a English Heritage Historic Buildings &Monuments Commission for England WORKINGTOGETHERFOR CONSERVATION NOTESOF PROCEEDINGSAT A SEMINARORGANISEDJOINTLY BY THE HISTORIC BUILDINGSANDMONUMENTSCOMMISSIONFOR ENGLAND, NORWICHCITY COUNCILANDTHE ASSOCIATIONOF CONSERVATIONOFFICERS Introduction by Mr Peter Rumble, Chief Executive of the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission (English Heritage) Welcoming participants to the seminar, Mr Rumble recalled that he had first addressed members of the Association of Conservation Officers (ACO) in 1982 when he had been engaged in the preparation of the legislation which led to the Commission's creation. One of the arguments in favour of setting up the Commission had been that it would provide a coherent voice for the protection of the built heritage and enable staff engaged on that work to commit themselves to .the work of conservation. He believed that these objectives had been fulfilled. In the first year of its existence, Commissioners, members of the Advisory Committees and the staff had put a great deal of effort into establishing the Commission on the right footing. Both the ACO and the Commission were committed.to the cause of conservation and the two bodies had complementary interests. Many of the conservation officers present worked for authorities with whom the Commission had joint responsibilities; only good could come from such co-operation. Commenting on. the remarkable growth of interest in conservation over the last twenty-five years, Mr Rumble,wondered whether there might be an eventual reaction against the conservation movement. However vigilant the Commission, local authorities and their conservation officers, and local groups might be, the pressures for ill-advised schemes would continue. It was always going to be difficult to know when to stand firm against any change, and when to accept it in the best interests of conservation and of the community. Mr Rumble described the Commission's work, whic fell into tw_o main categories. First, care of some 400 monuments where there was a greater emphasis than before on increasing visitors' understanding and enjoyment. Secondly, the general work of conservation - grants (over £20 million in the current year), the advisory role•on scheduling and listing; advice, research, educat1on and comment, including giving evidence at public inquiries. With the aid of a report by management consultants, the Commission was considerin•g how its own organisation might be improved. Looking to the future, Mr Rumble hoped that the Commission would be able to tackle a systematic programme of scheduling of ancient monuments at a greater pace than in the past; that grants for historic buildings and conservation areas would continue at least at previous levels; and that, if money became available, grants could be extended to historic gardens. If Parliament enacted the legislation before it. the ~ommission would be enlarging the scope of its activities by taking_over the GLC Historic Buildings Division. The Commission was also aware of the risk to conservation in the Metropolitan counties unless co-ordinating organisations could be formed to replace what existed at present. Like local authorities, the Commission was constrained PagP. 4
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