IHBC NewsBlogs

A Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) report, focused on health but with the widest implications, is reminding councils that although they can contract out services, they remain responsible for the quality of any service those contractors provide, and for addressing any complaints users of services may have, and that this accountability remains irrespective of whether the provider is a private company, a third sector organisation or another publicly-funded body.

The LGO writes:
A complaint about Somerset County Council was brought to the LGO by the mother of a young adult with Asperger’s Syndrome and hearing difficulties after an inaccurate assessment of the man’s needs left him without direct support payments for 14 months.

The support payments help the man access community facilities and increased his social contacts. However the assessment of his needs carried out by the local NHS Trust decided that these payments should stop in December 2013 as it was wrongly believed he would be starting an apprenticeship.

However, the young man was never offered an apprenticeship, and for 14 months his only contact with the outside world was via his mother and step-father.

The payments were eventually reinstated in January 2015, and were paid from March 2015, but this left a 14 month gap in which his mother had to provide the support he needed.

Dr Jane Martin, Local Government Ombudsman, said: ‘Councils are well within their rights to get best value for money from the care contracts they enter into. However, councils remain responsible for the way those services are provided, and so also remain ultimately responsible for dealing with any complaints.??’With rapidly changing models of local service delivery, we appreciate it can be confusing for both the public and local authorities to understand who is accountable for a local service. We hope that this case will help to bring some clarity to the matter.??’I also hope that my decision will ensure Somerset council accepts its responsibility for this young man’s social care needs.’

To remedy the situation, the council has been asked to review how it monitors its contracts with third parties to ensure that full records are made of all care reviews and recommendations.

The council should also take steps, such as staff training to make sure officers are aware of the council’s contracts with other organisations and the duties and responsibilities arising from these contracts.

It should also pay the man the sum equivalent to the direct payments he would have received during the period between November 2013 and January 2015, which should equate to £5,938.10. It should also pay the mother £500 for the stress and anxiety in having to support her son’s needs for the 14 months he was without direct payments.

The council has agreed to the recommendations.

UK Local Gov article

Local Government Lawyer article

Local Government Ombudsman article

The new Housing and Planning Bill has been published, which brings new obligations for local plans and automatic planning permission in principle on brownfield sites.

DCLG writes
Councils must produce local plans for new homes in their area by 2017 – or the government will ensure, in consultation with local people, those plans are produced for them.

• Landmark Housing and Planning Bill will help deliver government ambition of one million homes by 2020
• Councils must produce local plans for new homes by 2017 – or government will ensure plans are produced for them
• Government confirms measures to deliver 200,000 Starter Homes, offer 1.3 million tenants the Right to Buy and cut red tape to boost home building

While 82% of councils have published local plans – which should set out how many homes they plan to deliver over a set period – only 65% have fully adopted them, and there are still almost 20% of councils that do not have an up to date plan at all.

Today, the Prime Minister is making crystal clear that he expects all councils to create and deliver local plans – making sure they take action to help reach the government’s ambition of delivering 1 million homes by 2020. The Prime Minister unveiled the proposals ahead of the publication of the Housing Bill which will help deliver 1 million homes by 2020 – a key part of the government’s pledge to deliver security, stability and opportunity to the British people. And it comes just days after the Prime Minister and housing associations reached an historic agreement to extend the Right to Buy to 1.3 million additional tenants from as early as next year – a clear signal of the government’s plans to give all hardworking people the opportunity to unlock the door to home ownership.

The bill spells out a series of further proposals to boost homebuilding and home ownership, including:

• new affordable Starter Homes – a new legal duty will be placed on councils to guarantee the delivery of Starter Homes on all reasonably sized new development sites, and to promote the scheme to first-time buyers in their area. The government is also announcing today that local authorities will be able to bid for a share of a £10 million Starter Homes fund – part of a £36 million package to accelerate the delivery of starter homes – by helping councils prepare brownfield sites that would otherwise not be built for starter homes.
• automatic planning permission in principle on brownfield sites – to build as many homes as possible while protecting the green belt
• planning reforms to support small builders – placing a new duty on councils to help allocate land to people who want to build their own home
• selling off high value vacant assets – which will be reinvested in building new affordable homes

In other boosts for house building today, the PM is also announcing that a temporary rule introduced in May 2013 allowing people to convert disused offices into homes without applying for planning permission will be made a permanent change – after almost 4,000 conversions were given the go ahead between April 2014 to June this year.

And, thanks to a new website launching on Monday morning, prospective homeowners will now be able to go online to www.ownyourhome.gov.uk to see what government schemes are available to open doors for them.

