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- IHBC’s first thoughts from the new NPPF: On ‘…what the NPPF means for Conservation in England and what remains unanswered’, with an early push on Planning Resource 18/09/2026
- IHBC’s newest ‘Branch Committee Bulletin, from the IHBC’s Director’: IHBC’s national updates for local volunteer leads – Part 2: ‘Charter & ‘CP30’’ 18/09/2026
- IHBC hosts stall in Belfast’s Assembly Buildings, 28/09: Part of Heritage Network NI Conference: 27-29 September 18/09/2026
- Don’t need your paper Context? Do everyone a favour and pass it on, ‘Spreading the Word’ to help the Conservation Professional! 18/09/2026
- IHBC’s WM Branch to join West Midlands Heritage Careers Fair 2026: ‘Inspiring the Next Generation of Heritage Professionals’, 21/10, Worcester Cathedral 18/09/2026
- IHBC’s ‘Intervention’ CPD Signpost: Latest guidance for tackling damp and mould, via CIOB/CIH 18/09/2026
- IHBC Director’s pick from HESPR’s £111K weekly costed works: Council seeks Architect/Design Team for GII listed Town Hall works, to 09/10/2026. 18/09/2026
- UK ESNZ Committee with unchanged remit launches two new major inquiries: ‘Business & energy’ and ‘Warm and comfortable homes’ 18/09/2026
- HES: Pilot fund launched to support Scotland’s historic places of worship 18/09/2026
- Home Builders Federation: Planning staff shortages worsen despite Government reforms, further delaying housing delivery 18/09/2026
- Government opens consultation on ‘Planning powers for mayors in England’ 18/09/2026
- Historic Houses report: ‘Endangered Spaces: Protecting ‘at risk’ heritage’… on how to use HE’s (HARR) 18/09/2026
- PM puts public control, community regeneration and cost-of-living at the heart of plans to ‘rewire Britain’ 18/09/2026
- IHBC welcomes COTAC’s new ‘Developing Personal Competences’ volume: Insight 2 – ‘…for those seeking re-accreditation…’ 15/09/2026
- IHBC hosts stall in Belfast’s Assembly Buildings, 28/09: Part of Heritage Network NI Conference: 27-29 September 15/09/2026
- IHBC launches ‘Early Career Network’ with calls to join up, as new Working Group explores plans for support and services 15/09/2026
- Don’t need your paper Context? Do everyone a favour and pass it on, ‘Spreading the Word’ to help the Conservation Professional! 15/09/2026
- IHBC’s ‘Practice’ CPD Signpost: HE Guidance on ‘Control of Microorganisms in Historic Buildings’ 15/09/2026
- IHBC HESPR’s ‘News from the Sector’….IHBC sponsors Gardens Trust on ‘New Town Landscapes,’ 23-24/09, Milton Keynes 15/09/2026
- IHBC features ‘Heritage from the doorstep’: Albert Bridge gets fresh paint job during repair closure 15/09/2026
- IHBC features ‘Heritage from the doorstep’: Historic status ruled out for Edinburgh block earmarked for demolition 15/09/2026
- TownsWeb digitisation grant: SPAB at 150… ‘from Stonehenge to St Mark’s, Venice’ 15/09/2026
- CITB on ‘Why construction skills strategies must become place-based’ 15/09/2026
- UK Heritage Pulse on ‘Skills Exchange Request the skills you need. Offer the ones you have 15/09/2026
- Charity Commission issues ‘Research and analysis Charity Sector Risk Assessment 2026’ 15/09/2026
Tag Archives: local authorities
RTPI: ‘… driverless vehicles could hit planning ‘unlike anything the system has handled before’
The rollout of autonomous vehicles, set to begin in London as early as September, could place pressure on the UK’s planning systems ‘unlike anything they have handled before’, according to a new publication from the Royal Town Planning Institute and … Continue reading
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged built environment, local authorities, planning, RTPI, technology
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FINAL 20 July close for IHBC’s initial ‘quick query’ to help local government conservation services: ‘… still time to shape our high-level advocacy’
IHBC’s ‘quick query’ to Local Government conservation Officers and services for ‘advice, input and suggestions’ on possible improvements that we can pass on to UK Governments as part of our ‘5 Commitments to Parliament’ has had its closing date extended … Continue reading
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged conservation, expertise, government, heritage, local authorities, officers, skills
Comments Off on FINAL 20 July close for IHBC’s initial ‘quick query’ to help local government conservation services: ‘… still time to shape our high-level advocacy’
New 20 July close for IHBC’s ‘quick query’ to help local government conservation services: ‘… remarkable response already… so still time to shape our high-level advocacy’
IHBC’s ‘quick query’ to Local Government conservation Officers and services for ‘advice, input and suggestions’ on possible improvements that we can pass on to UK Governments as part of our ‘5 Commitments to Parliament’ has had its closing date extended … Continue reading
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged advice, conservation, guidance, local authorities, research, survey
Comments Off on New 20 July close for IHBC’s ‘quick query’ to help local government conservation services: ‘… remarkable response already… so still time to shape our high-level advocacy’
Spotlighting IHBC’s recent Council film, ‘Do Drop-in, before they drop out’: Our new, must-see interview on pre-Pre App options, and how talking to applicants can help make things better!
