C O N T E X T 1 3 1 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 3 33 S IHBC Annual School Annual School 2012 School 2013 IHBC An 2011 IHBC Annual IHBC Annual School School 2013 IHBC IHBC Annual Scho Northern Ireland It is intended to move historic environment service delivery into the 11 new local authorities in April 2015 as part of the ‘normalisation’ process. I would only comment that given the very high percentage of heritage-at-risk entries owned by local authorities and the sharp job cuts in heritage provision being experienced elsewhere in the UK, should this be normal? Scottish themes The Historic Environment (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2011 introduced a number of technical reforms and saw a general ‘tightening up’ of protection within the Historic and Ancient Monuments Act 1953, the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.The act also introduced the provision of Registers for Historic Gardens and Battlefields. A further recent consolidating measure is the proposed merger of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland with Historic Scotland. Finally, it is worth noting that Historic Scotland intends to conduct a root-and-branch review of its Scottish Historic Environment Policies (SHEPS). That will, no doubt, keep our policy committee busy. Welsh themes Work continues to bring forward a Heritage (Wales) Bill, following a series of Cadw-led blue skies workshops and the expected consultation document. Again, like Scotland, and probably a reflection of our times, that is a consolidating work rather than the muchhoped-for radical act. The changes in ministerial portfolios in April 2013 may also have been a factor in this down-scaling, with the regrettable loss of the association with housing and regeneration under Huw Lewis AM replaced by the Culture and Sport portfolio under John Griffiths AM. Conservation Principles for Wales were adopted in 2011, being a simplified version of those produced by English Heritage, while in May 2013 Cadw produced a Historic Environment Strategy that covered in broad terms issues such as ‘Heritage protection and sustainable development’, ‘Economy’ and ‘Partnership and delivery’. I hope that this work can evolve into a specific action plan to accompany the strategy. In terms of guidance it is worth noting that the old circulars 60/96 (Archaeology) and 61/96 (Historic Buildings) are still in place. Finally, like Scotland, it has been proposed to merge the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales with other agencies, including Cadw. However, this is opposed by the National Assembly Committee and we await developments under the current minister. Future issues It has been said of heritage in the UK that it enjoys a first world legislative and policy system but suffers from third world resourcing. This was never truer than today when we face as big a crisis as that in the 1970s. Yet there are ways forward. It is worth noting the government’s intentions for the sector, as revealed by paragraph 128 of the NPPF, which states: ‘In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets’ importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. As a minimum the relevant historic environment record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary.’ Working together, in whatever sector you practice in, we should be able to use this paragraph to ensure that the necessary expertise comes into play and that decisions taken about the future of our heritage are taken based on the appropriate evidence. Other reforms will undoubtedly come our way. We may well have to accept changes that even 10 years ago would have been unpalatable. So be it. The IHBC meanwhile must continue to forge partnerships with like-minded bodies across both the historic and built environment sectors to campaign and influence at local and national level in order to stem the current attrition and re-establish the case for our heritage. We all have a role to play in getting this message across. Mike Brown, chair@ihbc.org.uk ‘A first world legislative and policy system with third world resourcing’
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjgyMjA=