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PARLIAMENTARY PETITION PE 1012: COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUES

REPORT TO PETITIONS COMMITTEE

Introduction 1. This study explores the key choices and potential costs involved in running a national commemorative plaque scheme and has been prepared to help inform the Parliamentary Petitions Committee in connection with a petition from Mr Frank Beattie in January 2007. He asked for:

“a nationally coordinated and nationally funded commemorative plaque scheme, which would be similar to the ‘blue plaque’ scheme that is run by English Heritage in London.”

2. Mr Beattie advocated a plaque scheme on the grounds it would enhance Scotland’s historic environment and educate and encourage people to read further about the person, place or event that was being commemorated. He helped put in place in the Millennium Plaques in Kilmarnock, which included town trails based on the plaque locations1 which he felt had created a greater sense of community pride among Kilmarnock residents.

3. Evidence has been drawn from existing plaque schemes throughout the UK, looking specifically at demand for plaques, administration, operational issues connected with national and local schemes, funding, resources and materials and maintenance.

4. The petition is due to be discussed at the next meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on 2 December 2008.

Summary of main points • There is no evidence of the extent of demand for a Scotland-wide plaques scheme.

• A nationally-led scheme is likely to be expensive, administratively complex, and potentially controversial, and risks finding itself in tension with established local schemes. Many nationally-important figures are already commemorated with plaques.

• Existing locally-led plaques schemes are successfully run with modest resources and are responsive to local needs. Supporting locally-based schemes would be most consistent with the Scottish Government’s overall approach to local government, its commitment to working within the SOA framework and its simplification agenda.

• Local authorities and other local organisations have played a major role in existing schemes. In line with the Government’s commitment to enabling local leadership and choice, they should continue to play a key role. Their

1 A booklet, Kilmarnock Town Trails, was produced by The Kilmarnock History Society in 2003 describing these trails and providing a map.

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expertise could usefully contribute to the setting up of any new schemes in partnership with other organisations such as Conservation Area Regeneration Schemes (CARs), Civic Trusts (CTs) and City Heritage Trusts (CHTs).

• The Scottish Government could readily increase its support for such local schemes, through permitting existing Historic Scotland grants to CARs and CHTs to be used to support these; facilitating information sharing between existing schemes and those with an interest in setting these up; and through working with an existing grant-supported organisation to ensure that there is a standing source of advice for those interested in such schemes.

Discussion of the main issues Evaluating demand for a Scotland-wide commemorative plaques scheme and estimated numbers of nominations

5. Though a number of organisations expressed enthusiasm for the Petitioner’s proposal there is no evidence of actual demand. It would be wise, therefore, to take a cautious and measured approach to the development of a new plaques scheme. It should be noted that when English Heritage (EH) changed the national focus of their scheme back to a London-only scheme there was very little disappointment expressed at the change. Nevertheless there was a great deal of interest from existing schemes in EH’s more formalised enabling role.

6. The numbers of nominations a national scheme could attract is difficult to predict. EH receive about 100 nominations a year for their London-only scheme but only put up between 12 and 15 plaques a year. Numbers vary in other schemes per annum. For example Birmingham Civic Society nominations fluctuate from year to year but probably average out at 10 to 15 per annum. This is set against a backlog of around 70 or 80 nominations which have gone through the first approval stage but are waiting for their plaques. No reasons were given for the backlog (see Annex C).

Nationally-led scheme: major issues 7. The EH attempt to run a national scheme provides useful information which has helped evaluate the issues involved in running such a scheme. The EH London-only scheme was extended nationally in early 2003; this was suspended in 2006 following a review of its value, long term affordability and practicality. It was not considered to offer good value for money and was in conflict with existing schemes.

8. Although a national scheme offers a consistent approach to the nomination and selection criteria, research and branding, these come at a relatively high cost. The national scheme run by EH was estimated to cost £401,000 per annum at 2003 prices. Fixed cost elements probably mean that an equivalent figure for Scotland might reasonably be predicted to come to a considerable proportion of that.

9. The national scheme was unpopular with many existing schemes and had been opposed by some. A number of local councils made it clear that they did not think that the EH plaques were appropriate to their needs. In Birmingham, the plaques were seen to challenge the well-established local scheme and were considered to be a waste of resources. There is the risk that a national scheme in Scotland might also be opposed by established schemes and be seen to offer no additional benefits and

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discourage local involvement. In this way it would be less effective in promoting Scottish culture and heritage.