IHBC’s latest Council received impressively positive feedback, as we advance the 3rd of our Parliamentary ‘5 Commitments to Help Heritage Skills in Conservation…’ exploring Local Authority (LA) conservation roles and services, and now spotlighting a new film that could change … Continue reading
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged council, IHBC, local authorities, planning
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IHBC seeks suggestions from officers & advisers etc. in UK local government conservation services to inform our ‘call for changes’ to governments, to 10/07 & after
Following our Parliamentary Commitments in 2025, the IHBC asks members, contacts and networks across UK Local Government (LG) conservation services for ‘advice, input and suggestions’ from Conservation Service Officers’ in Local Government, so we can call on UK governments to … Continue reading
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged advice, conservation, governments, local authorities, support, survey
Comments Off on IHBC seeks suggestions from officers & advisers etc. in UK local government conservation services to inform our ‘call for changes’ to governments, to 10/07 & after
Spotlighting IHBC’s recent Council film, ‘Do Drop-in, before they drop out’: Our new, must-see interview on pre-Pre App options, and how talking to applicants can help make things better!
IHBC’s latest Council received impressively positive feedback, as we advance the 3rd of our Parliamentary ‘5 Commitments to Help Heritage Skills in Conservation…’ exploring Local Authority (LA) conservation roles and services, and now spotlighting a new film that could change … Continue reading
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged conservation, film, IHBC, local authorities
Comments Off on Spotlighting IHBC’s recent Council film, ‘Do Drop-in, before they drop out’: Our new, must-see interview on pre-Pre App options, and how talking to applicants can help make things better!
IHBC launches survey seeking suggestions for improvements from officers and advisers in local government conservation services across the UK
The IHBC wants to support our local government conservation services by offering some useful suggestions for improvements to governments across the UK, to help both service users and local government conservation officers and advisers and we need your advice, input … Continue reading
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged climate change, conservation, environment, expertise, government, heritage, local authorities, nature, planning, skills, surveys, wellbeing
Comments Off on IHBC launches survey seeking suggestions for improvements from officers and advisers in local government conservation services across the UK
Spotlighting IHBC’s recent Council film, ‘Do Drop-in, before they drop out’ : Our new, must-see interview on pre-Pre App options, and how talking to applicants can help make things better!
IHBC’s latest Council received impressively positive feedback, as we advance the 3rd of our Parliamentary ‘5 Commitments to Help Heritage Skills in Conservation…’ exploring Local Authority (LA) conservation roles and services, and now spotlighting a new film that could change … Continue reading
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged council, film, IHBC, local authorities, planning, regulation
Comments Off on Spotlighting IHBC’s recent Council film, ‘Do Drop-in, before they drop out’ : Our new, must-see interview on pre-Pre App options, and how talking to applicants can help make things better!
Spotlighting IHBC’s latest (members-only) Council, on local conservation services etc.: Informing a survey to shape Parliamentary advocacy, with IHBC’s Sarah Homer
IHBC’s latest Council received impressively positive feedback, but was very busy, so this NewsBlog post spotlights a paper easily missed in this ‘exploration of conservation services’, our plans for a light-touch survey to shape our response the 3rd of our … Continue reading
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged conservation, council, IHBC, local authorities, planning
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IHBC’s ‘Professional’ CPD Signpost: ‘What does the future of Planning look like? Engaging the next generation and beyond’, via RTPI & CIC
The Construction Industry Council (CIC), with the RTPI, looks at the ‘missing voice’ of young people in the planning process, a turning point that asks ‘…how do we engage young people in choosing the built environment and construction career paths?’
