IHBC President, David McDonald has met with Heritage Minister Tracey Crouch MP to discuss issues to be included in England’s forthcoming Culture White Paper, reflecting the Minister’s interest in putting heritage at the heart of planning.
David McDonald writes:
Last week, along with other heritage professionals, I was invited to attend a ‘Round Table’ discussion with Tracey Crouch MP so that she could listen to our current concerns and how we could contribute to the forthcoming White Paper.
The discussion centred on the following questions posed by the Minister:
- What can government do to support local authorities in making great places to live, work and visit? What makes somewhere a great place for developers to invest?
- What are the barriers (other than funding) for cultural organisations in supporting economic and social regeneration / working with local communities?
- How can government support an integrated approach to heritage, arts and museums?
- What are the opportunities for new partnerships and better strategic working at both a local and national level?
- How can government bolster local expertise and help local authority conservation and heritage services be more effective against a background of declining resources? – For example: local or regional forums where organisations can share ideas and best practice?
Whilst in an hour-long meeting, it is difficult for any one individual to make more than one or two comments, David did manage to impress upon the Minister the problems caused by the loss of 35% of local authority conservation officer posts since 2007, and requested that heritage should be at the heart of planning and regeneration rather than an optional extra.
It was clear from the DCMS Officers present at the meeting that a draft of the White Paper already exists, but that it won’t be finalised until this round of consultation is over and equally important, the results of the next spending review have been publicised.
The IHBC will be responding to DCMS through its Consultation Panel, but DCMS is also keen to hear from other individuals and groups. DCMS officers are particularly keen to be sent case studies that illustrate how the sector is working constructively with others to assist in regeneration and illustrate some of the issues raised above. The consultation ends on 9th December and details of how to respond can be found via Heritage Alliance on the link below.
For more background see the IHBC Newsblogs
