Help Design Council-CABE Map out Its Future

HeritageHeritage UpdateUpdate 209209

FRIDAY 3 JUNE 2011

1 The Heritage Alliance is the largest alliance of heritage interests in the UK, representing 90 member organisations, with the aim of promoting the central role of the non-Government movement in the heritage sector. Heritage Update is our voice; to, and for, the sector. It is estimated that Update reaches approximately 12,000 mailboxes in the UK and internationally; with readers as far afield as Abu Dhabi, Antarctica, Istanbul and California. For more information visit www.theheritagealliance.org.uk

CONTENTS

HEADLINES

English Heritage launches its corporate plan 2011-15 Heritage Minister addresses the sector at launch of EH future plans National Heritage Protection Plan published The National Heritage List for England, and Portico National Planning Policy Framework: Practitioner’s Guide published Latest on the Localism Bill

HAVE YOUR SAY: CONSULTATION ROUND UP

Government heralds a “step change in giving” The Heritage Alliance accepts Minister’s philanthropy challenge 40 more trial areas for Neighbourhood Development Proposals announced Estimating the value of the natural world: National Ecosystem Assessment published Help Design Council-CABE map out its future Heritage bodies respond to European Commission VAT consultation Independent Panel on Forestry launches call for views on “future vision” Vic Soc launches nationwide search for ten most endangered buildings

ALSO THIS FORTNIGHT…

History for the Taking? British Academy essay collection available to download English Heritage guidance: Energy efficiency and historic buildings National Historic Ships: Photography Competition 2011 National Historic Ships: Marsh Volunteer Award The Museums Association launches cuts survey China-UK Connections through Culture grant scheme: closing soon

PEOPLE

EVENTS

SITUATIONS VACANT

NOTES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

HEADLINES Back

English Heritage launches its corporate plan 2011-15 Last week (Monday 23 May) English Heritage (EH) convened a pan-sectoral gathering of representatives from across the heritage community with parliamentarians, civil servants, commercial and third sector representatives at Apsley House, to launch its corporate plan 2011-15 and to hear Heritage Minister John Penrose deliver a key public address.

The corporate plan outlines the commercial context, ambitions and priorities of EH for the next four years. In the context of a real terms reduction in EH’s resources of £51m as much as possible will be taken in efficiencies (£18m) and commercial growth (£12m), but grants will be reduced by £18m by year four (2014/15) and some cuts will be 2 made to the organisation’s expert and public services.

EH will be realigning its grants activities so as not to overlap with the Heritage Lottery Fund. EH’s grants will focus on expert advice and emergency repairs to ensure that heritage at risk is not lost, funding for privately-owned heritage at risk, revenue funding for national heritage organisations and developing understanding of issues relevant to heritage at risk through research and technical advice. A review of EH’s advice and grants functions is expected in the period 2013-15.

EH will continue to provide support to owners and Local Authorities, eliminate overlap with other public bodies, and will “find ways of working even more closely and effectively” with heritage clubs, trusts and societies over the next few years, in which resides “depths of experience and knowledge that enrich society’s ability to be able to make sound decisions that affect our historic inheritance.” More on the corporate plan here. Back

Heritage Minister addresses the sector at launch of EH future plans In his speech at Apsley House on 23 May, Heritage Minister John Penrose said the sector had “a huge amount to celebrate” and that the Government was keen “to get people more and more involved in their local story”, before outlining the Government’s three priorities for heritage.

Priority one was to “keep the listing system fit for purpose and improve it” through ongoing development and updating – a challenge to which he said English Heritage was rising. Priority 2 was to tackle persistent heritage at risk by reviewing approaches such as the current negative set of incentives aimed at negligent owners and preventing Compulsory Purchase orders being the only option available (Mr Penrose invited the sector to feed through any thoughts it may have on this to him or English Heritage). And the third priority was philanthropy; with heritage currently falling behind the rest of the cultural and arts sectors in attracting philanthropic funding, the Minister encouraged the sector to ensure that heritage “gets its fair share” – see News below for more on this and on the steps the Government has taken in the Giving White Paper.

