Advocacy

As part of the Society's role to promote the research, understanding and conservation of the archaeological and historic environment of Scotland for the benefit of all and advocate good practice, we respond to Government and other relevant consultations. The Society has been involved in advocacy of this type since it's formation in the 18th century, and has made its views known on a range of issues pertinent to the Society's aims. In the very first volume of the Transactions of the Society in 1792 there is a plea by Mr John Williams for the creation of a Royal Forest of Oak in Scotland, a plea to which "the ferocious attention of the Society and of the public" was called by a supportive Baronet Sir Alexander Dick of Prestonfield. The Society continues to direct its attention to matters of relevance to the historic environment of Scotland, although with varying levels of ferocity as required for each consultation!

The following advocacy and consultation responses have been made by the Society:

May 2012
The Society response to the HMRC consultation on VAT: addressing borderline anomalies, we respond particularly to the issue of adding VAT to alterations to Listed Buildings.

March 2012
The Society hosted a high-level strategy meeting to discuss Scottish Heritage Strategies on Saturday morning 10 March 2012; a copy of the minute is available here.

February 2012
Society Response to the IfA and ALGAO consultation on A Standard and guidance for archaeological advice by historic environment services: draft for sector consultation: here

January 2012
Consultation on woodland expansion in Scotland by the Forestry Commission Woodland Expansion Advisory Group

November 2011
Consultation on Managing Change in the Historic Environment - Works on Scheduled Monuments guidance note.
Consultation response to Historic Scotland corporate plan
Consultation response to a National Strategy for Scotland's Museums and Galleries - this was completed online

October 2011
The Society provided a short briefing paper to MSPs in advance of the Scottish Government Dabate on 6 October 2011 in the Scottish Parliament entitled Digital Future of Scotland's Heritage.

March 2011
The Society was invited to provide a response to a consultation on the proposed merger between Archaeology and History at Glasgow University: our letter to Professor Murray Pittock.
The Society also sent an email response to a similar consultation on Continuing Education at Glasgow University.

August 2010
Society written evidence for Parliamentary Education, Life-long Learning and Culture Committee on Historic Environment (Amendment)(Scotland) Bill
Written evidence responses from other organisations to the Committee are available here.

June 2010
Consultation on the Role and Governance of the National Library of Scotland

Letter regarding Scottish Ministers' initial response to a planning application for a distillery development in Falkirk affecting the setting of the Antonine Wall World Heritage Site
Scottish Government response to above letter
Letter of consent from Scottish Ministers

February 2010
Historic Scotland TCG Technical & Scientific Research Strategy

Extending Permitted Development Rights for Domestic Microwind Turbines and Air-Source Heat Pumps
Analysis of Consultation Responses Published

August 2009
Ancient Monuments and Listed Buildings (Amendment)(Scotland) draft Bill (subsequently renamed the Historic Environment (Amendment) Bill)

June 2009
Scottish Planning Policy (SPP)

March 2009
Householder Permitted Developer Rights

February 2009
Request for reburial of prehistoric human remains in Alexander Keiller Museum, Avebury, Wiltshire
World Heritage for the Nation: Identify, Protecting and Promoting our World Heritage

December 2008
Edinburgh City Archives - Draft Business Recovery Plan

September 2008
Sustainable Seas for All: Scotland's First Marine Bill

July 2008
SHEP on Historic Battlefields

June 2008
Heart of Neolithic Orkney Management Plan 08-13

May 2008
SHEP on the Marine Historic Environment
Draft Scottish Planning Policy SPP23