ACO BUSINESS NEWS NOTES FROM THE CHAIR Those of you who read AGM reports, particularly rhe Treasurer's, will be pleased to see that our balances are extremely healthy. As a result, at the last Council meeting, it was decided to allocate a proper sum of money to the Editor of this magazine, for the purchase of state-of-the-art hardware, in order that the burden of producing so high-quality a service to the members should not overwhelm him. That will probably be the foundation on which we can build another addition to the services members receive -a Newsletter. Timed to fill the gaps between Context, or even to respond to special events, a Newsletter will also ensure chat everyone can keep up to date with developments on the matter of insritu re status. Those who still have concerns about chat will, I hope, be reassured by a constant flow of information and by the ever open offer to make their own views heard. The comfortable resources of the Association mean that we can afford to circulate important documents direct and to call special general meetings if and when necessary. Repeated references to rhe finances in this note have been intentional, for, as many of you know, the p~rson responsible for ensuring chat the Association concentrated on these marrers when necessary, Peter Richards, has juse resigned as Treasurer. I don't want to embarrass him - but the following brief points should be made: [J No-one ever wants to be Treasurer - only the real troopers volunteer, as Peter did. LJ Almost everyone who cakes on the role of Treasurer eventually gees some terrifying advice from a professional treasurer. That advice can be cripplingly proper and circumspect. Peter has always ensured that we acted legally and sanely, but not once has he given advice to the Council urging the kind of extreme caution which so often hamstrings our employers. D Every organisation has people you accept you have to work with, some you are content to work with and one or two who you actually look forward to seeing. I am sure I speak for everyone I know in the ACO when I say char Peter undoubtedly falls into the last category. Enough eulogy. Michael Munt has taken over as Treasurer. The fact chat he is in easy contact with Peter will mean char the handover should be painless. The business of the Association will now continue despite individual changes of personnel - which is as it should be. That doesn't mean char you need not consider more active involvement. There is still a very small percentage of active members and plenty still to be done. I [ conservation is to survive forthcoming upheavals, then the active involvement of more members 111 the business development of the Association is essential. Chris Smith NOTES FROM THE COUNCIL A small subgroup has been set up to examine the issues involved in serring up an 'institute of conservation'. Its final report is to be drafted before Christmas ready for debate at the AGM in York in March. Subject to the findings of the subgroup it may be decided to call an extraordinary general meeting before any final decisions are made on whether and how to proceed in this direction. Apart from any organisational questions, the group will need to consider: (a) the relevance of institute status; (b) whether ACO should metamorphose into an institute or set one up in parallel to the present Association; and (c) to ensure rhar existing members are not disadvantaged by any changes. As previously reported English Heritage is supportive of moves in this direction and has offered administrative assistance to help the subgroup in its work. When the subgroup first met in September it felt it worth stressing that the prime CONTEXT 40 justification for institute status was to benefit the historic environment by improving the competence of practitioners in this field. Recognising that local government may well change in the next few years, the terms of reference for an institute would need to be 'subject' not employer based. Council was very conscious of the need to keep the membership informed of progress and thinking on this significant matter. Both for this reason and because an increasing number of major conservation issues are arising between issues of Context it was agreed to inaugurate the interim Newsletter mentioned in Notes from the Chair. The newly established Consultations Subcommittee was drawing up the formal ACO response to the draft PPG 15. As it was rumoured that DoE was anxious ro publish the final draft of the PPG soon after expiry of the consuitation period, it was thought more productive to concentrate on points of detail rather than criticise its underlying economy-driven philosophy. In particular the failure to give clear advice on listed building enforcement or buildings-at-risk, or to suggest model local plan policies, were singled out for comment as was the paucity of advice on historic parks and gardens. Some of the latter contradicts the parallel practice notes on conservation areas from English Heritage. Council was somewhat surprised to learn chat, whereas the draft PPG encouraged local au rhori ties to use Housing Act grant for conservation work, a concurrent Housing Policy paper suggested a drastic scaling down of these funds. Although out of time, an immediate response was to be sent pointing out the potential harm this could have on many conservation and building trust projects. ACO was co support the English Historic Towns Forum position on extending planning controls in conservation areas in response to the DoE/DNH consultation paper. A consultation paper on statutory controls for historic parks and gardens had been received from the Garden History Sociery (ACO had been represented on the working parry which had drawn up the paper); a reply was being formulated. It was learned char Roger Suddards' English Heritage Tax Panel had sent its recommendations to the Chancellor. Should these not be accepted, Council agreed to consider lending its support to a possible wide-based lobby on taxation and conservation currently being proposed. The 1993 Annual School at Weymouth had been a considerable financial success leaving the Association in a healthy financial position. Preparations were well in hand for the 1994 School at York with most of rhe speakers already booked. The venue for the 1995 school remained uncertain although it is hoped chat it will be on the complementary theme of conservation in rural areas. There still remains a serious need, mentioned in the last Notes, for a rolling programme of venues to ensure continuity of this valuable educational facility. Many regions were now developing their own successful programmes of local one-day events; the East Anglia conference to be held in November is now into its tench year. A number of important administrative changes were announced at the September meeting to which the Chairman has referred but, in addition, Richard Morrice is to become Secretary, with Graham Sreaggles retaining responsibility for rhe Consultations Subcommittee. Alan Taylor RECENT NEWS FROM COTAC I attended a COT AC meeting in April in place of Mickey King. Members who heard Richard Davies at the ACO AGM may have formed their own judgements, but Conservation Officers have to be aware chat recent developments within COTAC have potentially very serious implications for us. COTAC is aiming to "identify standards/establish accreditation criterion" for Conservation 35
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