On the Localism Bill Mr Penrose welcomed the amendments over heritage protection, but warned that there was still more to be done in maintaining protection levels. His message to the sector was that PPS5 is valued and thought to be successful, and that the benefits of PPS5 must be maintained in review. Back

National Heritage Protection Plan published Mr Penrose also welcomed the publication of the National Heritage Protection Plan (NHPP), which sets out how EH, with help from its partners, will prioritise and deliver heritage protection over the next four years - “the battles we intend to fight”, as Chief Executive Simon Thurley put it.

The NHPP is designed to make best use of EH’s slimmed-down resources (the organisation is reducing its staff by 400 posts, following budget cuts – see above) and prioritise delivery of “those activities that only it can do, or can do more efficiently and effectively than others” whilst also encouraging greater collaborative working with partner organisations. The NHPP will be overseen by an Advisory Board comprising representatives from across the heritage sector, for which The Heritage Alliance is the secretariat. The Advisory Board, which meets for the first time next week, will play a key role in the rolling review of the Plan. More here. Back

The National Heritage List for England, and Portico Monday 23 May also saw the official launch of the National Heritage List for England – a new online database of the country’s 400,000 listed buildings, registered parks, gardens and battlefields, protected shipwrecks and scheduled monuments. The List brings together separate registers and lists of different types of heritage into one for the first time, and the public can now go online to search for heritage by postcode, by date, by grade or by any category of listed building or scheduled monument.

Anyone can nominate a place to be considered for designation using the online form. English Heritage's corporate plan contains information on the new projects and initiatives that will be implemented between 2011 and 2015.

23 May also saw the launch of Portico - a new, online research gateway for people interested in finding out more about EH’s 420 properties. This first phase of Portico includes 12 detailed entries for well-known sites, as well as a brief historical overview for a further 220 sites in English Heritage's care. Over the next five years EH aims to ensure that the public can explore comprehensive and scholarly information on every property curated by English Heritage via Portico, under four headings: the history of the site, its significance, a guide to past, present and future research 3 questions, and a summary of the key primary and secondary sources for the further study of the site. More here. Back

National Planning Policy Framework: Practitioner’s Guide published On 20 December last year the Minister for Decentralisation and Planning, Greg Clark, announced a review of planning policy designed to consolidate all policy statements, circulars and guidance documents into a single National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). As part of this review Greg Clark formed the Practitioners Advisory Group (PAG) to provide a practitioners’ perspective on what the NPPF should contain.

On 20 May the PAG submitted its draft framework to Greg Clark, together with a letter outlining its recommendations.

Many in the sector feel that the NPPF text is a good start to bringing together all planning policy into a single policy document, and in word count terms the historic environment fares relatively well, with a three-page chapter (p53-55). However, overall there are concerns that the substantial editing and rewording of PPS5: Planning for the Historic Environment in this draft NPPF results in reduced levels of protection for the historic environment.

Amongst the key concerns raised are that the language of PPS5 is not applied consistently in the NPPF (it is not made clear that the historic environment is an integral part of ‘the environment’, that it is everywhere and there is a spectrum of heritage asset from undesignated, locally designated to nationally designated); the importance of acknowledging undesignated heritage assets in Neighbourhood Plans, particularly those of national archaeological importance but not scheduled, is not reflected in the NPPF; there are references to ‘significant weight’ being attached to economic factors, which some may interpret as altering the social-economic-environmental balance of sustainable development; and the removal of Listed Building Consents and Conservation Area Consents from consideration in the NPPF leaves them in a policy vacuum.

This document is not a statement of Government policy, but it does represent a major contribution to the debate as the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) prepares its own draft of the NPPF, which is due to be published for full public consultation in July. English Heritage and other heritage bodies, including The Heritage Alliance, are in contact with DCLG and the PAG to offer suggestions on where they need to focus their re-drafting efforts to ensure the NPPF delivers the same level of protection for the historic environment as did PPS5. Back

Latest on the Localism Bill The Localism Bill is due for its second reading in the House of Lords on Tuesday 7 June.