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged careers, CIC, cpd, local authorities, planning, recruitment, RTPI
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IHBC’s latest Council Update: LA Conservation service talks and feedback, learning lessons as we shape our staff survey for a new parliamentary push
IHBC’s latest Council received impressively positive feedback, as we advanced the 3rd of our Parliamentary ‘5 Commitments to Help Heritage Skills in Conservation…’, to ‘Investigate… heritage management…’ – there focussed on helping conservation services in the UK’s local government, with … Continue reading
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged council, feedback, government, IHBC, local authorities
Comments Off on IHBC’s latest Council Update: LA Conservation service talks and feedback, learning lessons as we shape our staff survey for a new parliamentary push
Public Practice Recruitment & Skills Report 2025
The fourth Public Practice annual survey helps understand year-on-year trends and changes, to better understand the skills gap and the impact that the lack of resources is having on officers and their teams across each country.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged built environment, careers, heritage, local authorities, planners, planning, public sector, recruitment
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Planning appeals in England to follow new, streamlined process -Simpler, faster planning appeals are coming
From 1 April most planning applications made to local planning authorities will follow a new route if they are appealed and decided via written representations.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged government, local authorities, planning
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Government UK: On engaging the public when preparing a local plan
Government UK has issued draft guidance on how local planning authorities must engage with certain consultation bodies and the local community on their local plan to get a range of views on the area’s future.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged digital engagement, government, guidance, local authorities, local plans, LPAs, planning, UK
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IHBC features ‘Heritage from the (LG) doorstep’: Dramatic fall in LGA staff morale linked to restructuring
Morale among Local Government Association (LGA) employees fell dramatically during the year leading up to restructuring though problems were mounting as far back as 2024, staff satisfaction surveys have revealed.
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged conservation, employment, government, LGA, local authorities
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MHCLG publishes Guidance to support Neighbourhood Planning
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a set of neighbourhood planning toolkits to help communities in England prepare and shape Neighbourhood Plans.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged development, government, guidance, housebuilding, local authorities, planning
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IHBC features ‘Heritage from the (community) doorstep’: Some half of homes with planning permission since 2012-13 not yet built says Local Councils Network.
Data from 62 councils showed permission was granted for 633,010 homes over the period, but only 331,300 were completed, suggesting a build-out rate of 52%, with four out of five councils surveyed reporting the number of unbuilt homes exceeds that … Continue reading
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged built environment, housebuilding, local authorities, planning
Comments Off on IHBC features ‘Heritage from the (community) doorstep’: Some half of homes with planning permission since 2012-13 not yet built says Local Councils Network.
HE Publishes Planning Bulletin Supplemental on NPPF
Historic England (HE) has published a Planning Bulletin Supplemental to the Historic England monthly Planning Bulletin, raising awareness of Historic England’s response to the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged consultation, draft, government, HIstoric England, local authorities, NPPF, planning, policy
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IHBC features ‘Heritage from the doorstep’: Proposal agreed for homes at severe risk of flooding in Ynysybwl
Cabinet Members have approved proposals for the Council to acquire residential properties at Clydach Terrace in Ynysybwl that face a severe flood risk, reports Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged flooding, heritage, local authorities, wales
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Planning appeals – procedural guide: For appeals relating to applications dated on or after 1 April 2026
A new planning appeals procedural guide for appeals outlines the new process for making an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate as a result of The Town and Country Planning (Appeals) (Written Representations Procedure) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged appeal, government, local authorities, planning
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IHBC President’s ‘Members only’ Invitation to next Virtual Council: Online, 8 April 2026, from 4.30pm – Scoping ‘Investigation’ of conservation in local government, with a call for suggestions etc.
IHBC members should have received their invitation from our President, Rebecca Thompson, to join in our new-style and ‘members-only’ online Council from 4.30pm on 8 April, when, as well as Charters & much more, we start to ‘investigate conservation roles … Continue reading
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged conservation, government, IHBC, local authorities, membership
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Government: £30M boost for coastal communities adapting to eroding shores
image for illustration: Atwick Sands, East Riding of Yorkshire by Stephen Horncastle CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons New Coastal Adaptation Pilots to help England’s most at-risk coastal areas prepare for climate change have been announced.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged climate change, coastal, england, environment, government, local authorities, planning
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IHBC’s ‘Research’ Signpost: LPA Planning Capacity and Capability Survey 2025
TheGovernment UK has published its Local Planning Authorities’ (LPA) ‘Planning Capacity and Capability Survey 2025’.
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged england, housing, local authorities, planning, report
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New £11.5Mn fund to help England’s charities and councils support local communities
A new £11.59 million government fund to help civil society organisations and local authorities work together has been announced.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged civic, funding, government, investment, local authorities
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IHBC features ‘Heritage from the doorstep’: Westminster Council launches ‘Retrofit First’ policy & more in City Plan Partial Review
Westminster City Council has published its ‘City Plan Partial Review’, setting out strengthened planning policies on retrofitting, affordable housing, with a new Retrofit First policy, requiring developers to explore options for retrofitting etc. before seeking permission for demolition etc.’
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged development, housing, local authorities, planning, policy, retrofit
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