10. It might be difficult to harmonise national and local selection criteria and interests in a nationally-led scheme and to draw the line between locally- and nationally-important people. In addition many nationally-important figures have already been marked by a plaque.

11. There is a risk that a uniform brand might appear at odds with different locations. Adapting the form and design of plaques to suit regional buildings materials and types might prove challenging, while retaining a national brand or appearance. EH have warned that a homogenous national plaque design would not fit with the historic built environment in all regions (see annexes B and D).

12. A nationally-run, nationally-funded scheme would by its nature involve less local engagement and would have more focus on the national/international importance of figures being commemorated, rather than community engagement and local significance.

13. On the other hand, a national scheme may be more likely to receive national/international prominence than a series of local schemes, receiving more publicity and promotion, because of its national status. London’s blue plaques are extremely famous, but other schemes are virtually unheard of outside their local area.

Locally-led schemes: major issues 14. Many existing locally-led schemes are very successful and provide a good model which could be used to develop other locally-led schemes. The costs involved in running existing local schemes are often well-integrated with other related functions within local authorities and heritage organisations and do not appear to impose unreasonable financial burdens, although many of the organisations found it difficult to separate out the time spent on plaques specifically. The resources required are related to the scope of the schemes and whether nominations are sought frequently, such as annually, or less frequently.

15. The petitioner (whom HS officials met as part of preparing this report) highlighted a number of his concerns, which were mainly practical. The Kilmarnock scheme took some time to get off the ground not only because of limited funding (money had to be raised locally) but critically the lack of expertise available to those who wished to set up and run a scheme was a substantial obstacle. These difficulties could be resolved by the provision of a central advice point or helpline/website for all the schemes in Scotland. This would have to be funded from within existing grants monies. Unlike EH, HS has no direct responsibility for any specific local scheme and so the key issue would be identifying an appropriate organisation to provide such advice.

16. Locally-led schemes benefit from community involvement and decision-making and successful schemes are integrated with local history trails and interpretation, and other local interests. Voluntary participation can play a substantial role in the running of a local scheme as well as local fund raising initiatives or sponsorship.

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This would be more difficult to achieve with a national scheme. A local initiative may also be better positioned to regulate its resources according to the volume of demand for commemorations.

17. Encouraging locally-led schemes with a variety of partners such as local authorities, heritage organisations such as CHTs, CARs and CTs would offer a flexible and appropriate approach. This would ensure integration with city or town/area interpretation strategies and a high level of community engagement. In addition, the promotion would be locally-focussed.

18. Local schemes have the advantage that they can be very flexible and enable local plaque design, colour and size (Annex E).

19. The Scottish Government could allow CHTs and CARs to use an element of their Historic Scotland funding to support local schemes.

20. Some local schemes across England such as in Westminster and Oxfordshire have tended to receive sponsorship (whether from a university, college, society, or even private individual) to be able to afford to put up a plaque e.g. in Oxfordshire the Betjeman society sponsored the erection of a plaque for the poet John Betjeman. Local schemes would be better placed to engage with local businesses and institutes.

Administration 21. A significant part of the administration process will involve gaining permission from the building owner and any living relatives, which will almost always be required. East Ayrshire, Birmingham, Aberdeen and Newcastle noted that getting permission from the building owner, on most occasions, is the most problematic part of the whole process. Where the building is a listed building local authorities would have to be involved with the administration process, even within a national scheme, because the local authorities are responsible for granting listed building consent.

22. Locally-led administration of nominations and planning permission could be handled more easily, since local bodies are already dealing with their own area and no new machinery would have to be created to deal with all the administrative functions that would have to be created if a nationally-run plaque scheme is set up.

23. Newcastle remarked that the locally-run scheme is able to respond to local people’s concerns and identify extant buildings/landmarks on which to place the plaque more effectively than a centralised national organisation.

24. Voluntary organisations sometimes provide a contribution to the running of a scheme such as was the case with East Ayrshire’s millennium plaque scheme where the Kilmarnock History Society was invaluable in carrying out the research into the nominations. Again, these relationships would be more difficult to develop and sustain with a centrally-managed scheme.

