BEFS Bulletin – Consultation updates, farewells and other sector news

BEFS News

BEFS AGM was held at the start of December, when we said goodbye to three Board members, Calum MacLean, Nick Allan, and Nikola Miller. We were delighted to welcome Sonya Linskaill nominated by BEFS Members, RIAS. We thank all of our departing Board members for their contributions over more than 20 years combined service. Their knowledge and expertise, as well as humour and insight have been invaluable.

In January and February 2023 BEFS will be running engagement events in relation to the OPiT Consultation. Meantime, there is plenty of reading within the full consultation, which can be found here

Vision for Agriculture – Proposals for a New Agriculture Bill
At the start of the month BEFS – as signatories along with CIfA, Archaeology Scotland and ALGAO – wrote to Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands in response to the Scottish Government’s Vision for Agriculture, and sector concerns that the proposed new bill fails to recognise the contribution of the historic environment and any connection to existing historic environment polices and guidance. This is a missed opportunity – the historic environment is a key part of Scotland’s landscapes.
The letter advocates for a system which recognises that the historic environment provides funding opportunities for the maintenance and upkeep of built heritage assets – which in turn contribute to a wide range of social, environmental, and economic benefits, including the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.

In the Scottish Emission Targets – first five-yearly review – progress in reducing emissions in Scotland 2022 Report to Parliament, the Climate Change Committee warned that gaps in the Scottish Government’s climate plan, with concerns about the achievement of the 2030 goal to cut emissions by 75%. The 2020 interim target was achieved, however that was largely due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve the 2030, 2040 and Net Zero targets the CCC outlined a wide range of relevant recommendations (19) to residential and non-residential buildings including monitoring, low-carbon heating and energy efficiency, EPC reform, required skills provisions as well as recommendations on agriculture & land use.

BEFS Bulletin readers are familiar with the ongoing conversation around the value of heritage. The latest addition to the discussion is the Value of Heritage the first report of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Conservation, Places & People. The report provides insights on the economic, regeneration, environmental and social value of heritage and lays out five specific recommendations including targeted cuts in the VAT rate on listed building refurbishments and a presumption against demolition of existing properties. While the remit of the recommendations is subject to devolved matters, it has received support and backing by MPs. The launch event was attended by Ian Baxter, BEFS Board Vice-Chair at the UK Parliament.

BEFS Director was pleased to attend Managing Continuity and Change in Scotland’s Landscapes, the SLA 2022 debate marking the 22nd anniversary of the launch of the European Landscape Convention. For those of you who couldn’t make the event we are pleased to share this video link that covers the range of discussions exploring the landscape challenges and priorities ahead. SLA are committed to keeping the landscape community informed and will prepare a prioritised lists of outcomes to share with you in early 2023.

BEFS Director joined over 260 guests who celebrated the 24th annual SURF Awards at a presentation event in Glasgow. The winners of the 2022 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration were congratulated on their inspiring work by the Scottish Government Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth, Tom Arthur MSP.

BEFS are also well aware that many will be awaiting the publication of the budget from the Scottish Government. As this is due to happen on the afternoon of the 15^th December BEFS will be issuing a short blog post in relation to this early in the coming week, this will be released via BEFS Twitter.

 

Consultations

Greenspaces Vision and Strategy for Edinburgh to 2050
The City of Edinburgh Council
Closes 31 December 2022

Local Government, Housing & Planning Committee inquiry into Community Planning
Scottish Parliament
There are two different surveys: the first call for views is aimed at members of Community Planning Partnerships (organisations or individuals). The second survey is aimed at other organisations or individuals who have an interest in community planning.
Closes 13 January 2023

Consultation on Historic Environment Scotland’s first Regulatory Framework
HES
Closes 14 Feb 2023

Consultation for Scotland’s new Historic Environment Strategy (OPiT)
HES
Closes 20 February 2023

 

Consultation Responses

Stakeholder Consultation on the Selection Criteria and Approach to National Parks in Scotland (30/11/22)
This consultation from NatureScot is part of the commitment from Scottish Ministers to establish at least one new National Park by 2026. Exploring the contribution of the historic environment and cultural heritage to the role and approach of National Parks is welcomed and felt to be vital; embedding heritage where appropriate and ensuring that existing considerations are maintained and enhanced should be a key concern.

Delivering Our Vision for Scottish Agriculture. Proposals for a New Agriculture Bill (05/12/22)
BEFS response reinforces concerns from the sector that the proposed new bill fails to recognise the contribution of the historic environment and any connection to existing historic environment polices and guidance. This is a missed opportunity – the historic environment is a key part of Scotland’s landscapes.

