Friday 21 May 2021

Updates from The Heritage Alliance

Remembering Peter Ainsworth

We have set up a memorial padlet board for people across the sector to share their thoughts and experiences about our former Chair, the late Peter Ainsworth, to be shared with his family. Please do contribute if you would like.

Queen's Speech - Our Summary for Heritage

Last week, we produced a summary of the Queen's Speech, outlining all the key announcements that have relevance to areas of work across the sector. 

You can read our summary here, and find further details in the headlines section of 'Government News' below.

Work with Us

We are advertising two vacancies for freelancers to contribute to our projects Heritage Digital and Rebuilding Heritage. Follow the links below to find out more, or visit the 'Vacancies' section at the bottom of the newsletter.

Programme Manager - Heritage Digital 2.5

We are looking to appoint an experienced freelancer to take up the contract of Programme Manager, to ensure the successful delivery of Heritage Digital 2.5 and its positive impact to the sector. Details here.

Deadline: 21 May 2021

Marketing Support - Rebuilding Heritage

We are looking for an experienced freelancer to support us to deliver our existing communications activity and to develop new strands of activity to support the final delivery, reporting, and legacy stages of the project. Details here.

Deadline: 27 May 2021

Museums + Heritage Awards

Congratulations to our many members who were included in the Museums + Heritage Awards shortlist for 2021.

We nominated Tricolor Associates [Alliance member] for the special award for COVID Supplier of the Year, in recognition of their widespread recovery support to our membership. You can vote for them here (voting closes 28 May).

Policy Updates

This fortnight:

• Over the past two weeks, our policy team has met with DCMS to discuss climate change and heritage, Brexit, and also the international work of our members, working to ensure a legacy to our 2018 International Heritage Report and the additional 2019 Case Studies.

• Our interim Chair Ingrid Samuel and our CEO Lizzie wrote a letter to MHCLG, requesting consultation with the heritage sector in relation to planning, as had been promised in a sector meeting with Robert Jenrick last Autumn.

• Lizzie and our Head of Policy & Communications, Hannah, attended the HEF Foresight Day to discuss implementation and next steps for the Sector’s Recovery Plan and key themes from the Minister’s speech at Heritage Day, where she announced the intention to create a new Heritage Statement.

• Our Spatial Planning Advocacy Group (SPAG) met to discuss the Planning Bill announced in the Queen’s Speech, and discuss approaches to the limited engagement MHCLG has had with the sector in relation to the Planning White Paper.

• We also held a Mobile Heritage Advocacy Group (MHAG) meeting to discuss issues facing heritage planes, trains, automobiles and vessels - with a focus this time on potential exemptions for heritage fuels from upcoming environmental legislation, as well as on biofuels as a greener alternative.

• Next week, Lizzie will be representing members of The Heritage Alliance at the next Heritage Working Group. She will also be joining a meeting with Lord Goldsmith to discuss emissions and the Environment Bill, and will be presenting evidence to the new All Party Parliamentary Group on Conservation, Places and People.

Welcome to The Heritage Alliance!

This fortnight, we are delighted to welcome The Planning Lab as the newest member of The Heritage Alliance.

The Planning Lab is a town planning consultancy that specialises in advising the culture, heritage and creative sectors. It delivers major planning/listed building consents and strategies for historic estates, galleries and museums, performing arts, education, trusts, charities, artists, creative organisations, central Government and ecclesiastical buildings.

They also provide planning advice on heritage properties, transcending all commercial sectors. ​Their energetic and creative team is based in the Grade I listed Somerset House and they work extensively in London with cultural links across the UK.

Members' Roundtable - 'How can the heritage sector push for better board diversity?'

Only one third of trustees are women, 8% are people of colour and one third are under 50. 59% of charities report that their board does not reflect the communities they serve. And 74% of charities struggle to find the trustees they need.

Why is this? What could improved board diversity do for charities? What are the tried and tested practical actions you can take to recruit and retain diverse trustees? 

Members of The Heritage Alliance can join this upcoming roundtable, led by Penny Wilson, CEO of Getting on Board [Alliance Member] to discuss the most common barriers to board diversity, both on an organisational and heritage sector-wide level. You can also see their recent guide: ‘How to become a charity trustee’.

Heritage Alliance members will receive an invitation directly from the Head of Membership to take part. 

Want to know more about how to become a member? Visit our website or contact our Head of Development & Membership Delphine for an initial chat. If you are a member and have not received an invitation, please contact Delphine.

Further Offers for Our Members

Don't forget that members of The Heritage Alliance are also able to take advantage of a series of free sessions, offered by other organisations in our membership, to support their development and resilience. 

For further details about the free legal calls, free fundraising advice, free 1:1s on project management and free consultation on immersive technologies that are on offer - please contact our Head of Development & Membership Delphine. 

