BEFS Bulletin – Updates: tenements, evidence and skills

BEFS NEWS

BEFS work on Tenement Maintenance continues, and you can see the updated webpage outlining activity here. BEFS and Under One Roof have worked together for several years, with UOR becoming BEFS Members recently. Both organisations share secretariat for the Tenement Working Group. Here, Anny from Under One Roof, Scotland’s only charity committed to providing free and impartial information on repairs, maintenance, and retrofit for tenement flat owner-occupiers, landlords, and housing professionals in Scotland – shares a bit more about UOR’s work and recent events.

BEFS Director took part in the RSGS and Zero Waste Scotland series 10 Big Climate Solutions – the Building Futures workshop highlighted 3 areas for action – these are captured within this report. BEFS will continue to be involved, with Zero Waste Scotland, on the strand related to evidence. This builds upon and supports the work relating to Housing and Land Data recently explored in a paper by Andy Wightman and an event with the David Hume Institute.

A new Report of Independent Review of the Skills Delivery Landscape has been published which makes a range of recommendations for future adaptations to support the National Strategy for Economic Transformation. If implemented, key recommendations would radically change the skills delivery (and funding) landscape in Scotland.

The 2023 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration has been launched. The purpose of the Award is to highlight, celebrate and share the achievements of initiatives that address physical, social and economic challenges in communities across Scotland. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday 4 September.

Doors Open Day Festival is inviting hosts to apply now to take part in this year’s event. For more information if you are considering taking part, please see their comprehensive online guide that answers all your queries, and to register an interest.

The winners of Europe’s top heritage awards 2023 have been announced by the European Commission and Europa Nostra. This year, 30 outstanding heritage achievements from 21 countries have been awarded in five categories: 1) Conservation & Adaptive Reuse; 2) Research; 3) Education, Training & Skills; 4) Citizens’ Engagement & Awareness-raising; and 5) Heritage Champions. The full list included two outstanding projects from the UK. The Call for Entries for the 2024 edition of the Awards is now open.

Congratulations to Stonemason, Luke Maher who was one of 10 winners of the Emerging Talent Award 2023 as announced at the recent Natural Stone Show in London. This is a great achievement by Luke, alongside MCU & the Stirling Skill’s Centre who got him to this point of top recognition by the UK Stone Industry.

 

CONSULTATIONS

Council Tax for second and empty homes, and non-domestic rates thresholds
Scottish Government/COSLA
This joint public consultation with COSLA seeks views on giving local authorities the power to increase council tax on second homes and empty homes, as well as considering whether the current non-domestic rates thresholds for self-catering accommodation remain appropriate.
Closes 11 July 2023

Future of Scotland’s first National Park
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
Consultation on the Draft National Park Partnership Plan 2024-29, drafted to frame conversations about the future of the National Park. The National Park Partnership Plan guides how all of those with a role to play in looking after the National Park will work together to manage the Park and achieve a shared vision for the area.
Closes 19 July 2023

Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods: draft planning guidance
Scottish Government
Consultation seeking views and comments on the draft planning guidance for local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods. It is expected to be of particular relevance in the preparation of Local Development Plans (LDPs), Local Place Plans (LPPs) and to support planning decision making.
Closes 20 July 2023

New National Parks – appraisal framework
Scottish Government
With a commitment to designating at least one new National Park in Scotland by the end of this Parliamentary session in 2026, a draft appraisal framework has been developed with proposed criteria for new National Parks in Scotland. Views and comments are being sought on this framework.
Closes 4 August 2023

Review of Permitted Development Rights – Phase 3
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is carrying out a review of permitted development rights (PDR) as part of a wider planning reform programme. The PDR review is being taken forward in phases, with each phase focussing on specific development types. Phase 3 of the review considers PDR in relation to renewables equipment, thermal efficiency improvements, development by electricity undertakers, reverse vending machines and the temporary use of land for shooting ranges.
Closes 23 August 2023

