Agenda item

To be presented by Eliza Alqassar.

Joanna Horton, Heritage and Archaeology Team Leader gave a presentation which was appended to these minutes. The presentation highlighted the Heritage Team’s outreach work and activities.

• The Buckinghamshire Local Heritage List project was underway. The team were liaising with Bucks Garden Trust and other key stakeholder to compile the list.
• The team received government funding for a project officer, 22 other councils also received funding. The Buckinghamshire local list had received the highest number of nominations across all councils and highlighted the teams hard work and dedication.
• The public were able to nominate buildings, archaeological sites, works of art, parks and other assets to be considered for the list. Over 2600 nominations had been received during phase one of the project and 798 recommended sites would be taken forward to Cabinet on 6^th December.
• It was clarified this was a nationally designated list of historic sites and buildings already listed did not need to be nominated. It was confirmed Quarrendon Leas was already on the list and people were encouraged to nominate buildings not listed.
• Being on the list would not necessarily change permitted development rights however, it would make it easier for planning officers to know if a building had heritage merits.
• Over 38 groups and societies had advertised the list to its members.
• The project had been promoted at various events including Heritage Open days and Bucks County Show.
• The project had been advertised to Councillors in newsletters and on social media. This was a ‘people’s project’ and talks with local groups were ongoing.
• A member of the forum queried why Mentmore was not on the list however, it was advised the heritage assets for this area had already been included on the records.
• Work with volunteers had started with a toolkit available online to help with the nomination process and assessment information.
• The Local List Project Officer had engaged with children and students to encourage them to nominate buildings and assisting with site visits.
• There had been enquires from Transport for London regarding information about the Metropolitan line. The Canal and River Trust had been in touch about nominating locks and bridges. This information would prove useful when dealing with planning enquires. 
• The next stage of the project would involve further engagement with volunteers as nominations were received. The internal panel would review sites to be put forward for recommendation. Phase one would conclude by December with recommendations taken to Cabinet.
• There was an Archaeology Day held at North Marston in July which was well attended. The Young Archaeology Club attended alongside residents and the local history society. 
• A rare missing Buckinghamshire milepost was discovered in a garden in Oxfordshire. It was restored and would be reinstated soon.

It was confirmed the local heritage list was a national list and sites added to the list would not receive listed status. There was the potential for some sites to be recommended for the national heritage list. The project would be considered a celebration of Buckinghamshire and the list would potentially help buildings at risk of demolition as they would gain heritage status.

There would be a request for further funding for the Heritage List Project Officer role as funding was due to end by March 2023. Phase two would focus on religious and community buildings. Phase three would look at workshops and witchert restoration.