RTPI Scotland’s Response to ‘The Future for National Parks in Scotland’ (12/12/2022)

 

Publications

Urban regeneration as a tool for inclusive and sustainable recovery (UN-Habitat 2022)

World Cities Report 2022 – Envisaging the Future of Cities (UN-Habitat 2022)

Priorities 2022-2023: Adequate Housing, Cities and Climate Change and Localising the Sustainable Development Goals (UN-Habitat 2022)

Community-led action on vacant and derelict land –  how you and your community can bring unloved places back into use (Scottish Land Commission 2022)

Report on Cultural Rights and Sustainable Development: Special Rapporteur – Alexandra Xanthaki (UN 15/08/2022)

The Role of Built Heritage for Sustainable Development Goals: From Statement to Action  – identifying possible implications of the built cultural heritage on all 17 SDGs (Heritage 29/08/2022)

Beyond the house: the importance of gardens and greenspace around where we live (Public Health Scotland 28/10/2022)

Investment, innovation, and collaboration with industry: CITB Annual Report and Accounts 2021-2022 (CITB November 2022)

From Covid to Cost of Living: Scottish Tourism Index October 2022 (STI 10/11/2022)

Urban centre green metrics in Great Britain: A geospatial and socioecological study – disparities in green infrastructure in urban centres (PLOS One 23/11/2022)

Council resolution on the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 (EU Council 29/11/2022)

Cornerstones of Culture: Final Report Commission on Culture and Local Government (LGA 30/11/2022)

CultureForHealth Report: evidence on the effect of arts and cultural activities on health and well-being (CAE December 2022)

A Cultural Deal for Europe – A Central Place for Culture in the EU’s Post Pandemic Future (CAE December 2022)

Green Jobs Barometer – Monitoring a fair transition to a green economy (PwC December 2022)

The Value of Heritage: First Report of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Conservation, Places & People (APPG 01/12/2022)

Architectural Heritage Fund Annual Review 2021-22 (AHF 01/12/2022)

The Arts Green Book: Sustainable Buildings. How to make our cultural buildings more sustainable (ArtsGreenBook 01/12/2022)

Perceived place qualities, restorative effects and self-reported wellbeing benefits of visits to heritage sites: Empirical evidence from a visitor survey in England (Wellbeing, Space & Society 07/12/2022)

Scottish Emission Targets – first five-yearly review & Progress in reducing emissions in Scotland – 2022 Report to Parliament (Climate Change Committee 07/12/2022)

Planning Performance Report 2021-22 | Historic Environment Scotland
(Historic Environment Scotland 13/12/2022)

 

Scottish & UK Government Publications

The Cost of Living Crisis in Scotland: analytical report (SG 02/11/2022)

Welsh Parliamentary Committee Report examining increasing costs and impact on culture and sport (Welsh Parl 20/11/2022)

UK Government Ministerial response regarding the planning data clauses in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill (UK Gov 28/11/2022)

Delivering Scotland’s circular economy: Proposed Circular Economy Bill – Consultation analysis (SG 30/11/2022)

Scottish Government announcement of enhanced support to make homes warmer and greener (SG 02/12/2022)

UK Government announcement of £2.6 billion investment to replace funding previously run by the EU (UK Gov 05/12/2022)

European Structural and Investment Funds Programmes in Scotland: 2020 case studies booklet (SG 09/12/2022)

Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme: Q1 2022 – information on the capital projects which have received funding (SG 14/12/2022)

Land acquisition powers and land ownership restrictions in European countries: evidence review (SG 14/12/2022)

 

News Releases

Museums and Heritage Awards 2023: entry deadline 1 February 2023 (Museums + Heritage November 2022)

The EU Commission pledges to focus on mental health in 2023 (EU 07/11/2022)

Heritage Alliance: a series of blogs following their annual debate addressing the question: Heritage in 20 Years what will matter most? (HA 01/12/2022)

IHBC’s early update on UK Parliamentary Group’s first Inquiry report on ‘The Value of Heritage’ (IHBC 02/12/2022)

MPs back targeted VAT cuts on listed buildings and presumption against demolition (CPP-APPG 08/12/2022)

Update on Open Funding for Organisations – launching two funds on 15 February 2023 (Creative Scotland 12/12/2022)

Scottish Budget Briefing 2023/2024 (SCVO 13/12/2022)

Historic England Highlights Fascinating Heritage Sites Listed in 2022 (Historic England 15/12/2022)

