Guide to Information
This is English Heritage’s Guide to Information, which lists the information that we routinely make publicly available. We follow the model publication scheme provided by the Information Commissioner’s Office.
A large amount of information is published in our Annual Report and Accounts. A link to the most recent Annual Report can be found here: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/annual-reports/ Please do refer to this where relevant. If you require a paper copy please email foi@english-heritage.org.uk. There may be a charge for producing this.
In some circumstances information may not be available online. Where this is the case, contact details of how to request the information will be clearly stated.
If a charge is applicable, confirmation of the payment amount will be supplied prior to supplying information.
Information classes
The Freedom of Information Act requires us to publish information under certain headings, termed 'classes'.
The information classes are:
- Who we are and what we do
- What we spend and how we spend it
- What our priorities are and how we are doing
- How we make decisions
- Our policies and procedures
- Lists and registers
- The services we offer
Who we are and what we do
Our charitable objectives (as set out in our Articles of Association here) are:
- The Conservation and Enhancement of the National Heritage Collection of sites and artefacts for public benefit.
- Working with Historic England to make appropriate additions to those Collections.
- Promoting the public knowledge and enjoyment of the Collections
- Advancing education and the appreciation of history through the Blue Plaques Scheme in London
- Other charitable purposes incidental to the above as the Trustees see fit.
Our Strategic Plan 2022-25, “Sharing our past, shaping our future” is available on request via foi@english-heritage.org.uk.
We manage the National Heritage Collection under a licence from Historic England (the Property Licence and Operation Agreement: see summary at Appendix 1 of this Scheme Review).
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy is available here.
Our Climate Action Plan will be available on our website later in 2022
English Heritage Trust:
English Heritage Trading Limited:
- Companies House entry here
You can find out more about our relationship with Historic England at:
Roles and responsibilities and organisational structure can be found here:
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/our-people/
Trustees and Senior Management Team information:
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/our-people/our-trustees/
Please also see Annual Reports: Annual Reports | English Heritage (english-heritage.org.uk)
Contact details
These are available in the Annual Report, and here:
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/
Subsidiary bodies
These are available in the Annual Report and on the website here:
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/our-people/our-policies/
English Heritage Trading Limited
What we spend and how we spend it
Detailed information is available in our Annual Reports and on the Charity Commission website here:
https://beta.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1140351&subid=0
Funding agreement / income can be found in the Annual Report.
Financial statements are available in the Annual Report.
Information on contracts and expenditure can be found in the Annual Report, and at https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder
Forward plans for purchasing exhibits / forward exhibitions programme.
We invest in refreshing the presentation of different sites as part of the capital investment programme and the small & free sites programme.
We have an Acquisitions, Disposals and Loans committee, and there is a process for approving and documenting acquisitions. An acquisitions policy and forward plan is under development.
Spending reviews are not currently applicable.
Grants and Donations can be found in the Annual Report and include a list of supporters who have given or pledged amounts of £1000 or more.
Senior Management Team and Trustee allowances and expenses
This information will be available in the Annual Report from October 2022
Pay and Grading structures
The Annual Reports contain information regarding pay and grading structures. In particular, from the 2021/22 Annual Report (due for publication in October 2022) onward our Reports include explanations of how we decide how much to pay our staff including our CEO and other Senior Management Team members.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/annual-reports/
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/jobs/our-benefits/
Procurement and Tendering processes
A copy of our Procurement Policy is available on request via foi@english-heritage.org.uk
https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/our-priorities/major-projects/make-a-tender/
Financial Statements for Projects and Events
Please see the Financial Review section of the Annual Report.
Internal Finance Regulations
English Heritage have an internal audit function and programme of works which is overseen by the Board’s Audit and Risk Committee. Under the Property Licence, English Heritage is obliged to adhere to HM Treasury’s internal audit standards.
There is a robust internal review process.
What our priorities are and how we are doing
Internal and external reviews of performance
These can be made available on request via foi@english-heritage.org.uk
Funding agreement reports
Please see the Annual Report
Service Standards
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/our-people/our-policies/
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/our-people/terms-and-conditions/
The Property Licence and Operating Agreement imposes standards on us in relation to, for example, property maintenance, upon which we report to Historic England.
Visitor figures and audience research
Alva for some sites and Annual Report for overall figures. http://www.alva.org.uk/details.cfm?p=423
How we make decisions
Minutes of senior level meetings
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/our-people/our-trustees/trustee-meeting-minutes/
Reports and papers
https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1140351&subId=0
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/annual-reports/
Our policies and procedures
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/our-people/our-policies/
Our Complaints Policy and Process is available here
Other policies available on request via foi@english-heritage.org.uk (which are not mentioned elsewhere in this document):
- Whistleblowing Policy
- Philanthropic Gift and Sponsorship Policy
- Naming and Gift Acceptance Policy
- Legacy Acceptance Policy
For the provision of services
Our staff and trustee codes of conduct (including conflict of interest policies) are available on request via foi@english-heritage.org.uk
The ‘Collections Development Policy is available on request via foi@english-heritage.org.uk
For the recruitment and employment of staff
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/jobs/equality-diversity-inclusion/
Customer Service
See also our staff code of conduct under “provision of services” above
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/complaints/
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/
We have a process for the reporting of misconduct, via our Speak Up online form here
Records Management and Personal Data policies
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/our-people/our-policies/
We can provide our records retention, destruction & archive policy and data protection policy on request. Please write to the Information Governance Manager at English Heritage Trust, The Engine House, Fire Fly Avenue, Swindon, SN2 2EH or email data.protection@english-heritage.org.uk
Charging regimes and policies
If there is a charge for sending information, you will be informed of this and reasonable disbursements applied.
Lists and Registers
Asset registers
We have a Data Processing Register and an Information Asset Register. Should these registers be requested we would treat release on a case by case basis, as commercial confidentiality and security issues apply to some sections. These documents are not currently published. Please email foi@english-heritage.org.uk for further information.
CCTV
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/our-people/our-policies/
Information is available in the privacy policy.
Gifts and hospitality – Senior Management Team and Trustees
Registers available on request via foi@english-heritage.org.uk
Register of interests
This information is available on request for the Trustees and the Senior Management Team. Please contact foi@english-heritage.org.uk
The services we offer
Information about the collection and access to it
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/
All of the English Heritage oil paintings and a selection of sculpture and statuary are accessible via the ArtUK platform https://artuk.org (formerly the Public Catalogue Foundation).
Exhibitions
Collections currently on display are presented at the properties. See our website to search the properties.
Services for which fees are charged and details
Available in the Annual Report
Opportunities for volunteers
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/volunteer
Educational services
https://bookings.english-heritage.org.uk/education/ This page requires a log-in.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/school-visits/
Publications, leaflets, booklets and newsletters
https://www.english-heritageshop.org.uk/books-media/books/guidebooks
English Heritage Publications: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/research/our-researchers
All EH publications that are sold are available on the EH shop site: https://www.english-heritageshop.org.uk/books-media
Appendix 1: Summary of Property Licence and Operating Agreement between Historic England and English Heritage
English Heritage is given an exclusive licence to operate the National Heritage Collection until March 2025 for the purposes of pursuing the General Objectives. These are broadly the same as English Heritage’s charitable objectives (see “Who we are and what we do” above).
English Heritage must adhere to standards in the care of the properties and the historic chattels. It must provide Historic England with an annual review of performance covering, inter alia, financial performance and the development and care of the Collection. It must maintain a programme of cyclical maintenance to the properties, alongside a clear picture of outstanding conservation work.
In addition, English Heritage must maintain and operate the Blue Plaques Scheme.
