Friday 18 June 2021

Updates from The Heritage Alliance

Happy Small Charity Week

A happy #SmallCharityWeek to all our readers from heritage charities on the smaller side. Resources and information about this campaign can be found here.

How to Share Your Content in Heritage Update

The editor of Heritage Update (Daniella, Advocacy & Communications Officer at The Heritage Alliance) has created a new step-by-step guide that sets out how organisations can share news, courses, vacancies and events in Heritage Update. 

This guide provides clear information on how to send your content to be included in an upcoming issue of this wide-ranging newsletter/ sector digest. Members of The Heritage Alliance can share their content for free, while non-members pay £165 per item.

Please be aware that we now only accept content that is sent through our new advertiser's form - so be sure to follow the instructions.

Remembering Peter Ainsworth

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

Policy Updates

This fortnight:

• We have briefed a range of interested Members of the House of Lords on the Environment Bill, which recently had its 2nd reading and will start Committee Stage on Monday. You can read our briefing here. Heritage was mentioned a number of times in the initial debates - see further updates under 'Government News' below.

• Our CEO Lizzie attended an introductory Partners' Meeting with DCMS on the upcoming Heritage Statement and today spoke on being 'Ready for the Future' at the AIM Conference.

• Lizzie also represented Alliance members at a roundtable meeting on Planning policy with MHCLG Minister of State Chris Pincher, Heritage Minister Caroline Dinenage, and representatives from the sector, to discuss concerns and opportunities for heritage and the historic environment in the upcoming Planning Bill.

• Our team submitted a response to the Historic England Industrial Heritage Strategy Consultation and the team is now working on the Home Office Consultation on the Protect Duty.

• And we will be joined by two one-week interns from Monday, Sophie Roland and Benjamin Crowther, who are joining us through the University of Oxford [Alliance member] micro-internship scheme, along with Felicia Rankl who will be part of our Policy & Communications team for four weeks.

Welcome to The Heritage Alliance!

This fortnight, we are delighted to welcome Barker Langham as the newest member of The Heritage Alliance!

The Barker Langham team includes museum and culture professionals living and working across Europe, China, Africa, the Middle East and North America. Together they form one of the world’s leading cultural consultancies, creating pioneering and sustainable projects across the globe. 

Barker Langham has worked on projects ranging from community oral history initiatives to international mega-museums, and they approach every project with the same enthusiasm for seeking out and telling compelling stories and for creating memorable and meaningful experiences. With backgrounds in archaeology, journalism, business, design, research, art history and science, the team brings together a unique range of perspectives.

Ten days to go! Final call for climate change and sustainability case studies

This autumn, the UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow. Inspired by the summit’s aim to 'unite the world to tackle climate change' the Historic Environment Forum created a task group to focus on heritage and climate change, using COP26 as a catalyst.

One of the group’s key tasks is to collate best practice case studies across carbon reduction, adaptation, resilience and heritage/green skills. The group is looking for inspiring, practical, and output/outcome-focussed content; the case studies will be used to support shared sector comms on climate change, feature on the new HEF website and be drawn upon to create an interactive ‘StoryMap’ with support from Historic England.

For more information on how to submit your case studies, please read the guidance and template here. The deadline is 5pm, Monday 28 June (full submission details are included here).

Many thanks for your support and involvement!

HEF COP26 Task Group (HEFtask2@theheritagealliance.org.uk)

#HeritageChat

June’s #HeritageChat focused on ‘Reopening Heritage‘, as many heritage venues and museums reopened (with capacity adapted to social distancing measures) in Step 3 of the Government Roadmap. ‘Reopening’ is also one of the main themes of the Heritage Recovery Plan, prepared by Historic England with and on behalf of the Historic Environment Forum.

Participants shared their thoughts and experiences on topics such as: the positive aspects they noted when visiting a heritage venue since reopening, the feedback that venues and museums are receiving from visitors, lessons learned and challenges. You can read the full summary of the chat here.

