Members

• Alice Mayne (in person)
• Fiona McLean (in person)
• Liz Davidson (in person)
• Martyn Wade (in person)
• Ray Macfarlane (Chair) (in person)  
• Sam Anderson (in person)
• Stuart Housden (in person)

Apologies

• Sally Thomas 
• Anne Jenkins 

Observing

• Mike Benson (in person)
• Robert Cawston (in person) 
• Morven Mercer (in person)
• Andy Milne (in person)

Committee Business

1. Welcomes and apologies

The Chair welcomed everyone to Committee meeting, held in person at the National Teachers Union in Edinburgh, noting that it is the last of this financial year. 

The Chair welcomed guests and presenters including, Simon Thurley, Chair of the Board, Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive Officer and Amanda Feather, Head of Built Heritage and Regeneration Policy.

She also highlighted that new Committee members; Robert Cawston, Mike Benson and Andy Milne will be joining at item 8 to observe the Committee meeting in advance of joining as decision makers in June this year. She noted that apologies had been received from Sally Thomas, a new member who was unable to make the meeting. 

She also confirmed that Anne Jenkins, Executive Director for Business Delivery had sent her apologies. 

2. Minutes from the last meeting held on 1 December 2022 and matters arising

Committee agreed the minutes as an accurate record of the meeting. There were no matters arising. 

3. Declarations of interest

The following declaration was noted:

• Fiona McLean noted an interest in items 24 and 25, the delivery phase applications as Historic Environment Scotland (HES) are a partner funder in these projects and Fiona is on the Board at HES. It was agreed that this was for noting and is not a conflict of interest as she has no direct involvement with the projects and would therefore be present for both the discussion and decision. 
• In addition, Fiona noted that items 9-19 applied to HES under their Thriving Place programme. She noted that if they are successful and if the delivery phase request is over £1million, they would be presented at HES Board for decision. Fiona confirmed that she would no longer be a Board member at this point. It was agreed that this was for noting and is not a conflict of interest as she has no direct involvement with the projects would therefore be present for both the discussion and decision.

4. Chair’s Report

The Chair updated the Committee on the following areas:

• Chair noted that she has attended the two recent Board meetings since the last Committee meeting, noting that they primarily focused on our new Strategy. In addition, she highlighted the recent awards made at Board from the National Heritage Memorial Fund to Scottish projects, which included The Tall Ship Glenlee and Morayshire. 
• Museums Galleries Scotland launched their new Strategy in February 2023. Chair noted the event was well attended by the sector and by staff from the Heritage Fund. She thanked Diane Gray, Head of Engagement for speaking at this event. 
• The Chair thanked Liz Davidson and Martyn Wade for attending the Place Expert Panel meeting in February, where the Place applications for decision at this meeting were discussed in depth. She noted that Liz and Martyn will provide their feedback on this at the relevant agenda item. 
• Fiona McLean and Liz Davidson were thanked for attending the Round Two site visits for Carluke and John O’Groats Mills. 
• She also extended her thanks to Martyn Wade for representing the Fund at the Royal opening of the David Livingstone Centre.  
• The Chair updated that a further Committee recruitment in Scotland is underway as we are looking to appoint a member with built environment heritage expertise. She noted that the position is currently live on the Fund’s website and encouraged promoting the vacancy within members’ networks.     

5. Corporate Update

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive presented the update on corporate activity and drew attention to the following:

• The Fund’s new Strategy was launched successfully online and live from Bart’s Hospital on 2 March 2023.  
• Simon Thurley noted that the Scotland launch of our new Strategy will take place this evening.
• The Fund is working hard on the Species Survival Fund with DEFRA which will run as one of our strategic initiatives. Need for Nature Initiative has also been very positive. Stuart noted how well it has been received in the sector which addresses a clear need. 
• Committee raised the question of whether there is a Scottish Gaelic version of the Strategy. Eilish noted that we could look into the option producing a shortened version in Gaelic. 

6. Scotland Overview Report

The paper was presented by Caroline Clark, Director for Scotland, National Lottery Heritage Fund. Caroline invited the Head of Engagement, Diane Gray and Megan Braithwaite alongside Holly Watson, Head of Investment to detail areas directly relating to Engagement and Investment. 

Scotland Team:

• It has been a very busy quarter for the team due to the number of projects presented for decision today. Caroline expressed her thanks to Martyn and Liz for participating in the Place Panel. 
• There have been several staff changes in the Scotland team over the last quarter; Caroline welcomed Holly Watson to the meeting as Head of Investment following her return from maternity leave. 
• There has been a number of strategies that have been launched in recent months from the sector and the team have been working hard to input to these. 

Policy and Public Affairs:

• Since the last Committee, Nicola Sturgeon has resigned as First Minister. It is likely that following this contest, there will be changes that may impact culture and heritage. In the meantime, work is progressing to secure meetings with ministers to discuss our work and highlight our new strategy.

