Written evidence submitted by the
Historic Towns and Villages Forum

1. What are the most significant challenges facing owners and operators of built heritage assets, and how are they affecting what those sites can offer?

• What interventions are needed to prevent the managed decline of heritage assets on publicly owned land?

Managed decline is not a useful construct in this context.  Heritage assets have cultural heritage value, as defined by HE, and instrumental or utility value.  Such values are worthy of stabilisation at least and restoration at best, that they may make the greatest possible contribution to the social, cultural and economical wealth of the community in which they are located. If they have no heritage or instrumental value, they should not be considered heritage assets.

If they are privately owned assets on public land, then the public landlord should identify the nature of the heritage and instrumental values of such assets, identify the steps necessary to stabilise them in the short term and restore them in the long term, and draw up with the owners a programme for both. This may require the acceptance of reduced rent or other financial return and possible grant in aid to secure the works required.

If the asset is publicly owned, the body’s moral and legal obligations may be considerable, and careful analysis of the circumstances, condition and safety of the asset will be essential. Neglect is not a justification for abandonment.  The Historic Towns and Villages Forum is an independent and non-judgemental space in which owners with such problems may share the complexities of caring for our heritage and offer examples of practical solutions that have succeeded elsewhere.

Members of the Forum can put forward issues for debate in online and in person seminars and join or/and host visits to places that face such challenges.  The HTVF will periodically, and at appropriate times, collate and disseminate such experience for the benefit of the wider community.

• What can the Government do to make it easier for communities or local businesses to take ownership of historic buildings?

At a national level this relates primarily to financial and regulatory matters, so see answer to Q4, but credible, consistent advice and guidance on general matters is essential.  Below this, local authorities need the capacity and capability to promote and enable local organisations and businesses to take on the repair and reuse of heritage assets. This requires the reintroduction and strengthening of expertise of local authorities, provided by suitably qualified and trained people, preferably staff, but also external advisers.

Expertise in understanding the value of historic places is necessary but not sufficient. ‘Continuity’ is an essential component of conservation. Expert advice provided locally must also encourage adaptation of places to meet changing needs, expectations and standards. Adaptation must also be allowed to address the climate emergency. Advice provided to local owners must be confident, constructive and consistent on such matters.

Local authority staff should have the time and resources to strengthen their competence in such matters, and to share concerns and experience with those from other authorities – extending competence and reinforcing consistent, constructive advice.

2. How effective are the current funding and finance models for built heritage?

• What should long-term public funding for the sector look like?

This is an oddly worded question. Revenue funding will generally come from government sources, ultimately determined by central government and its agencies. A proportion may come from charitable bodies, and some from the private sector, either as required through the planning process or as donations. Eligibility criteria must be clear, duration guaranteed, and performance criteria realistic.

Public funding of capital works is easier to budget as it will relate to specific projects, but sources – funds for works – should be clearly defined, realistically structured, and sufficiently flexible to accommodate unpredictabilities in implementation.

3. What role does built heritage play in the regeneration of local areas and in contributing to economic growth and community identity?

• How can heritage buildings be supported to increase energy efficiency and contribute to the Government’s net zero targets?

The climate emergency presents an imperative for the Planet higher than even the highest order of heritage concern. This is not yet accepted by the historic environment sector as a whole, but the debate must be resolved urgently. The HTVF is a signatory to ‘Heritage Declares’ , an organisation that calls for ‘inter-generational solidarity and responsible stewardship of the inherited world’ and promotes ten principles to guide all those with an interest in protecting and promoting historic places

4. What are the financial, regulatory and practical barriers to preserving built heritage?

• What policy changes are needed to make restoring historic buildings easier and less expensive?

Everyone in the sector is tired of pointing out the inequities of the VAT regime. We all understand the implications of reducing the tax draw from repair and restoration works, but if energy performance could be built into the eligibility for exemption or relief, the fiscal impact might be minimised and the community benefits enhanced .

5. What policies would ensure the UK workforce has the right skills to maintain our heritage assets?

This is not a policy matter. Funding for vocational training in professional and technical skills should be increased, not cut.

Steven Bee, Chair

Historic Towns and Villages Forum (Reg Charity: 1210370)

Kellogg College 60-62 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 6PN
www.htvf.org