View the local planning press release

View the ‘generation buy’ press release

View the new ‘Own your own home’ website 

IHBC NewsBlogs on housing

The British Property Federation (BPF) has highlighted major concerns in the trends in local planning authority (LPA) staffing, with 55% of LPAs surveyed saying under-resourcing is now a significant challenge.

The BPF writes:
Some of England’s major cities are taking well over six months to determine major new planning applications with both developers and local authorities identifying a lack of resource within planning departments as a key barrier to development. The majority of developers believe higher planning fees might be part of a potential solution, helping local authorities shorten waiting times and improve performance.

The average submission to determination time for a major planning application is 32 weeks across London, Greater Manchester and Bristol and the surrounding area, over double the government target of 13 weeks. In addition to this, and despite a worsening housing crisis, the overall volume of major applications determined in London fell by 26%, according to the fourth Annual Planning Survey from the British Property Federation and GL Hearn, part of Capita plc.

Both public and private sector respondents to the survey expressed concern with the lack of resources available to local planning authorities. Over half (55%) of local authorities say under-resourcing is a significant challenge and half (50%) believe the planning system is not operating as well as it was in 2010. A significant 75% of applicants are dissatisfied with the length of time a planning application takes – up from 71% last year. The survey found that nearly two thirds (65%) of applicants would be happy to pay more if it would shorten determination times.

Key regional findings include:

• In London, the average submission to determination time is 34 weeks – 6 weeks longer than last year’s study (28 weeks) but a modest improvement from 2011/12 when it stood at 37 weeks;
• The average submission to determination time is 27 weeks in both Greater Manchester, Bristol and the surrounding area;
• The volume of major planning applications determined has fallen by 26% in London, increased by 19% in Manchester, and stayed the same in Bristol and the surrounding area;
• In line with diminishing land opportunities in the capital, densification is a more prevalent priority for applicants in London (47%) compared to applicants in the North West (14%).

Commenting on the findings of this year’s Annual Planning Survey, Shaun Andrews, GL Hearn’s head of investor and developer planning, said: ‘In order to get Britain building again, we need to get Britain planning. Development activity is critical for our economy, not least in order to tackle the urgent housing crisis. This year’s Annual Planning Survey shows that the planning system needs investment – and that requires action across the board. We need to ensure that planning authorities have the right people with the right skills and powers in place to drive forward a growth agenda – and that the system is able to release the right resources when it’s needed. For their part, developers need to speak with a single voice – and make it clear what levels of service they need and how much they are prepared to pay for it. There is an urgent need to find bold new solutions to this shared challenge. Further streamlining of the system may well be part of the solution but to get Britain planning to enable growth requires investment. This is an industry-wide issue that needs us all to collaborate to prevent a poorly functioning planning system stifling economic growth.’

Melanie Leech, chief executive at the British Property Federation, commented: ‘This report shows quite clearly that local authority planning departments are struggling to cope as a result of the efforts to find savings across the public sector, and that this is having a negative impact on local authorities’ ability to deliver a timely and efficient service. The fact of the matter is that an effective planning system is crucial to enabling regeneration and development, and if government wants to meet the housing challenge and develop the commercial buildings that support our economy, it is going to need to take action. The report shows that there is potentially scope for the private sector to plug this gap, and we urge the government to begin a dialogue with the property industry to see how this might be taken forward.’

View the press release

IHBC NewsBlogs on planning and heritage staffing 

IHBC guidance note on Planning Authority duties in the provision of appropriate specialist conservation advice in England

IHBC research notes including private sector heritage activities

Historic England (HE) has now launched its suite of enhanced advisory services, following the initial consultation in March, and revision of the initial proposals to reflect consultation responses.

Historic England writes:
In March 2015 we began a consultation on four new charged-for Enhanced Advisory Services. These now sit alongside our existing free (taxpayer funded) planning and listing services. We were very pleased with the engagement in this consultation; many thanks to all who were able to take part. An analysis of the responses is available to download.

Having assessed all of the responses, we made some amendments to our proposals before launching the services on 12 October 2015. These amendments are set out below.