July’s #HeritageChat will take place on Tuesday 20th July, 1-2pm as usual. 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! To save the slot in your diary for upcoming #HeritageChats, download our scheduler for Outlook and Google calendar.

New Offers for Our Members

Members of The Heritage Alliance can benefit from a series of free offers, currently being offered by other members, across a range of areas: 

• Free legal calls from our legal partner Bates Wells

• Free fundraising advice sessions from Alliance member The Philanthropy Company

• Free 1:1 calls on project management and re-casting from our sponsor Tricolor Associates

• Free consultation from immersive technology specialist Arcade

We are also delighted that Naomi Korn Associates [Alliance Member] is now offering a monthly update on copyright for all Alliance Members in our fortnightly members' email.

And do not forget that Alliance members can also share their content for free in Heritage Update. Find out more here.

To find out more or to book any of these sessions, or to discuss membership, please contact our Head of Development and Membership Delphine. 

Heritage Digital: new virtual event on Digital Storytelling

Read on for an update on our National Lottery Heritage Fund supported digital skills programme and its third virtual day, as well as newly released resources.

• #HeritageDigitalNow – Digital Storytelling 14th July

Our third Heritage Digital virtual day (and last as part of the initial phase of the programme) will be taking place on 14th July. Like the first two, this will be a virtual half-day of webinars and discussion centred around a topic. This time, it’s on digital storytelling. It’s free, and open to the entire UK heritage sector; book your space here.

• New resources from Heritage Digital
  • Digital guide: Working with volunteers: Copyright considerations
  • Digital Template: Social Media Guidelines
  • Digital Guide: Heritage Organisations and Exceptions to Copyright
  • Digital Guide: Brexit, Data Protection and Heritage

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

Survival to Sustainability: eight free events to support your pandemic recovery

Rebuilding Heritage is entering its final phase and throughout June and July will be offering eight free events to guide you through reopening and beyond:

• Managing Organisational Change, Thursday 24 June, 2pm – 3.30pm

• Wellbeing Gym 2, Monday 5 July, 5pm – 6.30pm

• What’s the point of you? Clarifying your mission, Thursday 8 July, 1pm – 2.30pm 

• What’s the point of you? Communicating who you are and what you do, Wednesday 14 July, 11am – 12.30pm

• People-led: Internal Communications, Monday 19 July, 11am – 12.30pm

• Needs-led: Fundraising for sustainability, Thursday 22 July, 10am – 11.30am

• Values-led: Leadership for change, Thursday 29 July, 2pm – 3.30pm

• Digital is not the answer, Monday 26 July, 3pm – 4.30pm

These webinars will be practical and interactive, with the opportunity to put your questions to our expert partners. Full details of all the events are on the Rebuilding Heritage website.

Government News

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

Headlines

• Step 4 of the Roadmap Delayed Until 19 July
• Cash Boost for Apprenticeships
• MHCLG Publishes New Planning Report
• DCMS Publishes Tourism Recovery Plan
• DEFRA Publishes Latest Update to OIF of 25 Year Environment Plan

COVID-19

Roadmap Delay: What You Can and Cannot Do

The Prime Minister has announced that the easing of Covid-19 restrictions at Step 4 of the Roadmap out of Lockdown will be paused until 19 July, with a review of restrictions on 5 July. Read the full press release here and the updated guidance here.

The guidance has also seen an update to the section for areas where the new COVID-19 variant is spreading, an updated summary with information on changes from 21 June, and additional guidance for people living in areas with variants of concern.

Step 3 restrictions will continue in their current format, with the following exceptions implemented from 21 June:

The 30-person limit will be lifted for weddings and wakes

From 21 June, there will be no longer be a set limit on the number of attendees to weddings and celebrations, but venues must adhere to covid secure guidance, maintain social distancing and provide table service. All weddings in private settings, such as gardens, must complete a covid risk assessment to ascertain how many guests they are able to host safely.

The full updated guidance is here and new guidance on how to safely plan a wedding or commemoration is here. Accompanying guidance has been published in the form of a how-to-guide for risk assessments and an example template to find out how to record these risks.

