The Government has published Taking Part October 2017: “Focus On…” reports. Taking Part focus on: Heritage revealed among other things that: In 2016/17, 74.8% of adults had visited a heritage site; 1.6% of adults had volunteered in the heritage sector in the last 12 months, which is …
England’s housing delivery threatened by design skills shortage
The PLACE Alliance has published a report which summarises the findings of a freedom of information survey of urban design skills within local planning authorities, and how they have changed over the last five years. The Place Alliance states that ‘it demonstrates that urban design …
DCMS response to petition calling for interim protection
DCMS has now given a response to a petition calling for interim protection for buildings being considered for listing by Historic England. The petition, signed by nearly 7,000, comes after a developer destroyed a Jacobean ceiling to prevent a building being listed. DCMS states: ‘Historic England is …
Historic England Guidance on traditional farm buildings
The Alliance was pleased to attend the recent launch of Historic England’s guidance on Traditional Farm buildings. Speeches included one from Lord Gardiner, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs, who indicated that there may be some new funding for rare cases where no …
NCVO raises concerns about National Citizen Service with Lords Committee
In a submission to the Citizenship and Civic Engagement Committee, the NCVO has stated that more collaboration is needed between the National Citizen Service (NCS) and the rest of the voluntary sector. NCVO said it is opposed to making programmes like NCS, which include an …
Government states the UK will protect Antarctic heritage
In response to a written question Alan Duncan, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, stated that the UK will be leading efforts to improve the management of increasing levels of Antarctic tourism, protect important (and often British) Antarctic heritage and enhance our understanding …
Local Charities Day 2017
Local Charities Day is returning this year on Friday 15 December 2017. Building on the success of 2016’s launch, this year’s Local Charities Day will highlight the work of small charities that are making remarkable differences in their communities. It will also shine a spotlight …
Maximum litter fines are to rise to £150
From April next year, the maximum on-the-spot fine local authorities can issue for dropping litter will rise, from £80 to £150. The minimum fine will increase from £50 to £65, while the default fine will increase from £75 to £100. For the first time, local …
Enter the SPAB’s John Betjeman Award 2018
SPAB’s [Alliance member] John Betjeman Award 2018 celebrates excellence in conservation and repair projects at places of worship of any faith in England and Wales (and including the Isle of Man), and recognises the highest standards of craftsmanship used in carrying out those projects. The …
Proposed changes to DCMS Statistical Publications – response
The Government has responded to its consultation on proposed changes to DCMS Statistical Publications. You can read the Alliance’s response to the consultation here. On Taking Part, DCMS will replace the detailed quarter 2 release with a mid-year dashboard, which will allow users to continue …
Museums and galleries monthly visits
DCMS has published the number of visits to museums and galleries it sponsors. In September 2017 there was a total of 3.6 million visits to the DCMS-sponsored museums and galleries. This is a decrease of 1.3% (46,000 visits) compared with September 2016.
Blackpool’s piers placed on WMF heritage watch list
The 2018 World Monuments Watch calls attention to 25 sites, their challenges, opportunities, and the communities that cherish them. This year’s list includes Blackpool’s piers. Even though the Blackpool waterfront was recently protected against flooding with the construction of a new, award-winning seawall, the piers …