Monthly Archives: November 2010

Councillors should be freed from restrictions that prevent them from championing local issues, Ministers have asserted. Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has today set out plans to clarify the law so that councillors are able to get on with the … Continue reading →

Documentary-maker Louis Theroux is urging his local London council to fix the ‘decaying’ roads and ‘dilapidated’ buildings. He was also among his Harlesden neighbours and business owners who attended a two day workshop to explore ways to shape the future of the … Continue reading →

The timetable for the delivery of the new planning regime has been laid out in the Department for Communities and Local Governmentrecently published Business Plan for 2011-15. The key legislation which will set much of the framework for the new planning … Continue reading →

DCMS has published a new Business Plan. The Business Plans are a key part of the Government’s reform programme, and represent a completely new way for citizens to hold the Government to account. They also make clear the lines of … Continue reading →

“The government has given the Charity Commission a ‘very clear steer’ that it should change its investment guidance to give charities more leeway to invest in products that offer social as well as financial returns”, minister for civil society, Nick … Continue reading →

Arts Council England plans to introduce an online application system for funding as it attempts to overhaul its operations in the face of a funding cut of nearly 30 per cent. In what the organisation describes as ‘the biggest transformation of … Continue reading →

English Heritage has developed a new online resource for anyone studying women’s history where it has gathered together pictures and information about buildings that reflect women’s lives from the mid-nineteenth century, at work, at play and campaigning for better housing, education, … Continue reading →

Communities and Local Government has published revised circulars on houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and also on Article 4 Directions. Communities: LINK

Charity leaders’ confidence levels in their organisation’s financial situation stand at an all-time low according to NCVO’s latest Charity Forecast Survey. Published on 29 September, at a time when spending cuts and the Big Society agenda are dominating party conference … Continue reading →

Conservation services in local authorities are a continuing concern for those giving evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s Inquiry into Funding for the Arts and Heritage. Carole Souter. HLF Chief Executive said, on 2 November: “The loss … Continue reading →

On 28 October 2010 Government published the Local Growth White Paper, which sets out its new approach to sub-national growth, including more information about Local Enterprise Partnerships and the Regional Growth Fund. It focuses on three key themes: * Shifting … Continue reading →

The Coalition has signalled plans to streamline development consents regimes for businesses in order to encourage development and stimulate economic growth. This move is in response to Adrian Penfold’s review of non-planning consents which in July urged action to tackle … Continue reading →

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced changes to its procedures in recognition of the economic challenges facing potential and current applicants. The changes, which apply with immediate effect, are: reduced match funding requirements, management & maintenance costs included in … Continue reading →

The Prince of Wales’ architectural charity is weighing up a plan to fill the gap left by Cabe by carrying out design reviews, and RIBA slams Prince’s Foundation design review bid with President Ruth Reed saying Charles’ charity is ‘entirely … Continue reading →

Funding worth more than £5m has been earmarked to support the development of the Black Cultural Archives (BCA) in Brixton, South London. This investment will help turn the currently derelict Grade II listed Raleigh Hall in Windrush Square into a … Continue reading →

Nominations are currently being sought for two awards of £1,000 each, in this the fifth year of this award scheme, generously sponsored by the Marsh Christian Trust (www.marshchristiantrust.org). Previous winners of this award are the late Professor John Ashurst (2006); … Continue reading →

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has published a report arguing for innovative ways of funding nature conservation including a levy on new homes,  conservation credits and new green taxes. RSPB chief executive Mike Clarke said: “We all … Continue reading →

The ‘impeccable’ Neues Museum in Berlin, Germany by David Chipperfield Architects in collaboration with Julian Harrap, has won The 2010 Crown Estate Conservation Award. The award is presented to the best work of conservation that demonstrates the successful restoration and … Continue reading →

The current joint report on Local Planning Authority (LPA) historic environment services, carried out in part by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), confirms a near 7% drop in conservation staffing over the 15 months to the start of … Continue reading →

Only a few places are left for the first day of the heritage project funding conference in Glasgow, ‘Investing in the Past’, on 18 November, though there is still plenty of opportunity for delegates to attend on the Friday and … Continue reading →

Trudi Elliot CBE has been appointed the new Chief Executive of the RTPI and  will work closely with RTPI Managing Director Sara Drake and Sue Percy, Director of Professional Services. Richard Summers, Chairman of the RTPI Board said: “I am … Continue reading →

The London branch of the Planning Officers Society has written to Communities Secretary Eric Pickles detailing ways of making the planning system less bureaucratic and easier for consumers. The proposals focus on spatial planning, development management and planning enforcement. Planning Officers Society Article: … Continue reading →

The Arb’s professional conduct committee has fined Richard Lewis of Lewis Patten Chartered Architects in Hereford £4,000 following an “aesthetic disaster” on a project to build two semi-detached houses in north-west London. BD Online News: LINK

Skills minister John Hayes today signalled a new vision for craft and vocational skills as he spoke of the re-emergence of the Guilds and announced an ambition to create a new and prestigious award for Craft. The minister was at … Continue reading →

Only the rich will be able to afford to study architecture, Schosa Standing Conference of Heads of Schools of Architecture, warns government Architecture degrees will become the preserve of the wealthy if the government adopts the Browne review’s recommendations on … Continue reading →