Event pilots will continue

Event pilots, including some Euro 2020 matches, Wimbledon, and some arts and music performances, will continue despite the delay to the Roadmap. Attendees will show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test.

Cash Boost for Apprenticeships

The Department for Education has announced that businesses can now claim £3000 for each new apprentice hired as a new employee from 1 April until 30 September. This is an additional incentive designed to encourage employers to invest in their workforce, as part of the government's Plan for Jobs. 

Employers can still also apply to receive £1000 to help them deliver traineeships for up to 10 learners per region. 

Change in Kickstart Terms and Conditions

New terms and conditions have been introduced for the Kickstart Scheme, which will come into effect on 21 June. The Department for Work and Pensions is running a series of webinars to introduce employers to the benefits of the Kickstart Scheme. Find further details here.

A new video has now been added to the guidance, which is aimed at providing businesses with a walk-through on how to employ someone through the scheme. The video can be found here on YouTube.

Capital Taxation & Tax-exempt Heritage Assets - Guidance Update

HMRC has updated its guidance on capital taxation for heritage assets. Owners of national properties will not be considered to have broken their agreement with HMRC should they choose to close or delay reopening until 1 August 2021. Relevant public health authority social distancing guidance must be followed.

Eviction Protection Extended for At-Risk Businesses

The Government has just announced that businesses that have had to remain closed during the pandemic and as such have incurred rent debts will continue to be protected from eviction.
 

CJRS & SEISS Claim Data

HMRC has published data on the fourth round of the SEISS claims, showing that 40,000 of 79,000 eligible people working in the accommodation and food services sector (50.6%) made a claim, while 53,000 of 98,000 eligible people in the Arts, entertainment and recreation (54%) did so. These are the highest levels of claim outside the education sector, where the claim rate was 59%.

HMRC has also produced new data on the use of the CJRS for the period up to 30 April, which includes an analysis broken down by sector. The ten industry groups with the highest employment take-up rates included:

• beverage serving activities (70%)
• hotels and similar accommodation (65%)
• amusement and recreation activities (46%)
• creative; arts and entertainment activities (44%)

The guidance has also recently been updated for the CJRS scheme on how to claim for wages through the scheme (updated 10 June - with further guidance on what to do if you’ve missed the claim deadline) and examples have been updated on calculating wage claims for those who are flexibly furloughed.

Guidance

Please continue to check our Covid-19 Hub for the latest guidance for the sector.

The latest guidance includes:

• (COVID-19) Coronavirus restrictions: what you can and cannot do (updated 15 June - England Remains in Step 3)
• Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) (updated 18 May)
• Enabling safe and effective volunteering during coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Wedding and civil partnership ceremonies, receptions and celebrations (updated 14 June) + a how to guide for risk assessments and an example template to find out how to record these risks
• How to Safely Plan a Wedding, Civil Partnership, Funeral, wake or Commemoration (published 14 June)
• Capital taxation and tax-exempt heritage assets (updated 14 June)
• Kickstart Scheme (guidance updated to include a new video designed to show businesses how to employ someone through the scheme)
• COVID-19: EU Settlement Scheme (updated 10 June - to reflect the revised policy on coronavirus related absences under the EUSS)
• CJRS - Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (updated 10 June - with further guidance on what to do if you’ve missed the claim deadline)
• CJRS – Calculating Wage Claims (updated example for employees who are flexibly furloughed in June 2021)
• Guidance for Visa Applicants (updated to say that UKVI will continue to accept applications for visitor visas from red, amber and green countries)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): right to work checks (reminder - the end date for the temporary adjusted checking processes is now 21 June)
• Legislation granting businesses the right to put up marquees this year without planning permission (in place throughout Summer)

Social Impacts

Indicators from the latest ONS Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (covering the period from 2 to 6 June 2021) showed that personal well-being measures of happiness were at 7.3, increasing to above February 2020's pre-pandemic level of 7.2 for the first time since May 2020 (7.4).