Opinion & Comment

Could a Grade III listing for buildings halt the UK’s tide of demolition? (Architects’ Journal 22/11/2022)

How to fix 30m draughty homes and help Britain reach net-zero emissions (The Economist 29/11/2022)

Ruth Davidson: Guardians of our heritage are failing us all (The Times 30/11/2022)

BBC Analysis – Ros Atkins on the UK’s home insulation problem (BBC News 01/12/2022)

Heat pumps to be as cheap as fossil fuels boilers under grant scheme (The Herald 02/12/2022)

Questions raised about HES failing to act immediately to shut down crumbling historic buildings (The Herald 04/12/2022)

Postcode checker: how has your High Street changed since 2020? (BBC 06/12/2022)

Future of Glasgow could be built on creative place-making (The Herald 07/12/2022)

Perth Museum and Art Gallery to be refreshed and renamed (Museums + Heritage 07/12/2022)

Paul Sweeney: Glasgow standing the test of time (Glasgow Evening Times 09/12/2022)

Edinburgh reveals plans for city-wide arts and culture shake-up by 2030 (The Scotsman 09/12/2022)

Cost cutting puts up to 400 church buildings and artefacts at risk (The Herald 11/12/2022)

 

Parliamentary Questions and Answers

S6W-12327 Maurice Golden, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 18/11/2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will clarify the role of Zero Waste Scotland in the governance structure of the National Strategy for Economic Transformation.
Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 30 November 2022

Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 18/11/2022
S6W-12343
To ask the Scottish Government what financial support will be available for off-gas-grid homeowners and businesses who will be required to replace a direct emissions heating system when undertaking conversion works after 1 April 2024.
S6W-12344
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of the affordability of replacing a direct emissions heating system, including installation and retrofit costs, for older and hard-to-treat off-gas-grid properties.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 5 December 2022

S6W-12265 Paul McLennan, East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 24/11/2022
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to (a) launching an inquiry to assess the potential value of retrofit over demolition and (b) the introduction of a demolition levy, in light of the Chartered Institute of Building’s report, Levelling the playing field, not Scotland’s built environment: a case for retrofit over demolition, which states that introducing a demolition levy could catalyse a shift in priority to favour retrofit projects and fund green initiatives.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 5 December 2022

S6W-12586 Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 28/11/2022
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) working groups and (b) advisory groups there currently are within the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture portfolio, and whether it will provide a list of these groups.
Current status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 6 December 2022

S6W-12578 Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 29/11/2022
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing a low-carbon planning fund, which has been identified by Scottish Renewables as important for supporting local authority planning departments that are reportedly experiencing a significant impact on their resources due to the demands of renewable energy projects.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 12 December 2022

S6O-01645 Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date lodged: 30/11/2022
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to Historic Environment Scotland to ensure heritage sites are fully reopened as soon as possible.
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 December 2022

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 30/11/2022
S6W-12727
To ask the Scottish Government how many Historic Environment Scotland sites (a) are earmarked for closure and (b) will receive a decrease in funding over the next 12 months.
S6W-12728
To ask the Scottish Government how many Historic Environment Scotland grants have been awarded for conservation-standard repairs in each financial year since 2007, and what the current available grant money for the financial year 2023-24 is.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 12 December 2022

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 01/12/2022
S6W-12784
To ask the Scottish Government how many members of Historic Scotland there have been on 30 November in each year since 2007
S6W-12785
To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost of an (a) adult, (b) concession and (c) young person Direct Debit membership for Historic Scotland has been in each year since 2007.
S6W-12786
To ask the Scottish Government how many sites that are managed by Historic Environment Scotland and its predecessor agencies have been (a) open, (b) temporarily closed and (c) permanently closed in each year since 2007.
S6W-12787
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted any analysis of the financial implications of restoring all of the sites managed by Historic Environment Scotland, and, if so, whether it will provide a breakdown of the costs associated with the restoration of each site.
S6W-12788
To ask the Scottish Government how it defines “managed decline” in relation to Historic Environment Scotland’s approach to managing Scotland’s historic environment.
S6W-12789
To ask the Scottish Government which local authority areas the members of Historic Environment Scotland’s HistoricScot Youth Forum reside in.
S6W-12790
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding Historic Environment Scotland has allocated for the activities of its HistoricScot Youth Forum.
S6W-12791
To ask the Scottish Government how it assesses the efficacy of Historic Environment Scotland’s HistoricScot Youth Forum.
S6W-12793
To ask the Scottish Government how many Freedom of Information requests have been made to Historic Environment Scotland in each year since it was founded, and what percentage of those requests were answered on or within 20 working days.
S6W-12794
To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints have been made to Historic Environment Scotland in each year since it was founded, and how many of those complaints were (a) successfully and (b) unsuccessfully resolved.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 12 December 2022