Over 70% of respondents to the consultation were supportive of our proposals for the four Enhanced Advisory Services:

• Fast-track Listing: providing Listing decisions in a quicker and guaranteed timeframe
• Listing Enhancement: providing clarity over the extent of statutory protection in a guaranteed timeframe
• Extended Pre-application Advice: providing Historic England engagement in pre-application advice beyond an initial free service
• Listing Screening Service: providing assessment of the likelihood of any heritage assets with the degree of interest that would warrant statutory Listing

Amendments to proposals based on consultation:

• Our proposals included plans for a Screening Service, and we asked what you would expect to receive as part of such a service. The responses offered enormous variety, but it was evident that we had not provided sufficient clarity as to the content of such a service. We have therefore decided to rename this as the Listing Screening Service. Historic England staff will conduct a survey and produce a report on an area of land to assess the likelihood of any heritage assets with the degree of interest that would warrant statutory Listing. The report will also indicate heritage assets which may merit local designation; however decision-making on these is for the Local Planning Authority to determine. The service will not identify below-ground archaeological potential, which will need to be addressed separately with the Local Planning Authority. We hope this will provide a helpful way to reduce uncertainty early on in the development process by allowing owners or prospective owners of substantial areas of land to gauge the risk of proceeding with development plans in an above ground context.
• Many of the consultation responses demonstrated some concern about the impact that the introduction of paid-for services would have on continued provision of our taxpayer funded free services. Some of these responses highlighted the reassurance provided by the key performance indicators set out in the consultation material against which we will monitor the continued performance of our free services. However, we will now articulate more fully the available free services alongside the paid-for options. Our description of the charged-for service will be presented alongside full description of the free services offered. This will demonstrate our commitment to the continued provision of the free services, and also make clear the options for engagement with Historic England.
• Consultation responses highlighted the importance of pragmatic and efficient delivery of the scheme as essential to the services being well received and used. This feedback was timely as it coincided with the development of our processes for implementing the new services. This has been given particular consideration to how we will calculate the charges, and we can confirm that each case will be charged on the basis of the hours used to complete it. This means that customers will only pay for the work undertaken on their individual case.
• One of the changes we will need to make so that prospective applicants cannot evade pre-application charges is to confine our pre-application advice to applicants themselves (or their agents). From mid-October, therefore, we will no longer be able to provide pre-application advice directly to Local Planning Authorities (LPAs), unless of course the LPA is also the prospective applicant. We will, however, encourage prospective applicants to arrange joint pre-application meetings so that the likelihood of contradictory pre-application advice from Historic England and the LPA is minimised. For the time being, such meetings would need to be separately billed to the customer, but we are looking into how this might be avoided in future and would welcome suggestions from LPAs on how this might be achieved.

View information on enhanced services

View the original responses to the consultation on enhanced services

ICOMOS UK have launched a cultural heritage manifesto to mark their 50 year anniversary, calling for cultural heritage to be embedded in all sustainable development programmes and learning.

ICOMOS UK writes:
In its 50th anniversary year, and at a time when our global heritage is ever more under threat of destruction, ICOMOS-UK (the UK National Committee of ICOMOS: International Council on Monuments and Sites) is calling for a new approach to the way we all sustain, promote and benefit from cultural heritage through the launch of its landmark Cultural Heritage Manifesto.

The ICOMOS-UK Cultural Heritage Manifesto considers that cultural heritage should be embedded in all aspects of sustainable development, and a major part of resilience in society. It is calling on government, universities, and the built environment professions to support and campaign for strategies, plans and development initiatives to be ‘cultural heritage proofed’. It also proposes that cultural heritage should be at the centre of decision-making about our society, communities and the environment.

The Manifesto will be launched at the major international conference ‘Mainstreaming Cultural Heritage: Global Approaches’, held at the London offices of the engineering and design consultancy Arup, on Thursday 22 October 2015. The Keynote Speaker, His Highness the Aga Khan, will explain the importance of an integrated, multi-sector approach to cultural heritage and development as reflected in the work of the Aga Khan Development Network, an approach which is a key theme of the ICOMOS-UK Manifesto.

Other leading heritage speakers will include Dame Fiona Reynolds, Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and Erminia Sciacchitano, Policy Officer, Culture, Heritage, Economy of Culture at the European Union. The conference will be opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO, Patron of ICOMOS-UK.

During the conference, delegates will have the opportunity to debate actions to implement the Manifesto’s aims over the next five years. ICOMOS-UK will be taking forward the Manifesto through its unique position as the UK arm of an international mission to promote and support best practice in the conservation, care and understanding of the historic environment.

Susan Denyer, Secretary, ICOMOS-UK, commented: ‘Cultural heritage is part of who we are, both individually and collectively, and has a profound impact on lives; but to deliver its full potential in guiding sustainable development, cultural heritage must be a cross-cutting theme, embedded in all the plans and policies that guide that development.’