31% of people reported leaving the house to visit a park or local green space, 30% did so to eat or drink outdoors at a restaurant, café, bar or pub (and 28% indoors) and 8% did so to travel within the UK for holidays or short breaks (up from 5% in the previous data set).

The ONS business insights data shows that the percentage of businesses currently trading has risen to 87%, with accommodation and food services now at 83% and the transportation and storage industry up to 75%. Industries slower to reopen include performing arts, museums and amusement parks. The proportion of businesses' workforce on furlough leave has fallen to 8%.​

Funding

Welcome Back Fund

MHCLG has published a new version of the guidance and accompanying set of FAQs on the £56m Welcome Back Fund, which was introduced in April to build on the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund.

Cultural Investment Fund

A reminder that new guidance has been published on the three capital funds that together make up the Cultural Investment Fund, administered by Arts Council England. Information about the funds, application process, and links to upcoming webinars, can be found here.

Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) - Guidance Update

The guidance for local authorities on the ARG has been updated to take into account the newly announced delay to moving to Step 4, and to highlight that businesses are eligible. The spending allocation deadline that councils have been given to use the existing tranches of ARG funding has now been extended to 30 July 2021. 

Travel & Tourism

DCMS Publishes Tourism Recovery Plan

It was announced on 11 June that DCMS has now published a Tourism Recovery Plan, which sets out the role the UK government will play in assisting and accelerating the tourism sector's recovery from COVID-19.

The plan cites data from Oxford Economics which estimated tourism in the UK will not return in full to 2019 levels of volume and expenditure until 2025. The aim is to support the sector in reaching its full potential and driving growth across all parts of the UK. There is a recognition that the UK’s ‘renowned heritage offer’ is one pull factor that makes it attractive to consumers, with heritage sites being among some of the most popular tourist attractions. The plan also includes that beyond having a major impact on jobs and the economy, tourism connects people to the UK’s heritage.

The government plans to work in partnership with the sector to achieve its objectives, one of which is to create a ‘tourism industry that contributes to the enhancement and conservation of the UK’s cultural, natural and historic heritage and minimises damage to the environment’ (Objective 4 - medium to long term).

New Lords Briefing on Tourism

Ahead of the Lords Debate on Tourism on 24 June, the Lords Library has produced a new tourism briefing on how the sector has been affected, and the Government’s response, including the Tourism Recovery Plan.

GREAT Campaign Relaunched

The Government is relaunching its GREAT campaign with refreshed branding, as the UK prepares to take centre stage for the G7 and COP 26 summits this year. The campaign has an annual budget of £60million and in its revitalised form is envisioned to showcase "the very best of British in everything from science and technology to sustainability, culture, and creativity" and to "reinvigorate our global partnerships as we pull together to build back better from the pandemic."​

Petition On School Trips From the EU

A petition to government has been launched to facilitate opportunities for cultural exchange with schools from Europe. The petition is calling for support for allowing European school visits to the UK in situations where school age children and their teachers only have ID cards and a List of Travellers, which is all that is required in other EU countries.

Brexit & Immigration

EU Settlement Scheme - 30 June 2021 deadline

A reminder that the deadline for applications to the EU Settlement Scheme is 30 June 2021.  A number of support services are available to facilitate use of the scheme.

The Home Office has produced new guidance for EUSS applicants in or outside the UK who have been affected by restrictions associated with Covid-19. This is particularly important if you have staff who are overseas and unable to travel back to the UK at the moment. It is also running a series of seminars on the Scheme from 21 June.

Resources

​The Heritage Alliance Brexit Hub collates the latest Brexit guidance that is relevant to the heritage sector, including on working in Europe, funding and visa requirements - and our sector briefings on Heritage, Brexit and Immigration can be found on our website. We ask all Alliance Members to continue to inform us with their latest questions and concerns.

And the Historic Environment Forum Brexit FAQs Trello Board continues to be updated with material to help the sector navigate the post-Brexit period.

Planning

The Future of the Planning System in England - Report

The Parliamentary Committee on Housing, Communities and Local Government published its first Report on Planning reforms. The report considers the Government’s proposed reforms to the planning system announced in August 2020, and cites a number of points from The Heritage Alliance’s response, including the case for statutory HERs.

