DCLG has published figures on business rates relief. These show that the total relief provided to charitable occupations (that is both mandatory and discretionary relief) is expected to amount to £1.8 billion in respect of 2017-18, and these reliefs account for 48% of the total …
European Year of Cultural Heritage in 2018
The European Council and European Parliament representatives have come to a provisional agreement on making 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage.The year will be supported by EUR 8 million and is intended to: to promote cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and social cohesion; to highlight the …
Local Government Finance Bill – property owner Business Improvement Districts
Clause 37 of the Local Government Finance Bill published in January, introduces Schedule 5, which amends the Local Government Act 2003, to allow billing authorities across England to make property owner arrangements and impose a property owner levy that will be imposed on property owners in …
Lottery funding for “Bats in Churches” partnership project
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has approved the first stage and initial funding for the 5 year “Bats in Churches” partnership project, bringing together wildlife and heritage conservation and church organisations to save bats and protect churches. The partnership includes Natural England, Church of England …
Parks face threat of decline with severe consequences
The House of Commons Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee report on public parks warns that parks are at a tipping point and face a period of decline with potentially severe consequences unless their vital contribution to areas such as public health, community integration and …
16th century masterpiece at risk of leaving the UK
Culture Minister Matt Hancock has placed a temporary export bar on a 16th century masterpiece by Parmigianino, to provide an opportunity to keep it in the country. This exceptional artwork is a rare example of a religious easel painting from the last decade of the …
Latest ‘Taking Part’ statistics
The latest results from the Taking Part survey for the period October 2015 to September 2016 have been published. The key findings from the report are: Engagement with the arts was 77% similar to the proportion when the survey was first run in 2005/06 (76.3%); …
Housing White Paper and the heritage sector
The Government has published its housing white paper ‘Fixing our broken housing market’ setting out its vision to ‘reduce the obstacles to house building and help local authorities, developers and SME builders build the homes Britain needs’. The White Paper only mentions heritage four times …
Heritage Protection Reform Proposals: Summer Consultation 2016 responses
The Historic Environment Forum (HEF), the heritage key-stakeholder group, has been concerned by the continuing reduction in heritage and planning resourcing in local authorities over many years. In 2014 HEF set up a working group, the Historic Environment Protection Reform Group, to devise solutions. HEF …
Community Assets Round Table
The Heritage Alliance was one of four heritage organisations to attend a Government round table on community assets. The meeting was very positive and was attended by a representative from 10 Downing Street. Attendees examined what more can be done to remove barriers to using …
The Heritage Alliance is now on Facebook!
The Heritage Alliance now has a Facebook page. Why not like us to be kept up to date with all the latest heritage news. We would be grateful if members could share our Facebook page with their followers. The Heritage Alliance page will also highlight …
Giving to Heritage – Final ‘Fundraising Planning’ Workshop
A clear strategy and plan are essential to help you to focus on the right fundraising goals for your heritage organisation. Join us at the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site for our final Fundraising Planning workshop on the 15th March 2017. This workshop is suitable …