A joint Statement on the forthcoming merger of Historic Scotland and RCAHMS has been issued by RCAHMS Chief Executive Diana Murray and Acting Chief Executive of Historic Scotland Ian Walford, and RCAHMS Commissioners are hosting an open day on 29 August to meet with anyone interested in exploring the future of RCAHMS and its past.
The statement reads:
Following the Cabinet Secretary’s announcement of a preferred option that RCAHMS and Historic Scotland should merge, we want to inform you about how both organisations will work through the process and advise how you can keep up to date with the programme of activity following Ms Hyslop’s recommendation.
RCAHMS and Historic Scotland are both well established bodies with different but complementary remits. Bringing them together will not be either easy or quick. One thing we are very clear about is that this is not a takeover of a small body by a larger one. Instead it is a coming together of two respected organisations to form an organisation that maintains Historic Scotland’s role and RCAHMS’ functions to survey and analyse the built environment, as well as conserve and make accessible their established collections.
While we know that this change will create some uncertainty for our staff and stakeholders, it also gives us the potential to secure Scotland’s built heritage for future generations.
First action
Our priority for the remainder of this year is the development of a business case for the proposed changes. While the detail of that case has yet to be worked out, we will start by setting out a clear vision for what the new body can achieve including the principles, values and outcomes it will deliver for Scotland’s historic environment. Most importantly, we have already agreed that we will work together on developing the business case and will both be sharing the responsibility and accountability to Ministers for its development.
We will work with staff across both organisations and are organising regular staff briefings and communications channels for a two-way discussion forum. Likewise, with the wider stakeholder community, you can follow our progress on the Historic Scotland and RCAHMS websites, where we will soon be launching dedicated pages with updates on this process and through which you will be able to contact us directly. In addition, we will be exploring opportunities for stakeholders to help shape the outcome by participating in events where we can discuss with you our next steps.
The announcement of the development of a business case for merger between RCAHMS and Historic Scotland takes place in the context of the Historic Environment Policy review which has just begun. In order to benefit from the additional opportunity afforded by considering future strategy and policy alongside the shape and purpose of the merged body, we will ensure that the two processes are both dovetailed and complementary.
We believe this is an opportunity to build upon the synergies between RCAHMS and Historic Scotland as well as providing job security for our staff and developing a long term strategy for the historic environment, ensuring Scotland is well equipped to face the challenges of the future and to continue to celebrate and champion our great cultural heritage.
We hope that you will work with us over the coming months and years to achieve this.
RCAHMS Commissioners have also issued an open invitation to meet with them in Edinburgh on the afternoon of Wednesday 29 August to discuss these matters in more detail.
To express your interest and reserve a place, by Wednesday 15 August, go to: LINK
For the joint statement see: LINK