25. The procedure by which a nomination becomes a plaque is likely be the ‘longest’ part of this process (nomination to erection). All the research and authenticating of the nominations, their lasting impact on society and their

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connection to the area and building suggested, will be discussed and ‘cleared’ during this stage. Examples of nomination and selection processes are found in Annex C.

Funding 26. Information about the total costs to run a national scheme was provided by EH and information about local schemes from the organisations listed in Annex A. The fully operational EH national scheme was £401,000 at 2003 prices. The current funding for its London-only scheme is about £200,000 p.a. Costs of individual local schemes vary considerably and details are found in Annex D.

27. The smaller organisations found it difficult, with the exception of East Ayrshire Council, to estimate the cost because it changed year on year and tended to be absorbed into existing resources.

28. The amount per plaque varied from organisation to organisation depending on the type of plaque that is used, for example Aberdeen gave an estimate of about £300 for production of each of their cast aluminium plaques, whereas EH provided two figures £900 for ceramic plaques, £250-£300 for enamel plaques (these figures are just for the cost to make the plaque). After the manufacturing, other costs are incurred in transporting and affixing the plaque. EH stated that each plaque costs around £2,500 - £3,500 from nomination to erection.

29. Other costs to consider includes booklets, website information, maintenance (Annex E) and provision for replacement plaques; plaques can be lost or stolen.

Gaps: lack of central advice 30. Mr. Beattie raised the issue of lack of advice and expertise for those wishing to put up plaques. This was significant in his experience in the Kilmarnock Millennium plaque scheme where the project was hampered by the limited amount of expertise available to him, especially expertise in setting-up and administering a scheme.

31. This gap in expertise has been recognised by the Scottish Civic Trust (SCT), who receive funding from Historic Scotland (HS). They are currently preparing a guidance leaflet on commemorative plaques which will cover topics such as how to research, consents and sourcing manufacturers. This will assist heritage bodies and individuals who wish to develop plaques for heritage interpretation.

32. EH have carried out a study of the gaps in advice and these are the top five requested:

• the visual design and size of plaques (including visual impact on buildings); • the development of regionally appropriate selection criteria; • the different materials and methods of fixing of plaques (including their relative impacts on a wide variety of buildings, ‘reversibility’ and life spans); • funding; • the working of the selection process (including the setting-up and running of independent selection panels and choosing between nationally- and locally- significant figures).

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33. Ministers would be happy to ask Historic Scotland to address these issues by looking at how existing funding could be used to support an organisation which already has expertise in this area to provide a central source of advice. As noted above, unlike EH, HS has no direct responsibility for running such a scheme.

Other Issues 34. A number of other issues came up in discussions with consultees such as accessibility, interpretation, permissions, design and form, and maintenance, sustainability and visual impact (see Annex E). These are practical issues which, whilst important and pertinent, would be worked out and be subject to discussion at a local level when schemes are set-up and implemented.

Recommendations 35. It would be prudent to take a measured approach to encouraging the greater use of commemorative plaques in Scotland. The expertise in local schemes, including EH’s London scheme, could be used to help to support developments in Scotland. An approach based on fostering and supporting local initiative, rather than establishing any new national machinery, would be consistent with the Government’s commitment to enabling local leadership and choice, and its simplification agenda.

36. However, HS could act as an enabler to bring together existing expertise and organisations wishing to set up a scheme, through supporting one or more events and using existing funding arrangements to support a central point of advice.

37. It would also be straightforward for HS to allow a proportion of existing funds to CHTs and CARS to be used to support such schemes, where there is local demand.

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ANNEX A

List of schemes and organisations consulted

The following is a list of schemes/organisations and individuals that HS have had discussions and correspondence with:

English Heritage Stirling City Heritage Trust Aberdeen City Council Birmingham Civic Trust Newcastle City Council Dunfermline Heritage Trust East Ayrshire Council Westminster Borough Council Mr Frank Beattie

Schemes for:

Bournemouth Southwark Oxfordshire Cambridge Canterbury St. Andrews Liverpool Manchester Tameside

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Annex B

English Heritage experience 1. EH has provided extensive and useful information about their short-lived national plaques scheme. They are keen to share their experience and have offered to participate/pass on their experience.

