On the 24 July Boris Johnson gave his first speech as Prime Minister in Downing Street. In response to his appointment and subsequent speech, The Heritage Alliance sent a letter to the Prime Minister in which we outlined our funding priorities as set in our Backing …

On the 18 July, the National Lottery Community Fund announced their new £100 million Climate Action Fund. This fund will enable people and communities to take the lead in addressing the climate emergency. The National Lottery Community Fund also revealed that it is exploring further …

On the 22 July, DCMS select committee published a report on Garden design and Tourism. Highlighting the importance of gardens to domestic and international tourism in the UK and looking at garden’s contribution to the UK’s international reputation and standing, the committee is interested in exploring how …

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) recently published its Community Life Survey for 2018-19. The nationally representative survey, which is self-completed by adults aged 16 and over, provides key insight on social cohesion, community engagement and social action. Notably for the heritage sector, the …

Last week the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) released their consultation outcome, which sought views on the possibility of introducing legislation for conservation covenants in England. DEFRA are looking to use the Law Commission’s draft Bill as a basis for legislating, with …

On 22 July, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) released the latest set of guidance on business rates covering business rates retail discount scheme, Non-Domestic Rating (Preparation for Digital Services) Act, Non-Domestic Rating (Lists) Bill and Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Bill. To read the …

The review panel, confirmed on 22 July, will consider the views of a wide range of stakeholders, including fishermen, conservation groups, marine industries and local communities. The Highly Protected Maritime Areas review, led by Richard Benyon MP, was first announced in June by the then Environment …

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) updated their planning practice guidance relevant to The National Planning Policy Framework. The National Planning Policy Framework was first published in March 2012 and updated in July 2018 and February 2019. It sets out the Government’s planning …

Following on from our previous issue of Heritage Update (Issue 398), The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) [Alliance member] has recently released the results of their survey on a national deposit return scheme following the former Environment Secretary Michael Gove’s statement supporting an ‘all-in’ system. This …

The Department for Transport has published a call for evidence on Carbon Offsetting in Transport. While the focus of the call is ticketed transport – ie., buses, coaches, trains, planes and ships – they are also interested in schemes for private vehicles. The three main issues …

On 19 July it was announced that the Department for Digital Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) would be launching an inquiry into whether changes are needed in the operation of the National Lottery as the process begins to award a new licence from 2023. The …

On the 16 July, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs released the interim findings of the landscapes review. The Landscape review considers the next steps for National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty sites (AONBs) in England in response to the Government’s …