Resources

English Heritage and local authorities have the resources to carry this heritage protection reform programme through.

A comprehensive assessment of local authority conservation and archaeology resources in England has been carried out, with help from the the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers (ALGAO).

This report shows that historic environment staff levels grew 20% between 2003 and 2006.  Though this number dropped by 5% between 2006 and 2008, staff numbers remain above 2003 levels.  The age profile for local authority staff was not found to be different from other comparable professional groups.

The reforms proposed by the Bill can be delivered with the staffing levels identified in the survey. However, if current pressure to reduce staff continues there could be a problem in the future. The country’s heritage - and local authorities’ ability to sustain it - would be vulnerable. 

English Heritage is offering extra support and guidance to local authorities to help them implement the reforms to heritage protection.  The Government also has a long-standing commitment to address the additional resource implications of the Bill. The heritage sector has urged Government to use its proposed statement on the historic environment to encourage local authorities to stem the drop historic environment services before it impacts on delivery of the Bill.