IHBC and ALGAO sign Memorandum of Understanding

[edit] Introduction

Chairs of The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and The Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers (ALGAO):UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 24 June 2020, so the organisations can more effectively work together to promote and support Local Authority Historic Environment and Conservation Services.

[edit] Goals of MoU

With both organisations affirming their joint commitments to Local Authority services, the MoU underpins joined-up support for:

• Working effectively to develop high quality skills and learning environments for archaeologists and conservation professionals.
• Promoting good practice in Local Authority Historic Environment and Conservation Services.
• Influencing legislation and policy affecting the historic environment.
• Promoting advocacy for local authority historic environment and conservation services.
• Securing investment in and support for areas of common interests.

[edit] Statements regarding arrangement

David McDonald, IHBC Chair, and John Lawson, ALGAO:UK Chair, issued a joint statement saying:

‘We are delighted that our complementary organisations have agreed this Memorandum of Understanding. It will help us build archaeology and conservation capacity across the sector, working together and with all our sector partners.

‘The MoU recognises that ALGAO:UK and IHBC can together lead support for Local Authority Historic Environment and Conservation Services, and so help secure sustainable public interests across all our places.

‘The importance of the task cannot be overstated. Even in the face of the pandemic, sustainable care and development is the most important and challenging issues for the 21st century. The potential for conservation and archaeological synergies and practices to contribute to that process is considerable.’

IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly said: ‘The Memorandum of Understanding is a core tool in the IHBC’s partnering strategy. It is great news that we have taken this next critical step in our MOU programme in our AGM-approved Corporate Plan for 2020 (IHBC’s CP20). That said, signing the MoU is of course only the start of a much bigger journey.’

The MOU can be viewed here: File:IHBCALGAOMOU.pdf

--Institute of Historic Building Conservation

This article appeared on the IHBC NewsBlog under the title, 'IHBC and ALGAO:UK sign Memorandum of Understanding: An MoU to ‘support Local Authority Historic Environment and Conservation Services’. It was published on 26 June 2020.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• IHBC articles.
• Impact of heritage sector local authority funding cuts in south west England.
• Implementing the Heritage Protection Reforms.
• Memorandum of understanding MoU.
• Planning authority duty to provide specialist conservation advice.