Have your say on the future of Scotland’s heritage

The public are being encouraged to have their say on the future of Historic Environment Scotland.

HES has today, Friday, launched a nine-week public consultation on its new draft Corporate Plan 2019-22.

The new plan sets out the strategic direction for the organisation over the next three years and beyond, focusing on the positive social, cultural, economic and environmental impact which HES wants to make in its role as the lead public body for the historic environment.

The draft has already been informed by feedback from groups and individuals as part of pre-consultation engagement across the country, from Glasgow Women’s Library to Edinburgh Pride.

The formal consultation period sees HES extend this invitation to help write the next chapter of Scotland’s story, as it seeks views from as many people as possible – from sector partners and stakeholders, communities and groups, to visitors and members of the general public with an interest in Scotland’s history and heritage.

Jane Ryder, chair of HES, said: ‘In our first Corporate Plan 2016-19, we made a commitment to deliver real public benefit in new and different ways.

‘In that time we have made significant progress, publishing innovative plans for conservation and investment in our historic Properties in Care, developing cutting edge research and technology to better understand and protect our historic environment, and increasing opportunities for people of all ages to engage with our history and heritage.

‘We have taken a different approach for our new Corporate Plan, which is much shorter and more focused on the impact we are aiming to achieve.

‘Our approach to consultation has also been different, as we have already been actively asking individuals, groups, communities, businesses, organisations – and our own staff – all across the country what they think about the historic environment, what it means to them, and how it touches their lives.

‘We have listened to the different voices – especially those voices not often heard in conversations about history and heritage – and have taken all this into account in drafting and publishing this plan for formal consultation.

‘We believe passionately that the historic environment has a positive impact to make across all areas of life in Scotland – be it social, cultural, economic or environmental. We look forward to exploring and developing these ideas over the next few weeks of the consultation, and in the years ahead.’

As part of the public consultation, which will run until Friday 2 November, HES will be holding a series of events across the country for people to drop in and share their views.

Alison Turnbull, director of development and partnership at HES, added: ‘Scotland’s historic environment belongs to all of us, and I hope that as many people as possible will take the opportunity to have their voice heard on how we shape its future.’

Reponses to the HES Corporate Plan consultation can be made on the HES website.

Those interested can also join in the conversation on social media using the hashtag #HelloHES.