Thriving Places:

• Thriving Places is an initiative to support a cohort of projects that have adopted a ‘place-based’ approach to thinking beyond a single project or heritage asset. The Scotland team have worked collaboratively over the past year with Historic Environment Scotland to deliver this aligned funding opportunity. The eleven applications submitted are presented for decision today. Caroline highlighted that this model will be used to work with NatureScot on the FIIRNS work.

FIRNS:

• The Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland was successfully launched by the Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Mairi McAllan on 28 February 2023. The team continues to work closely with the Scottish Government and NatureScot to deliver the FIRNS nature resilience and community engagement programme. 

Levelling up Funding:

• 10 projects in Scotland will share £177m of the UK Governments £2.1billion levelling up fund, which aims to invest in infrastructure and local areas across the UK. Inverclyde and Cumbernauld are both in Areas of Focus for the Fund and were successful in their bids.    

Strategy Launch:

• 2 March 2023 saw the launch of the Fund’s ambitious long-term strategy for investment noting that an event to celebrate it in Scotland is taking place this evening, 7 March at Riddles Court. 

At risk projects:

• There has been much collaborative work with other funders focusing on projects that are experiencing significant challenges and seeking to find potential solutions to issues faced. 
• Holly Watson was invited to discuss NLHF funded projects currently facing challenges and invited questions from the Committee. The Committee discussed the Fund’s approach to inflation and contingency, our approach to value engineering and the process of additional support for grantees. 

7. Prioritising Places for Investment Discussion

Amanda Feather, Head of Built Heritage and Regeneration Policy provided an overview presentation to members, detailing places in Scotland for consideration for strategic investment under our new strategy and asked Committee to identify their first place for inclusion in this new approach. 

Thriving Places Development Round applications for discussion and decision

Budget

Holly Watson updated the Committee on the budgetary position for the meeting, noting that the budget for the Scotland Committee is £17.2m for the financial year 2022/23 with a budget for this meeting at £6,313,697. Holly highlighted that the total request for this meeting is £23,297,919 which includes delivery, development, grant increase and uplift applications. Holly noted that there is an opportunity to draw from a central resource if projects are of sufficient quality. 

8. Thriving Places Overview

Holly Watson, Head of Investment provided an overview of the Thriving Place applications, noting the collaborative work undertaken alongside Historic Environment Scotland to encourage place-based applications.

The aim of this initiative was to maximise the impact and deliver positive and lasting change for Scotland’s places and communities. Holly noted that decisions will be taken independently by both organisations on the applications received.

Holly presented the applications received by the Heritage Fund for the Thriving Places and the Chair invited Liz Davidson and Martyn Wade who attended the Expert Panel meeting on 27 Feb 2023 to feedback their findings and discussions. 

9. Buckhaven Heritage Regeneration; NL-22-00088

Grantee: Fife Council 

Request: Development Grant of £85,000 (30%) and potential Delivery Grant of £1,200,000 (26%)

Project: Fife Council in collaboration with Fife Historic Buildings Trust (FHBT) are proposing a place-based project which will use heritage as a vehicle for tackling dereliction in the built environment, and improving health and wellbeing through skills and education opportunities.

The Committee for Scotland agreed the application represented a HIGH priority for support and AWARDED a Development Grant of £85,000 (30%) and potential Delivery Grant of £1,200,000 (26%).

10. Rediscovering Airdrie: The heritage-led regeneration of Airdrie town centre; NL-22-00090

Grantee: North Lanarkshire Council

Request: Development Grant of £100,000 (32%) and potential Delivery Grant of £1,450,000 (36%)

Project: This five year project seeks to deliver heritage led social and economic regeneration of Airdrie in North Lanarkshire. A partnership of stakeholders led by North Lanarkshire Council will undertake a one-year development phase of extensive engagement activities and feasibility studies, followed by a four-year delivery phase which focusses on the Airdrie Town House, community grants for repairs, shopfront improvements and the implementation of an activity plan. 

The Committee for Scotland agreed the application represented a HIGH priority for support and AWARDED a Development Grant of £100,000 (32%) and potential delivery grant of £1,450,000 (36%).

11. Tarbert Heritage Regeneration Scheme; NL-22-00085

Grantee: Argyll and Bute Council 

Request: Development Grant of £40,000 (29%) and potential Delivery Grant of £850,000 (36%)

Project: The project aims to create new economic opportunities through support of local businesses and increase tourism in the remote rural town of Tarbert.

The Committee for Scotland agreed the application represented a HIGH priority for support and AWARDED a Development Grant of £40,000 (29%) and potential Delivery Grant of £850,000 (36%).

