Department for Culture Media and Sport
english heritage
Time commitment
There are 8 meetings during the year, 5 of which are regional visits lasting 2 days. As Commissioners may also serve on or chair one of English Heritage’s Committees and/or act as an advocate in one of English Heritage’s regions, the time commitment will range on average from 12 to 40 days per annum.
Location of meetings
Meetings are held in London and the regions.
Remuneration
This is directly linked to responsibilities undertaken such as attending/chairing advisory committees and/or duties as a regional Commissioner. The remuneration range is currently £3,950 to £9,020 per annum.
Term of appointment
Four years. The appointment is expected to start in September 2008.
Background
English Heritage was established by the National Heritage Act 1983 as the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England. It is an executive non-departmental body with a Commission appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and is the Government’s statutory adviser on the Historic Environment.
English Heritage receives around 75% of its funding from DCMS (c. £134.5 million in 2006/07) and the remainder (£48.6 million) is self-generated from commercial activity and fund-raising. Its responsibilities include improving understanding of the past through research and study; providing conservation grants, advisory and education services; maintaining the National Monuments Record; and opening over 400 properties with around 11 million visitors per annum. English Heritage’s operations bring it into regular contact with local and regional government and with other central government departments, principally Communities and Local Government (CLG) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), who are co-signatories to the Funding Agreement.
The role
English Heritage is governed by a Board comprising the Chairman and up to 16 Commissioners. It has two statutory Advisory Committees, five Business Committees and a number of non-executive Panels to advise staff. The Chairman and the Commissioners are responsible for deciding the strategic direction of English Heritage and for delivering its targets.
The Commission is the governing body of English Heritage. Commissioners have corporate responsibility for ensuring that the organisation complies with any statutory or administrative requirements for the use of public funds. In particular, Commissioners shall:
- Ensure that English Heritage carries out its statutory responsibilities
- Provide expert advice and guidance on heritage matters
- Establish the overall strategic direction of the organisation and monitor its performance against strategic objectives and targets
- Ensure high standards of probity in the administration of funds and effective use of resources
The person
Essential General Criteria
All Commissioners will be expected to contribute effectively to the overall work of the Commission and should be able to demonstrate:
- An understanding of English Heritage’s work and a commitment to its aims and objectives
- An understanding of the wider environment in which English Heritage operates; an ability to think strategically and exercise sound judgement
- Strong communication, influencing and persuading skills
- An ability to work constructively with fellow Commissioners and wider stakeholders
- An ability to represent their own area of expertise in the full range of Commission discussions
- An ability to challenge as well as to support the executive team on the full range of English Heritage issues, taking a corporate view beyond their own areas of expertise.
Essential Specific Criteria
In addition to meeting all of the general criteria, we are looking for candidates with skills in the following areas:
- A wide understanding of town and country planning and/or environmental practice. Direct experience of conservation planning, development of urban/rural strategies and regeneration.
- The candidate will be required to demonstrate a sound understanding of local authority planning systems, and the constraints and opportunities in relation to the historic environment.
Supporting Information
Further information about English Heritage can be found on their website.
To apply
An application pack for this post can be obtained from Sean Kenny, Public Engagement and Recognition Unit, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH. Tel: 020 7211 2304. E-mail: Sean.Kenny@culture.gsi.gov.uk
Closing date for applications is Monday 9 June 2008.
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