Six-month action plan to prepare 'for a different tomorrow'

Historic Environment Scotland has published its second six-month action plan in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The plan – which sets out priorities for the organisation whilst recognising the need to prepare for a different tomorrow – will run until March next year and follows on from one implemented in April in place of the organisation’s annual operating plan.

It will include a focus on the green recovery, contributing to the economic recovery of communities, seeking opportunities to widen participation and reduce inequalities, and enhancing digital engagement.

Key areas include:

Progress and augment HES’ work to improve access, widen participation and reduce inequalities in Scotland’s historic environment.
Exploring approaches to creating jobs and skills development opportunities, to allow the heritage and related sectors to play its part in recovery in line with the sector’s skills investment plan.
Responding to climate challenges by developing a climate change adaptation plan that builds on HES’ learning from the lockdown and supports the transition to a resilient low-carbon organisation.
Redefining the visitor offer at HES sites, ensuring a collaborative approach with the tourism sector to deliver high-quality, sustainable experiences that contribute to local economic recovery while minimising the impact on the environment.
Progress the design of HES’ refreshed grant programmes and deliver the new Historic Environment Recovery Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government to support the economic recovery and financial sustainability of organisations working with the historic environment.

Alex Paterson, chief executive of HES, said: “The first six months of the financial year have, along with every other organisation, been challenging in terms of the impact on our operations, and those who operate within the wider heritage sector.

“Although we’ve faced significant challenges over the period, we’ve also risen to them, from reopening over 75% of our year-round sites by mid-September to enhancing opportunities for digital engagement and working with partners to look at the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

“In setting out the next six months, we will continue to deliver core operations, recognising that we need to be agile and adapt to the evolving and challenging circumstances affecting us all.

“In addition, we will be developing our thinking and plans in areas we believe will be important as we plan for a different tomorrow.

“By doing this we can ensure that we’re in the best place possible to contribute to our outcomes, support the historic environment sector in emerging from the crisis and ensure we and the wider sector make a strong contribution to both the wellbeing and economic recovery of Scotland and its people”.

For more information and to read the action plan, click here.