Read the news release and download the manifesto

The BBC has reported on the case of proposals for changes to a stepped masonry spillway managed by Yorkshire Water (which was featured on the Victorian Society at risk list) being challenged in the High Court by a retired civil engineer.

View the article on BBC news

View the Yorkshire Water proposals for the site

The deadline for entering the Placemaking awards is now approaching, IHBC members will be interested to note there is a heritage category -entries must be submitted by Monday 19 October.

Categories where you may submit an entry are:

Award for promoting economic growth
Award for sustainability
Award for partnership working
Award for best use of heritage, arts, culture or sport in place-making
Award for design excellence
Award for best housing scheme (500 homes or less)
Award for best housing scheme (more than 500 homes)
Award-for infrastructure-led placemaking
Award for best health scheme
Award for regeneration
Award for mixed- use development
Award for placemaking on brownfield land
Award for community-led place-making
Award for placemaking using public sector-owned land and property
Place-making team of the year
Southern England
London
Northern Ireland
Wales
Northern England
The Midlands
Scotland

The Placemaking Awards writes:
The Placemaking Awards recognise and publicise projects, plans, people and organisations that are making places better. Open to individuals and organizations in planning, regeneration, economic development, urban design, sustainable development and community development.

The aim of the Placemaking Awards is to be as inclusive as possible for the Built Environment, to showcase not just projects that have come to fruition but also ideas, plans and the people and consultacies behind the process of planning and to highlight all aspects of the Built Environment including the best practice that each and every planner has at the core of their work.

IHBC Awards etc 

View more information about the awards

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has dealt with its first case of heritage crime, following attacks on Mali cultural heritage.

The International Criminal Court writes:
Today, 26 September 2015, Mr Ahmad Al Mahdi Al Faqi (Abu Tourab), was surrendered to the International Criminal Court (ICC) by the authorities of Niger and arrived at the Court’s Detention Centre in the Netherlands. Mr Al Faqi is suspected, according to an ICC arrest warrant issued on 18 September 2015, of war crimes allegedly committed in Timbuktu, Mali, between about 30 June 2012 and 10 July 2012, through intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion and/or historical monuments. This is the first case to be brought before the ICC concerning the destruction of buildings dedicated to religion and historical monuments.

The ICC Registrar, Herman von Hebel, thanked the authorities of Niger and of the host State, the Netherlands, for their cooperation in this matter.

According to the warrant of arrest issued by ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I, there are reasonable grounds to believe that an armed conflict of non-international character began in January 2012 and was still ongoing in Mali throughout the period of the alleged facts, which all took place in Timbuktu. Throughout this period, the city would have been under the control of armed groups, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (‘AQIM’) and Ansar Eddine, a mainly Tuareg movement associated with AQIM. Mr Al Faqi, born in Agoune, 100 kilometers west of Timbuktu, Mali, from the Ansar Tuareg tribe, was an active personality in the context of the occupation of Timbuktu. He was a member of Ansar Eddine, working closely with the leaders of the two armed groups and in the context of the structures and institutions established by them.

It is alleged that, until September 2012, he was at the head of the ‘Hesbah’ (‘Manners’ Brigade’), operational from May 2012. He was also associated with the work of the Islamic Court of Timbuktu and has participated in executing its decisions. Specifically, it is alleged that he was involved in the destruction of the buildings mentioned in the charges.

The Chamber found that the evidence presented by the Prosecutor establish reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Al Faqi is criminally responsible for having committed, individually and jointly with others, facilitated or otherwise contributed to the commission of war crimes alleged by the Prosecutor regarding intentionally directing attacks against the following buildings: 1) the mausoleum Sidi Mahmoud Ben Omar Mohamed Aquit, 2) the mausoleum Sheikh Mohamed Mahmoud Al Arawani, 3) the mausoleum Sheikh Sidi Mokhtar Ben Sidi Muhammad Ben Sheikh Alkabir, 4) the mausoleum Alpha Moya, 5) the mausoleum Sheikh Sidi Ahmed Ben Amar Arragadi, 6) the mausoleum Sheikh Muhammad El Micky, 7) the mausoleum Cheick Abdoul Kassim Attouaty, 8) the mausoleum Ahamed Fulane, 9) the mausoleum Bahaber Babadié, and 10) Sidi Yahia mosque.

The case The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi is the first in the context of the ICC Prosecutor’s investigation regarding the situation in Mali. The situation in Mali was referred to the Court by the government of Mali on 13 July 2012. On 16 January 2013, the Prosecutor opened an investigation into alleged crimes committed on the territory of Mali since January 2012.