Did you know that members of The Heritage Alliance can also advertise for free in Heritage Update? Find out more here.

#HeritageChat

#HeritageChat is a monthly Twitter chat which takes place every third Tuesday of the month, at lunch time, to discuss collectively important topics for the sector.

On Tuesday 18th May #HeritageChat participants explored ‘Future Innovation Challenges for Heritage’. The chat was run in collaboration with the National Lottery Heritage Fund [Alliance member] and the Young Foundation and wanted to encourage 'blue skies thinking' in relation to innovation and collaboration in the sector. It was linked to a programme of events to explore how they can accelerate the emerging ideas needed to support heritage in the future.

You can read the summary of the chat here. The responses shared during #HeritageChat will be included in their ongoing analysis, whose results will hopefully be shared in few months. Stay tuned!

June’s #HeritageChat will take place on Tuesday 15th June, 1-2pm as usual. If you need a diary scheduler to remember when #HeritageChat takes place, you can download it here for Outlook and for Google calendar. The topic is yet to be decided – if you want to suggest a topic please get in touch, you can lead the chat or we can lead it for you!

Heritage Digital: free training opportunities and new resources

Read on for an update on our National Lottery Heritage Fund supported digital skills programme and its new workshops and resources:

• Apply for Get Started with Your Digital Marketing Strategy

There are 3 opportunities to take part in workshops on starting your digital marketing strategy taking place across June and July (15th + 17th June, 22nd + 24th June, 5th and 7th July); all groups are open to all heritage types/locations and places will be allocated first to those demonstrating highest need. Deadline for applications is 1st June. Apply here.

• New resource – Social Media Policy Template

Download our guide with a practical template for a social media policy that your organisation can tweak to your own needs.

• Save the date: #HeritageDigitalNow – Digital Storytelling 14th July

Sign up to the project mailing list to be the first to know when new releases occur.

Applications Have Reopened for Round 5 of the Rebuilding Heritage Programme!

Heritage organisations, businesses, and freelancers can apply for support in business planning, financial literacy, leadership, communications, marketing, fundraising, and wellbeing. 

This will be the last opportunity to apply for business planning support from the programme.

Applications are made through the programme website and the team welcome submissions from across the breadth of the UK – including from Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

More information about the support on offer and how to apply is available on the website:

Applications close at 11pm, Tuesday 2nd June

Government News

Our summary of the latest announcements and guidance for the heritage sector.

Headlines

We wish all the best to those who are reopening their doors over the next fortnight now we are in Step 3 of the Roadmap out of lockdown.

Despite easing of lockdown restrictions, the Government continues to urge caution. It has issued a new call out to be aware of any additional advice for your area in light of the new COVID-19 variant that is spreading in some parts of England.

Read our summary of the Queen's Speech for heritage here - and we have set out the key announcements under the sections below.

We will continue to keep up with announcements, including around Bills that may impact work across the sector (chiefly: the returning Environment Bill, a new Planning Bill, the upcoming Levelling Up White Paper, a new Skills and Post-Education Bill and the Professional Qualifications Bill).

COVID-19

Details on which businesses are now permitted to be open can be found here. The list now includes: indoor hospitality venues, indoor sports and leisure, indoor entertainment and visitor attractions, performance arts venues (indoor and outdoor) and events venues (with limits on capacity).

It is advisable to check the section on changes to operations of the Visitor Economy Guidance, which sets out specific details for safely providing indoor and outdoor guided tours, private coach hire, boat hire, heritage railway services, private and self-fly aircraft use, boat use, and travel and overnight stays.

A poster explaining the main rules and restrictions for Step 3 can be downloaded here. The latest guidance is set out below, with most updated recently in line with Step 3 guidelines. These include a new guidance document published by the Government on holding weddings and celebrations.

The Heritage Alliance will continue to look out for guidance ahead of the final stage, Step 4, (no earlier than 21 June), by which time the Government hope is to see the removal of all legal limits on social contact. We will also be checking in with our members about any ongoing questions or concerns they may have about the current guidance and how it is impacting heritage, and feed these through to the DCMS team.

Kickstart Scheme Guidance - Updated

The guidance on the Kickstart scheme has been updated to state that the DWP may ask employers for records to prove that they have spent funding through the scheme (£1,500 per job) on setup costs and employability support as outlined.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)

A reminder that the CJRS was extended until 30 September, with the level of grant available to employers remaining the same until 30 June 2021. From 1 July 2021, the level of grant will be reduced and to be eligible employers must continue to pay your furloughed employees 80% of their wages, up to a cap of £2,500 per month for the time they spend on furlough. Guidance available here.

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)

And a further reminder that claims for the fourth grant of the SEISS must be made on or before 1 June 2021. HMRC has updated guidance on the scheme, to explain when and how to tell them about a tax return amendment if it affects your eligibility or grant amount.

