Heritage Sector Unites to Stem Drop in Local Services

JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM ENGLISH HERITAGE, THE IHBC AND ALGAO

Heritage bodies today (Thursday 7 May), united to urge Government to use its proposed statement on the historic environment to encourage local authorities not to cut historic environment services. A new report into local authority conservation and archaeology resources in England has revealed a recent drop in staff levels that could, heritage bodies claim, lead to a future crisis.

Research conducted by English Heritage, the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers (ALGAO) has captured, for the first time, the actual number of staff supporting local authority historic environment services. 

Figures show that historic environment services had grown 20% between 2003 and 2006. However, between 2006 and 2008, they dropped 5% (by 66 conservation and archaeology professionals). Although staff numbers remain above 2003 levels, and the reduction has not yet caused a failure in local authority services, there are early reports of problems in some areas. Anecdotal evidence suggests that staff numbers are continuing to fall sharply. Future studies will provide a figure for the level at which, if such deterioration continues, conservation services would start to fail nationally.

Steven Bee, English Heritage Director of Planning and Development, said: “We understand that there is financial pressure in all sectors at present, but a lot of conservation duties are not discretionary for local authorities, they are a statutory duty. Specialist archaeology and conservation staff are the front line of heritage protection in this country and local authorities must recognise this.  A future lack of such staff would create pressure and expense for householders applying for consent, and could block the regeneration and renewal projects vital for economic recovery.

'Skilled judgements on cases such as heritage at risk, historic parks and gardens, world heritage sites and historic places of worship cannot be done by someone with insufficient experience. 

'English Heritage is offering extra support and guidance to local authorities to help them implement the reforms to heritage protection in advance of the Heritage Protection Bill. The reforms proposed by the Bill can be delivered with the staffing levels identified in the survey but, if current pressure to reduce staff is not resisted, the country's heritage – and local authorities’ ability to sustain it - would be vulnerable.  This report shows that there is a problem on the horizon that mustn’t get worse.'

Dave Chetwyn, Chair of the IHBC, said: 'It is crucial that local authorities maintain their full commitment to delivering sustainable regeneration and economic development during the credit crisis and recession. We are therefore especially concerned over the loss of design and heritage specialists who play such a crucial role in delivering effective services and development for the long-term. This is the worst possible time for local authorities to lose the skills that will be so vital to securing future growth'.

Ken Smith, Chair of ALGAO UK, said: 'This report confirms the vital role of local authority historic environment professionals in conserving England's cultural heritage through a wide range of activities. It also underlines their vulnerability and the need for positive action from local and national government to achieve comprehensive and continued management of the buildings and monuments that define the country's character.'

The report states:

• English local authority historic environment staff resource grew by 210 people to 1224 staff for England in the years between 2003 and 2006, It dropped by 66 people in the next two years to 1158.
• The heritage sector will press the Government to issue a statement reaffirming that historic environment services are integral to planning departments and discouraging cuts in historic environment staffing.
• A further study will provide a best-practice model for the provision of historic environment services for local authorities.
• Service provision is variable across England. Some are well-provided for but others lack specialist expertise. In terms of the percentage of national resource, many of the regions are remaining stable relative to one another. A few diverge: London has increased and the South East has decreased.