Yesterday, members of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee responded to a Select Committee Statement on the report.

We will continue to make the case around potential harm for heritage, including issues related to permitted development and demolition.

New Towns Deals Announced

MHCLG has now announced the 30 towns in England that will receive a share of £700 million in funding via new Towns Deals. This investment is aimed to help support local economies and rebuild from the pandemic, creating new jobs and renovating attractions.

Using Digital Tools in the Planning Process

The Housing Minister Chris Pincher has announced that 10 councils will be testing the use of digital tools and data standards for the planning process in their local areas. Councils will test how existing local plans translate into a new, digitally transformed system, as proposed in the Planning White Paper. 

Planning Inspectorate - Guidance Update

The Planning Inspectorate Covid-19 guidance has been updated in light of the Prime Minister's announcement around a delay to the Roadmap. The current guidance on site visits and in-person hearing and inquiries will be maintained until the lifting of restrictions.

The Future of Burlington House

A debate on the future of the learned societies at Burlington House was held in Westminster Hall on 8 June. The five 'learned societies' (or the 'Courtyard Societies') currently housed in Burlington House include The Society of Antiquaries [Alliance member], who launched a campaign to remain at Burlington House after a 3100% increase in rent from 2012 tot 2021.

The video from the debate can be watched here and the transcript is here.

Environment & Agriculture

Environment Bill Progress

The Environment Bill had its Second Reading in the House of Lords. Heritage was mentioned a number of times in the debate. Lord Redesdale stated that excluding Heritage from the definition of environment in the Bill is of detriment to both the natural and historic environment, and this sentiment was echoed by Lord Cormack, Lord Carrington, the Earl of Devon and Viscount Trenchard who added their concerns related to the omission of heritage from the Bill. 

Many Lords also raised concerns that the Planning Bill, which is expected as early as autumn, will be at odds with many of the positive aspects of the Environment Bill and circumvent the environment protections it is putting in place.

Lord Faulkner of Worcester also spoke on Heritage Rail at the debate and welcomed Ministers’ repeated assertions that the heritage sector’s limited use of fuels is excluded from the clean air proposals in the Bill. However, he also voiced his concerns that these assurances of exclusion are not currently in the Bill and so tabled an amendment accordingly, supported by Lord Forsyth Of Drumlean, Lord Bradshaw and The Earl of Clancarty. Responses from Lord Goldsmith, DEFRA Minister responsible for the Bill, can be found here.

The Lords Library briefing on the Bill, published ahead of Second Reading, can be read here.

Our latest briefing on the Environment Bill produced with members of our Rural Heritage Advocacy Group (RHAG), which we have shared with interested members in the House of Lords, can be read here.

25 Year Environment Plan: progress reports

DEFRA has published the latest update to the Outcome Indicator Framework (OIF) of the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan. This sets out the progress the Government has made in improving the environment through the Plan and the indicator framework since the OIF was published in May 2019.

Tackling 'Greenwashing' in Investment

A new independent group has been set up by HM Treasury to advise on standards for green investment. The Green Technical Advisory Group (GTAG) will oversee the Government’s delivery of a “Green Taxonomy”, which is a common framework established for investments that are considered environmentally sustainable.

#PlantForOurPlanet Campaign

DEFRA launched a new campaign on World Environment Day to encourage people, businesses, and communities to 'get planting' to reduce carbon dioxide levels, support natural recovery and restore community spaces.  The campaign is backed by green organisations such as The Wildlife Trusts, Woodland Trust, National Trust [Alliance member], Horticultural Trades Association and Royal Horticultural Society. 

A reminder that BEIS recently launched a new campaign - Together for our Planet 'Business Climate Leaders' - to encourage small and micro businesses to commit to cutting their emissions in half by 2030 and to net zero by 2050, or sooner.