S6W-12887 Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 06/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants are working to tackle climate change and help achieve Scotland’s net zero commitments.
Current status: Answer expected on 20 December 2022

S6W-12878 Maurice Golden, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 06/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many companies are currently accredited to carry out home insulation work in each local authority area in Scotland.
Current status: Answer expected on 20 December 2022

S6W-12904 Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 08/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government how often the stonemasonry training working group has met and when its last meeting was.
Current status: Answer expected on 22 December 2022

S6W-12966 Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 08/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to help bring vacant and disused buildings in Hamilton town centre back into use, particularly buildings that have been empty for several years.
Current status: Answer expected on 22 December 2022

S6W-13028 Douglas Lumsden, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 09/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential economic impact of Policy 27, part (d) in the revised fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).
Current status: Answer expected on 9 January 2023

S6W-13064 Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: 09/12/2022
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-08334 by Tom Arthur on 17 May 2022, whether it will provide an update on phase 3 of the review of permitted development rights
Current status: Answer expected on 9 January 2023

 

Events

AHSS Richard Murphy – Adaptation and Development: Transforming the former Royal High School and Other Projects
Date & Time: Monday 9 January 2023; 6:30pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
Note: Lectures will also be streamed online via Zoom
Architect Richard Murphy explores his approach to designing within, and adjacent to, historic buildings, with particular emphasis on his current project – the conversion of Thomas Hamilton’s Royal High School for St Mary’s Music School and the creation of public performance spaces.

RSA: Environment & Climate Scotland – Any Questions?
Date & Time: Wednesday 11 January 2023; 6-7:30pm
Location: Online
The RSA are hosting an insightful discussion on environmental and climate change issues in Scotland. This event is one of two being held in advance of a day conference coming up on 16 March 2023 titled “F5: Future Food, Fisheries, Farming and Forestry”.

RICS: World Built Environment Forum Week
Date: 16-23 January 2023
World Built Environment Forum Week celebrates the latest and best thinking from across the built and natural environment. The week-long schedule showcases pioneering ways in delivering sustainable places and spaces.
Booking link

RSA: Land Use in Scotland – Any Questions?
Date & Time: Tuesday 17 January 2023; 6-7:30pm
Location: Online
All are welcome to this event, where the discussion will be centred around the Scottish Government “Vision for Agriculture” document, other related policy consultations, and SEDA’s report of “A New Vision for Land Use in Scotland: 6 Conversations”, all as part of a wider conversation about issues relating to the environment and land use. This event is the second of two preceding a full day conference in March.

AHSS David Cook – Glasgow Building Preservation Trust and its Work
Date & Time: Thursday 19 January 2023; 7:30-10pm
Location: Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow
Note: Lectures will also be streamed online via Zoom
Director, David Cook and some of the team from GBPT discuss the highs and lows over 40 years in rescuing and repurposing Glasgow’s historic buildings.

AHRC UKRI – ‘Where Next?’ Launch Event
Date & Time: Wednesday 25 January 2023; 2-4:30pm
Location: Online via Zoom
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is launching its ‘Where Next?’ event for people to find out more about the submission process for this scheme, how AHRC will process submissions and how develop ideas.

Vacancies

PhD studentship – Mobilising cultural heritage in UK marine fisheries
This PhD studentship opportunity is led by Ian Baxter, Heriot-Watt and co-supervised by Ruth Thurstan, University of Exeter. Historic England is the Associate Partner and Antony Firth (Head of Marine Heritage Strategy) will also be providing co-supervision, with some limited financial support and internship opportunities.
Maritime cultural heritage is embedded in the practice of small-scale fishing: traditional ecological knowledge, maritime landscapes, historic landing places, traditional vessels, and all their associated skills and material culture. The fishing sector is going through transitions post-Brexit on top of environmental, generational and technological changes that are likely to further diminish the tangible and intangible heritage of fishing. How can we use this cultural legacy to drive greater sustainability within fisheries management before it is too late?
This studentship forms part of the large-scale NERC funded Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Management of Marine Resource (CDT SuMMeR) and application details can be found here – search on the webpage for Heriot-Watt University project CDTS211:
Closing date: Tuesday 17 January 2023

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