Guidance for Heritage

We will continue to collate any updated guidance in our Covid-19 Hub.

The latest guidance includes:

• (COVID-19) Coronavirus restrictions: what you can and cannot do (with Step 3 guidance updates)
• Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) (updated 18 May)
• NHS Test and Trace in the workplace (last updated 17 May - with a call-out about the new COVID-19 variant of concern)
• Test and Trace guidance (updated 17 May - in line with Step 3 guidance)
• Demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status when travelling abroad (updated 18 May)
• Safer travel guidance for passengers (updated 17 May)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Wedding and civil partnership ceremonies, receptions and celebrations (published 13 May)

Heritage-related specific guidance:

• Heritage locations (updated 18 May)
• Museums: see NMDC Good Practice Guidelines for Reopening Museums
• The visitor economy (updated 18 May)
• Restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services (updated 18 May)
• Hotels and other guest accommodation (updated 18 May - this guidance also pertains to situations where food and drinks is served in lounges)
• Volunteering (updated 17 May)
• Performing arts (updated 18 May)
• Construction and other outdoor work (updated 18 May)
• Shops and branches (updated 18 May)
• Places of worship (updated 14 May)
• For churches specifically:
  • Guidance from The Bishops' Conference on Collective Worship
  • Visit the HRBA Coronavirus advice page
  • And see the latest guidance from Ecclesiastical (detailed under 'Alliance Member News')

For employers:

• HMRC - Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (updated 19 May - with CJRS + SEISS webinars and guidance videos)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): right to work checks (updated - the end date for the temporary adjusted checking processes is now 21 June)
• Providing apprenticeships during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak (updated - all apprentices in higher education can now return to in-person teaching and learning)
• Legislation granting businesses the right to put up marquees this year without planning permission (in place throughout Summer)
• Help employers with the Kickstart Scheme (updated 7 May)

Social Impacts

Personal well-being levels overall remain stable and public confidence is increasing.

Indicators from the latest ONS Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (covering 5 to 9 May) show that  levels of life satisfaction increased slightly this week to 7.1 and personal well-being levels remain stable. Amongst adults who left their homes, nearly a quarter (23%) did so to eat or drink out and 28% did so to visit a park or local green space. It was also found that 41% of adults were more positive about attending an organised event if they were required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, saying this would make them "more" or "much more" likely to attend.

And according to the VisitEngland Domestic Consumer Sentiment Tracker, the number of those intending to take a trip this summer has increased, with around 50% of adults anticipating taking more or the same number of overnight domestic trips between now and the end of 2021, compared to a normal year. The leading destination type for trips across spring and summer is ‘traditional coastal/seaside town’ (33%), closely followed by ‘countryside or village’ (29%). 44% of UK adults intend to take a day trip to either of these, compared with 25% intending to visit a 'large city'.

Travel & Tourism

In the Queen’s Speech, it was announced that rail and bus networks will be reformed to “deliver a better, greener and more reliable service for passengers”. This includes a National Bus Strategy for England, which is intended to deliver better bus services for passengers across England.

New powers to build and operate the next stage of the High Speed Rail line (HS2) will be established through a High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Bill.

Travel and Coronavirus Restrictions

The Department for Transport has launched a Covid Travel Charter to set out the rights and responsibilities for people travelling internationally from the UK. This follows recommendations made by the government's Global Travel Taskforce, established to support the safe return of international travel after the pandemic.

Further on international travel, the Government has updated guidance on its Traffic Light Methodology for assessing the risk of different countries on a red, amber, green scale has been updated to include further detail on Variants of Concern and Variants of Interest. People are advised not to travel to amber or red-list countries. The guidance on quarantine has also been revised for booking a quarantine hotel and how to quarantine in line with the recent changes.

London's Tourism Recovery Campaign

The Mayor of London has launched a new campaign - Let’s Do London - to offer a programme of recovery marketing for the capital. This year-long campaign will be supported by TfL and will bring together London’s leading hospitality, culture and retail organisations to attract Londoners and visitors from across the UK back to the capital and support jobs. Partners supporting the campaign include Historic Royal Palaces [Alliance member] and many other visitor attractions and cultural organisations.

London & Partners is holding a briefing event on the campaign next Wednesday (26 May), which is free for tourism businesses to join. Details here.

Brexit & Immigration

Professional Qualifications

In the Queen's Speech, it was announced that a Professional Qualifications Bill will be introduced to create "a new bespoke framework for the UK to recognise professional qualifications from across the world to ensure employers can access professionals where there are UK shortages." The Bill is currently at committee stage in the House of Lords and can be viewed here.

BEIS has released a policy statement on ‘Recognition of professional qualifications and regulation of professions’ which sets out the Government's proposals for a new framework for recognising professional qualifications from all countries - to allow "highly skilled professionals from all around the world to practise in the UK".

