The IHBC has posted on its web site new guidance on how members can keep IHBC fee costs to a minimum, including by making sure that they register IHBC fees as a professional expense in their tax records.

IHBC Director Sean O’Reilly said: ‘As a charity we do our best to keep fees affordable while still making sure we do all we can to maintain services and carry out our charitable objects.  Our members can also do a lot to make sure the personal cost of our membership fees is kept to a minimum, and the new pages detail key considerations for any members facing concerns over payments.’

‘We have also provided new details on our support for members facing hardship.  This is always a sensitive area, but we recognise that members from all walks of life can face personal difficulties or crises.  As a professional body and charity, we are here to help ease the burden of maintaining IHBC membership at difficult times.

‘Ordinarily, if you are unemployed or on low-income, or a student without additional means of support, you should be able to make a suitable case for hardship support provided you observe the guidance provided.’

Naturally, as this  support is provided out of the IHBC’s own funds, we will be very cautious about how we allocate support, and any applications will be carefully, and confidentially, considered’.

See the new guidance page on fees at: LINK

For guidance on hardship applications see: LINK

Consumers should avoid being tempted by a cheap cash deal and protect themselves against paying more in the long term, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to comments by the HMRC Permanent Secretary in the Telegraph.

FMB Director of External Affairs Brian Berry said: ‘We are pleased HMRC is becoming more vocal about the damaging effect cash in hand payments have on individual businesses and the economy at large. Businesses that avoid paying VAT have a 20% head start, but all too often this cheap deal comes without a proper written contract or any kind of paperwork meaning the enforcement of consumer rights is almost impossible if something goes wrong.’

Berry continued:  ‘The Government can reduce the competitive advantage of these rogue traders and help protect consumers by cutting VAT to 5% for all home repair, maintenance and improvement work. This simple, single action would help reduce the size of the ‘informal economy’ in the home improvement market, which is now estimated to be worth an astonishing £9.3 billion per year.’

Berry concluded: ‘Over 5,000 construction businesses have gone into insolvency since 2010. At a time when the economy is on the brink of tipping back into recession, the Government should be doing everything it can to support legitimate businesses, not adding to the total number of unemployed.  According to research by the analysts at Experian, last year’s rise in the standard rate of VAT to 20% resulted in nearly 4,000 job losses in the home improvement market in 2011 alone.’

FMB News: LINK

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has responded to The National Audit Office Assessment of Adult Apprenticeships.

John Hayes, Minister for Skills said: ‘Unprecedented investment, backed by tough new measures to ensure that quality matches quantity, has helped make apprenticeships the gold standard vocational qualification.  So I am delighted that the NAO has recognised the progress we have made and that they identify the extraordinary economic benefits of apprenticeships. Few, if any, other government programmes produce anything like the return of £18 for every £1 spent let alone the still greater return that our economists estimate.  It is also pleasing that the switch from Train To Gain to apprenticeships is recognised as having brought significant benefits.’

‘The report rightly identifies a need to prioritise investment where returns are greatest, and that is what the Government is doing. We will continue to drive improvement by developing new higher level apprenticeships, giving training providers more freedom to meet the needs of local businesses, reducing bureaucracy and making financial incentives available to small firms hiring their first apprentices.’

Simon Waugh, Chief Executive of the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) said: ‘The NAO report recognises the value and benefit of the Government’s continued investment in Apprenticeships and that the programme is well run. It also endorses the Government’s decision to make Apprenticeships the flagship policy.  The apprenticeship programme has seen strong growth in the 16-24 age range as well as the 25+ age group, with the fastest growth at Advanced Level. More employers than ever are using Apprenticeships to recruit new employees and to build skills in their business. The introduction from April of additional support for smaller employers recruiting an apprentice for the first time will make it easier for them to recruit young people. ??We are absolutely committed to ensuring that every Apprenticeship provides both the employer and the apprentice with a high quality experience which meets their needs. We are working with the Skills Funding Agency and other partners to raise the bar on quality, recognise excellence, and drive out poor performance; reducing unnecessary red-tape and bureaucracy for those who engage with the Apprenticeship programme. We will continue to strive to ensure that Apprenticeships represent the best value for money for the investment made in them by Government and by employers.’

The National Audit Office assessment shows that the apprenticeships programme continues to be highly valued by apprentices and businesses alike. ??Key findings include:

•  Public spending on apprenticeships is offering a good return on investment.
•  Apprenticeship starts have expanded amongst all age groups, despite a challenging economic climate.
•  OFSTED inspectors and learners are positive about the quality of provision, with 91% of Apprentices satisfied with their training.
•  The programme is well coordinated by its two sponsor Departments, BIS and DfE, which oversee the National Apprenticeships Service and the Skills Funding Agency.

For the NAO comments see: LINK

NDS COI News: LINK

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has appointed Peter Schofield director-general for neighbourhoods.

