Consultation responses: Draft Heritage Protection Bill ( 2008)	Consultations index ALGAO:Cymru
Submission from ALGAO:Cymru Matthew Coward Cadw Welsh Assembly Government Plas Garw Nantgarw CF15 7QQ Dear Matthew, DRAFT HERITAGE PROTECTION BILL I am writing as Chair of the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers: Cymru (ALGAO:Cymru), the Welsh national group of the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers:UK (ALGAO:UK). The Association provides a forum representing archaeologists working for, and providing services to, local authorities and national parks throughout the UK. In Wales its members are senior professional archaeologists providing advice on archaeological conservation and management including the provision of Historic Environment Records and development control services to Unitary Authorities. ALGAO:Cymru continues to welcome and support this reform of heritage protection on its legislative passage. We would like to thank Cadw for their recent presentations at Treftadaeth 08 which were very helpful in clarifying the process and timetable of the draft bill. It is recognised that the Bill is currently in draft and there are various elements of the proposed legislation that are still to be completed. It is also recognised that the Bill is intended to provide a framework that will allow flexibility in how heritage protection is delivered across the UK. We understand that further guidance and secondary legislation will address the specific implementation, processes and procedures which will be required to achieve this. Accordingly our comments at this stage are of a general nature. We await further guidance concerning specific arrangements envisaged for Wales, in particular details relating to HER provision. ALGAO:Cymru are keen to work with Cadw and the Welsh Assembly Government in developing guidance documents building on the current strengths of the historic environment sector in Wales and developing practical and economically viable solutions to the delivery of integrated Local Authority Historic Environment Services. The aspirations and principles of the Heritage White Paper were warmly supported by ALGAO. However, the provisional nature of the Bill means that uncertainty remains over delivery of the reforms and what these will mean to members on the ground. An integrated vision for the future delivery of heritage protection in Wales has yet to be articulated and the group is concerned that given the legislative timetable there will be few opportunities to contribute to its development before the Bill is put to parliament. ur principle concerns at this stage relate to:- The continued administrative fragmentation of the consent regime for Heritage Assets between Cadw and LPAs. This has the potential to perpetuate a lack of joined up thinking regarding the management of different aspects of the Historic Environment. The need for clarity concerning the future relationships between Local Authorities, the Welsh Archaeological Trusts and Cadw / WAG in the provision and maintenance of historic environment services. The encouragement and support needed from Cadw and WAG for the delivery of integrated historic environment services by Local Authorities in Wales. It is important that the depth of historic environment skills and experience available to Local Authorities grows. Joint working, support and training between WAG, Local Authorities and Welsh Archaeological Trusts is considered a vital part of this process. unding - whilst in England it has been recognised that there will be an additional cost in delivering the proposed reforms and there is a commitment from DCMS to address the funding gap the fact that there is no similar recognition in Wales is a cause for concern. Should you require any additional information or clarification of the above comments please do not hesitate to contact me as I would be delighted to discuss them further with you. Yours sincerely, Louise Austin Chair ALGAO:Cymru Consultations index ALGAO:Cymru