Effective Community Engagement in Local Development Planning Guidance
Scottish Government
This consultation concerns guidance on effective community engagement in the local development planning process, inviting views from planning authorities and communities on the clarity and helpfulness of the guidance in informing people when engagement will be most effective.
Closes 13 September 2023

 

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Land Reform in a Net Zero Nation: analysis report of responses to the consultation exercise (Scot Gov June 2023)

Land reform in a Net Zero Nation: consultation analysis (Scot Gov 02/06/2023)

New Build Heat Standard: consultation part two analysis (Scot Gov 09/06/2023)

Review of National Outcomes 2023 – SCVO response to call for evidence (SCVO 12/06/2023)

BEFS response to the Review of National Outcomes: call for evidence (BEFS 12/06/2023)
BEFS have submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s Review of National Performance Framework Outcomes: call for evidence consultation. BEFS response highlights the lack of appreciation for the cross-cutting benefits that come from cultural-heritage means many across the sector are continually explaining and reiterating the wide-reaching positive impacts of their work. It calls for greater alignment with the UN-SDGs particularly SDG 11.4: ‘Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage’. The additions of Targets and Outcomes, taking into account cross-sectoral inputs, could help to: incentivise, and enable, cross-portfolio working to deliver against net-zero, wellbeing and wider community aims.

 

PUBLICATIONS

Reviewing Residential Retrofitting Literature: An Explorative Mapping Study (CaCHE May 2023)

Architectural Heritage Fund – 2023-28 Strategy (AHF 22/05/2023)

RenoHUb Project Closing Report (RenoHUB 22/05/2023)
Establishment of the first one-stop-shop consulting office network in Hungary, aimed at supporting deep renovations managed by citizens.

For Churches – Strategy 2023-2026 (National Churches Trust 31/05/2023)

Measuring the Social Dimension of Culture: Handbook (MESOC June 2023)

Ex-ante Assessment of the Thematic Area “Greening Cities” under the Urban Agenda for the EU (European Commission 08/06/2023)

Ensuring inclusivity: parks and public spaces to be designed for girls and young women – Make Space for Girls webinar with PAS (PAS 10/06/2023)

 

SCOTTISH & UK GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS

SPICe Spotlight: Scottish climate change adaptation policy (SPICe 01/06/2023)

SPICe Spotlight: Scottish climate change impacts in Scotland (SPICe 01/06/2023)

SPICe Spotlight: Net Zero; what does it mean and what happens afterwards (SPICe 01/06/2023)

List of special advisers who provide advice across all portfolio areas in the Scottish Government (Scot Gov 01/06/2023)

Letter from the Minister for Housing to the Convener of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee (Scot Parl 01/06/2023)
Update on enhancing the accessibility, adaptability and usability of Scotland’s homes.

Fit for the Future: developing a post-school learning system to fuel economic transformation (Scot Gov 07/06/2023)
Review considered skills functions and remits of Scotland’s national public bodies, making 15 recommendations for future adaptations to support National Strategy for Economic Transformation

Culture in Communities – Constitution, Europe, External Affairs And Culture Committee, 19th Meeting, 2023, Session 6 (Scot Parl 08/06/2023)
SPICe Briefing and written submission from Creative Scotland.

Letter from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition to the Conveners of Finance and Public Administration Committee and Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee (Scot Parl 08/06/2023)
Update on implementation of the conclusions of the Joint Budget Review in relation to climate change.

Letter from the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights to the Convener of the Economy and Fair Work Committee (Scot Parl 08/06/2023)
On the Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2023.

Letter from Mr J Keith Robertson the to the Economy and Fair Work Committee (Scot Parl 09/06/2023)
On Registers of Scotland and the registration backlog June 2023.

Community Climate Action Hubs: response analysis (Scot Gov 09/06/2023)

Scotland’s National Innovation Strategy (Scot Gov 09/06/2023)

Scotland’s National Innovation Strategy: economic evidence paper (09/06/2023)

Growth sector statistics – Sustainable tourism (Scot Gov 09/06/2023)
Includes museum activities and operation of historical sites and buildings and similar visitor attractions.