2. EH has been responsible for the running of the blue plaques scheme since 1986. In November 2003 the Executive Board of English Heritage agreed to extend the blue plaques scheme nationally. However, the experience gained in the process of extending the scheme led to suspension of the scheme in early 2006 and a review of the value and practicability of the national scheme and its long-term affordability. Work on the blue plaques scheme in London continued uninterrupted.

3. The review identified a number of serious obstacles to the successful implementation of a cohesive national scheme. These included: • financial constraints (a fully operational national scheme was estimated at £401,000 at 2003 prices); • the existence of an increasing number of flourishing local schemes (also the former homes of many nationally significant figures had already been marked); • the quality and number of suggestions made under the national scheme to date; • the problem of adapting the form and design of plaques to suit regional building materials and types; • the position of so many buildings at a distance from public rights of way (ineligible, therefore, for plaques); • the unsuitability of the existing selection criteria, based on a London catchment, in the regions; • whilst some had been enthusiastic about the idea of a national scheme, a number of local councils and groups made it clear that EH plaques would not be welcomed and are not thought appropriate for their areas. In Birmingham, for example, EH plaques were seen to challenge the well-established local scheme, and were deemed a ‘waste of resource’.

4. In February 2007 the Executive Board (and subsequently English Heritage Commissioners) agreed to withdraw from actively erecting plaques in the regions as envisaged under the 2003 scheme while respecting the spirit of the scheme through the expansion of their advisory role, whereby guidance and information is actively offered to local authorities and others currently managing commemorative plaques schemes or hoping to establish their own schemes. EH continues to run the London scheme.

5. At the June 2007 meeting of the English Heritage Blue Plaques Panel a report on a consultation with heritage and conservation officers across England was presented. The consultation was asked what guidance and advice EH might offer, based on their running of the blue plaques scheme, and what was felt would be of value to other commemorative plaques schemes. The top five areas of advice requested were:

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• the visual design and size of plaques (including visual impact on buildings); • the development of regionally appropriate selection criteria; • the different materials and methods of fixing of plaques (including their relative impacts on a wide variety of buildings, ‘reversibility’ and life spans); • funding; • the working of the selection process (including the setting-up and running of independent selection panels and choosing between national and locally significant figures).

6. Interestingly there has been very little disappointment expressed at EH’s change of national focus, but a great deal of interest in and broad support for their more formalised enabling role.

7. Within London the publicly-funded blue plaques scheme commemorates only the most outstanding national and international figures and there is a limit of one plaque per figure.

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Annex C

Selection criteria and nominations

Selection Criteria 1. There are a range of different selection criteria in use in local schemes in Britain. It is a common criterion that the nominated person should be dead, with some schemes such as EH’s, Newcastle’s, and Birmingham’s stipulating this period as twenty years dead, but there is scope for variation in the length of time since their death e.g. Cambridge stipulates 10 years dead, while Westminster and Aberdeen seem only to stipulate a significant period of time since death. There are other similar criteria among schemes such as the person being commemorated should have been an eminent figure in their profession, that the person being commemorated should have been born or spent a significant period of time within the area and that the plaque is easily visible from a public highway. Other criteria however are more flexible with the need for an extant building; while being a criterion for the London and Newcastle schemes, it is not so for Birmingham or Westminster, while Aberdeen indicate ‘appropriate location’, giving scope for more than just an extant building. Local schemes can commemorate both national and local figures, and the restriction to local figures that might be a consequence of a national scheme might be unwelcome.

2. Four examples of selection criteria are described below:

EH (criteria relevant only to London have been removed) 3. In order to be eligible for a blue plaque: • a figure must have been dead for 20 years, or have passed the centenary of their birth, whichever is the earlier; • a building associated with the figure being proposed must survive in London.

4. Nominated figures must also meet the following criteria: • be considered eminent by a majority of members of their own profession or calling; • have made an important positive contribution to human welfare or happiness; • be recognisable to the well-informed passer-by OR deserve national recognition; • have resided in London for a significant period, in time or importance, within their life and work.

5. It should also be noted that: • plaques can only be erected on the actual building inhabited by the nominated figure, not the site where the building once stood. However, consideration may be given in cases where reconstructed buildings present an exact facsimile frontage on the identical site; • buildings marked with plaques must be visible from the public highway; • proposals will not be considered for the commemoration of individuals still living;

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• proposals will be considered for the commemoration of sites of special historical interest; • plaques can only be erected on buildings, not on boundary walls or gate piers.’2

6. The above EH criteria have for a number of years been used as a template for other schemes’ selection criteria, with many schemes having similar, if not as wide- ranging, selection criteria.