The new system will be adapted from the existing interim EU-derived system, and the proposals are intended to uphold the autonomy of regulators and devolved administrations to "determine professional standards and assess who meets these standards in ways they deem fit".

Research & Development

The Government has said that it is “committed to making the UK a global superpower” and “a global science superpower”, with a “world leading” research and development environment.

We are to anticipate a swift increase in public funding for research and the Queen’s Speech confirmed that work will be done to deepen trade ties in the Gulf, Africa and the Indo-Pacific.

Through the Advanced Research and Invention Agency Bill, a new UK agency: the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) will be established for scientific discoveries, established with funding for association to Horizon Europe.

State Aid

The Queen's Speech confirmed that State Aid Measures will be introduced through the Subsidy Control Bill to ensure that “support for businesses reflects the UK’s strategic interests and drives economic growth”. Now that the UK has left the EU, the Government will introduce this Bill in place of the EU State Aid regime, providing a new legal framework within which public authorities make subsidy decisions.

For employers to note:

• The deadline for applying to the EU Settlement Scheme is 30 June 2021

Guidance:

• Advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents (updated 14 May with guidance on travel from Red, Amber, Green list countries)

• Guidance on Horizon Europe funding (updated 10 May)

• Working and touring in Europe - guidance for visual arts, the art market and museums (updated 7 May 2021)

• Working, performing and touring in Europe - guidance for musical artists and accompanying staff (updated 7 May 2021)

• Working, performing and touring in Europe - guidance for the performing arts, theatre, opera, dance, circus and other live performance genre (updated 7 May 2021)

Keep Up to Date & Share Your Insights

We ask all Alliance Members to continue to inform us with their latest questions and concerns. ​Our Brexit Hub collates the latest Brexit guidance that is relevant to the heritage sector.  Our latest briefings and papers on Heritage, Brexit and Immigration can be found on our website.

The Brexit FAQ Trello Board from the Historic Environment Forum remains open as a resource for the sector. 

Planning

A Planning Bill has been confirmed, which will follow last summer’s Planning White Paper. The Government’s aim is to create a “simpler, faster and more modern planning system”, with a focus on delivering housing and infrastructure more quickly across England.

The key announcements in line with the introduction of this Bill are:

• The Government intends to change local plans to “provide more certainty” for communities and developers over permissible development and “what is permitted where”. 
• A new developer contributions levy has been promised, to replace existing methods of securing developer contributions towards infrastructure and affordable housing with “simpler, faster procedures”.
• The planning system will be digitised, to facilitate public engagement
• The Environment Bill will mandate “biodiversity net gain” in the planning system.
• The Planning Bill promises to deliver infrastructure, whilst ensuring environmental protections, by introducing "quicker, simpler frameworks for funding infrastructure and assessing environmental impacts and opportunities". This may include a review of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) framework.

A Building Safety Bill was also announced, which will introduce a new system for regulating the safety of high-rise buildings and construction sites.

See further detail in our summary of the Queen's Speech.

Concerns have been expressed by those in countryside campaigning and by (RESCUE) The British Archaeological Trust [Alliance member], among others, who question the possibility for adequate protection of heritage assets in the delivery of the Bill.

New Review into PINS & Heritage Protections

The Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has commissioned a review into how the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) and planning policy "considers and defends heritage". This follows a controversial government decision last week that granted consent for the redevelopment of the Grade II-listed Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London into a hotel.

Dowden on 'Retain & Explain'

The Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has written an op ed article, published by the Telegraph, which explains his rationale behind the Government's "retain and explain" policy.

A new Heritage Advisory Board met for the first time last week to draw up new guidelines for how "retain and explain" can be put into practice. Dowden said that to care for our heritage "museums and other bodies need to have genuine curatorial independence", but that "independence cuts both ways".

The full article can be viewed here.

Two Funds to Support the Uptake of Neighbourhood Planning

A reminder that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has established two funds as part of a new prospectus that aims to spread neighbourhood planning into more towns and cities. The closing date for applications is 31 May 2021.

Environment & Agriculture

The Queen’s Speech confirmed that the Environment Bill, which has been repeatedly delayed going through Parliament, is to be resumed. It has now been announced that the Bill will move past Third Reading stage in the Commons on 26 May and is likely to have its second reading in the Lords on 7 June.

The Environment Bill will include legislation to set out legally binding targets and the Government intends to support new green industries to create jobs, while protecting the environment. The Bill will also introduce new rules for environmental protections now that the UK has left the EU.