In advance of this, on 31 May the Alliance’s Parliamentary Liaison team issued a further briefing to Peers, outlining the Alliance’s stance on the Bill. Our briefing welcomes amendments to the Bill so far, and offers suggested further amendments to the current text of the Bill that would ensure protection for the historic environment isn’t downgraded.

Alliance staff and our Board of Trustees continue to work hard communicating the Alliance’s perspective to Peers through individual correspondence and face-to-face meetings. Further briefings will be posted on our website here. You can keep up-to-date with the passage of the Bill here. You can also listen to discussions on the Bill in a BBC Radio 4 ‘You and Yours’ special here. Back

HAVE YOUR SAY: CONSULTATION ROUND UP Back

See The Heritage Alliance’s consultation responses here

Establishment of a Register of Historic Battlefields in Wales A Welsh Assembly consultation. Welsh Ministers propose that Cadw should compile and maintain a non-statutory Register of Historic Battlefields in Wales. Deadline: 10 June.

Historic Environment (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2011 - Draft Regulations This Historic Scotland consultation seeks comments on four draft Statutory Instruments that have been prepared under certain delegated powers in the Historic Environment (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2011. Deadline: 14 June.

4 Inspiring the Big Society: a consultation on regulations under the Sustainable Communities Act. A DCLG consultation seeking views on regulations to govern the implementation of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007. Deadline 20 June.

Moving inland waterways into a new charity in England and Wales. A DEFRA consultation seeking views on the rationale for moving the management of the inland waterways in England and Wales out of the public sector and into a new civil society organisation, and the principles that should guide the Government in deciding on the way forward. Deadline: 30 June.

The Bishop Review of Built Environment Design Support. A Design Council-CABE consultation seeking views from all stakeholders on how to best support good design in the built environment. The feedback from the Review will help DC-CABE to map out a new way of working together, which should provide even greater benefits for local communities whilst making better use of the reduced resources available. Deadline mid July.

Independent Panel on Forestry: Call for Views. A DEFRA consultation seeking views on forests and woods in England, on what this part of our landscape can and should provide, now and in the future. Deadline: 31 July.

NEWS Back

Government heralds a “step change in giving” The Giving White Paper, published on 23 May, sets out how Government intends to stimulate a step-change in giving. Unlike most White Papers it contains no proposals for changes in legislation, instead calling for a cultural change to make giving a social norm.

The White Paper contains between 30 and 40 proposals and pledges to help increase the giving of time and money in the UK to charitable causes, including an extra £30m to support voluntary sector infrastructure, and a £10m Social Action Fund to support “the most promising ideas” for growing giving in priority areas in England. The paper also outlines plans for a ‘Giving Summit’ to be held in the Autumn, which will bring together charities, philanthropists, businesses, technologists and financiers to set the course for the future of giving. And it confirms incentives unveiled in the Budget such as reducing inheritance tax to 36 per cent for those leaving 10 per cent or more of their estate to charity, and a consultation on tax reductions for gifts of preeminent works of art to the nation.

Ministers themselves will be taking up a ‘One Day Challenge’ to give at least a day of their time each year to a charity of their choice (put your invitations in now?), creating a new philanthropy committee to review candidates for honours, and supporting payroll giving with a major campaign.

The White Paper has received a largely positive response. The main points of criticism have been that it contains nothing on lifetime legacies, nor does it address the domination of the fundraising market by large charities. Back

The Heritage Alliance accepts Minister’s philanthropy challenge On the same day that Prime Minister David Cameron launched the Government’s philanthropy drive in the form of the Giving White Paper, Heritage Minister John Penrose warned the sector in his speech at Apsley House (see Headlines) that heritage “must get its fair share.”

