Following presentations to Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) members by Andrew Fleming, Director of Policy at Historic Scotland (HS), on the current position and forward plan for the review of Historic Environment (HE) legislation and policy identified in the HS Corporate Plan, BEFS has provided a summary of the current state of play.
HS’s Corporate Plan 2012-15 states that it will ‘Carry out a fundamental review of the Scottish Historic Environment Policy to ensure it supports delivery of the Scottish Government’s commitment both to the historic environment and to sustainable economic growth and provides clarity over our role in key areas.’
BEFS updates as follows:
As Andrew outlined in the presentation there are a number of key drivers for the review, such as the significant budgetary constraints faced across the public sector, and climate change. It is within this context that HS has responsibility to ensure that delivery of national policy on the historic environment is as effective as possible. It is anticipated that the review will not only look at the delivery of statutory functions, but take a much broader view, looking at opportunities and challenges right across the sector.
The review team would like to advise you all of the next steps – which are as follows:
1. Discussions: Preliminary discussions with stakeholders about the scope of the review are nearing completion.
2. Existing information: HS is undertaking a high level review of the evidence base for the area.
3. Formulating work programme: Both the discussions and analysis of existing information will be used to identify key themes and issues. These will form the basis of a work programme for the review. The team is keen to structure this work in a way that is open, transparent and participatory. Equally, it is recognised that the process has to be manageable and should not make any unnecessary burdens on stakeholders. The work to develop this programme structure will be ongoing over the next few weeks.
4. Sign off: The structure of the review will require sign off from HS senior management and the Cabinet Secretary prior to the review commencing. HS will be working towards securing agreement over the summer months with a view to starting the work in late summer.
If you have further comments on the scope of the review at this initial stage, please contact hs.policy@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
For the HS Corporate Plan see: LINK
