The Heritage Alliance (THA) has called for ‘proper resourcing’ for historic environment services in Local Authorities in its response to the Department for Culture Media and Sport’s recently published Structural Reform Plan (SRP), the key tool of the coalition government for making departments accountable for the implementation of the reforms set out in the coalition agreement.
The Alliance, which represents over 80 heritage sector organisations, lists a number of priority areas including local government.
It says: ‘Professional and specialist skills are vital to maximising the benefits from heritage. As funding and planning powers are devolved from national and regional agencies, Local Authorities need a highly trained workforce to ensure the effective management of the historic environment. Now that much of the ring fencing of local government funds has been dismantled, we urge CLG to make the case for proper resourcing for historic environment services in the forthcoming review of Local Authority finance, and for DCMS to have sufficient resources to work alongside CLG in ensuring local competencies.’
THA chair Loyd Grossman OBE said: “The civil society heritage sector accepts that there will be cuts to historic environment funding and services and we are ready to fill the deficit wherever possible. However, what we would like from the new government is greater clarity on its attitude and approach to heritage and clear acknowledgement of its important social and economic contribution. This recognition is vital if cuts are to be fair, proportionate and effective.”
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