Members

• Taryn Nixon (Chair) (in person)
• Stephen Boyce (in person)
• Caroline Kay (in person)
• Nick Holliday (in person)
• Lydia Lee (in person)
• Claire Madge (in person)
• Peter Neal (in person)
• Richard Smith (virtually via Microsoft Teams)
• Neena Sohal (in person)

Apologies

None

Committee business

Welcomes and apologies

The Chair welcomed the Committee to the November meeting held via Microsoft Teams, and in person at Cannon Bridge House.

Corporate items

Minutes from the last meeting on 13 September 2022 and matters arising

The Committee recommended a change to Item 11 ‘Rebuilding Heritage: Emerging Stronger  – The Heritage Alliance’ on the minutes from the last meeting from ‘Deferred‘ to ‘Withdrawn’ to more accurately reflect the outcome whereby the grant was redirected for consideration by the Committee for England, North.

The Committee recommended an addition to Item 14 ‘Redevelopment of the Diving Museum – The Historical Diving society’ on the minutes from the last meeting to reflect the Committee’s strong recommendation for RoSS support.

The above amendments were made and the minutes were agreed as a true record of the meeting.

Declarations of interest

It was noted that Caroline Kay was a Board member of the National Trust. Therefore, she would have to leave the meeting for any project in which the Trust was an applicant, or a significant partner to an application. The National Trust was identified as a significant partner in item 14 ‘CITiZAN - Coasts in Mind: Mapping 100 years of coastal change through community heritage’ and Caroline agreed to leave the meeting for this item.

It was noted that Taryn Nixon was involved with and signed the first Heritage Fund application for CITiZAN in around 2013, as then CEO of MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology). However, Taryn no longer had any governance links with MOLA: stepping down from the CEO role in 2016 and her term as a Director and Trustee of MOLA had ended in December 2019. Taryn briefly served on a non-executive on an advisory network panel for CITiZAN's work on South Devon Rivers, during 2020 until the panel was disbanded. No direct conflict was identified.

Chair’s report

The Chair reported as follows, which was noted with thanks:

• Board discussions had continued with regard to the ten year strategy, which incorporates territory- and UK-wide strategic initiatives and a place approach. The Board had agreed that Committee insight on place priorities for each Area and Country is to be sought early in 2023. National Lottery income under the next operator, Allwyn, was discussed although a budget forecast had not yet been published.
• Recruitment of up to three new Committee members was underway .

Strategy and Place

Jake Elliot and Anna Carter presented an update ahead of a discussion about place approach, proposed investment principles and wider strategic initiatives. The intention was to create a shorter outward-facing document setting a 10-year vision and ambition, and the views of the regional and country Committees were being sought as the strategy develops.

The Heritage Fund had consulted widely: over 4,000 stakeholders had contributed views. In place of the six objectives of the current strategy, the new strategy intended to have four Investment Principles: conservation and recovery; environmental sustainability; inclusion; and organisational and financial sustainability.

It is proposed that the open funding programmes including the delegated decisions will continue. Alongside, there will be a Strategic Fund for direct/deliberate approach for longer term change, and to be able to respond to emergencies and opportunities at scale. A strategic, place-based approach would be delivered through both the open and strategic initiatives, and would focus on partnerships and collaboration. Committee input will be sought to develop new place index, where we could target investment for long-term transformation. Thresholds are being reviewed (given inflation and the need for flexibility): the £5m threshold may be removed. The new strategy would provide a clear UK-wide proactive commitment to address long standing issues at scale, while also being able to respond to opportunities and emergencies within the sector. This would be a shift from a five year investment plan to a 10-year vision, underpinned by three year delivery plans, identifying 20 places across the UK.
The committees views were invited on the strategic funding stream, or strategic initiatives, such as place, landscape scale, urban green spaces, young people and skills.

The Committee welcomed the simplification, the four proposed investment principles and the flexibility and scope to lead or support national strategic initiatives or campaigns.