He joins DCLG from HM Treasury and will take a lead role in implementing the housing strategy, major reforms of the planning system and delivering local economic growth.

Search Planning Portal: LINK

Unprecedented funding, of more than one billion pounds, for a new charity paves the way for the launch of the new Canal & River Trust later this year – a new ‘national trust for the waterways’ that will harness the support of thousands of supporters and volunteers to help look after the canals and rivers in England and Wales for the benefit of future generations.

Environment Minister Richard Benyon said: ‘The Canal & River Trust will be a national trust for the waterways, maintaining and restoring 2,000 miles of heritage sites, wildlife habitats and open spaces so that we can all enjoy them for generations to come. Bringing our waterways into the Big Society puts decision-making into the hands of the thousands of people who cherish the waterways near their homes. Our £1 billion investment will get this new charity off to the strongest start possible, and let local communities and volunteers shape the future of our world-famous waterways.’

Tony Hales, the chairman of the Trustees of the Canal & River Trust said: ‘We congratulate the minister on this settlement which creates a bedrock on which to build the future prosperity of our precious waterways. In the 20th century the network was saved from destruction by committed waterway campaigners, volunteers and staff. In the last decade alone British Waterways has made an enormous contribution to securing the network’s future. In the 21st century they will be held in trust for the nation as a national treasure and a haven for people and wildlife.  With greater certainty of funding than ever before, we now have the opportunity to attract new investment and new supporters and give a greater role to the millions of people who live alongside and on the waterways.’

In order to help the Canal & River Trust get off to the best possible start, Defra has committed a property endowment worth £460 million and funding of £800 million over the next 15 years to help put the nation’s historic network on a firm footing for the future. In addition the new Trust will give local communities and stakeholders a greater role in caring for their waterways.

The funding deal has the following components:

• Core grant of £39m per year (index linked to inflation from 2015/16 onwards)
• From 2015/16, an additional grant of 10m per year (reduced gradually over the last five years of the grant agreement, tied to three performance measures):

-       satisfactory condition of principal assets

-       satisfactory condition of towpaths

-       satisfactory flood risk management measures

• A £25m one-off grant to be spread across the next few months, and a capped ‘last resort’ Government guarantee in relation to the historic public sector pension liability;
• The government has already announced that the £460m commercial property endowment used by British Waterways to fund the infrastructure network will be transferred to the CRT for the same purposes.

Subject to satisfactory conclusion of outstanding issues, the Government plans to lay the Transfer Order in Parliament in February. Subject to Parliament’s approval, we hope to see the new charity launched in June. Following scrutiny by Parliament, the new charity will be launched in June.

The inland waterways managed by the Environment Agency will transfer to the new waterways charity from 2015/16, subject to the next spending review and the agreement of the charity’s trustees.

The Scottish Government have decided not to change the status of British Waterways in Scotland and the Scottish canals will therefore remain in public ownership.

DEFRA News: LINK

British Waterways News: LINK

The number of students applying to study architecture, building and planning degrees has fallen by around one-sixth, according to figures published today by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Search Planning Resource: LINK

Northern Ireland’s Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, has announced the appointment of six new members, and the re-appointment of the chairman and eight existing members to the Historic Monuments Council for a five-year term, effective from 1 February 2012.

Welcoming the appointments, Alex Attwood said: ‘Our Built Heritage is a great part of our lives and a major element in economic growth, tourist numbers and spend. The Historic Monuments Council can help inform government how to maintain built heritage and positively develop the asset’.

Established in 1971, the Historic Monuments Council is a statutory advisory council which provides advice to the Department of the Environment on the exercise of its powers under the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (NI) Order 1995. This includes the conservation and preservation of monuments in state care, scheduling of monuments, maritime archaeology, industrial and defence heritage and the identification of Areas of Significant Archaeological Interest in the context of Development Plans.

The new appointees are: Mrs Lesley Black, Mr Cormac Bourke, Mr Nick Brannon, Mr William Darby, Miss Kathleen Laverty, and Mrs Sarah Witchell.

Northern Ireland Executive News: LINK

Plans aimed at ensuring that Wales’ natural environment is managed to deliver the best environmental and economic outcomes for Wales have been launched by Environment Minister, John Griffiths.

The Minister attended a launch event at Tata Steel in Port Talbot – a company already making good progress in reducing the impact of its business on Wales’ natural environment – to launch his Green Paper, ‘Sustaining a Living Wales’.

Speaking ahead of the event, the Minister said: ‘Our natural environment here in Wales is crucial to both our future and our economy. That is why it is so important that we fully understand its value and manage it in a way that delivers the best environmental and economic outcomes for Wales, both now and in the future.’

