England’s Minister for Culture, Communications and the Creative Industries, Ed Vaizey MP, has initiated a review to be undertaken by Lord Redesdale, secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Archaeology Group (APPAG), and John Howell MP, into the future of Local Government (LG) archaeological services, to be led first by The Archaeology Forum (TAF), with a closing date of 14 February.
The TAF writes:
In response to issues raised by representatives of the archaeological sector at an event organised by the Archaeology Forum in October 2013, the Minister for Culture, Communications and the Creative Industries, Ed Vaizey, initiated a review to be undertaken by Lord Redesdale and John Howell MP into the future of local government archaeological services.
These services have traditionally played a key role in the identification, protection, conservation and investigation of England’s rich archaeological heritage – including sites of undisputed international or national importance. In addition they also provide the backdrop for the nation’s long tradition of public involvement with archaeology.
The review wishes to identify sustainable ways of improving or maintaining the provision of these services, recognising that government funding is unlikely to be increased in the short or medium term.
The inquiry wishes to engage the following themes:
1) The consideration of options for improving the sustainability of local services providing (i)curatorial advice, and (ii)HERs & archaeological archives, drawing on best practice from local authorities in England and elsewhere in the UK;
2) Whether the knowledge and enthusiasm of third sector organisations could be harnessed to help supplement public involvement in archaeology;
3) The consideration of (i) how the impending creation of Historic England could provide opportunities to forge closer links between local services and their national counterparts, and (ii) if current sector-produced standards and guidance provide the necessary rigour to underpin such a diversity of provision.
As we move to achieve these goals, evidence would be welcomed on the following eight questions by the deadline of 14th February 2014:
The first stage is a call for written evidence, with a deadline of 14 February, is at: LINK
See the briefing paper, Briefing Paper – Local authority archaeology services at: LINK
IfA News: LINK
