The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) has welcomed the publication of current guidance on statutory library services in England, a service much threatened given recent cutbacks, but asks when conservation services across the UK – also statutory and facing even more threats given a 35% drop since 2006 – will get comparable guidance from governments across the UK.
IHBC President David McDonald said: ‘We very much welcome the new guidance on libraries as a statutory service, and we look forward to the relevant government departments and agencies across the UK – suitably spurred by the national heritage bodies responsible for these matters – following this energetic lead.’
‘DCMS and corresponding departments in devolved governments could really make a difference to heritage management on the ground by publishing a comparable body of substantial, current and authoritative guidance to local authorities on the provision of – and standards for –statutory conservation services in today’s economic environment.’
‘For many years now these local conservation services have been facing the most incredible pressures simply to survive – and not all have lasted of course – despite the statutory responsibilities of their local authorities. The lack of current and substantial government guidance to respond to this particular situation represents a serious failure in the support offered to such services, although they remain the key delivery agent in the care of the nation’s heritage.’
‘Indeed in England alone we know that some 15% of local authorities cannot offer a conservation service, while many more services are barely credible. Worse still, despite new legislation and, often additional responsibilities, we don’t even have current figures for Scotland or Wales, though of course Northern Ireland is only establishing that infrastructure. As new roles and duties are thrust on this infrastructure, it seems almost irresponsible to be talking about these matters when the most basic knowledge of what is happening now is not available to inform these discussions.’
‘In this sort of vacuum, a few words of common sense from the relevant national heritage bodies or departments to senior managers in local authorities would make a substantial difference to the conservation services so critical to the places we all care about and enjoy.’
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