This announcement has come with a set of new measures and plans for environmental protection. These include the following:

• The Government will establish an independent Office for Environmental Protection, which will be set up in a non-statutory (interim) form from July.
• A Dormant Assets Bill is intended to provide an additional £880 million for social and environmental initiatives across the UK. The Bill will expand the Dormant Assets Scheme into the insurance and pensions, investment and wealth management, and securities sectors.
• DEFRA has announced that new legal duties on water companies and government will also be included in the Environment Bill, with the aim being to reduce sewage discharged into waterways.

DEFRA has also:

• Unveiled new plans to boost recycling and protect the environment
• Introduced a new plastic bag charge, coming into force on 21 May
• Launched a new flooding action plan to provide better protections
• Established an England Peat Action Plan to restore and protect peatland
• Introduced an England Trees Action Plan to protect and expand woodland
• Set up a new task force to consider species reintroduction measures

And Natural England has launched a new competitive grant scheme, called the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme (NCPGS), with an aim to help restore England’s peatlands in both the uplands and lowlands.  Organisations are encouraged to develop projects for the current application round, which is open until 25 June.

Education

The Queen’s Speech included news of new legislation around skills and education.  The main announcement was around a Skills and Post-16 Education Bill, which will include legislation to support a lifetime skills guarantee to enable “flexible access to high quality education and training throughout people’s lives”.

Traineeships and sector-based work academy programmes will be expanded to incentivise new apprenticeship hires, encouraging employers to identify and plan local skills needs and provide free courses to school and college leavers. The Bill will also introduce a new “flexible loan” system, which is designed to promote wider participation in further education in England. There is a focus on training in technical and professional skills, as well as facilitating retraining.

The Bill has now been published here, along with explanatory notes and an impact assessment.

Further announcements were:

• A Professional Qualifications Bill (details above)
• The Turing Scheme - a new international educational exchange scheme, with a global reach, intended to give young people across the UK, and especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, “the opportunity to work and study globally”.
• A Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill - which will place new legal duties on students' unions and universities in England, intended to ensure free speech on campus.

Parliamentary & Other News

Corporate Partnerships for Arts & Culture

It has been announced that Lord Neil Mendoza, the Commissioner for Cultural Recovery and Renewal, will host a series of roundtables to bring together leaders from the corporate and arts and culture worlds to consider innovative models for the sustainable cultural recovery following the Culture Recovery Fund.

Parliamentary Questions on Maritime Archaeology

Tim Loughton, Conservative MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, has recently raised several questions to the Secretary of State for DCMS, asking what assessments have been made of the strategy proposed by the marine archaeology community for managing significant heritage assets within the UK Marine Area.

The current Secretary of State, Caroline Dinenage MP, has responded that the Department has no current plans to increase protections for these assets within the UK Marine Area, beyond what is already in place.

You can view these questions and answers on wrecks here, here and here.

Sector Digest

Read on for a breakdown of the latest news from across the sector.

Grants to Support High Streets Across England

​Historic England has announced that as part of its four-year High Streets Heritage Action Zones (HSHAZ) Cultural Programme, in partnership with Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund [Alliance member], grants (totalling £6 million) will be awarded to over 60 HSHAZs, to support England's high streets.

The Cultural Programme aims to make high streets more attractive, engaging and vibrant places for people to live, work and spend time. The grants will go to local arts organisations to create and deliver community-led cultural activities on high streets over the next three years. Alongside this, Historic England is also curating a programme of cultural commissions to get people back to high streets.

Museums + Heritage Awards Shortlist Announced

Congratulations to all those organisations shortlisted for the Museum + Heritage Awards 2021, which include many members of The Heritage Alliance. The awards this year recognise innovation across the sector, as well as those who have offered sector support during the pandemic.

We nominated Tricolor Associates for COVID Supplier of the Year, in recognition of their widespread recovery support to our membership. You can vote for them here (voting closes 28 May). The winners will be revealed in an online ceremony on 1 July.

Apply for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2021

Applications are now open for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2021, with an application deadline of 1 June. Applicants are asked this year to "tell the story of the creativity and resilience of the sector". 

These awards are open to a range of organisations, large and small, across the arts and heritage sector, including non-accredited organisations, those with and without collections and those who may or may not have been able to open to the public in the past year. Organisations across the sector with "a story to tell" are encouraged to apply.

The winner will receive £100,000 and the finalists receive £15,000. The full details can be found here.

New Research from Ecclesiastical Insurance

Visitors Behaving Badly at Heritage Attractions

New research, commissioned by the specialist insurer Ecclesiastical [Alliance Corporate Partner], shows that 91% of heritage attractions have suffered challenging behaviour from visitors during COVID-19. This difficult behaviour includes 33% of sites experiencing visitors refusing to socially distance, 31% reporting that some visitors refused to wear masks in designated areas and 1 in 5 struggled with visitors travelling to their attraction from tier 4 areas.