Growth sector statistics – Creative Industries (Scot Gov 09/06/2023)
Including Heritage: Libraries and archive activities, Cultural education, Architecture and Desing activities.

Growth sector statistics – International Tourism (Scot Gov 09/06/2023)
Including Total Turnover (£Millions), 2008-2020 for Cultural Activities: Creative, arts and entertainment activities; Museum activities; Operation of historical sites and buildings and similar visitor attractions (in Table 2.1).

Scottish Central Government Energy Efficiency Grant scheme: form and guidance (Scot Gov 09/06/2023)

SPICe Spotlight: Trends in Funding for Culture (SPICe 12/06/2023)

Building standards – ministerial view: building insulation envelope (Scot Gov 12/06/2023)

Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 13/06/2023)
Màiri McAllan has introduced the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill. The bill will give ministers powers to set local recycling targets, devise statutory targets for the delivery of a circular economy, ban the disposal of unsold consumer goods and place charges on single-use items.

 

NEWS RELEASES

Europa Nostra Council appeal to 2nd Summit of the European Political Community in Moldova to include Culture and Cultural Heritage among future EPC priorities (Europa Nostra 31/05/2023)

The Call for Entries for the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2024 is now open! (Europa Nostra 13/06/2023)

Plans unveiled for new Archive House (HES 13/06/2023)
An existing building in the Sherwood Industrial Estate in Bonnyrigg, will be converted to a world-class facility

 

OPINION & COMMENT

What is the right approach for retrofitting? (Build Up – European Commission 16/05/2023)

Renovation and innovation solutions for monumental buildings (Build Up – European Commission 16/05/2023)

Eighteen properties evacuated and road closed as safety zone placed under St Ninians site (Daily Record 18/05/2023)

Geospatial Commission calls for upgrade in land use data (UKAuthority News 23/05/2023)

Place Standard Tool: Norwegian colleagues visit to Scotland (A&DS 26/05/2023)

Pioneering Programme Using Archaeology to Empower Young People  (Historic England 28/05/2023)

Collapse in GCSE arts subjects gathers pace (Arts Professional 29/05/2023)

Roadside heritage to be more visible under National Highways plans (Museums & Heritage Advisor 31/05/2023)

SPAB Scholars: what stories can this old chapel tell? (SPAB 31/05/2023)

Agenda: Why it’s time to back urban planners (The Herald 01/06/23)

New Scottish building standards model piloted (RICS 01/02/2023)

Is there a future for Scotland’s National Performance Framework? (SCVO 02/06/2023)

EU’s green renovation wave faces backlash: Countries are wary of EU plans to slash emissions by retrofitting millions of homes (Politico 05/06/2023)
Includes renovation of older building stock in the UK and the EU that doesn’t meet modern standards.

Climate initiative cities boost renewables’ use, but still largely depend on fossil fuels (JRC 06/06/2023)

Left in ruins: Should we let historic buildings ‘gracefully die’? (Holyrood Magazine 07/06/2023)

Outer House finds Edinburgh’s short-term let licensing policy unlawful (Scottish Legal News 08/06/2023)

Historic England launches the country’s first online building stones database (HTN 08/06/2023)

New indicators will track climate change between IPCC reports (CarbonBrief 08/06/2023)
Dashboard to data visualisation is available at Climate Change Tracker here.

New Loch Ness immersive experience tourist attraction to open after £1.5m revamp (Sky News 08/06/2023)
The newly refurbished Loch Ness Centre is in a Category B listed building, previously the Drumnadrochit Hotel.