Case reference ICC-CPI-20150926-PR1154

Commentary on this case on ‘Justice Hub’ 

ICC-CPI press release

Until the end of 2015, Taylor and Francis (the publishers of Planning Theory & Practice) are offering free access to a wide range of spatial planning articles, which could be an excellent opportunity for IHBC members not normally able to access academic articles without a cost to broaden their knowledge of topical debates.

Articles include:

• What kind of research might help us become better planners? -John Forester
• Civil society enterprise and local development– Patsy Healey
• Intellectuals and the production of space in the urban renewal process in Hong Kong and Taipei– Mee-Kam Ng
• Seeking density and mix in the suburbs: challenges for mid-sized cities– Kirk Brewer, Jill L Grant

View the full range of articles

The National Trust (NT) has issued a research report into the implementation of planning in Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB) in England.

The National Trust (NT) writes:
When our big campaign over Government planning reforms (the National Planning Policy Framework or NPPF) ended in 2013 we committed to keeping an eye on what the final reforms would mean in practice.

Since then we’ve been commissioning regular research reports on particular aspects of the how the planning system is working. The latest of these looks at what’s happening in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England.

The distinctive character and natural beauty of AONBs make them some of the most special and loved places in England – whether the ‘blue remembered hills’ of Shropshire depicted by A.E. Housman, the dramatic Cornish coasts and moorland or the varied landscapes and famously beautiful stone buildings of the Cotswolds.

The Government’s commitment to protect AONBs is clear, but our new research found some problems with how safeguards to prevent inappropriate development are being implemented in some places. The policy may be fine but it’s the practice where the problem lies.

And practice matters – the planning system is supposed to steer development towards where it’s most appropriate and can provide most value while protecting other areas for their landscape or wildlife.

But with local planning authorities losing staff and expertise and being pressured to make decisions in favour of development, that practice is sometimes falling below what it should be.

We’ve suggested ways that practice can now be improved. We want to work with AONB partnerships and local councils to make sure that these landscapes continue to inspire us and fulfil the ambitions set out almost 60 years ago when the first AONB (the Gower Peninsula in South Wales) was created.

Download the full report

NT article

Arts Council England has highlighted concerns relating to the economic resilience of Local Authority (LA) museums following spending cuts, but also gives some case studies which celebrate the success of those who thrive and suggests ways of dealing with museum-related heritage and arts activities in the current economic climate.

Arts Council England writes:
Arts Council England has today (1 October) published new research into the economic resilience of local authority museums.

The independent report by TBR explores the challenges faced by museums across England following reductions to local authority funding. It highlights the significant level of current and expected cuts, but also finds that many local authority museums are doing well. Key success criteria are strong, proactive leadership, alignment with local authority priorities, and a culture of enterprise not only in a museum but in its local authority.

John Orna-Ornstein, Director, Museums, Arts Council England, said: ’Even at a time of challenge many local authority museums are thriving. We’re seeing museums across the country whose own enterprising spirit is matched by their local authority – the two must go hand in hand. Local authority investment in culture and heritage is vital, but we are working in tough economic times. This research is a challenge to local authorities as well as to museums, to seek out creative ways to see our nation’s museums flourish for future generations. No one size fits all, but there are plenty of models for strategic, thoughtful change at a time of reduced funding.’

View the press release and download the report

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is conducting a survey on engaging young people with heritage and are seeking opinion from professionals and organisations who organise activities for young people (or would like to!).

HLF writes:
The Heritage Lottery Fund is researching the needs of the heritage sector to engage young people with heritage. We are half-way through our current strategic framework, and starting to think about what we could do to support more high quality, sustainable work with young people. The results of this research will inform the planning for our next strategic framework to be introduced in early 2018. We want to understand what you need to develop and deliver work with young people aged 11-25. We would like to hear from organisations with all levels of experience, from those with a strong track record of programmes for young people to those who are yet to reach out to this age group.

HLF are working with independent researchers Icarus to complete this study, and your views will be extremely important in giving Icarus good quality information from across the heritage sector on which to base their findings.??Thank you for making the time to complete this survey.

View the survey

£36million of new European funding is avaiable to help with cross border environmental projects which deal with habitat recovery.

DoENI writes:
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has called on environment groups to apply for share of over £36million pounds of cross border EU funding.