The Committee further commented that:

• Strategic initiatives would both address priorities in areas of need and demonstrate the Heritage Fund’s thought leadership, working in partnership, with the ability to set the direction of travel.
• The distinction between investment principles, funding approach and strategic initiatives will need further refinement and testing against the four investment principles; the Committee would welcome a small number of proactive strategic initiatives.
• A recommendation was for the creation of a model through which strategic initiatives could feed back into open programmes.
• There was a need to define ‘landscape scale’ and its opportunity to go beyond a place-based approach, delineating by neighbourhood, high streets, suburbs, rural areas and bounded by geographic markers, linear features, coastal zones, rather than by political or administrative boundaries.
• The Committee advised against the exclusive use of administrative or designation boundaries such as ‘National Parks’; it was often the periphery of a designated area where Heritage Fund could add the greatest value.
• Connectivity as a strategic initiative should be emphasised, as the place approach offered the potential to overlay funding to join up organisations, assets and places through innovative partnerships. Links between urban green spaces and other places would benefit people and nature and place sustainability, whether by joining up people networks, nature recovery networks or adding social, economic and environmental benefits such as green travel, health and wellbeing. This would build on learning from targeted funding programmes such as Future Parks Accelerator and Parks for People, and building on (and protecting) previous investments, not just assessing new risk and need. The Heritage Fund could invite applications that connected people, place and nature, and supporting strategic connection opportunities beyond a single application.
• Skills development was seen as a strategic priority, noting the importance of accreditation, the value of apprenticeships and creating paths for people of all ages to jobs they could live on.
• Equally, supporting the wellbeing of young people was seen as a priority so that they might further develop curiosity about and interest in heritage as a fulfilling, creative and healthy activity. While this would ideally be part of all applications, it may require strategic support, for example through solicitation.
• The Committee also considered the need for new acquisitions in the generation of new SSSI and rewilding projects.
• The Committee discussed reactivity to emergencies and sustainability when the need was very high and the potential need for the Heritage Fund to assist organisations prior to application. Recognising that projects were challenged with increasing costs, Committee considered how the Heritage Fund might work to protect post project revenues.
• Noted that particular care would be needed in selecting the metrics used for developing a place index and prioritising specific locations, as this was likely to have a considerable influence on Heritage Fund solicitations and investment.
• The sector was still developing its understanding of the use of digital and the benefits to heritage and the importance of supporting the sector to develop its digital capacity. This could be achieved through strategic investment – say in the second three-year delivery plan – in digital pilots, research and development as a step to support multiple applicants.
• The importance of bold leadership when announcing and launching the new strategy and the four investment principles.

Area overview paper

The Area Director presented the Area Overview Paper for the London & South area. The Heritage Fund had relocated from St Katharine Docks to new London offices at Cannon Bridge House.

An update on the Committee recruitment campaign and thanked the staff and committee members who supported the process.

In discussion it was noted that:

• A slight drop in the number project enquiries and grant applications at delegated level was a seasonal fluctuation. There was every expectation that there would be strong demand against the delegated budget.
• Local authorities continued to experience difficulties, which will have a wider impact on the sector in terms of capacity to generate activity project proposals. The Committee will have the opportunity to consider the potential seriousness of this at the Area of Focus strategy meeting in the new year and may consider where the impact would be felt the most and what it might be.
• Recent Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) changes will have marked implications, with a large number of new NPOs.
• Regarding Birnbeck pier, the objection to Compulsory Purchase Order process had been withdrawn and the Heritage Fund element of the project had moved towards Permission to Start, supported by an appointment from the Register of Specialist Services (RoSS).
• The Committee welcomed the revisions to the overview paper and ongoing reporting on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, in order to achieve the Heritage Fund’s strategic aims.

The Head of Investment provided an overview of the budget for the London & South area and took questions from Committee.

A map illustrating the location of development round awards granted since April 2021 showed a total of 28 awards of which nine were in the South West, eight in the South East and 11 in London. Although a reasonable geographic spread, there were some gaps in North Cornwall, Devon and Dorset, and in the south between the former South West and South East regions. Of the 13 development round cases for decision at the meeting, two were cross territory projects. The Committee welcomed sight of the location map in the overview paper.
The Committee:

• Considered the split of the budget and demands over the final two meetings of the financial year and the anticipated continuing strength of the application pipeline.
• Commended the Heritage Fund’s response and announcements around current inflationary and cost of living pressures, noting the increased number of grant uplift request.

Grant increases

Heritage Centre Stage: Reawakening Brighton’s Royal Estate – Phase One (KickstartGIA2020)

Applicant: Brighton and Hove City Council

Request: £500,000 (18%)

Project summary: Phase 1 of the Royal Pavilion Estate redevelopment remains a catalytic project for Brighton & Hove, key to restoring and reinvigorating its heritage, and central to the City’s social and economic transformation and recovery from the pandemic.

The Committee for London and South AWARDED a grant increase of £500,000 to make a total grant of £6,323,400 (18%).