The EPC system is no longer fit for heritage buildings (Architects’ Journal 09/06/2023)

Credibility gap in net-zero climate targets leaves world at high risk (Science 09/06/2023)

Creative placemaking – necessary, not just nice to have (Place Design Scotland 09/06/2023)

Scotland: historic sites closed for two years over safety (The Herald 12/06/2023)

Building Futures in Rural Scotland (Halvorsen Architects 12/06/2023)

City of Edinburgh Council’s short-term lettings decision: full case report (Scottish Housing News 13/06/2023)

New rules for all new buildings to have zero direct emissions heating systems (Scottish Housing News 13/06/2023)
Please see the link to the Regulations which come into force on 1 April 2024

 

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 28/04/2023
S6W-17468
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with churches, regarding the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 (Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land) Regulations 2021, since 1 January 2023.
Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 31 May 2023

Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 19/05/2023
S6W-18141
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish the independent review of the skills delivery landscape.
S6W-18143
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set out its vision for the college sector.
Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 31 May 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 12/05/2023
S6W-17911
To ask the Scottish Government how many green jobs currently exist in Scotland, broken down by the region in which they are located, and what the definition is that it uses for such jobs.
Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 1 June 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 16/05/2023
S6W-17982
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15987 by Patrick Harvie on 23 March 2023, whether it will provide an update on when it will publish the data, in light of reports that it is already being used for policy formulation and implementation.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 1 June 2023

Katy Clark, West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 22/05/2023
S6W-18199
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17602 by Neil Gray on 12 May 2023, under the Fair Work First Framework on conditionality for public sector grants, which grant funders are subject to applying conditionality on (a) effective voice and (b) Real Living Wage under these rules, and whether there are any public sector grant funders that are exempt from doing so.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 1 June 2023

Willie Rennie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 18/05/2023
S6W-18068
To ask the Scottish Government when its new Warmer Homes Scotland scheme will be launched.
S6W-18069
To ask the Scottish Government for how long it had been planning to pause the current Warmer Homes Scotland scheme ahead of relaunching a new one.
S6W-18070
To ask the Scottish Government how much money will be available for homeowners to use through its new Warmer Homes Scotland scheme.
S6W-18071
To ask the Scottish Government how many households it estimates will be supported through its new Warmer Homes Scotland Scheme.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 5 June 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 25/05/2023
S6W-18021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has established a Land Tax Working Group, and, if so, when the group will report.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 5 June 2023

Daniel Johnson, Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 19/05/2023
S6W-18100
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide a full appraisal of the Scottish Funding Council’s Upskilling Fund, from its inception in 2019, including details on (a) uptake, (b) type of learner, (c) level of qualification, (d) the (i) hours and (ii) credits of learning provided and (e) any employer engagement.
Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 6 June 2023

Sharon Dowey, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 22/05/2023
S6W-18203
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its innovation strategy.
Current status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 6 June 2023

Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 22/05/2023
S6W-17956
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-16779 by Patrick Harvie on 27 April 2023, how households will be successfully engaged with, as part of Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) delivery plans, in order to take action to retrofit their homes with energy efficiency and low carbon heating measures.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 7 June 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 24/05/2023
S6W-18305
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to a recent report by Changeworks, which reportedly found that homes in the Highlands and Islands have lower Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings than the rest of Scotland.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 7 June 2023

Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 24/05/2023
S6W-18312
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of office buildings that it owns that are fitted with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, and what funding has been made available to fix any such buildings.
S6W-18315
To ask the Scottish Government how many public buildings it has inspected since the start of 2021 to determine whether they were constructed with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), broken down by building type, and how many of these were confirmed to have been constructed with RAAC.
S6W-18316
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the cost of fixing any public buildings that it owns that are fitted with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 7 June 2023

Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 25/05/2023
S6W-18339
To ask the Scottish Government what collaboration it has undertaken with Research Data Scotland.
Current status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 7 June 2023

Paul Sweeney, Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 01/06/2023
S6W-18523
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can detail the planned (a) scope, (b) cost and (c) duration of the repair and maintenance works currently being carried out on the historic central tower and spire of Glasgow Cathedral.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 7 June 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 25/05/2023
S6W-18022
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to establish a City Centre Recovery Task Force.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 8 June 2023

