application form and/or have a chat.
Closing Date: Not specified

SHBT – St Ninian’s Manse
Location: Quayside Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6EJ
Size: 2,889 sq ft
Availability: March 2026
Tenure: Available as single tenancy or individual floors
With origins dating back to 1493, St Ninian’s Manse is thought to be the oldest building in Leith and is topped by Edinburgh’s sole surviving 17th century timber steeple. It formed part of the original entrance to St Ninian’s Chapel, which was mostly demolished during the 19th century when the site was converted to industrial use as a mill. From 1996 to 2002, SHBT restored both St Ninian’s Manse and the adjacent Quayside Mills, creating desirable waterfront office space whilst also preserving an important historic structure and a key part of Leith’s history. The manse now offers four floors of adaptable office space with period character, modern amenities, and five dedicated parking spaces. Brochure
Enquiries: info@shbt.org.uk