14th December 2005, 01:53 PM
Wow, what an interesting topic! Speaking from a personal view (although this may be influenced by my position within EH), here we go:
1. Re-working of scheduled and listing proceedures and rules - this is already taking place within the Heritage Protection Review. Removing ridiculous class consent allowing ploughing to continue on scheduled monuments.
Definately need to implement the recommendations of APPAG.
2. Interesting suggestion Hugh to reform RCHME - if only! But EH does need to put more of its resources into earthwork surveys, architectural surveys and research into the state of the historic environment - no-one else will do it.
3. Review of PPG16 badly overdue.
4. Definately more money for SMRs/HERs - integration and better communication between all SMRs and the NMR. Money for computerisation and use of GIS where not presently in place. Support, training and resources to allow SMRs to respond adequately to the new environmental stewardship schemes (funding from DEFRA?)
5. The Olymipics will mean LESS money for other parts of the DCMS - EH is at the bottom of the pile at the bottom of DCMS and DCMS is at the bottom of the pile for the treasury. We need to be funded by more than one goverment department (we are closely linked to ODPM, DEFRA etc too). Olympics may mean more money in terms of commercial contracts however.
I'm sure there's more but just some very quick thoughts...
1. Re-working of scheduled and listing proceedures and rules - this is already taking place within the Heritage Protection Review. Removing ridiculous class consent allowing ploughing to continue on scheduled monuments.
Definately need to implement the recommendations of APPAG.
2. Interesting suggestion Hugh to reform RCHME - if only! But EH does need to put more of its resources into earthwork surveys, architectural surveys and research into the state of the historic environment - no-one else will do it.
3. Review of PPG16 badly overdue.
4. Definately more money for SMRs/HERs - integration and better communication between all SMRs and the NMR. Money for computerisation and use of GIS where not presently in place. Support, training and resources to allow SMRs to respond adequately to the new environmental stewardship schemes (funding from DEFRA?)
5. The Olymipics will mean LESS money for other parts of the DCMS - EH is at the bottom of the pile at the bottom of DCMS and DCMS is at the bottom of the pile for the treasury. We need to be funded by more than one goverment department (we are closely linked to ODPM, DEFRA etc too). Olympics may mean more money in terms of commercial contracts however.
I'm sure there's more but just some very quick thoughts...