EH cut vital posts

[Steven]

Hi All
English Heritage are proposing to cut the Regional Scientific Advisor posts. EH is intending to terminate eight of the Regional Science Advisor (RSA) posts and to replace them with four Territory-based posts. This would result in not only a severe reduction in capacity but also in major changes in the remit of the posts. Archaeological science advice provided on development control cases would be very seriously reduced. Likewise, engagement with regional partner agencies involved in landscape management and coastal issues, and other regional strategic projects, would drastically decline. In these circumstances it is unlikely that the science advisors would be able to continue supporting local authority curators in developing and monitoring good practice.

In my experience these post are the most useful in the regional offices. Their advice on some of my cases has been invaluable. These proposals come at a time when the demand for archaeological science advice continues to rise and is likely to accelerate even more with the implementation of the Heritage Protection Review and subsequent increased responsibilities for local authorities.

This is a really, really, bad move by EH!

I hope to see the same rallying of support for these posts as was the case for the slight reduction in non-front line PAS staff. Write or email your concerns to EH chairman Lord Bruce-Lockhart (chairman@english-heritage.org.uk).




Steven

[historic building]

Archaeological science advice is one of the few (and getting fewer) really glorious things that English Heritage provide. The ability to get a nationally recognised specialist to drop in on a site and advise on such specialist aspects is invaluable.

We have to defend these posts.

[BAJR Host]

Suggestions....

and I am now against No. 10 petitions... they are as much use as a concrete lifebelt.

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[BAJR Host]

Good News... the cuts of the RSA posts have been removed...

thanks to any who wrote in to support them... and good news for both the people and the excellent work they do!

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[historic building]

That is excellent news, has the role still changed or are they still offering on site advice?

[BAJR Host]

er.............. don't know

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[historic building]

Looks like the RSAs are going to carry on as normal. Lets see where the EH axe falls next...