C O N T E X T 1 3 9 : M A Y 2 0 1 5 39 Notes from the chair An extraordinary year in a disconnected world This column will be my last before the AGM on 19 June at the annual school in Norwich. As tradition demands, it seems appropriate to review what has happened over the past 12 months and where the institute might go next. This is my second year as your chair and, once again, it has been an extraordinary year of activity and change. I am indebted to Trefor Thorpe, our president, for his Herculean efforts in bringing forward our governance review and agreeing to that extra year in office. I must also thank Seán O’Reilly, our director, and the national office for their boundless enthusiasm and energy, and the support and assistance of council members in driving things forward. Much has changed during the year, none more so than the new experimental structure for the institute following council’s agreement to the governance proposals last year. This has broadened considerably the ability of members to participate in the running of the institute, while maintaining the core contribution made by the branches. Each branch can now send both an elected trustee to the governing bodies, and also a second representative. In line with the experimental nature of the reforms, some branches have decided to appoint more than one ‘representative’, who can rotate as they are available; hence many more members can see how the institute works at national level and be a part of that process. Other branches are inclined to have just one representative and intend holding elections. If you are interested in participating in this role, or in any other way, do get in touch with your branch chair. The new structures are now beginning to bed in, although there are many challenges to be met still before we can begin to consider them successful. A major challenge is the simple IT ones of holding ‘virtual’ meetings.With over 20 members on line they could be extremely difficult to chair, so I am grateful to the national office for providing such clear protocols and to those on line for having the discipline to follow them. Having the correct IT equipment is essential. A common thread was that the current failures extend beyond the heritage sector, stemming from a disconnect between politicians, the wishes of the public (who, let us not forget, are overwhelmingly in support of what we do) and the structures of government. The future of ‘planning’, through which much heritage interest is often expressed, deserves greater thought and ministerial support. Rest assured that we will strive to work with the new government, the various national agencies and other sector bodies and friends to improve the standing of heritage with our decision-makers. The AGM will see some familiar faces step down as trustees of the institute. I would like to take this opportunity of thanking them for their hard work and commitment – and, of course, to welcome those newer faces who have put themselves forward to serve. I hope to see as many of you as possible in Norwich, for what promises to be a fascinating annual school. Mike Brown, chair@ihbc.org.uk Our IT consultants are busy advising us, and rolling out the necessary kit that will make the virtual meetings work. F&R+ (finance and resources ‘plus’) has also met physically. Thanks to the more regular decision-making allowed by the virtual meetings, the agenda was more manageable than in the past and discussions could focus on detailed assessment of the individual matters before us. The other body, Council+, will be held on Sunday 21 June in Norwich, after the annual school. I look forward to a vibrant and wide-ranging discussion of the issues exercising members at that time and hearing how you want the institute to progress. It was with considerable pleasure that I received a number of replies to my last column, in which, you will recall, I mapped out a number of the serious challenges faced by the heritage sector. It was heartening to have confirmed that I am not alone in my concerns and that there is no shortage of ideas out there on how to address them. Keep them coming.
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