The Alliance’s Funding Advocacy Group has taken up the Minister’s challenge, and will devote its September meeting to an in-depth discussion of how the heritage community can turn the Government’s strategy for boosting giving to its advantage. Alliance Chairman Loyd Grossman has written to the Minister to confirm that the Funding Advocacy Group will report back to him on its findings.

40 more trial areas for Neighbourhood Development Proposals announced Yesterday (Thursday 2 June) Decentralisation Minister Greg Clark announced 40 new areas – cities, urban and rural communities - that will pilot neighbourhood planning proposals, to be introduced in the Localism Bill. The areas will join 50 other communities already trialling neighbourhood planning.

5 The ‘neighbourhood planning front-runners’, now numbering 90, will be led by Local Authorities who will work with community groups and parish councils to prepare draft plans and Neighbourhood Development Orders. Each area will receive £20,000 towards developing its plan, from a £5m fund set up by the Government to help those communities eager to trial neighbourhood planning in 2011/12. The new areas taking part are listed here.

For more details of the neighbourhood planning proposals click here and for the Alliance’s work on the Localism Bill click here. Back

Estimating the value of the natural world: National Ecosystem Assessment published The UK National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA) was published yesterday (Thursday 2 June).

The first analysis of its kind in the UK, the NEA aims to estimate the value of the natural world by taking account of the economic, health and social benefits people derive from it. Media headlines on the report lead with its estimation that “nature is worth billions of pounds to the UK economy” and monetary examples such as the £300 per person per year price tag the report ascribes to the health benefits of living with a view of a green space; however, the report also recognises the intrinsic value of the natural world and its effect on happiness, mental health, social cohesion and wellbeing.

The report makes a range of recommendations on how the natural world should be managed in the future, highlighting the need for “an appropriate mixture of regulations, technology, financial investment and education, as well as changes in individual and societal behaviour and adoption of a more integrated, rather than conventional sectoral, approach to ecosystem management.” One of the most potentially contentious of the report’s proposals is its call for an overhaul of European policies on agriculture and fishing, in which it advocates rewarding activates that generate substantial benefits for society, but redirecting payment for those that do not.

Defra Ministers who commissioned the NEA will use it to re-shape policy. The Natural Environment White Paper, which will include the Government’s response to the NEA, is due to be published on 7 June. Back

Help Design Council-CABE map out its future Design Council-CABE has launched the Bishop Review of Built Environment Design Support, to gather feedback from stakeholders that will help it to map out a new way of working together to deliver greater benefits to local communities, whilst making best use of the reduced resources available.

The Review aims to clarify and recommend a nation-wide system of support to deliver design quality in the built environment that will be: supported by built environment professionals and the development industry, recognisable and accessible to the public, support the national growth agenda and enable sustainable development. The consultation will run to July, with recommendations and findings published in September. More on the Review’s key questions here. Back

Heritage bodies respond to European Commission VAT consultation Value Added Tax (VAT), first introduced in 1954 in France, replaced member states’ national turnover tax systems in 1967. By 2008 VAT receipts accounted for 21.4 per cent of the national tax revenues of EU member states - a percentage that has since grown further, with many member states recently increasing VAT rates.

The European Commission’s recent consultation Green Paper on the future of VAT – Towards a simpler, more robust and efficient VAT system, which closed on 31 May, sought views on how to reduce the complexity of the current system. A range of UK heritage bodies made submissions, including English Heritage, the IHBC, Historic Towns Forum and London Forum of Amenity & Civic Societies. Others supported European networks’ responses, such as Europa Nostra and the joint European Landowners’ Organisation / European Historic Houses Association response.

All responses pointed out the perverse incentives of having a higher rate of VAT on renovation and repair than on new build - basing the case on the principles of sustainable development and resource consumption as a cost effective, equitable way of encouraging the provision of public benefit, and as stimulating economic recovery. All argued that the existing short-list of reduced rates should continue, and that it should include the option covering activities relating to the historic environment. Back

6 Independent Panel on Forestry launches call for views on “future vision” Following the Government’s u-turn earlier this year on the consultation to sell off parts of the public forest estate, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) established an Independent Panel on Forestry to advise it on the future direction of forestry policy. In May the Panel launched a call for views on forests and woods, to inform a “public conversation” on what Defra’s “future vision” for forests and woodlands should look like. The call for views came at the same time the Forestry Commission announced plans to cut 23 per cent of its workforce - up to 250 posts.