The survey discovered 7 in 10 (69%) workers from museums, art galleries, theatres, stately homes and castles think their organisation is vulnerable to crime. Two thirds (66%) also said their organisation is more concerned about crime since Covid-19, with most concern around anti-social behaviour (ahead of cyber-crime and criminal damage). See the full findings here.

73% of Heritage Workers Afraid to Return to Work

A further piece of new research from Ecclesiastical has revealed that three quarters (73%) of heritage workers in the UK are "afraid to return to work" when their organisation reopens. The survey, conducted during Mental Health Awareness Week, found that since the first lockdown, 60% heritage workers have seen an increase in staff/ volunteer mental health concerns at their organisation. Read the full report here.

Further recent findings suggest that the charity sector is facing "a potential leadership crisis", with nearly half of senior leaders reportedly considering walking away due to burnout.

Support for the Sector

Ecclesiastical continues to offer COVID-19 resources for the sector, including guidance on reopening and wide-ranging guidance and information for risk management (including managing digital risks).

They have produced a new guide: Corporate partnerships and Covid: lessons from the pandemic, which explores lessons from the pandemic and is designed to help charities develop stronger partnerships with businesses.

​And nominations for their next round of Movement for Good awards will be launching on Monday 24 May, which will see a further £1million awarded to charities to support their work for communities. Do watch this space for further details as they are announced.

Revival of the Fittest: How Heritage is Fighting Back

The latest issue of Ecclesiastical's Review Magazine is also now out.

This issue includes an article on The Heritage Alliance's recent work and how the heritage sector is tackling the pandemic, which includes interviews with our CEO Lizzie, Head of Policy and Communications Hannah and Head of Development and Membership Delphine.

There is a focus on the sector-wide support we have been able to provide during the pandemic, chiefly through Heritage Digital and Rebuilding Heritage, which are both funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund [Alliance member].

There is also a piece on what the Landmark Trust [Alliance member] did during lockdown to lift keyworkers' spirits.

Churches Have a Vital Role to Play in Post-Pandemic Recovery

A new research report produced by the University of York in partnership with HRBA [Alliance member], Historic England, Association of English Cathedrals [Alliance member], Church of England and the National Churches Trust [Alliance member] was published last week.

The report set outs the findings of research undertaken between August 2020 and May 2021 with over 5,500 respondents, which suggests the vital role existing church networks will play in restoring individual and community wellbeing and building future resilience.

Volunteer Leader of the Year Award - Extended Timeline

The Heritage Volunteering Group (HVG) has extended the timeline for nominations for its Volunteer Leader of the Year Award for 2021. The award is open to all non paid and paid members within organisations who are involved in the support and management of volunteers.

There is available guidance and frequently asked questions and the nomination form must be completed by Friday 28 May. The winner and those commended will be celebrated at the HVG volunteering conference in July.

Rhodes Commission Delivers its Report

The independent Commission established by the Governing Body of Oriel College, Oxford to consider the issues raised by the memorials and legacy of Cecil Rhodes, has now delivered its report.

It backs the College's original wish to remove its statue of Cecil Rhodes, but notes the complex challenges and costs presented by its removal in terms of heritage and planning consent. Consequently, Oriel's Governing Body has decided not to begin the legal process for the relocation of the memorials. It will instead work to deliver the report's other recommendations around the contextualisation of the College's relationship with Rhodes and improve educational equality, diversity and inclusion.

The full report from Oriel College and the Commission's public statement, released yesterday (20 May), can be read here.

An Overview of Pre-Pandemic Funding for Arts & Culture 

​The Art Funders group has published a new report that reveals the overall contribution of Trusts and Foundations to the UK's arts funding ecology prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The document provides an analysis of grants made by the 19 most significant Trusts and Foundations in the sector in the year 2019/20.

Recruiting New Level 4 HEAA Apprentices

Historic England is working with Strode College to deliver the Level 4 Historic Environment Advice Assistant (HEAA) apprenticeship training programme and is looking for employers to help build the next cohort, which will commence in September 2021.

Historic England has chaired the Historic Environment Trailblazer group of employers, professional bodies and training providers that has developed this brand new apprenticeship standard; as well as a number of others.

These apprenticeships are for everyone – not just school leavers. The HEAA is a higher technical apprenticeship and is an opportunity to up-skill existing staff in the area of managing change to the historic environment through the planning system; as well as brining in new hires.

For further information, please visit the Strode College website.

Citizen Debates on the Future of Cultural Heritage

Europa Nostra, in association with other 50 member organisations of the European Heritage Alliance, has launched a wide call this year for people to organise inspiring and engaging citizens debates on the future of cultural heritage sites across Europe.

Detailed guidelines on how to participate and submit events can be found via the Europa Nostra Agora digital platform, where the outcomes from the debates will also be shared.

Alliance Member News

A snapshot of the current work of our members.

