{"id":46336,"date":"2026-04-10T16:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T15:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=46336"},"modified":"2026-04-10T16:37:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T15:37:29","slug":"top-marks-for-ihbcs-latest-council-as-la-conservation-service-talks-papers-film-get-10-10-from-nearly-20-of-120-delegates-shaping-the-survey-in-our-new-parliamentary-push","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=46336","title":{"rendered":"Top marks for IHBC\u2019s latest Council as LA Conservation service talks, papers & film get 10\/10 from nearly 20% of 120+ delegates, shaping the survey in our new parliamentary push"},"content":{"rendered":"
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IHBC\u2019s latest Council received impressively positive feedback, as we advance the 3rd of our Parliamentary \u20185 Commitments to Help Heritage Skills in Conservation<\/a>\u2026\u2019, and \u2018Investigate the complex challenges in heritage management processes and skills\u2026\u2019<\/u><\/em>\u2013 here focussed on helping Local Authority (LA) conservation, <\/u><\/em>with more details & updates to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

IHBC Director Se\u00e1n O\u2019Reilly said: \u2018We\u2019re delighted with how the programme was received \u2013 with nearly 20% of delegates offering 10\/10 in our quick online Zoom survey, and with lots of useful comments too.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018We\u2019ll update further as we get more feedback \u2013 including from those not able to attend.\u00a0 For now it is clear that we are laying strong foundations for the next stage in our Parliamentary-linked advocacy on behalf of the hard-pressed regulators in conservation-related services, as outlined<\/em> HERE<\/a>.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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IHBC\u2019s COUNCIL UPDATE<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

IHBC\u2019s Councils<\/a> are live events open exclusively to IHBC members<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Council minutes, with updates, are Council\u2019s formal record<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Council on 8 April 2026, a film and two papers submitted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris Connelley<\/a> in conversation with Joanna Saady<\/a>:<\/em> <\/em>\u2018Conservation in conversations: \u2018Before the pre-App \u2013 an alternative approach in regulation\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adam Dyer<\/a>: \u2018Green upgrades for London\u2019s heritage homes\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Serena Cardozo<\/a>: \u2018From private sector architect to local authority conservation officer,<\/em> via Public Practice\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Links to these papers are included in the final invitation to all members from IHBC\u2019s President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are a member and have not received the invitation & links to content, email Joanna Theobald at contact@ihbc.org.uk<\/a>for a re-send<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Council feedback and more may be submitted online HERE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Council is supported by IHBC\u2019s CREATIVE Conservation Fund<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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DONATE HERE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u2018For this Council we focussed on the most stretched of these public service providers: those supporting conservation outcomes in local government, our heritage managers working at the coal-face of community-based conservation and amenity.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018We had lots of useful input and thoughts from across our membership on the day, and we know that more will come.\u00a0 Those contributions will help us plan both our next steps in this programme as well as our wider strategy, as we continue to push for targeted help and support for all our members, especially for those in local government and the services they work so hard to deliver.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rebecca Thompson, IHBC President said: \u2018It was a thoroughly enjoyable Council Meeting on 8 April, with updates on Charter progress and IHBC\u2019s Corporate Plan 2026-2030.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018On the day, we heard about Surrey\u2019s initiative to train conservation officers, the statistics supporting this need and the importance of the IHBC network.  We also heard interesting perspectives from speakers, staff and members, with the golden thread showing the importance of IHBC membership and support.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I\u2019m delighted to be able to thank our speakers, Christopher Reynolds, Bob Kindred, Sheena Campbell and Shona Simpson, who shared their understanding for the support required for Local Authority Conservation Officers and services across the UK.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I\u2019m also keen to offer a heartfelt thanks to those contributing papers for reference – Serena Cardozo, Adam Dyer and Chris Connelley.  Given the positive feedback on all even to date, we will be welcoming them live in the near future as we advance our advocacy here.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018For now, I do look forward to welcoming you to our Annual School in June \u2013 online or in-person \u2013 broadcasting from Newcastle, where we will no doubt be able to continue these conversations.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

David McDonald, IHBC Chair said: \u2018I was delighted to attend Wednesday’s IHBC Council and pleased to see so many members there.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018The presentations on the theme of local authority capacity from across the UK were all to a very high standard. It was particularly inspiring to see conservation officers looking towards a variety of innovative actions to deal with the pressures facing local authority planning services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sarah Homer, IHBC\u2019s Support Officer, who will manage the forthcoming survey, said: \u2018We were very pleased with the response to our themed Council on conservation in local government on 8 April, as we shape and signpost our planned light-touch, scoping survey.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Updates on progress will come in future NewsBlogs and communications, while if you have any thoughts on the content and form of the survey, or would like to make sure that you are consulted, please do contact me at support@ihbc.org.uk<\/a>.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rebecca Thompson wrote in her final Presidential Council invitation to members:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 Alongside our usual business we will offer members an exclusive and selective scoping of matters linked to the Local Authority Conservation Officers & Services in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Member-led presentations on topical issues will help shape our plans, all informed by your contributions at Council, online and apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Topics include\u2026 [ NB: Links to submitted items in original invitations to members]:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Presented papers (<\/strong>c. 5 mins each)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n