Environment groups can apply for funding worth €48.3million (over £35million) from 7 October 2015. The funding is to be allocated through the INTERREG cross-border co-operation programme for the Border Region of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Western Scotland for 2014-2020.

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said: ‘This funding is a major boost to help protect our environment. I encourage environmental groups to grasp the opportunity and engage in the programme. This offers a significant chance to recover habitats and species of concern, achieve a more integrated approach to marine management and improve water quality across the region. At a time when budgets are squeezed I urge relevant groups in the North to do everything possible to get a slice of this funding pot for collaborative environmental projects with the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland.’

Applications for the environment element of funding open from 7 October 2015 and will close on 8 January 2016. It is expected that contracts will be awarded by September 2016.

Details on the programme and application process

IHBC newsblogs on coastal areas

IHBC newsblogs on marine issues

NI Gov news

The latest report on the extent of green belt within England has now been released, showing a small decrease in green belt allocation.

DCLG writes:

• The extent of the designated Green Belt in England as at 31st March 2015 was estimated at 1,636,620 hectares, around 13% of the land area of England.

• Overall there has been a decrease of 2,000 hectares (around 0.1%) in area of Green Belt between 2013/14 and 2014/15. In 2014/15 eleven authorities adopted new plans which resulted in the decrease in the overall area of Green Belt compared to 2013/14

The full report details the responses from planning authorities outlining reasons for change in green belts and information on longer term trends.

View the full report

A new National Infrastructure Commission has been launched to act as an independent body on transportation and infrastructure projects, chaired by the former Cabinet Minister and Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis.

The National Infrastructure Commission writes:
… a new independent National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) is being created today (5 October 2015). It will be charged with offering unbiased analysis of the UK’s long-term infrastructure needs. The NIC will begin work immediately. Lord Andrew Adonis will lead the Commission as its first chairman.

Commenting on the National Infrastructure Commission the Chancellor said: The Commission will calmly and dispassionately assess the future infrastructure needs of the country and it will hold any government’s feet to the fire if it fails to deliver. I am delighted that the former Cabinet Minister and Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis has agreed to be the Commission’s first Chair and help us create Britain’s plan for the future.

Lord Adonis said: Without big improvements to its transport and energy systems, Britain will grind to a halt. I look forward to establishing the National Infrastructure Commission as an independent body able to advise government and Parliament on priorities. Major infrastructure projects like Crossrail and major new power stations span governments and parliaments. I hope it will be possible to forge a wide measure of agreement, across society and politics, on key infrastructure requirements for the next 20 to 30 years and the assessments which have underpinned them. I will sit on the crossbenches in the House of Lords while chairing the NIC, to underpin its independent status.

UK Gov news

The well-known 1960’s flats at Red Road in Glasgow, once the tallest multi-storey structures in Europe and for a time proposed for demolition as part of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games ceremony, seem now set to be demolished this weekend.

The proposal for demolition as part of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games ceremony was rejected following public opposition to the plans. Local newspapers report that demolition is proposed by blowdown this weekend, and also on plans by Glasgow University’s Department of Modern History to conduct a social history project charting memories of former residents of the area.

Exact details of the demolition are unclear, but road closures and transport diversions indicate that demolition works are planned in the area on Sunday.

View the story of the demolition process and a video of preparation works by Safedem contractors

View archival images of the flats on the Canmore website

View background on the demolition proposals from the Commonwealth Games

Evening Times report on memory collection from Red Road

The National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) have announced that Carole Souter CBE is to step down as Chief Executive of NHMF/HLF in April 2016.

National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) writes:
Carole Souter CBE, Chief Executive of the National Heritage Memorial Fund / Heritage Lottery Fund (NHMF/HLF), has announced that she will be stepping down at the end of April 2016, to take on new projects and challenges.

‘I have been very privileged to lead the wonderful team at the Heritage Lottery Fund and National Heritage Memorial Fund since 2003. By the time I leave I will have been here for 13 years – over half the organisation’s lifetime – during which time we will have committed more than £4.8billion of National Lottery funding to over 28,000 projects across the UK.

I have released a red kite chick, stood on the top of York Minster, had Magna Carta explained to me by primary school children, and seen the interpretation of Stonehenge transformed. I have walked the Belfast Hills, seen Dylan Thomas celebrated in Swansea and the great museums and galleries of Scotland rejuvenated to welcome the next generation of new visitors. I have worked with three great Chairs in Liz Forgan, Jenny Abramsky and Peter Luff. As we begin to think about our next Strategic Framework, this feels like the right moment to wrench myself away and to start planning my own new projects.’