Willie Rennie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 24/05/2023
S6W-18317
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding non-domestic rates, whether it will reduce the combined poundage rate for the largest properties, to match the equivalent rate in England, over the course of the current parliamentary session.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 8 June 2023

Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 01/06/2023
S6W-18505
To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of any additional financial pressures on local authority budgets being caused by inflation.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 8 June 2023

Daniel Johnson, Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 25/05/2023
S6W-18368
To ask the Scottish Government which apprenticeship providers have delivered (a) Modern, (b) Foundation and (c) Graduate Apprenticeships in Scotland in each year since 2018-19, also broken down by occupational grouping.
Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 12 June 2023

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 05/06/2023
S6W-18645
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has allocated to the maintenance of Scotland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites in each year since 2007, broken down by site.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 13 June 2023

Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 07/06/2023
S6W-18838
To ask the Scottish Government what investigations Historic Environment Scotland has undertaken to determine whether any of the buildings that it manages were fitted with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, and what the cost was of conducting any necessary repairs, broken down by building.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 13 June 2023

Jamie Greene, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 08/06/2023
S6W-18884
To ask the Scottish Government whether Japanese knotweed or other invasive species have been found at Historic Environment Scotland properties in the last five years, and, if so, whether it will provide a list of any such incidences.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 13 June 2023

Jamie Greene, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 02/06/2023
S6W-18614
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17942 by Shona Robison on 30 May 2023, whether the 17 buildings on the Scottish Government Core Estate will meet an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least band C by 2028, as will be required by all properties actively rented in the private sector, and, if not, what its position is on whether it is fair to impose energy standards on the private rented sector that the Scottish Government will not meet in its own buildings.
Current status: Answer expected on 16 June 2023

Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 05/06/2023
S6W-18672
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills has received the final report of the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment.
Current status: Answer expected on 19 June 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 06/06/2023
S6W-17025
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been allocated through the (a) Scottish Empty Homes Partnership and (b) Empty Homes Loan Fund in each year since it was launched, broken down by local authority.
Current status: Answer expected on 20 June 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 09/06/2023
S6W-18914
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-14236 by Lorna Slater on 2 February 2023, whether the study to map the net zero gap skills on Scottish islands, as referred to on page 12 of the Carbon Neutral Islands Project Progress Report, has progressed beyond its “early stages” and the “initial meetings” that “were held in December 2022”; if so, whether it will provide a detailed report on progress, and, if not, for what reason it has not progressed, and when it is expected to do so.
Current status: Answer expected on 23 June 2023

Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 09/06/2023
S6W-18942
To ask the Scottish Government when the Green Heat Finance Taskforce (a) last met and (b) will next meet.
Current status: Answer expected on 23 June 2023

Paul Sweeney, Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 09/06/2023
S6W-18918
To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Ministers will make regulations to give effect to Part 7 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.
Current status: Answer expected on 23 June 2023

Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 12/06/2023
S6W-19021
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18315 by Shona Robison on 7 June 2023, when it anticipates that inspection surveys will (a) begin and (b) finish.
S6W-19022
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18315 by Shona Robison on 7 June 2023, by what date its appointed specialist will have developed the scope for inspection surveys.
S6W-19023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18306 by Patrick Harvie on 7 June 2023, whether it (a) has provided and (b) plans to provide financial support to local authorities to undertake inspections of buildings for reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
Current status: Answer expected on 26 June 2023

Alexander Burnett, Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 12/06/2023
S6W-19030 R
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress in developing a new energy efficiency ratings system to replace the current Energy Performance Certificate system, and when it will publish details of the proposed changes.
Current status: Answer expected on 26 June 2023
S6W-19031
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the Energy Performance Certificate ratings of buildings that are part of the Scottish Government estate.