New Large Community Woodland

Highways England has announced that a new community woodland the size of 135 football pitches will be planted in Essex, along the proposed site for the Lower Thames Crossing. The new woodland, which will be under the care of Forestry England, will provide a new outdoor space for people alongside and goes towards fulfilling a commitment to increase biodiversity along England's Strategic Road Network by 2050.

Parliamentary & Other News

EU Visa Arrangements for Creative Workers

An evidence session was held on 10 June following the Government's failed negotiations on an agreement with the EU to enable visa-free travel and reduce barriers to people in the British creative sector working in the EU.

Lord Frost was invited by the DCMS Committee to explain how Ministers intended to resolve the issue but was not present at the session.

A transcript and video recording from the session can be found here.

Queen's Honours

The Queen’s Birthday Honours Lists 2021 has been released. Congratulations to all those awarded, including many for their services to the arts and heritage.

These include:

• Roger Marsh OBE DL - Chair, NP11, Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and The Piece Hall Trust [Alliance member] - Knighthood
• Ian Lyn David Morrison - Director of Policy and Evidence, Historic England. For services to Heritage and Covid-19 Response - OBE
• Hilary Carty Bing-Pappoe - Clore Leadership. For services to Leadership Development in the Cultural and Creative Industries - OBE
• William Stephen Ferris OBE DL - Lately Chief Executive, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust - CBE
• Emma Laetitia Pell (Emma Squire) - Director, Arts Heritage and Tourism, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. For services to Heritage and the Arts during Covid-19 - CBE
• David Bryan - Chair, Board of Trustees, Voluntary Arts, Chair, Battersea Arts Centre and Chair, Brixton House - CBE
• Dr Ian Lyon Buxton - For services to the Preservation of British Maritime History and the community in Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear - MBE
• Colonel (Rtd) Patrick Timothy Crowley - DL Deputy Colonel, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, and Chief Executive Officer, South East Reserve Forces and Cadets Association - MBE
• John Wilson Oxley - For services to Heritage - MBE
• Christopher John Robinson - For services to Heritage, Conservation, Education, Business and Tourism in Plymouth - MBE
• Hilary Ann Walden (Hilary Burns) - For services to Basket Making and Heritage Crafts - MBE

The winners of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service have also been announced.

Also This Fortnight:

• The Government has published a new Declaration on Government Reform.

• The government is seeking a Chief Executive to shape the vision, direction and research priorities for its new Advanced Research & Invention Agency (ARIA).

• A new report from the DCMS Committee has called for a time-limited insurance scheme to prevent UK music festivals from facing another ‘lost summer’

• A report commissioned by the Faith & Society APPG has found that partnerships between faith groups and local authorities have deepened during the pandemic, with an increased recognition of the role places of worship play in delivering community projects that meet local need.

• DCMS is now recruiting an expert advisory panel for UK City of Culture 2025. Information about how to apply to be one of the 11 members is here.

• The Department for Education has published insights from projects working to improve outcomes for children and young people in areas with low social mobility through a new 'Opportunity areas insight guide'.

Sector Digest

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

Historic England Kickstart Gateway

The Kickstart scheme seeks to support the employment of young people, aged 16-24, on universal credit, in order to gain valuable work experience and develop their work-related and transferable skills at little cost to the employer. Historic England is delivering DWP funded Kickstart placements across thirty heritage organisations with roles covering administration, project management, conservation, park maintenance and archaeology.

Historic England is working in partnership with Intuitive Thinking Skills to help deliver the essential Wrap Around Training program for this scheme, who will support all Kickstart placements in gaining lifelong employability skills at no cost to the employer.  If your organisation represents the heritage sector and you would like to discover how as an employer you can support young people through the Covid-19 pandemic, please contact the Kickstart Placement Adviser.

The Creative Economy & Championing Future Skills

Kingston University has produced a ‘Future Skills League Table', based on a survey that asked 2,000 UK employers from a range of sectors about the challenges they face to remain globally competitive over the next 10-20 years. Problem-solving, communication and creativity are among the top 10 core skills employers said were needed for a prosperous economy.