The Woodland Trust, whose Chief Executive Sue Holden sits on the Panel, has urged stakeholders to make their views known to the Panel directly through its online portal (responses will be emailed automatically to the Panel Secretariat) or via the form on the Defra website, which can then be emailed to [email protected] For more on the Independent Panel on Forestry click here, or follow its updates on Twitter @ ForestryPanel Back

Vic Soc launches nationwide search for ten most endangered buildings The Victorian Society (a member of the Alliance) has launched an appeal to find the nation’s top ten Victorian and Edwardian buildings at risk.

The charity is calling on people all over the country to nominate endangered buildings in their local area, which were built between 1837 and 1914. Buildings don’t have to be listed to be nominated, but they should be at risk - perhaps of demolition, from insensitive development, or from neglect. Nominated buildings in previous years have included schools, mills, former workhouses, pubs, stately homes and chapels.

“We want to make sure the best Victorian and Edwardian architecture survives for future generations to enjoy, but to do this we need to know what is most at risk, from demolition, development, or simply neglect”, said Dr Ian Dungavell, Director of the Victorian Society. “At the moment wide-ranging council cuts mean certain building types are under threat as never before; we’ve been told about some of the libraries, town halls or swimming pools now facing an uncertain future but there will be many more and we would like to hear about them.”

Buildings can be nominated via the Vic Soc’s website, by email to Katie Gunning [email protected] or by post to 1 Priory Gardens, London, W4 1TT. The deadline is 17 July, and the ‘Top Ten’ will be published in the autumn. Back

ALSO THIS FORTNIGHT… Back

History for the Taking? British Academy essay collection available to download Last week the British Academy published History for the Taking? Perspectives on Material Heritage, a collection of essays that urges Government “not to gamble with protecting cultural history.”

The document focuses on archaeology and built heritage as the areas most at risk, with contributions from Dr John Curtis (the British Museum), Dame Fiona Reynolds (the National Trust), Prof Michael Fulford (Archaeology at the University of Reading) and Prof Anthony Harding (Archaeology at the University of Exeter) discussing what they see as being areas of particular concern. Recommendations are made by the authors to address each issue, including the development of a formal framework for localism, a ratification of the Hague Convention and the setting up of an effective system for ensuring the completion and publication of archaeological projects undertaken during the planning process. More on the British Academy’s cultural heritage series here. Back

English Heritage guidance: Energy efficiency and historic buildings Energy Efficiency and Historic Buildings : Application of Part L of the Building Regulations to historic and traditionally constructed buildings is a fully-illustrated guidance document from English Heritage, providing technical advice to help prevent conflicts between the energy efficiency requirements in Part L of the Building Regulations and the conservation of historic and traditionally constructed buildings.

The document acts as 'second tier' supporting guidance in the interpretation of Approved Documents L1B and L2B that should be taken into account when determining appropriate energy performance standards for works to historic and traditionally constructed buildings. This guidance supersedes English Heritage's previous publication Building Regulations and Historic Buildings an interim guidance note on the application of Part L (2004). Back

7 National Historic Ships: Photography Competition 2011 After the success of the photography competition in its first year (2010), National Historic Ships has decided to run it again in 2011 in partnership with Classic Boat magazine.

They are encouraging entries from all those with an interest in maritime heritage, including school children, historic vessel owners, maritime enthusiasts and those with knowledge of traditional skills or nautical techniques. The overall competition winner will win a prize of £1,000 to be spent on a theme or activity involving a vessel from the National Register of Historic Vessels.