Higher Education Departments at Risk of Closure

This week, several of our members have issued statements in response to rising concern that University Departments in the arts, including in areas of History, Archaeology and History of Art are at risk of closure, linked to the proposed funding cuts to higher education arts subjects.

These include the Department of Archaeology at the University of Sheffield, which is at risk of being dissolved, with the University Executive Board putting the department under review. This followed news that the Department of Archaeology and Heritage at the University of Chester is also under threat.  Online petitions are circulating for both departments, urging that they be saved. These can be found via the links above.

The Society of Antiquaries London [Alliance Member] has released a statement, expressing its concern over the cuts to higher education subjects, and asserting the "clear evidence" that these subjects are "not only central to society but are of great economic value". The Heritage Alliance strongly supports this statement.

CIfA has also released a statement in response to the threats to the archaeology departments at Chester and Sheffield, and the CBA has published the letter it has written to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, reinforcing the national and international significance of the department.

Consultations

Open Consultations:

• DfT - Public Transport Ticketing Scheme - 24 May
• DfE - Flexi-Job Apprenticeships: Reshaping the role of Apprenticeship Training Agencies - 1 June
• HM Treasury - R&D Tax Reliefs: consultation - 2 June
• MHCLG - Consequential Changes to Permitted Development Rights - 3 June
• Historic England - Historic England’s Draft Industrial Heritage Strategy - 7 June
• BEIS -  Private Rented Sector minimum energy efficiency standards - 9 June
• DCMS - Improving broadband for Very Hard to Reach premises - 11 June
• MHCLG and DCMS - Changes to permitted development rights for electronic communications infrastructure: technical consultation - 14 June 
• Home Office - Protect Duty (how the Protect Duty can make the public safer at publicly accessible locations) - 2 July
• DEFRA - Consistency in household and business recycling in England - 4 July
• Historic England - Review of Enhanced Advisory Services (EAS) - 9 July
• DfT - Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011: 2021 review - 12 July
• HMRC - Call for evidence: the tax administration framework: supporting a 21st century tax system - 13 July
• HM Treasury - Residential Property Developer Tax: consultation - 22 July
• HMRC - Call for Evidence: Simplifying the VAT Land Exemption - 3 August 

Historic England - Review of Enhanced Advisory Services (EAS)

Historic England is seeking views on what its priorities should be as it considers how to develop its Enhanced Advisory Services (EAS).

This consultation is based on a commitment to undertake regular functional reviews of key services. EAS are the paid-for suite of Planning and Listing Services offered by Historic England. They either offer expedition of existing free (taxpayer funded) Planning and Listing services or the provision of advice beyond their statutory role. 

Deadline: 9 July 2021

Flexi-Job Apprenticeships: Reshaping the role of Apprenticeship Training Agencies

The Department for Education is seeking views on its vision and operating framework for flexi-job apprenticeship schemes as a means to increase the use of apprenticeships in certain sectors and professions.

The Department is developing portable apprenticeships, with an aim to "put apprentices in the driving seat" and enable them to move between employers in industries where short-term contracts are the norm.

Deadline: 1 June 2021

Technical Consultation on Consequential Changes to Permitted Development Rights

MHCLG has opened a technical consultation on proposed consequential changes to national permitted development rights following the changes to use classes from 1 September 2020.

These changes include the creation of a new broad Commercial, Business and Service (E) use class. This would include shops, banks, restaurants and offices etc and provides for greater flexibility for high streets and town centres. 

Deadline: 3 June 2021

Call for Evidence: Simplifying the VAT Land Exemption

HMRC is welcoming views on current VAT rules relating to land and property, and on potential options for simplifying them.

Deadline: 3 August 2021

Consistency in Household and Business Recycling in England

DEFRA is seeking views on plans to  increase the consistency in materials collected for recycling from households, businesses and other organisations in England. These plans are intended to reduce confusion and ensure that less waste goes to landfill and more is recycled.

Deadline: 4 July 2021

Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011: 2021 Review

The Department for Transport is running a post-implementation review to gather views on the effectiveness of The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 (RIR 2011), which provides for the UK regulatory framework for rail technical standards for rail infrastructure and rolling stock trains. Responses will be used to help inform any future proposals for change.