Vice Chancellor of the university noted that "the importance of creativity and innovation to the future UK economy contradicts government declarations that university education for the creative industries is not important strategically, with reductions in funding no doubt to follow".

Over Half of Art Venues Report Being at Risk from Pandemic

​New research from the University of Sheffield, University of Kent, and the Chartered Institute of Fundraising has highlighted that arts and cultural venues and organisations believe they are at risk due to the decline in income during the pandemic, with 62% reporting a decline in funds and 79% reporting that their fundraising activity overall has decreased.

Travel Industry Day of Action

On 23 June, trade bodies from across the aviation and travel industries are joining for a travel industry day of action (#traveldayofaction) to mount pressure on the UK Government to support a safe return to international travel in time for the peak summer period.

Bernard Donoghue, director of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) [Alliance member] has made a case for the importance of a safe return to international travel, as "our international visitors are crucial to this sector’s repair and recovery".

University of Chester Receives Accreditation for its BA Archaeology Programme

The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and University Archaeology UK (UAUK) have announced that The University of Chester is joining the list of universities with formally accredited academic programmes. Its BA Archaeology programme has received an accreditation for providing skills relevant to a career in the historic environment.

New Loan Scheme for Creative Businesses

Creative England has launched a new loan scheme for creative businesses through a new partnership with British Business Bank's Start-Up Loans programme. Financial support of up to £25,000 will be offered to creative entrepreneurs.

Give Your Views on the Cultural Sector & Social Prescribing

Members of the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine are working with colleagues from the Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM) team at the University of Oxford [Alliance member] and Kellogg College [Alliance member] to explore ways in which these settings can contribute to people’s health and well-being.

As part of this research, views are being sought from people working in the cultural sector on the sector's role in social prescribing. Details of how to take part can be found here, and further information about the wider project is here.

Green Thinking

The Arts and Humanities Research Council and the BBC have partnered to launch a new podcast - 'Green Thinking' - which explores research around tackling the climate emergency.

Theatre Green Book

The Theatres Trust [Alliance member] has announced that The National Theatre, National Theatre of Scotland, and National Theatre Wales have all committed to making their shows to the new Theatre Green Book standard for sustainability - a project spearheaded by the Trust.

Alliance Member News

A snapshot of the current work of our members.

Barker Langham Analytics

Barker Langham [Alliance member] has just launched Barker Langham Analytics, a cloud-based financial planning tool for the cultural sector, designed to help generate business plans for museums, charities, arts venues, cultural and heritage projects. 

Barker Langham Analytics lets you create and report a business plan in a single, cloud-based location. The output is a summary of your expenses and earnings over a period of time in the form of visual graphs and tables. The tool also calculates the impact of a future event or decision via easily adjustable sliders for real-time scenario analysis.

They tool is available for free as part of their commitment to supporting the recovery and re-imagining of the cultural sector after the Covid19 pandemic. 

Consultations

Open Consultations:

• DfT - proposals to update the legislation underpinning Operation Brock - 20 June
• Ofqual - Exam Procedures Review Service - Terms of Reference - 28 June
• DfT - HS2 Land and Property Review Proposals Public Consultation - 30 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
• CMA - Draft Guidance on the Operation of the CMA’s UK Internal Market Function - 23 July
• HMRC - Call for Evidence: Simplifying the VAT Land Exemption - 3 August 
• BEIS - Review of the Schemes to Compensate Energy Intensive Industries for Indirect Emission Costs in Electricity Prices - 9 August
• Environment Agency - Environmental Permit Competence Requirements: changes to technically competent manager attendance - 9 August
• DEFRA - Direct Payments to Farmers: Lump sum exit scheme and delinked payments in England - 11 August

Environmental Permit Competence Requirements: changes to technically competent manager attendance

Operators who apply for an environmental permit for a waste operation must be members of (and comply with) a government approved technical competency scheme.

The Environment Agency is seeking comments on options for changes to the attendance requirements for technically competent managers, on rules associated with the attendance requirements and implementation timescales.​

Deadline: 9 August 2021

Exam Procedures Review Service ​- Terms of Reference

Ofqual is consulting on proposed revisions to the Terms of Reference for the Exam Procedures Review Service (EPRS) for qualifications awarded in summer 2021.