12. The Silver City Heritage and Place Programme; NL-22-00083

Grantee: Aberdeen City Council    

Request: Development Grant of £43,175 (25%) and potential Delivery Grant of £1,138,090 (20%)

Project: This project aims to improve the condition and management of historic Aberdeen City Centre and connect new audiences with this heritage. The proposed project area focuses on part of the City Centre Conservation Area, to the east end of Union Street, incorporating Castlegate and Justice Street.

The Committee for Scotland agreed the application represented a HIGH priority for support and AWARDED a Development Grant of £43,175 (25%) and potential Delivery Grant of £1,138,090 (20%).

13. Girvan’s Story; NL-22-00092

Grantee: South Ayrshire Council

Request: Development Grant of £85,000 (50%) and potential Delivery Grant of £2,545,000 (50%)

Project: This project focuses on the town of Girvan in South Ayrshire with the ambition to research, interpret, educate and celebrate the heritage of the town, to protect and repair the historic fabric of the townscape and to stimulate economic regeneration.

The Committee for Scotland agreed the application represented a MEDIUM priority for support and AWARDED a Development Grant of £85,000 (50%) and potential Delivery Grant of £2,545,000 (50%).

14. Govan Heritage: Remarkable past, bright future.; NL-22-00089

Grantee: Glasgow City Council    

Request: Development Grant of £43,950 (24%) and potential Delivery Grant of £1,500,000 (26%)

Project: Glasgow City Council (GCC) are proposing a place-based project which aims to contribute to broader goals to improve quality of life, a healthy economy and social justice. They will contribute through creating an improved townscape, preserving the historic built environment, enabling the reuse of buildings for local benefit which bring in new income streams to the area and improving the kerb appeal and quality of public spaces.

The Committee for Scotland agreed the application represented a MEDIUM priority for support and AWARDED a Development Grant of £43,950 (24%) and potential Delivery Grant of £1,500,000 (26%).

15. Forres Conservation & Heritage Scheme; NL-22-00084

Grantee: Moray Council   

Request: Development Grant of £33,000 (38%) and potential Delivery Grant of £790,000 (23%)

Project: Moray Council are proposing a place-based project which prioritises protecting the distinctive historic character and attractiveness of the area as well as taking steps to green the conservation area and connect those spaces with local parks. 
 
The Committee for Scotland agreed the application represented a MEDIUM priority for support and AWARDED a Development Grant of £33,000 (38%) and potential Delivery Grant of £790,000 (23%).

16. Linking and restoring the fragmented heritage of Granton Waterfront, Edinburgh; NL-22-00086

Grantee: Edinburgh City Council    

Request: Development Grant of £26,400 (25%) and potential Delivery Grant of £1,019,498 (15%)

Project: The project aims to rescue, preserve and enhance a range of 'B' and 'C' listed built heritage assets currently in poor condition situated within the Granton Waterfront area, and provide training opportunities in traditional building skills.

The Committee for Scotland agreed the application represented a MEDIUM priority for support and AWARDED a Development Grant of £26,400 (25%) and potential Delivery Grant of £1,019,498 (15%).

17. Peterhead Town Centre Heritage Regeneration Scheme; NL-22-00082

Grantee: Aberdeenshire Council  

Project: This project focuses on improvements to Peterhead Town Centre, with a focus on addressing local need for community space and disconnects between the north and south of the town centre.

Decision: The Committee for Scotland REJECTED the application.

18. Vision for Lanark: Heritage Place and Landscape; NL-22-00093

Grantee: Lanark Community Development Trust 

Project: Led by Lanark Community Development Trust, this project seeks to improve the condition of historic buildings, public spaces, public realm, greenspaces and active travel routes across the historic Royal Burgh of Lanark in South Lanarkshire.

Decision: The Committee for Scotland REJECTED the application.

19. Renfrewshire Villages Loop: Kilbarchan to Johnstone. Reviving Dynamic Heritage; NL-22-00091

Grantee: Renfrewshire Council 

Project: Renfrewshire Council are proposing a project which aims to increase engagement with local heritage as a means of balancing the relationship between economic, social and environmental characteristics of the area to create 'successful places'. 

Decision: The Committee for Scotland REJECTED the application.

20. Prioritisation and Decision

During the case by case discussions, the Committee considered that: 

• Buckhaven (item 9); Airdire (item 10); Tarbert (item 11) and Silver (item 12) represented a HIGH priority for support.
• Girvan (item 13); Govan (item 14); Forres (item 15); and Granton (item 16)  represented a MEDIUM priority for support.
• Peterhead (item 17); Lanark (item 18); Renfrewshire (item 19) represented a LOW priority for support. 

SFF Development round applications for discussion and decision

21. Our Heritage Our Future: Community Heritage and Climate Action; NL-22-00096

Grantee: Keep Scotland Beautiful    

Request: Development Grant of £198,165 (49%) and potential Delivery Grant of £990,825 (49%)

Project: The project will engage with communities to deliver heritage skills, engagement opportunities and climate mitigations across Scotland. Delivered through a place-making lens, it will use heritage to better connect people to their local areas. 