Sheerness Dockyard Church Project

Applicant: The Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust

Request: £591,545 (63%)

Project summary: A Heritage Enterprise project to restore the derelict Grade II listed Sheerness Dockyard Church on the Isle of Sheppey. Its end use is intended as a business and skills incubation centre for young people in an area of considerable social need.

The Committee for London and South AWARDED a grant increase of £591,545 to make a total grant of £4,807,645 (63%).

Past Forward: Salisbury Museum for Future Generations

Applicant: Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum Trust

Request: £572,500 (77%)

Project summary: To restore and develop Salisbury Museum through conservation of the building, creation of new gallery space, redisplay of collections, improvements to access and developing public engagement and volunteering.

The Committee for London and South AWARDED a grant increase of £572,500 (77%) to make a total grant of £3,793,000.

SFF Delivery round application for discussion and decision

Uncovering Ham Hill's past for its future

Applicant: South Somerset District Council

Request: £1,600,000 (66%)

Project summary: A wildlife haven, centred around Europe's largest Iron Age Hill fort and a site of continuous occupation. Recreational, animal and vegetation pressures are taking their toll on the monument, which is now at risk. This project will increase visitor awareness, engagement, understanding and knowledge, and create more opportunities to support a wider range of people to become involved. In parallel significant land management work will be undertaken to conserve the hillfort and increase the quality of the site’s habitats and wildlife value.

The Committee for London and South AWARDED a delivery grant of £1,600,000 (66%).

Sharing Historic Barts

Applicant: St Bartholomew's Heritage

Request: £4,926,000 (52%)

Project summary: The project aims to transform the historic spaces of the Grade I North Wing of St Bartholomew’s Hospital (Barts). Proposals include a new sustainable programme of interpretation and public engagement to enrich the wellbeing of staff, patients and visitors, supported by a core of active health and cultural partnerships. The project will support Bart’s 900th anniversary celebrations in 2023 and is aimed to prioritise audiences that research shows are less likely to engage with heritage.

The Committee for London and South AWARDED a delivery grant of £4,926,000 (52%).

SFF Development round application for discussion and decision

Adur Community Wetlands

Applicant: Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust

Request: £155,664 (84%)

Project summary: In partnership with Adur District Council, the project aims to transform 70 acres of poor quality greenfield in Sussex into a mosaic of wetland habitats for wildlife and community benefit. An activity programme will engage local residents and specific target audiences with the new Adur Community Wetlands, and provide opportunities for learning, skills development and improved wellbeing.

The Committee for London and South AWARDED a development grant of £155,664 (84%) of total eligible development costs) and potential delivery grant of £1,625,467 (85%)

Dartmoor's Dynamic Landscapes - Nurturing Nature, Connecting Communities, Healing People and Harnessing Enterprise

Applicant: Dartmoor National Park Authority

Request: £361,082 (78%)

Project summary: A partnership programme to conserve, restore, and connect people to natural heritage. To be delivered under three themes with programmes and projects within each: Dartmoor’s Dynamic Nature, Connecting People and Place, and Foundation’s for the Future.

The Committee for London and South AWARDED a development grant of £361,082 (78% of total eligible development costs) with potential delivery grant of £2,962,990 (53%).

CITiZAN - Coasts in Mind: Mapping 100 years of coastal change through community heritage

Applicant: Museum Of London Archaeology

Request: £270,961 (90%)

Project summary: To support members of the public to act on climate change, through coastal archaeology, built and intangible heritage, and through the co-creation of an online platform to record coastal community heritage in four significant areas in England.

Caroline Kay left the room.

The Committee for London and South AWARDED a development grant of £270,961 (90% of total eligible development costs) and potential delivery grant of £2,315,355 (90%).

Re-Telling and Reimagining the Histories and Cultural Heritage of Racially Minoritized Communities in the Southwest

Applicant: Black South West Network

Request: £165,691 (77%)

Project summary: To identify, collect, digitise, and share the intangible cultural heritage of rural and urban ethnically diverse communities across the South West. Alongside a co-created activity programme developed to establish The Coach House as a key heritage institution.

The Committee for London and South AWARDED a development grant of £165,691 (77% total eligible development costs) and potential delivery grant of £710,752 (80%).

The Leach Pottery: the next 100 years

Applicant: Bernard Leach (St Ives) Trust Limited

Request: £60,116 (41%)

Project summary: To restore the built heritage of Bernard Leach’s St Ives pottery and create capacity to maintain its living heritage as a pottery studio, increase learning and engagement on site and improve the overall visitor experience.

