3rd February 2014, 05:51 PM
There is also the example of Wales, where the HER and curatorial functions are carried out by the 4 Trusts, funded by Welsh Government (through Cadw) - although some local authorities retain an in-house archaeologist (?Denbighshire) and I am aware of one (Brecon Beacons NPA) that is about to bring the curatorial work in-house.
However this model is different to the one proposed for Somerset/Devon in that the SW Heritage Trust has many additional functions regarding museums etc - perhaps it would have been better to keep the HER and curatorial functions with the LPAs and let the museum aspects pass to the new Trust as this may have avoided the potential conflict of interest identified above by In the Pit. Having said that it is possible to see where savings could accrue by bringing 4 HERs and 4 curatorial teams into a single body - maybe other LPAs are being lined up to join in due course (Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, City of Gloucester, City of Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset - all have separate HERs and curatorial services and all are in the south-west).
Beamo
However this model is different to the one proposed for Somerset/Devon in that the SW Heritage Trust has many additional functions regarding museums etc - perhaps it would have been better to keep the HER and curatorial functions with the LPAs and let the museum aspects pass to the new Trust as this may have avoided the potential conflict of interest identified above by In the Pit. Having said that it is possible to see where savings could accrue by bringing 4 HERs and 4 curatorial teams into a single body - maybe other LPAs are being lined up to join in due course (Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, City of Gloucester, City of Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset - all have separate HERs and curatorial services and all are in the south-west).
Beamo