One of the biggest issues for the heritage sector is the loss of local government historic environment specialist advice (Conservation Officers and Archaeological Officers). In the South West, the problem is particularly acute: since 2006 there has been a 44% decrease in posts, compared to 35% for England. But the impact of such changes on service users is still poorly understood.
To begin to address this, Historic England have commissioned research into the recent experiences of service users in the South West on behalf of the South West Historic Environment Forum, with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund South West. The anonymous online survey, administered by independent researchers at ERS, is now live (https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/in-your-area/south-west/research-local-authority-heritage-services-south-west/) and will remain open until 5pm on Friday 17th March. If you have used any of the South West’s historic environment services in the last three years, please feel free to take part, and do spread the word to others who may wish to inform this important piece of research. The findings will be published over the summer.
Any CAS member who uses the HER and/or the Cornwall Council mapping site is encouraged to take part in the survey.
Nicholas Johnson