The Committee for London and South AWARDED a development grant of £60,116 (41% of total eligible development costs) and a potential delivery grant of £1,796,594 (39%).

Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration

Applicant: House of Illustration

Request: £171,000 (90%)

Project summary: To create a permanent centre for illustration and a new home to display the Quentin Blake Archive, in the New River Head site in Clerkenwell, containing four buildings and a range of spaces, accompanied by community engagement programmes.

The Committee for London and South AWARDED a development grant of £ 171,000 (90% of total eligible development costs) and a potential delivery grant of £ 2,429,000 (25%).

Old Town Hall - Isles of Scilly New Museum and Cultural Centre

Applicant: Council of the Isles of Scilly

Request: £173,831 (58%)

Project summary: To restore the Grade II Old Town Hall in St Mary's, create a new home for the Islands' museum collections and develop a cultural centre for visitors and residents, as well as to deliver a programme of activities.

The Committee for London and South AWARDED a development grant of £173,831 (58% of total eligible development costs) and a potential delivery grant of £3,676,170 (40%).

#DYC: Going Places (working title)

Applicant: National Art Collections Fund

Request: £252,839 (67%)

Project summary: A UK-wide programme to engage under-served audiences with museum collections that will take the form of collaborative, touring exhibitions and public programmes. Focus themes will include LGBTQ+ heritage, underrepresentation in sporting heritage, intangible cultural heritage in places like Scotland and Cornwall, along with other broader themes to engage family audiences.

The Committee for London and South AWARDED a development grant of £252,839 (67% of total eligible development costs) and a potential delivery grant of £2,048,924 (71%).

Abingdon Abbey Buildings - a heritage asset at the heart of the community

Applicant: The Friends of Abingdon Abbey Buildings Trust

Request: £255,644 (68%)

Project summary: To transform the care of the Abingdon Abbey Buildings by renovating and restoring to create more accessible community facilities. To include a lobby extension to the Unicorn Theatre, platform lift to connect the Lower and Long Galleries, disabled toilets, catering facilities and training opportunities for young people.

The Committee for London and South AWARDED a development grant of £255,644 (68% of total eligible development costs) and a potential delivery grant of £2,247,055 (58%).

Bradbourne Lakes; Restore & Reconnect – Waterways, wellbeing & Nature

Applicant: Sevenoaks District Council

Request: £207,946 (95%)

Project summary: Restoration of five ornamental lakes: structuring and edging, landscaping. Ecological enhancement of lakes will improve water flow and quality, encouraging aquatics, improving woodland and wildlife.

The Committee for London and South REJECTED a development grant of £207,946 (95% of total eligible development costs) and a potential delivery grant of £1,383,367 (72%).

Connecting People and Landscapes: in a changing climate

Applicant: The Bat Conservation Trust

Request: £623,020 (87%)

Project summary: A wildlife conservation project aiming to create habitat to support at-risk species, increase landscape resilience, enabling dispersal and range expansion of species, sharing knowledge across southern England, and connecting people with nature. Taking place in Devon with a focus on south and east Devon

The Committee for London and South REJECTED a development grant of £623,020 (87% of total eligible development costs) and a potential delivery grant of £2,036,889 (73%).

A Hall for All – revisiting the heritage of a cultural community space

Applicant: Acland Burghley School

Request: £110,000 (68%)

Project summary: To refurbish the brutalist Grade II listed Assembly Hall and deliver a community education programme to celebrate the heritage of the architecture, school and wider community.

The Committee for London and South AWARDED a development grant of £110,000 (68% of total eligible development costs) and a potential delivery grant of £650,000 (32%).

Going Viral: Celebrating vaccination and the legacy of Edward Jenner from the place where it all began.

Applicant: The Jenner Trust

Request: £202,266 (76%)

Project summary: To repair the fabric of the buildings, develop the galleries for wider appeal, improve visitor access and deliver sustainable income to increase resilience in the organisation long-term.

The Committee for London and South REJECTED a development grant of £202,266 (76% of total eligible development costs) and a potential delivery grant of £1,678,329 (56%).

Prioritising and feedback on Development items

The Committee confirmed the scoring of the projects, and agreed to fund ten of the Development round applications, rejecting those from Sevenoaks District Council, The Bat Conservation Trust, and The Jenner Trust.

Decisions

The Committee agreed to award the cases as outlined above.

Other Items

There were no additional items.

Corporate Update

There were no comments or questions.

Any other business

The next meeting would be held on 14 March 2023, venue to be confirmed.