Date:
8th May 2008Contact:
Alden CharlesOrganisation:
The Civic Trust
Radio 4's You and Yours on 17th April gave an overview of the Draft Heritage Protection Bill from the different perspectives of Minister of Culture Margaret Hodge and Ian Lush, Deputy Chairman of Heritage Link.
The Minister focussed on simplification and more public access on line to increase public understanding. Ian Lush confirmed the heritage sector’s strong welcome for the principles of the Draft Bill but raised the widespread concerns over the resources required not just for English Heritage and local authorities but also the National Amenity Societies. The Minister replied that ‘there are always concerns about resources’ but cited the ‘better settlement’ for English Heritage with a ‘reprioritisation’ and the ‘administrative savings we expect all our organisations to make’. Savings would be made in the long run ‘by less work’
In the same slot, Dave Chetwyn, President of the Institute of Historic Buildings Conservation illustrated what the principles of the Draft Bill mean on the ground with a recorded walkabout in Hanley drawing attention to the attendant issues such as the dearth of conservation officers, the need for training and skills, the squeeze on funding and the adverse impact of VAT in refurbishment. All needed addressing, he said, to ensure that heritage ‘can deliver the best social and economic benefits’.
Further on in the interview, when invited to explain her interest in reviewing the criteria for listing more recent buildings, the Minister was at pains to retreat for her previous ‘personal view’ and say that the initiative came from parliamentarians from all sides of the House. This is clearly an area where any amendments to the Draft Bill and the content of the final Bill will require careful monitoring.
Her efforts to compare resourcing with the US model of private philanthropy cut no ice with Heritage Link’s Deputy Chair who pointed out the very different tradition of heritage funding in the UK. Back