The substantive changes proposed concern:

• Advanced Extension Award (AEA) qualifications
• Technical Qualifications forming part of T levels
• the role of the EPRS for summer 2021 qualifications
• who may make an application

Deadline: 28 June 2021

Review of the Schemes to Compensate Energy Intensive Industries for Indirect Emission Costs in Electricity Prices

BEIS is seeking views on the risk of carbon leakage due to the indirect emission cost from the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and compensation price support (CPS) mechanism plus feedback on sector eligibility and scheme design.

They seek views and evidence on:

• the risk of carbon leakage due to the indirect emission cost from the UK ETS and CPS
• which sectors are most at risk
• the design of the potential scheme if there continues to be a rationale for compensation

Deadline: 9 August 2021

Events

Upcoming Heritage Events - Quick Look

• 24 June: INTO - webinar: 'Understanding Climate Risks'

• 24 June: Rebuilding Heritage - Managing Organisational Change

• 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

• 30 June: Postcards from the Edge - SAVE Coastal Buildings at Risk

• 5 July: Rebuilding Heritage - Wellbeing Gym 2

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

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

• 8 July: Rebuilding Heritage - What’s the point of you? Clarifying your mission

• 8 - 14 July: Summer Working Party 2021, SPAB, Old House Project and Boxley Abbey, Kent

• 13 July: Georgian Spa Towns, Georgian Group lecture

• 14 July: Heritage Digital Virtual Conference: #HeritageDigitalNow – Digital Storytelling

• 14 July: Repair of Historic Brick Walls Masterclass, SPAB Old House Project, Kent

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

• 14 July: Rebuilding Heritage - What’s the point of you? Communicating who you are and what you do

• 19 July: Tyack Welsh Country Houses: The East India network in Wales, 1760-1820, Georgian Group lecture

• 19 July: Rebuilding Heritage - People-led: Internal Communications

• 22 July: Rebuilding Heritage - Needs-led: Fundraising for sustainability

• 26 July: Rebuilding Heritage - Digital is not the answer

• 29 July: Rebuilding Heritage - Values-led: Leadership for change

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

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

• 14 September: The taste for Chinese wallpaper in the British Isles in the long eighteenth century, Georgian Group lecture
• 21 September: Wilton House: the art, architecture and interiors of one of Britain's great stately homes, Georgian Group lecture

• 22 September: Photographing Old Buildings online workshop, SPAB

• 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

• 12 October: Making print rooms in the late eighteenth century, Georgian Group lecture
• 19 October: Collecting and displaying fakes and copies in the eighteenth-century home, Georgian Group lecture

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

• 3 November: Conservation on the Edge: Building Repairs at Height - online lecture, SPAB Scotland

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

• 15 November: The Castles of Wardour: building an Anglo-Catholic identity in eighteenth-century Britain, Georgian Group lecture
• 16 November: Noble Ambitions: The fall and rise of the post-war country house, Georgian Group lecture
• 23 November: William Wrighte's Grotesque Architecture of 1767, Georgian Group lecture

The Georgian Group - Upcoming Events

The Georgian Group [Alliance member] has a series of varied lectures running from July until October this year:

• 13 July: Georgian Spa Towns
• 19 July: Tyack Welsh Country Houses: The East India network in Wales, 1760-1820 
• 14 September: The taste for Chinese wallpaper in the British Isles in the long eighteenth century
• 21 September: Wilton House: the art, architecture and interiors of one of Britain's great stately homes
• 12 October: Making print rooms in the late eighteenth century
• 19 October: Collecting and displaying fakes and copies in the eighteenth-century home
• 15 November: The Castles of Wardour: building an Anglo-Catholic identity in eighteenth-century Britain
• 16 November: Noble Ambitions: The fall and rise of the post-war country house
• 23 November: William Wrighte's Grotesque Architecture of 1767

Jobs

Salaried

Notes & Subscriptions

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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.