Tess White, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 12/06/2023
S6W-19060
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Review Panel on Building Standards Compliance and Enforcement, which was published in June 2018.
Current status: Answer expected on 26 June 2023

 

MOTIONS

Liz Smith, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 05/06/2023
S6M-09340
Prioritising Scottish Tourism. That the Parliament believes that the tourism sector is a crucial element in the future sustainability of the Scottish economy; regrets the SNP-Scottish Green Party administration’s failure to prioritise tourism, and the weaknesses in Scotland’s infrastructure with the resulting detrimental effect on connectivity across rural and island areas, including failures in ferry services and the delay in progressing the dualling of both the A9 and the A96; notes the concern amongst the hospitality sector about the introduction of a visitor levy; condemns the flawed short-term lets policy and an anti-business agenda, which has resulted in additional costs and red tape for those across the tourism sector, and calls on the Scottish Government to bring forward an urgent blueprint to address the deep-seated concerns of the tourism sector and its related industries.
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 June 2023

 

EVENTS

IHBC Annual School 2023: Swansea – Climate Change and the Historic Environment – Resilience and Performance
Date & Time: Wednesday 21 – Saturday 24 June 2023
Location: Swansea and Online
Heritage insights for everyone with a range of different school formats to appeal to anyone with an interest in heritage, culture and conservation. The school offers an opportunity to understand and interrogate new approaches to coping with climate change challenges, including: complying with standards, energy management, retrofit, fuel poverty and traditional buildings, meeting energy targets and protecting buildings.

RTPI West of Scotland – Summer Social
Date & Time: Thursday 22 June 2023; 7-11pm
Location: The Maltman, 59-61 Renfield Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom, G2 1LF
Come and join the RTPI at their summer social at The Maltman in Glasgow, for drinks and networking.

Icon Scotland – Burrell Collection Conservation Tour
Date & Time: Thursday 22 June 2023; 10:45am-1pm
Location: Burrell Collection, Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Rd, Glasgow G43 1AT
Glasgow’s Burrell Collection recently reopened after a major refurbishment, which opened up more gallery space, allowing access to objects which have not been seen for decades or have never been on permanent display. The conservators at Glasgow Life are partnering with the Icon Scotland group to offer a tour with a conservation focus.

Under One Roof Scotland – Maintenance and retrofit for tenement owners
Date & Time: Monday 26 June 2023; 1-3pm
Location: Members Lounge at Woodhall House, Westburn Rd, Aberdeen, AB16 5GB
Come along to a free and informative event hosted by Under One Roof, Aberdeenshire Council and Aberdeen City Council, aimed at owner-occupiers and landlords who want to learn more about maintaining and managing their tenement flats. Topics covered will include: the basics of tenement maintenance; knowing your neighbours and how to find them; the issues with patch repairs; the importance of building insurance and tips for self-factoring your building. Additionally, there will be discussion on energy efficiency and retrofit, as well as changes to government regulations affecting owner-occupiers and landlords.

Heritage Trust Network – Your Church, Your Community – Workshop 1
Date & Time: Tuesday 27 June 2023
Location: Online
Heritage Trust Network, Historic Churches Scotland and the Community Ownership Support Service are teaming up to deliver a 3-part workshop series to bring to life our new resource: Your Church, Your Community. This workshop series will feature a range of expert speakers who will bring these topics to life and offer the opportunity of live discussion and questions.
Save the date: Booking will open shortly but for now, do email Sarah Pearce to register your interest.

RTPI Grampian – Crathie – Moxon office site visit
Date & Time: Thursday 29 June 2023; 5:30-7pm
Location: Quarry Studios, Crathie, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom, AB35 5UL
The event will feature a guided tour of the user designed Moxon Architects’ offices and associated café space at Crathie. The offices have been designed and built within a former brownfield site which has an interesting history, and the development has required to consider a number of environmental constraints being located adjacent to a Site of Special Scientific Interest and National Scenic Areas. Moxon will host the event and will discuss the evolution of the design and outcomes as well as an opportunity to discuss some of the other projects Moxon have worked on in the area.