Entrants have until 31 August 2011 to submit their photo to the competition. All short-listed entrants will be invited to a national awards ceremony onboard HMS Belfast, which has generously waived its hire fee. For details on judging criteria, entry criteria and the downloadable application form, click here. Click here for photos on Flickr. Back

National Historic Ships: Marsh Volunteer Award This year National Historic Ships and the Marsh Christian Trust will present for the first time an award to a volunteer, or a group of volunteers, who have made a valuable contribution to the conservation or operation of historic vessels in the UK.

Entries will be judged by an expert panel. Nominations should be submitted by application form before 31 July. The overall prize of £1,000, donated by the Marsh Christian Trust, can be spent as the winner chooses. The award will be presented at a national awards ceremony, to be held in October onboard HMS Belfast.

For details on judging criteria, entry criteria and the downloadable application form, click here. Back

The Museums Association launches cuts survey The Museums Association (MA) has launched a confidential online survey to assess how funding cuts are affecting museums across the UK.

The results of the survey will enable the MA to gain a fuller understanding of industry-wide conditions in the wake of funding cuts, and to convey this to the wider public. Respondents are asked to compare the current situation within their museum to that of April 2010. The survey takes around ten minutes to complete, and all responses will remain anonymous. Back

China-UK Connections through Culture grant scheme: closing soon The latest round of the China-UK Connections through Culture grant scheme will close next week. Applications are invited from UK cultural institutions wishing to visit China or to invite Chinese partners to visit the UK, to develop projects.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 12 June, for travel between August 2011 and January 2012. Further details are available here. Back

PEOPLE Back

Appointments have been announced to the Board of Transition Trustees of the new waterways charity that – subject to parliamentary approval – will from April 2012 run the publicly-owned inland waterways in England and Wales that are currently managed by British Waterways. Trustees include Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage and Tom Franklin, Chief Executive of the Ramblers.

Lord Wei has stepped down as the Government’s Big Society adviser to take up a new, unpaid role with the Community Foundation Network. A spokesman for the Office for Civil Society said Lord Wei would not be replaced and that the Downing Street Policy Unit would take over responsibility for the programme.

Former Conservative MP and Chair of Plantlife, Peter Ainsworth, has been announced as the new chair of BIG lottery fund.

EVENTS

8 Back

17th ICOMOS General Assembly and Scientific Symposium: Heritage, driver of development, 27 November - 2 December, Paris The triennial gathering of ICOMOS will take place from 27 November to 2 December, for the first time in Paris at the UNESCO headquarters.

The General Assembly is the occasion where ICOMOS debates its strategy and programme for the coming three years, adopts resolutions, elects its next Board, appoints its Honorary Members and awards the Gazzola Prize – the organization’s highest distinction. The General Assembly is accompanied by a Scientific Symposium on the theme “Heritage: Driver of Development”. Both events are open to ICOMOS members and non-members alike.

Click here for the full programme and to obtain information on negotiated hotel rates and the post-tours to World Heritage cities in France. Online registrations are now open, with an early bird registration deadline of 27 August.

The FAME Forum 2011: Trouble in Store - facing up to the archaeological archives crisis, 1 July, York The Federation of Archaeological Managers and Employers’ (FAME – a member of the Alliance) annual meeting this year will consider the growing crisis facing archaeological archives. Such has been the growth in fieldwork since 1990 that overstretched museums in many parts of the country are refusing to accept any more archaeological archives. As a result, FAME members are storing a growing volume of excavated material which is undeposited and inaccessible.

Held in association with the Society of Museum Archaeologists (SMA), the FAME Forum will bring together speakers from both organisations to discuss how to plan a more sustainable future for archaeological archives. The meeting will take place on 1 July at Merchant Taylors Hall in York. Admission is free to FAME and SMA members or £50 to non-members - including lunch, morning coffee and afternoon tea. Advance booking is essential: for a booking form contact Hilda Young on 01722 343444 or email [email protected]

University of York Conservation Alumni Association: York – World Heritage City? 1 July, York York recently made an unsuccessful bid for a place on the tentative list of World Heritage Sites for the UK. In presenting this conference, the York Conservation Alumni Association wishes to examine the nature of the recent bid, consider why it was unsuccessful, and think about how a new bid might be re-cast. The conference will also examine the implications of future success from the perspective of York’s near neighbour, Durham.

