26th November 2014, 09:23 AM
Financial pressures on local authorities are likely to continue to impact on non-statutory functions, such as curators/county archaeologists. Clearly one answer would be to regularize government advice and statutorily formalise posts of this kind. But if that were to happen, why not make the obvious jump and remove this function from local authority control through the creation of an independent national curatorial service. The proposals for the setting up of the new Heritage England allow for an advisory planning role. It does seem that might be a possible fit...
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...