Heritage Trust Network – Exploring Opportunities: Churches and Tourism
Date & Time: Thursday 6 July 2023; 7-8:30pm
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 have partnered with Scottish Community Tourism to host the fifth event in a series aimed at any group contemplating the future of their church building. This event will focus on how church buildings can play a part in your local tourism offering; come along to jointly explore innovative ideas to keep these community-based buildings alive.

RICS WBEF – Heat resilience in urban environments: Making cities cooler
Date & Time: Wednesday 12 July 2023; 4-5pm
Location: Online
With the impact of climate change becoming more pronounced and the frequency of extreme heat events increasing, cities must find ways to mitigate prolonged periods of soaring summer temperatures. This webinar looks at the possible solutions from incorporating more green infrastructure and other passive options to active technologies, and how a multi-disciplinary approach by built environment professionals can make cities cooler.

 

TRAINING

Culture & Business Scotland: Business Briefing: Tax update for the culture sector – VAT matters
Date & Time: Tuesday 20 June 2023; 12–1pm
Location: Online via Zoom
As tax issues continues to change and challenge the finances of organisations in the culture sector, Scott Craig (Partner and Head of VAT, Azets) will provide essential insight as well as highlighting issues and opportunities.

 

VACANCIES

The Ridge – Managing Director
Status: Full-time (flexible working possible)
Location: Dunbar
As the scale and scope of its work expands, The Ridge is looking to restructure its senior management, with the creation of a new Managing Director role within The Ridge Foundations CIC (the social enterprise construction company). To date, the whole of The Ridge (SCIO and CIC) has had a single Managing Director, but it is clear that more time, energy and focus is required to lead the company, with a direct role in heading up the Training team.
Follow this link for more information about The Ridge, and about this exciting new opportunity, including how to apply.
Closing date: Tuesday 20 June 2023

The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland – Head of Practice
Salary: Band £45,000 – £50,000 p.a.
Status: Full-time (28/35hr)
Location: Edinburgh (flexible working potential)
The RIAS is looking to appoint a highly motivated individual to lead its Practice team. This is a key role for the Incorporation, to lead, develop, and manage the Practice Team creating a hub of technical information, learning and practice to support the membership, and supporting practices with advice on a wide range of topics. The successful applicant will lead RIAS flagship Practice Services, contribute to other streams of RIAS activities, and help to generate revenue to support the financial sustainability of the RIAS.
Closing date: Friday 30 June 2023

Fife Employment Access Trust – Project Director for Silverburn Flax Mill Renovation
Budgeted Fee: Costs not to exceed £120,000
Status: Fixed term – from appointment in 2023 up to November 2026
Location: Leven, Fife
Fife Employment Access Trust are seeking an experienced Project Director within the built environment sector to lead the Silverburn Flax Mill Renovation Project, creating a Visitor Centre and Community Hub. The role involves leading the Project to deliver exemplar conservation and refurbishment that respects and preserves the original design intent, while maximising access and benefit for all. The Project Director will manage the project from initial construction works to project close in accordance with recognised Project Management processes, producing, circulating and maintaining all project controls and documentation with particular emphasis on governance, managing risk, quality, cost, programme and change. In addition, they will lead on the delivery of the overall Project Brief in consultation with internal teams and stakeholder groups.
Follow this link for more information and details on how to apply.
Closing date: Midday on Monday 10 July 2023

The National Trust for Scotland – Heritage Compliance Officer
Salary: £34,376-£38,027 (subject to experience)
Status: Full-time (flexible working possible)
Location: Hybrid working, available for meetings in Edinburgh
The National Trust for Scotland is looking to recruit a heritage compliance officer to help identify and manage the conservation and operations risks. This is a unique opportunity to work across all aspects of a major heritage organisation, liaising with colleagues in all disciplines.
All enquiries and applications should be addressed to: Diarmid Hearns, Head of Public Policy, Risk and Environment

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