Sir Peter Luff, Chair of both NHMF and HLF, said: ‘It is impossible to overstate the contribution that Carole has made to the heritage of our nation through her inspirational leadership of both funds. Working with her has been a total pleasure. Her professionalism, her collaborative approach and her extraordinary concern for every member of the Funds’ wonderful staff will be greatly missed by people across all heritage sectors and organisations.’

‘Before becoming Chair, I was aware of her outstanding reputation. Working with her has been an unqualified delight. The huge impact that 21 years and £6.6bn of National Lottery investment in heritage has had owes much to Carole’s tireless commitment over many of those years. I do, though, respect and understand her wish to explore new ventures. Our loss will be someone else’s gain. I wish her every success and happiness in whatever she decides to do.’

Carole joined NHMF/HLF in 2003, having previously been Director of Planning and Development at English Heritage. With over 30 years’ experience of policy development and operational management in the public sector, she worked in the Departments of Health, Social Security and the Cabinet Office, before moving out of the civil service.

Carole has degrees in Politics and Philosophy and Victorian Studies. She currently sits on the Boards of Creativity, Culture and Education, the Kent Wildlife Trust and the National Communities Resource Centre. She was made a CBE in 2011 for services to conservation and was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 2014. She is also an Honorary Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford.

The process for recruiting Carole’s successor will begin in the next few weeks.

View the press release

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) is seeking views on the production of local plans and their contents, in a call for evidence that closes on 23 October.

DCLG writes:
On 15 September Brandon Lewis MP, Minister for Housing and Planning, launched a panel of experts to examine what measures or reforms may be helpful in ensuring the efficient and effective production of Local Plans. The Group has now met for the first time and decided to invite views from the planning and property industry, local government and other stakeholders to assist its consideration of the issues.

The Group considers it would be most helpful if those wishing to respond could provide their responses under the following principal headings:

1. Content of local plans (including requirements of the NPPF, overlap with the NPPF, ditto re. the NPPG, length, preambles, template policies, spatial detail, plan period, one plan or several, relationship with local guidance etc. – including good and bad examples)
2. Local plan preparation process – could procedures be changed to provide better and quicker plan preparation? This would include matters such as the terms and flexibility of existing Regulations, the appropriateness of statutory requirements, available ‘best practice’ guides, irreducible requirements and can these be changed, scope for active case management, tests of soundness, the terms and implications of the duty to co-operate, the appropriateness of early review, modifying plans post submission, the examination process, powers of intervention, the importance of transition in any change etc.)
3. Agreeing strategic requirements (including cross boundary requirements) – this could include the role of SHMAs, the appropriateness of evidence requirements and methods for calculating objectively assessed need, the potential for strategic plans, two stage plans, dispute resolution, the role of intervention, striking the relevant balance, etc.
4. Implementation (to look beyond technical issues to consider any other impediments to comprehensive local plan coverage – this could include financial or behavioural constraints or practical difficulties etc.; in addition this includes identifying best practice, lessons from joint working but also potential measures that could help to ensure timely local plan coverage).
5. Observations – thoughts or relevant experience about how the system is working and the need for change;
6. Other – what other measures should the Group consider that might assist it to make recommendations which would contribute towards making local plan making more efficient and effective?

All views are welcome. All relevant matters are open for review and the Group has no preconceived ideas about the extent or nature of any changes to the plan making system that it might recommend. There is no word limit for the submissions but it would obviously be helpful if they were clear and concise.

Submissions should be addressed to LocalPlans@communities.gsi.gov.uk and should be received no later than close on Friday 23 October.

View the call for evidence

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has published two studies (focusing on the North West and Scotland) that examine the provision of planning staff, and the effects of lack of staff upon delivering essential services and meeting economic recovery.

The RTPI writes:
The RTPI launched two studies today that highlight the threats to economic recovery and housing delivery if resources of local planning departments are not protected.

Janet Askew, President of the RTPI, said: ‘These two reports reflect the resourcing challenge we are hearing about from local planning authorities and developers across the UK. The clear danger is that further reductions in budgets could exacerbate a cycle of decline in more authorities, and therefore reduce further planners’ ability to help to deliver vital development.’

New research undertaken in the North West region and carried out by Arup has found that average cuts in planning staff of more than 30% in local planning authorities over the past five years is now undermining economic recovery across the region. In many cases, local planning services are surviving on the ‘goodwill and professional integrity’ of their officers, but this may not be sustainable in the longer term. The region’s future ability to deliver homes, schools, hospitals and other major infrastructure is being put at risk.