7. Aberdeen • that the nominated person should be regarded either within their profession as eminent or be recognisable to the well-informed passer-by; • that the person in question is dead; • that an appropriate location for the plaque has been found. Appropriate means that either the person lived within the building upon which the plaque will be fixed or they worked there for a significant period and that the location of the plaque is such that members of the public will normally be able to view it from a public road or street without needing to enter upon private property; • that the plaque will conform to the normal dimensions of other commemorative plaques within Aberdeen City; • that no notice of sponsorship will occur on the plaque.’3

8. Westminster: The Green Plaques Scheme commemorates people who: • are regarded as eminent by most members of their profession or calling; • have genuinely contributed to human welfare or happiness and deserve recognition for it; • are reasonably well-known; • sufficient time has elapsed since their life to show their lasting contribution to society.’4

9. Birmingham:The criteria for awarding of a plaque are as follows: • the person to be honoured should have been born in Birmingham or have lived in the city for a period of at least five years and have been dead for at least 20 years; • he or she should have achieved national or international prominence in a significant field of endeavour (for example academia; architecture; the armed services; the arts; commerce; education; engineering; industry; the law; literature; medicine; music; philanthropy; politics; religion; science, etc) or have made a major contribution to the development of the city or the well being of its citizens.’5

Nominations

Birmingham

2 From English Heritage website 3 Aberdeen City Council website 4 Westminster Borough Council website 5 Email from Birmingham Civic Trust, Yvonne Maslen

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10. The initial research for the Birmingham Civic Society is done by a member of the Trusts Board, unless the person who has provided the nomination has given a lot of information. The resulting report is then presented to a meeting of the Heritage Committee who base their decision on relevance to the city and degree of fame or level of good works. If approval is given at this first stage the details are incorporated in the master list previously referred to under the appropriate date. Each year in the autumn the following year's waiting list is presented to the Board of Trustees for their approval and if this is granted they start work on the plaques for the following year.

EH nomination consideration procedure 11. Below is the nomination procedure for EH:

• receipt of suggestion to erect blue plaque in London; • preparation of short biographical report by EH historian; • consideration of suggestion by Blue Plaques Panel, which meets three times a year; • if a suggestion is rejected by the Panel, the application will proceed no further. Proposers must wait 10 years before their suggestion can be considered again; • if the Panel finds it is not able to reach a decision, one of two things happen; either further research is sought from our historians, or a suggested figure is held in abeyance for a given number of years, for reconsideration at a later date; • if a suggestion is shortlisted, a full report is prepared by an EH historian, with particular attention being paid to addresses. Suggestions are made as to the location, wording and positioning of the plaque; • submission of full historical report to Blue Plaques Panel, who may suggest changes to details such as the inscription before the report is endorsed; • gaining of preliminary consents for the erection of a plaque from owners. Where listed buildings are involved, gaining consents from the relevant LA. Should an owner refuse their consent, an alternative address is sought or a case is placed in abeyance; • creation of plaque design and location image; • gaining of final consents for the erection of a plaque; • manufacture of plaque; • erection of plaque and, where appropriate, unveiling ceremony.

Aberdeen nomination process 12. The process is described below:

• Write to the Assistant Keeper (Research) supplying the following information: • the name of the nominee; • historical information which demonstrates the importance of the person being nominated (with sources);

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• a proposed location for the plaque with evidence that the owners and those residing or working within that building approve of the proposed mounting of the plaque; • evidence that any living relatives of the nominee approve of the nomination, and a written offer of sponsorship for the full costs of the plaque. • if the Assistant Keeper (Research) is satisfied that the conditions are being met then the exact wording will be discussed and the Assistant Keeper (Research) will order a design and cost estimate for the plaque from the manufacturer; • the Assistant Keeper (Research) will then examine the building for a suitable location. If the building is listed or a Scheduled Ancient Monument other approval will be needed; • once all consents and approvals have been received, Aberdeen City Council Education and Leisure Committee will review and vet the application by way of a report to committee written by the Assistant Keeper (Research) for final approval; • if the committee approves then the Assistant Keeper (Research) will order the manufacturer to create and ship the plaque and then instruct the Council's Contract Services Department to install the plaque; • the City Council will issue a press release regarding the erection of the new plaque;

13. The examples above show that the process is normally a long and meticulous one and would be required for any scheme; local or national, if the scheme was to receive nominations from the public. The time spent on considering a nomination would seem not to vary greatly from the larger and smaller schemes.