The Committee for Scotland agreed the application represented a HIGH priority for support and AWARDED a Development Grant of £198,165 (49%) and potential Delivery Grant of £990,825 (49%).

22. Bathgate Meadows Nature Park; NL-22-00123  

Grantee: West Lothian Council   

Request: Development grant of £285,611 (40%) and potential delivery grant of £2,601,309 (25%)

Project: This project from West Lothian Council (WLC) seeks to restore and reconnect Bathgate's natural heritage through the restoration of Bathgate Water and the creation of accessible meadows, woodlands, rivers and associated active travel networks. A traineeship programme will enable young people to achieve employment and skills development. The project will engage the community in volunteering and activities focused on the natural and industrial heritage of Bathgate.

The Committee for Scotland agreed the application represented a HIGH priority for support and AWARDED a Development Grant of £285,611 (40%) and potential Delivery Grant of £2,601,309 (25%).

23. Prioritisation and Decision

During the case by case discussions, the Committee considered that: 

• Bathgate Meadows Nature Park; NL-22-00123 (item 8); Our Heritage Our Future: Community Heritage and Climate Action (item 9) represented a HIGH priority for support.

SFF Second round applications for discussion and decision

24. John O’Groats Mill: a power for the community; NL-21-00008

Grantee: John O’Groats Mill Trust 

Request: Award Grant of £1,599,576 (30%)

Project: Over two years, this project will restore and redevelop the B-listed Mill in John O’Groats to create a new community space and heritage attraction which will benefit the rural community.

The Committee for Scotland awarded a first round pass of £1,362,315 (30%) including a Development Grant of £162,315 (100%) in June 2021.

The Committee for Scotland agreed the application represented a HIGH priority for support and AWARDED a grant of £1,599,576 (30%).

25. Carluke High Mill & ONECAN Community Growing & Learning Garden; NL-21-00040

Grantee: Carluke Development Trust 

Request: Award Grant of £1,019,127 (29%)

Project: This three-year project will take place at the High Mill in Carluke, South Lanarkshire. It will repair and redevelop the Carluke High Mill and an adjacent garden creating community and heritage spaces.

The Committee for Scotland awarded a first round pass of £866,156 (32%) including a Development Grant of £74,250 (87%) in June 2021.

The Committee for Scotland agreed the application represented a HIGH priority for support and AWARDED a grant of £1,019,127 (29%).

26. Prioritisation and Decision

During the case by case discussions, the Committee considered that:

• John O’Groats Mill: a power for the community; NL-21-00008 (item 24) and Carluke High Mill & ONECAN Community Growing & Learning Garden; NL-21-00040 (item 25) represented a HIGH priority for support.

Grant Increase application for discussion and decision

27. Celebrating Scotland’s Art: The Scottish National Portrait Gallery; HF-14-06969

Grantee: National Galleries for Scotland 

Request: Award Grant Increase of £975,000 to make a total grant of £6,890,900

Project: The project aims to transform access to the outstanding national collections of Scottish art held at the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh, part of National Galleries Scotland. Due to key challenges, costs have risen and they are seeking a grant increase due to these unforeseen costs. 

The Committee for Scotland agreed to AWARD a Grant Increase of £975,000 to make a total grant of £6,890,900.

27. Decision and Feedback

During the case by case discussions, the Committee considered that:

• Celebrating Scotland’s art: The Scottish National Portrait Gallery; HF-14-06969 (item 26) represented a HIGH priority for support.

Change to approved purpose

28. Discovery Point Transformed – A new centre for Antarctic heritage, environment and learning; OL-20-05900

Grantee: Dundee Industrial Heritage Limited 

Request: Change to approved purpose

Project: Following significant cost increases and a thorough value engineering process, Dundee Industrial Heritage Limited are requesting approval to move forward with a substantial change to the scope of the project.

The Committee for Scotland agreed the requested change to approved purpose.

Community and Place Report 

30. Community and Place Presentation

Puravi Kuma, PHD student provided a presentation to members on the work she has undertaken during her placement at the Fund over the last 6. The presentation focused on her main project that has been investigating the Heritage and Place applications, which addresses the concept of place and the report’s findings.

It was agreed that the full report will be circulated to members upon completion.

Papers for Information 

31. Communications Report

Andrew Thompson, Communications and Marketing Manager, Scotland updated the Committee with a presentation highlighting the communications activity in Scotland during the quarter, following the last meeting in December 2022. 

Any other business

The Chair noted that it is the final meeting for three members of the Committee for Scotland following two terms in office. She expressed her thanks for their commitment and expertise that they have brought to the Fund over this time. The other members and staff echoed this sentiment. 

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 6 June 2023.