| Summary: |
The historic environment is about more than our past, it can improve
our future. Heritage has an important role to play in how people view
the area they live in and is a unique selling point for attracting
investment. Making the most of an area's history can encourage people
to feel proud about where they come from, and persuade others it's
a place they want to live and do business in. It can play a part in
convincing residents to get more involved in local events and activities,
improving their overall quality of life. The historic environment
also plays an important role in meeting shared local and national
priorities such as economic growth, regeneration and community engagement.
It can contribute to Local Area Agreement targets such as: improving
civic participation, tackling obesity and reducing unemployment.
But there are a number of challenges to overcome if we are to realise
this potential. How can we ensure heritage protection succeeds in
a performance management culture? How can we encourage people to
keep investing in our history when money is so tight? How can we
make the most of the forthcoming Heritage Protection reforms (although
the Heritage Protection Bill was not included in the Queen's speech,
a raft of changes which do not require legislative change are currently
underway), new planning policy statements, and related guidance,
as we seek to build on the shared priorities of local government
and the heritage sector in creating a new framework to support our
historic environment?
This conference will explore how English Heritage and local government
can work together to address these and other key questions. In the
present dynamic policy context we must focus on how the economic,
environmental and social benefits of the local historic environment
can be realised, and can contribute to cross-cutting local priorities.
The conference will showcase best practice case studies and demonstrate
where the historic environment has made a positive contribution
to growth, and regeneration to the benefit of local people and the
places in which they live.
speakers include:
Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage & the
Government's principal advisor on the historic environment in England
Barbara Follett MP, Minister for Culture, Creative Industries &
Tourism |
