In the past year many of BEFS member organisations have been focused on the process
leading up to the merger between Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the
Ancient and Historical Monuments. BEFS has played an active role throughout this
process. We held events in Edinburgh, Perth and Glasgow to enable those who share
our interest in Scotland’s historic environment to have a say.
The year has also seen consultations on historic environment policy, architecture
policy and planning policy. BEFS’ message is that if “joined up government” is to be
meaningful, these three officially separate areas of policy need to be closely aligned
and mutually supportive.
In the coming year, BEFS will take every opportunity to reiterate our message, and to
monitor and comment on how effective integration is in practice between architecture,
planning and the historic environment. The run up to the referendum in September
2014 also challenges us to think about and explain how we see the historic environment
contributing to Scotland’s future, and how in the future we will manage our past.
CHAIRMAN’S
REPORT
Cliff Hague
Our 2013 Annual Congress points the way with its theme of “Mainstreaming the
Historic Environment”. Ultimately we are looking to shift the mindset so that the
importance of the existing built environment is recognised – for its contribution to the
identity of Scotland’s places, to the tourism industry, sustainability and indeed general
well-being. It is the major element in “Place”, which as Geddes grasped all those
years ago, is intertwined with people and with economic activity.
BEFS has a unique role. It is a distinctly Scottish organisation that bridges across the
different built environment professions and between the professionals and the much
wider body of Scots who have a passion for our historic environment. These are
uncertain times, but that makes it all the more important that we all work together:
BEFS provides the means to do that.
It has been a busy year for BEFS. Much of our focus has been on the review of the
Historic Environment Strategy for Scotland and the proposed merger of Historic
Scotland and RCAHMS. These are exciting and challenging times for the historic
environment sector. Against a background of economic pressures, climate change
and shifting political sands the sector needs many voices to make sure its needs and
concerns are listened to by decision-makers in government, national and local.
The fact that historic environment issues are being discussed at Cabinet level in the
Scottish Government can only be welcomed. Now is the time for all organisations and
individuals, from national bodies to local groups and volunteers, to stand up for our
historic environment and promote its value - cultural, social and economic.
As well as contributing to the wide-ranging consultation programme in relation to
the strategy and merger, we have been working in partnership with our principal
funder Historic Scotland, and our members and associates to deliver a full programme
of events and workshops on a wide range of issues including world heritage sites,
traditional building skills, historic environment records and planning reform.
DIRECTOR’S
REPORT
John Pelan
Our annual congress, Small Town Scotland, was a success, attracting over 80 delegates.
The aim of the Congress was to profile small towns in Scotland, focusing on threats they
face, opportunities they present, and their potential to become economic drivers.
Led by our Chairman, Cliff Hague, we have delivered a programme of visits to small
towns across Scotland, meeting local representatives and carrying out informal ‘health
checks’. Reports on all the visits are available on the BEFS website and we plan to
launch a ‘Small Towns’ microsite and publication in late summer 2013.
In 2012/13 we also launched a new website, dou bled our Twitter followers, employed
a full-time Advocacy and Communications Officer and responded to nine consultations.
We are looking forward to engaging with as many organisations and individuals
as possible over the next couple of years to explore areas of common interest and
potential collaboration.