Notes of the UKAPT Midlands meeting at Hartlebury Castle,
Worcestershire on Friday, 21st September 2012
Theme: Improving Resilience
Present:
Carol Taylor-Bruce
Celia Biolcati
Charles Shapcott
Chris Hargreaves
Christopher Patrick
David Cooper
David Trevis-Smith –UKAPT Chair
Deb Brownlee
Elaine Artherton
Elizabeth Perkins - Chair
Graham Walley
Ian Rice
James Moir – UKAPT Director
Janet Allen
Jeremy Stone
John Miller
Judith Lanham
Judy Ross
Karen Cheney
Kate Dickson – Committee Member
Laura Norris
Lucie Thacker - Secretary
Marie Butler
Martin Griffiths
Michael Scammell
Paul Trueman - Treasurer
Peter Bassett
Philip Adams
Ramona Usher - Committee Member
Richard White
Sarah Lewis
Sarah Lowe
Sula Rayska
Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust
Springbank Arts
Wychavon District Council
IHBC member
Conservation Consultant
Herefordshire County Council
Torr Vale Mills Preservation Trust
DTS Solutions & West Mids HBT
St. John’s Church Preservation Group
Wychavon District Council
Birmingham Conservation Trust
Leicestershire County Council
Architectural Heritage Fund
UK Association of Preservation Trusts
Springbank Arts
Greenwoods Projects Ltd
Heritage Trust for the North West
Springbank Arts
Royal Leamington Spa Preservation Trust
Birmingham City Council
Creative Heritage
Vivat Trust
Architectural Heritage Fund
St. John’s Church Preservation Group
Penrhos Trust
South Downs National Park Authority
Greenwoods Projects Ltd
Wyre Forest District Council
West Midlands Historic Building Trust
North West Leicestershire DC
Preservation
English Heritage West Midlands
Herefordshire County Council
Rayska Heritage
Trustees and Volunteers
1. Elizabeth Perkins, Chair of UKAPT Midlands region, and Virginia Wagstaff of Hartlebury
Castle Preservation Trust (HCPT) welcomed everyone to the event.
2. Rachel Cockett, a Trustee of HCPT gave an overview of the history of the Castle and the
famous Hurd Library, spoke about the recent history and the plans the Trust has for the
restoration and sustainable future for the Castle and associated land and buildings.
a. HCPT was formed in 2009 from a Friends Group, which is still functioning alongside
the Trust. The Trust was formed to buy the Castle as if it was sold on the open
market, it seemed likely that public access would be lost
b. 2011 first HLF bid failed as there was a query over the acquisition price, this has
been resolved and RC is preparing another HLF bid for 19/12/12
c.
Current visitors to Worcs museum - 25,000 p.a. so there is potential for many
more
3. Karen Cheney – Birmingham City Council Community Asset Transfer in Birmingham
Karen’s Powerpoint presentation will be circulated by email. One important date to note is
that local authorities have to devise and maintain a List of Assets of Community Value after
12/10/12 (see here for information
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/pdf/1987150.pdf)
4. Rachel Cockett, Elizabeth Perkins and Karen Cheney took questions from the floor about
governance, attracting new trustees and asset transfer.
a. Building Preservation Trust or Community Development Trust? BPT = focus on
building and what you can do in it. CDT = focus on community - often providing
service.
b. Social Media has transformed recruitment for Trustees at Birmingham Conservation
Trust – use networks, be clear about commitment and challenges. Trustees have to
bring value to the organisation, some smaller organisations offer trustees an
honorary position but honorary Trustees do not always having the time, energy or
independence to make a meaningful contribution, Trust boards need a wide range of
skill sets.
c. Trustee Board has to change as projects change – local people have deep local
knowledge. Trusts need good mix of Trustees from young people to retirees.
Working people are up to date with good practice and current knowledge.
d. The Vivat Trust is a UK-wide Trust – what does local mean to them? Need new
blood – has 100% male board.
e. RC said there may not be enough Trustees to go round – ie not enough people
want to volunteer, so focus could be put onto career development aspect. Kate
Dickson suggested Trusts could approach local businesses – define the skills needed
and ask local (and national) employers if they will support CPD (continuing
professional development) for their employees by employees becoming Trustees.
5. Sarah Lewis, West Midlands English Heritage responsible for Heritage at Risk, (HAR)
explained what HAR is and how criteria differ for each category.
a. Occupancy and trajectory (is it declining quickly, gradually?) are important.
b. There are 31,000 Listed buildings Grade I and II* in England, of which 2,764 are in
the West Midlands.
c. New initiatives – 9 local HAR teams in England, National and Local HAR Strategies,
HAR IT system, Grade II pilot
6. Ian Rice – Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) gave a presentation illustrated with images
of castles to which AHF has awarded funding.
a. AHF can offer Cold Spot Grants, Options Appraisal Grants and Project
Development Grants
b. The Challenge Fund, administered by the AHF, offers capital grant aid
c. Hay Castle has parallels with Hartlebury in the way it is working with the
community.
d. Loans for Acquisition, Working Capital and Development
e. Andy Richardson is the new Loans Manager at AHF (Barbara Wright retires this
month)
7. James Moir – Director UKAPT sped through his slot as by then the meeting was running
late.
a. Traditionally BPTs have focussed on Buildings at Risk, but what is happening is
transfer of ownership to BPTs giving them significant power and control
APT is fundamental because the transfer of power is advocated through the
localism agenda. However, many local authorities have not really begun to think
about their assets and there may be a huge expectation on community organisations
to take on full repairing leases. Many community groups do not have the knowledge
base to challenge this, so there is an opportunity for BPTs to demonstrate their
expertise.
c. UKAPT website disseminates this knowledge and will be a good way to spread
knowledge. Currently mapping all Trusts and projects – 60 Trusts information is on
line and for the first time there will be a comprehensive overview of all the great
work BPTs do across the UK.
d. UKAPT National Conference is on 18th and 19th October in Great Yarmouth
(where there is a great partnership between the Local Authority and BPT) Have you
booked yet?
https://www.ukapt.org.uk/pages/about-apt/annual-conference/conferenceprogramme.html
b.
Delegates were then treated to a tour of Hartlebury Castle and the Hurd Library, which is
very special. Our thanks are extended to Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust and the
Church Commissioners for their kind permission to accommodate this event.