‘The approach set out in our Green Paper ‘Sustaining a Living Wales’ hinges on us considering and managing the Welsh environment as a whole. This means assessing the many demands on our land, things like food production, construction and development, and tourism, and making the right decisions for Wales.  It is about a new approach the puts resilience and diversity of our ecosystems, and the sustainable use of our resources right at the heart of the decision making process.  Not only would this new approach improve the resilience and diversity of the environment, it will also help to make the regulation of the environment simpler and more cost effective, something I am sure will be welcomed by businesses and environmental organisations alike.’

The Minister explained that although the proposed approach was widely accepted by the International community, Wales would be one of the first countries to adopt it a national level.

The Minister added: ‘The proposals set out in ‘Sustaining a Living Wales’ offer opportunities for everyone.  They would deliver benefits to businesses and land managers by making the system simpler and more efficient, they will benefit local communities because they will put an increased focus on local needs and opportunities and they will benefit the environment itself by ensuring more targeted investment and improvement that will increase Wales’ resilience to climate change.’

Sustainable Development Commissioner, Peter Davies said: ‘The environment is Wales’ largest resource and it underpins our future social and economic prosperity. Our unique natural environment and the ecosystem services it provides are of enormous economic value, as well as vital to support our wellbeing. Through the ‘Sustaining a Living Wales’ green paper launched today, we have a sustainable approach that allows us to work successfully with nature, maximising the benefits of our natural environment without depleting it for future generations.

‘It is important for people and businesses across Wales to get involved in the consultation on this green paper so that the Environment Bill delivers strong and simplified environmental legislation that supports every community in Wales to prosper.’

The Welsh Government is inviting views on the proposals set out in its Green Paper and whether they are the right ones to ensure Wales’ natural environment helps to deliver the environmental and economic future that Wales needs.

Welsh Government News: LINK

Applications are invited by the York Foundation for Conservation and Craftsmanship for bursaries to assist the training of craftsmen and conservators.

Bursaries of up to £1500 each are available to further the knowledge and skills of craftsmen and conservators at various stages of their careers (this can include CPD courses). Bursaries of up to £3000 are offered to encourage and assist established craftsmen and conservators to take on a new apprentice / trainee.

While these latter awards are restricted to people with links to York and Yorkshire, the other awards have no such restriction.

For application forms and guidance notes email conservationyork@hotmail.com.The closing date for receipt of applications is 31 March.

http://www.conservationyork.org.uk/

Heritage Alliance has provided an update on discussions in the House of Lords around the NPPF.

Heritage Alliance writes:

In a lively exchange in the Lords on Monday (23 January), Peers urged the Government to show its commitment to culture through the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Last year the Government decided ‘to include cultural development under the general heading of leisure and community facilities’ and as such protection of cultural interests is not specifically mentioned in the NPPF. This is an issue which the Alliance and Alliance members have been working hard to address.

Baroness McIntosh (Lab) recommended ‘the language of the national planning policy framework might be strengthened to give a little more than just a nod in the direction of cultural institutions’ and Lord Davies (Lab) concurred that with the Cultural Olympiad round the corner the Government should be ‘more positive about this aspect with regard to planning’.

Viscount Clancarty (Crossbench) highlighted the Communities and Local Government Select Committee’s recommendation that the NPPF should adopt a more inclusive definition of sustainable development, ‘particularly considering that culture has previously been defined in planning policy as one of the four main components of sustainable growth, alongside economics, social inclusion and environment’. Lord Brooke (Con) reminded the CLG Minister Baroness Hanham (Con) that she had ‘rejected certain amendments to the Localism Bill which included culture and heritage in this context’ and asked if she had ‘an inkling that this subject may be returned to quite frequently in the future’ – an inkling the Minister affirmed.

Baroness Hanham told the House ‘there are questions about the interpretation of sustainable development, and that issue is being looked at with regard to the result of the consultation that has just taken place.’ She confirmed the Government aimed to publish the final NPPF by the end of March, if not earlier.

See: LINK

The Clore Leadership Programme is currently inviting applications from exceptional individuals with the potential to take on significant leadership roles within culture, with a deadline of 24 February.

Sponsored by Arts Council England, the general fellowships are open to candidates with at least five years’ paid work experience either in employment, self-employed or freelance, usually in the cultural sector. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a knowledge, understanding and passion for culture.

There are also a series of consortium fellowships, including a Heritage Consortium Fellowship supported by the Clore Leadership Programme and the Heritage Consortium – English Heritage, Heritage Lottery Fund, National Trust.

For further details see: LINK

The Challenge Fund, launched last summer, is co-funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and English Heritage, and managed by the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF).

Repair grants of up to £200,000 are available for projects undertaken by charities tackling Grade I and Grade II* buildings on the EH Buildings At Risk Register.

The AHF would now like to hear from charities interested in applying for the next round of grants, which will be offered in April. . Expressions of interest in support from the Challenge Fund should be sent to Gavin Richards, AHF Development Manager gavin.richards@ahfund.org.uk by the end of February.

Full details and guidance notes on the Challenge Fund can be found at: LINK

See: LINK