14. A different approach was taken by East Ayrshire with their Millennium plaque scheme in Kilmarnock. They did not get nominations from the public but instead drew on the extensive knowledge and experience of the local Kilmarnock History Society.

15. Another approach is taken by Southwark Borough Council who put nominations to a public vote instead of a committee.

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Annex D

Costs 1. Information about the total costs to run a scheme was provided by EH, with information about costs on plaques provided by a range of organisations. The smaller organisations found it difficult, with the exception of East Ayrshire Council, to estimate the cost because it changed year on year and tended to be absorbed into existing resources. EH stated that a fully-operational national scheme was £401,000 at 2003 prices. The current funding for its London-only scheme is about £200,000 p.a. from public funds. There are various councils and civic societies within London that run local schemes which commemorate locally- and nationally-important figures who are not celebrated with a blue plaque – such as the Westminster Council green plaques scheme or the Lewisham Council maroon plaques scheme. The blue plaques scheme currently has the resources to put up 12-15 plaques per year, with each plaque costing around £2,500 - £3,500 to manufacture and install.

2. The amount per plaque varied from organisation to organisation depending on the type of plaque that is used. Aberdeen gave an estimate of about £300 for production of each of their cast aluminium plaques, whereas EH have provided us with two figures £900 for ceramic plaques, £250-£300 for enamel plaques (these figures are just for the cost to make the plaque). After the manufacturing other costs are incurred in transporting and affixing the plaque e.g. on a number of occasions EH have had to hire out cherry-pickers to be able to install the plaques. EH stated that each plaque costs around £2,500 - £3,500 from nomination to erection. Newcastle gave an estimate of £285. Newcastle stated that there were further small administrative costs associated with the unveiling, such as for the photographer and tea/coffee. Newcastle, also, mentioned the time cost of their officer in having to arrange for the plaque and for its unveiling but iterated that they would find it very difficult to put a figure on the hours or cost of internal administrative cost for work associated with the plaques.

3. Dunfermline Heritage Trust gave four prices for plaques depending on producer and material ranging between £138.70 and £505.25.

4. East Ayrshire Council gave a figure for the Kilmarnock scheme of just under £10,000 for the whole millennium plaque project, making a cost of about £700 per plaque, including Braille inscription on the plaque.

5. Birmingham Civic Trust’s plaques cost £286.11 with the cost of a small ceremony of between £300 and £400. There is no administrative cost as they are all volunteers and the day to day costs are met out of their own pockets. This was reiterated by Oxfordshire’s blue plaque scheme where the administrative costs are very low because the scheme is run and administered solely by volunteers.

6. Bournemouth made the point that there would be other costs to consider aside from the plaque and administration: plaque booklets and a website to show the public where the plaques are and possibly provision for replacement plaques – plaques can be lost or stolen. Bournemouth stated that all the administration (contacting relatives of the person to be commemorated, research and authenticating) took up about forty hours for each plaque spread over several weeks.

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7. The cost of plaques in the voluntary Oxfordshire scheme, made by Leander Architectural of Buxton, is a builder’s charge estimated at £450. The £450 funding for each plaque is sought from an appropriate source, whether it be a society, college or school, university department, parish council, business organization, army brigade, group of devotees, or occasionally an individual. The scheme has not experienced significant difficulty in raising funds, and it is considered very rewarding for people from further afield to come together with locals for the celebration. For example, the Betjeman Society members travelled from all over the country to attend the unveiling of his plaque and were very proud to be the sponsors. The American members of the Barbara Pym Society were keen to contribute to her plaque and attend the ceremony which was arranged to coincide with their annual conference. The scheme added that other costs include the administrative costs for a ceremony.

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Annex E

Other Issues

Accessibility 1. Mr Beattie explicitly mentioned the need for good access to plaques stating that the plaques in Kilmarnock were put in easily accessible positions and not necessarily on buildings themselves. For example placing the plaque commemorating the ‘Lady’s Walk: Howard Park’ on railings, because it was more accessible to the public rather than on private land. It is general practice that plaques should be easily accessible to the public (visible from a public highway) and not somewhere on private land or obscurely placed, though this needs to be balanced against susceptibility to graffiti. Local knowledge will tend to be critical to making sound decisions here.