Unless this trend is reversed or new ways are found to respond to these challenges, the area will also be prevented from taking full advantage of the opportunities that will arise from the creation of a Northern Powerhouse.

Joanne Harding, Chair of the North West region of the RTPI, said: ‘Planning authorities across the North West are doing everything they can to improve the quality of their service, despite very significant funding cuts. We need greater reinvestment in planning services from sources such as the New Homes Bonus and other related income. This would help put planning services on a more stable footing at a critical time for the North West.’

‘Investing in Delivery: How we can respond to the pressures on local authority planning’, found that although the time taken to determine applications is often still good, there are indications that there are increasingly delays in pre-application advice, S106 agreements and discharge of conditions. It also finds that local planning authorities provides a significant source of income for councils, but this positive contribution is often not reflected in the funding that planning services get.

In Scotland, the report ‘Progressing Performance: Investing in Scotland’s Planning Servic’e finds a significant decrease in resources in the planning service.  Despite this, progress is being made in improving performance but it warns that there is need to invest in the planning service if we are to increase the pace of house building across the country.

Key findings and recommendations:

• there has been close to a 20% reduction in planning department staff in Scotland since 2010.
• gross expenditure in planning authorities will have dropped by £40 million between 2010/11 and 2015/16
• the cost of processing planning applications are not met by fees – on average only 63% of costs are covered
• despite the loss of resources, average processing times for local planning applications have shortened by a week since 2013
• there is adequate investment in the planning system and that innovative income generating strategies are explored to cover costs
• improving planning performance should remain a priority
• there is a need to de-clutter existing processes and procedures and to support  planning authorities to continue to assess how their services are delivered to adapt to a changing resource context

Pam Ewen, Convenor of RTPI Scotland, said: ‘Planning is a vital player in supporting sustainable growth across Scotland. This is especially true in helping to stimulate and deliver new, quality housing at a time when it is needed most.  Our report shows that we have seen planning authorities across Scotland being innovative and improving the quality of their service, despite significant resourcing issues. However, if we want continued progress we need to explore how to maximise investment in the planning service from the Scottish Government, local authorities and developers. This research I am sure will provide valuable information to the new review of the planning system.’

Actions are needed to ensure public sector planning can effectively support delivery and development. This will require greater reinvestment in public sector planning services, alongside the continuation and further development of strong relationships between the public and private sector. This could either be done directly, through local authorities prioritising reinvestment from sources of planning income, or indirectly, through drawing on support from organisations such as the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) and the RTPI.

See the IHBC’s research on conservation staffing

See the most recent report

RTPI news

Support for people considering a career in construction has been given a boost through the launch of a new website backed by CITB, the Construction Industry Training Board, called ‘Go Construct’.

CITB writes:
The construction industry is today launching ‘Go Construct’, a new campaign to encourage people to consider a career in construction in an effort to fill more than 220,000 new jobs that will be created in the sector.

The initiative comes as research shows four in five Brits wish they had received more advice and guidance about working in construction when considering their career options.

Responding to feedback from employers, CITB is supporting the campaign with £5million of levy funding over three years. CITB has brought all of the industry to speak with one voice. More than 400 organisations including employers, careers advisors, teachers, lecturers and construction ambassadors have been involved in the design of the campaign that has been tested with 700 real users.

The campaign aims to challenge some of the outdated stereotypes about what working in construction is really like, and demonstrate the hundreds of career options and entry routes available. It is launching against growing skill needs and opportunities in construction.

Designer Wayne Hemingway MBE, whose design agency has a number of award winning social housing and construction projects under its belt, is a spokesperson for the campaign. He said: ‘There is real honour in being part of a team that delivers the nation’s schools, hospitals, public buildings and spaces and the homes that we need. We are in danger of becoming a nation where management consultants have no offices to consult in and beauticians have no beauty parlours to beautify in.

‘We need bricklayers and plasterers but equally we need occupational health nurses, environmental sustainability experts and people who can programme the advanced design systems that make modern construction projects possible. Whatever your skills and interests there is likely to be a construction career you can excel in.’

Go Construct features an online portal at www.GoConstruct.org including a careers explorer that matches users’ interests and skills to a wide range of roles, from diamond drilling to quantity surveying. A public advertising and social media campaign will support it.

Activities and materials for teachers and careers advisors such as a myth buster card game can be downloaded from the site for use in classrooms. Go Construct will help people from all backgrounds to understand why construction is a ‘career like no other’.

IHBC newsblogs on construction

CITB news