Deadline: 12 July 2021

Events

Upcoming Heritage Events - Quick Look

• 15 - 23 May: 2021 Urban Tree Festival, CPRE
• 22 - 23 May: Online symposium: Georgian London Revisited, Georgian Group
• 1 June: Culture in Crisis: Retaining the Spirit of Place in Post-conflict Communities: Lessons from Iraq and Libya
• 2 June: Part 1 - Transforming Our Practice, Transforming Our World, GEM
• 5 June: The Big Volunteers Week Pub Quiz, Heritage Trust Network
• 8 June: 'Addressing Inequality', Heritage Trust Network

• 10, 17 & 24 June: Supporting Historic High Streets: Changing Visions for Town Centres, Historic Towns and Villages Forum (HTVF)

• 11 & 12 June: Llwyn Celyn – using digital techniques to create a virtual encounter, The Landmark Trust
• 12 June: London Open Gardens – Virtual Event, London Garden's Trust
• 15 June: 'Beyond Inclusivity' Workshop, GEM
• 15 June: Brighton's Development as a Seaside Resort between c.1750 and 1830 - Causes and Consequences, Georgian Group

• 15 June: Humble Heritage Workshop - Repair of Flint Walls, SPAB, Lewes, East Sussex

• 16 June: A Jewish Jesus: Art and Faith in the Shadow of World War II, St John’s Waterloo

• 16 - 18 June: Conference - Supporting. Sharing. Strengthening, AIM

• 18 June: Brighton Day School - 'Historic Places: People Places', IHBC, online

• 23 - 25 June: Humble Heritage Workshop - Cement Removal & Hot Lime Pointing, SPAB, Moffat Old Churchyard, Dumfries & Galloway

• 28 - 29 June: Humble Heritage Advanced Workshop - Lime Production, SPAB, Old House Project, Kent

• 6 - 7 July: Heritage Volunteering 2021: Recognise, Reconnect, Reimagine, Heritage Volunteering Group

• 7 July: Kibworth Harcourt Mill - online lecture, SPAB

• 14 July: Part 2 - Transforming Our Practice, Transforming Our World, GEM

• 7 September: Tour of St Anne's Church, Limehouse, SPAB, London

• 11 September: Leeds Minster: ‘noblest among the noble’ of the early-Victorian churches

• 22 September: Conservation on the Edge: The Northern Lighthouse Board - online lecture, SPAB Scotland

• 6 October: Conservation on the Edge: Scapa Flow Museum, Orkney - online lecture, SPAB Scotland

• 20 October: Conservation on the Edge: Mountain Bothy Association - online lecture, SPAB Scotland

• 13 November: Living with Your Old House online course, SPAB 

Transforming Our Practice, Transforming Our World

GEM [Alliance member] is holding two workshops, run by Henry McGhie of Curating Tomorrow, which will help participants explore how they can support sustainable development effectively through their work in museums and heritage sites, with an emphasis on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The workshops will touch on a range of topics including; using human rights as a basis for museum education, participation and decision making; identifying opportunities to play a bigger part; understanding your local challenges in sustainable development terms and more.

For more information and to book, please follow the links below:

• Part One: 2 June 2021, 10am-12pm - details here
• Part Two: 14 July 2021, 10am-12pm - details here

Jobs

Salaried

Content Editor - AMS

The Ancient Monuments Society (AMS) [Alliance member] is seeking a home-based Content Editor to oversee the production of its membership magazine. The post holder is required to have writing and editing experience and a working knowledge of publishing tools.

Salary: £2,000 per issue, 3 issues a year

Closing date: 6 June 2021

Unsalaried

Grants Committee Members - NCT

The National Churches Trust (NCT) [Alliance member] is looking for two new members to join its Grants Committee.

The National Churches Trust’s Grants Committee has a responsibility for allocating the Trust’s annual grants budget, which currently stands at £1,400,000, including grants made on behalf of other Trusts and Foundations.

Further details about the role are here and details about the NCT's grants programmes can be found here.

Closing date: 31 May 2021

Notes & Subscriptions

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Schedule of forthcoming issues:

• Issue 444 - Thurs 3 June (content deadline: Fri 28 May)
• Issue 445 - Thurs 17 June (content deadline: Fri 11 June)
• Issue 446 - Thurs 1 July (content deadline: Fri 25 June)
• Issue 447 - Thurs 15 July (content deadline: Fri 9 July)

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Contact Us

Chief Executive
Lizzie Glithero-West
lizzie.glithero-west@theheritagealliance.org.uk

Head of Policy & Communications
Hannah Shimko 0207 233 0700
policy@theheritagealliance.org.uk

Advocacy & Communications Officer (Heritage Update Contact)
Daniella Briscoe-Peaple 0207 233 0800
comms@theheritagealliance.org.uk

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Delphine Jasmin-Belisle 0207 233 0600
development@theheritagealliance.org.uk

Projects Officer
Faridah Rahman
projects@theheritagealliance.org.uk

A full list of our staff contact information can be found on our website here.

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Heritage Update is produced by The Heritage Alliance, with thanks to our generous sponsors the Historic Houses Foundation.

Image credits (in order of appearance): The Landmark Trust; Waterloo Uncovered; English Heritage; The Ragged School Museum; Heritage Open Days, The SPAB, Sussex Heritage Trust, National Historic Ships UK.