Interpretation 2. A range of approaches exist, from individual and unrelated plaques such as Aberdeen’s to Kilmarnock’s Millennium plaque scheme which is in fact linked to a detailed interpretation of an area and includes a town trail. The more successful schemes appear to be those that are linked to an interpretation of an area and have a clear structure. Plaques may be more easily promoted and could be backed up by support material if linked to interpretation of history and culture of an area. This integrated approach with trail booklets and walking guides is likely to contribute to the success of a scheme.

3. Many schemes, such as Aberdeen, East Ayrshire, and Newcastle stated that promotion through plaque booklets and websites was an important part of their schemes. Many plaque schemes throughout the UK produce trail guides and plaque walk guides that can be picked up by visitors (and locals) to read more about the plaques and the people adorned on them and to show the locations of the plaques. Websites are also key to many plaque schemes, with Oxfordshire, Canterbury, Newcastle, Aberdeen and more, all promoting their schemes either as a part of a council website or as an external website separate from any other organisation.

4. Oxfordshire and Newcastle have both made the point that local media do take quite a keen interest in the unveiling of a plaque and that this promotion can help the local community to become more aware of the scheme.

5. Promotion is also a concern at the pre-erection stage, making the public aware of what is happening; ensuring they are able to nominate local figures and voice their concerns. They may also have an opinion on whether a plaque would be suitable in their area.

Permissions 6. Permission from the building owners, listed building consents and permission from any living relatives need to be gathered before erection. This is why any scheme would need local authority involvement, even a national scheme, because local authorities are the planning authorities, and responsible for listed building consent. Gaining permissions tends to be a significant consideration in erecting a plaque (see Annex C).

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Design and form of plaques 7. Plaques come in a range of materials and designs and are visible on buildings etc. throughout the UK (see annex F). They range from those in Kilmarnock which are large and rectangular with a picture, a number of lines of information regarding the commemorated person/event/place and a Braille inscription of the commemorated to the plaques seen in Aberdeen which are smaller, circular and contain only a couple of lines of information. The Aberdeen plaques are more representative of how most plaques across the UK appear and, apart from EH’s ceramic plaques, will be less expensive than the Kilmarnock plaques (see Annex C).

8. The blue plaques scheme in London is the longest running commemorative plaques scheme in Britain and perhaps the most recognisable, and for this reason many other schemes imitate the London plaques in colour and design. EH has encouraged other schemes to carefully consider design and materials for a plaque so that it is in keeping with local buildings types. This is particularly important when considering the visual impact of a commemorative plaque on an important historic building. The large (19 inch diameter) blue plaques work very well in the visually busy environment of London and its suburbs, but would be disruptively oversized and garishly bright on say a cottage in a rural village. There are already a number of different types of plaque across Scotland, differing in size and colour depending on the locale (Annex F).

Maintenance, Visual Impact and Sustainability 9. A number of issues surrounding maintenance of plaques have arisen from discussion with various groups and longevity and robustness needs to be considered when thinking about the long term management of plaques. EH pointed out that the amount of maintenance required depends on the material used for the plaque and the ceramic plaques have an extremely long lifespan (should survive as long as the building that they are placed on) and that maintenance was virtually zero, while the enamel wall mounted plaques do not have such a long lifespan (ten years) and may need to be maintained more often to increase the longevity of the plaque. This was corroborated by East Ayrshire who have had no maintenance issues so far since erecting their plaques and expect the heavy metal plaques will not need refurbished until they have been up for about ten years.

10. EH also expressed its difficulty in sourcing good quality contractors outside of their trusted ones in London and using London based ones for plaques elsewhere added transport cost and made it even more time consuming. Sourcing local manufacturers and materials should cut down on transport costs, and is consistent with the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003, which established sustainable development as one of three cross-cutting themes. This is especially pertinent, because schemes already in place, in Scotland, are in contact with a number of different plaque manufacturers; e.g. Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and Dunfermline plaque schemes have already sourced their own suppliers.

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Annex F

Examples of plaques

Kilmarnock Millennium plaque

London blue plaque

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Dunfermline Heritage Trust plaque

Aberdeen Plaque

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