The government is supporting the creation a new charity to run the National Heritage Collection and is consulting on the new model for English Heritage (EH) and the management of the National Heritage Collection with a closing date of 7 February at 12 am.
David Kincaid, IHBC Policy Secretary and Chair of the institute’s Policy Committee, said: ‘Our primary concern is the longer-term funding for both parts of the split. The £80m might look generous but may not be adequate to deal with all of the outstanding repair work to the 400 properties in the Collection. Funding for Historic England must also be adequate to allow them to meet their statutory objectives. The current level of cutbacks is having an impact on that service already, as research by IHBC and others has clearly demonstrated’.
DCMS writes:
This ambitious funding programme will allow a series of investments that will improve conservation of historic sites.
Visitors will also benefit by being able to view these heritage sites in the manner they deserve. Through this programme, the charity will be able to grow its income and become self-financing by 2023, while the Collection will of course remain in public ownership.
This proposal is not just about the Collection. It is also an opportunity to develop the other services provided by English Heritage which help everyone to understand, value and care for our wider historic environment and ensure its position at the heart of sustainable growth.
So as part of this process we have also thought about the future priorities and opportunities for the part of English Heritage that will continue to deliver planning and conservation services and advice.
In the consultation we are particularly interested on your views regarding the proposed benefits of this proposal, measuring success and the priorities for both organisations.
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