The event will take place on 1 July at the King’s Manor, York. Contact Pam Ward on [email protected] / 01904 323997 for a detailed programme and booking form.

Resilient Heritage 2011: Keep Calm and Carry On, 14 July, Peterborough Taking as its starting point the need to do things differently, this conference will highlight a range of approaches to the historic environment and heritage assets. Reduced public spending for the foreseeable future highlights the need to innovate, be entrepreneurial and find original responses to problems.

Confirmed speakers include: keynote speaker Dr Jonathan Foyle ‘Use them or lose them: old buildings with new purposes’; Greg Luton, Head of Eastern Region, English Heritage; Ian Rice, Architectural Heritage Fund; James Mott, Projectbook; Robyn Llewellyn – Head of Eastern Region, Heritage Lottery Fund; Clara Willett, Building Bursaries; David Tomback – English Heritage – Enabling Development.

The conference will be free to delegates, with a buffet lunch and evening reception at St John’s Church and Great Northern Hotel, Peterborough. To reserve your place email [email protected]

Annual Conference of the Association of Gardens Trusts: 2 – 4 September, Oxford This residential weekend conference will be based at Worcester College, Oxford. The theme this year is 'Power Gardening – Dukes and Generals in Early-18th Century Oxfordshire'. The programme includes visits to some great garden landscapes in the area, including Blenheim and Rousham. For further information click here or contact the organiser, Priscilla Frost at [email protected] / Tel: 01608 811818.

North of England Civic Trust: Heritage Skills Training and Events 2011 9 The 2011 Heritage Skills Training and Events Programme for the North East from the North of England Civic Trust (NECT) is now available. There’s a wide range of events and training opportunities on offer - from the 2011 Heritage Skills Festival, to practical training in blacksmithing, drystone walling and lime pointing, to lectures, taster sessions and skills fairs. Click here to download the full programme. To book onto any of the events email [email protected] or use the form on NECT’s website here.

SITUATIONS VACANT Back

HONORARY / VOLUNTARY POSITIONS

Heritage Crafts Association: Treasurer The Heritage Crafts Association (HCA), which supports and promotes heritage crafts as a fundamental part of our living heritage, is seeking a Treasurer to join its Board of Trustees. The HCA was formed in 2009, achieved charitable status in 2010 and recently achieved funding from the Headley Trust to employ an Administrator. In March 2011, HRH The Prince of Wales became President of the HCA.

The new Treasurer should be interested in the work of the HCA, have a very good command of finances and accounts (experience of charity accounting desirable), be IT literate and be able to attend regular committee meetings (approximately six per year, usually held on Saturdays in central London).

For more details click here or contact the HCA Chair, Mr Robin Wood for an informal discussion: robin@robin- wood.co.uk or by phone on 01433 670321.

UK National Commission for UNESCO: Non Executive Directors The UKNC is now inviting applications for non executive company directors, with a range of relevant expertise and experience in the fields of education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication, and experience of working with not for profit organisations. For further information on this role, download the job description and person specification from the UNESCO website.

The role would require attendance at a minimum of four Board meetings per year, plus task-related activities or policy advice in the Non-Executive Director’s areas of expertise. Expenses will be reimbursed. To apply submit the application form with a short covering letter indicating the relevance of your expertise, engagement and networks, and the names of two referees, to Sue Davies, Deputy Chair [email protected] Closing date is 13 June.

The Theatres Trust: Volunteer Theatre Planning Placements The Theatres Trust is looking for Theatre Planning Placement volunteers to assist in the administration of the Trust’s role as a statutory consultee for theatres in the planning system, and as an expert adviser in the heritage of theatre buildings.

