The Northern Ireland (NI) Government has set out a new protocol, for ‘all central government departments and agencies’, requiring a skilled officer at ‘an appropriately senior level in the conservation or property management structure’, as it commits to setting example in regard to the care of the ‘heritage assets’ it owns.
NI Government writes:
On 19 June 2012 updated guidance for Northern Ireland government departments and agencies on how to fulfil this commitment was published.
The ‘Protocol for the Care of the Government Historic Estate’ has been endorsed by the Northern Ireland Executive and sets out 12 points which should be followed:
1. Nominate a Heritage Officer
2. Use Practitioners with appropriate qualifications and expertise
3. Ensure that the significance of any heritage asset is taken into account when planning change
4. Commission regular condition surveys
5. Implement a planned programme of repairs and maintenance
6. Protect Heritage at Risk
7. Work to keep buildings in active use
8. Comply with statutory procedures that regulate works to heritage assets
9. Ensure a high standard of design in any new work and in the alteration of the historic environment
10. Prepare biennial conservation reports
11. Identify and record heritage assets
12. Ensure that the historic environment is included in climate change action plans
Departments and Agencies must submit a report to NIEA on all of their heritage assets by June 2013. NIEA must compile a summary report to the Environment Committee by September 2013.
The Protocol states:
This document sets out what the Executive requires from all central government departments and agencies. It supersedes UK guidance of the same name, issued in 2003 by the Department of Culture Media and Sport. The commitment of this protocol will also apply where responsibility for maintaining heritage assets1 has been transferred to a contractor or private sector partner, provided that the asset remains in occupation by a central government body. It also applies to heritage assets leased by such bodies through some form of repairing lease.
The Government is committed to setting a good example in the care of its historic estate. This protocol explains how departments and agencies will put this commitment into practice. The maintenance of heritage assets in active use and good repair is part of a sustainable approach to the environment. A strategic, systematic approach to the management of historic property will help to achieve value for money and safeguard the special interest of this part of the environment.
The protocol does not apply to heritage assets owned by local government but its adoption by local councils as good practice is encouraged. Independent bodies that receive a majority of their funding from central government are expected to adopt the approach as good practice and to confirm this to sponsor Departments.
The objective is that owners should identify, understand and manage their historic estate in an exemplary way.
A copy of the Protocol is available at: LINK
A template for a standard heritage asset report is available at: LINK
Links to related information on this subject are available at: LINK
DOENI Article: LINK