This is an invaluable opportunity for individuals to gain experience in a specialist area of spatial planning, heritage assets, promoting theatre use, and building knowledge on theatre buildings in the UK. Assisting the Trust’s Planning Team, activities will include site visits and theatre assessments, drafting advice to planning authorities, and research on the architectural history of theatre buildings and planning policy as it relates to the provision of cultural infrastructure and theatres.

To apply, please send a covering letter and CV to [email protected] or post to The Theatres Trust, 22 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0QL. For further information click here or ring 0207 8368591. Closing date is 17 June.

SALARIED POSITIONS

The Prince’s Regeneration Trust: Projects Adviser (Scotland & Northern Ireland) The Prince’s Regeneration Trust works with communities throughout the United Kingdom; the aim is to ensure that important buildings at risk of demolition or decay are preserved, regenerated and re-used.

The Trust is seeking an experienced project manager to lead on its work in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The postholder will pro-actively manage projects to ensure deadlines and budgets are met, and work closely with 10 community groups, contractors, developers and a range of other stakeholders. As representative of the Trust, the postholder will be committed to the value of heritage-led regeneration, and take pride in delivering work of the highest quality. Experience in the fields of property, regeneration or heritage, as well as knowledge of heritage buildings, is essential.

The postholder will be expected to contribute to Trust projects across the UK, but will have a particular focus on those located in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Based on current and anticipated work plans the majority of the work will be in Scotland, although travel to Northern Ireland is an important part of the post responsibilities.

Salary is £36-42,000pa depending on experience. For more details and information on how to apply, click here. Closing date is 13 June.

The St Helena National Trust: Director The remote south-Atlantic island of St Helena is seeking a Director to drive development of its National Trust, which seeks to protect the island’s heritage, threatened by neglect and lack of funding.

The Director will be responsible for everything from managing the award-winning Millennium Forest and new Wirebird conservation programme, to promoting the island’s bid to be a World Heritage Site and growing its new heritage construction business. They will be responsible for implementing the Trust’s new five-year Strategy, with an emphasis on securing its sustainability and income.

The successful candidate must be able to provide strong leadership, motivate and manage this growing organisation, have a good understanding of how to conserve the natural, built and cultural heritage and have good communication skills. Flexibility and the ability to prioritise work are essential for the successful management of this wide-ranging and challenging post.

Salary is £20,000 per annum, plus relocation allowance. The post is offered on a three-year contract, with one trip off island mid-contract. Application is by CV and covering letter outlining suitability for the post – click here for more information. To apply or request a job description, email [email protected] or ring 00 290 2190. Closing date is 17 June.

UK National Commission for UNESCO: Executive Secretary The UKNC is seeking to appoint an Executive Secretary to lead the Secretariat and support the Board of Directors in providing independent policy advice to Government, and support to UK individuals and institutions seeking to access UNESCO resources and accreditations. The post is based in central London and the salary is £52,700 to £61,600 p.a. inclusive of London weighting.

For further information on this role, download the job description and person specification from the UNESCO website. Applicants should submit their CV and a short covering letter indicating the relevance of their expertise, engagement and networks, and the names of two referees, to Simon Shobrook: [email protected] / 0207 680 3241. Closing date is 22 June.

Council for British Archaeology: Conservation and Community Officer The CBA invites applications for this new post to develop its role as a national amenity society, to manage its heritage casework in England and to support local engagement with heritage protection.

The post requires a person with an excellent general knowledge of the practice and principles of historic environment conservation and a sound understanding of the current planning and heritage protection systems in England and in Wales. A demonstrable interest and experience in heritage conservation and in assessing the archaeological significance of historic buildings and historic areas will be essential. Qualifications should include education to degree level in a relevant subject area and Membership of IHBC and / or IfA. A relevant post graduate qualification is also desirable. Good communication and ‘people’ skills are important, with a positive attitude and friendly, approachable style. Enthusiasm, energy, team working skills and willingness to share and support others in a multi-disciplinary working environment will be important attributes.

For full details click here. Salary is £26,000–£29,500 per annum. Closing date 30 June.

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