HAVE YOUR SAY
Funding body is asking for opinions
by TurfPro Editor, Steve Gibbs
 
Steve Gibbs

Since the Heritage Lottery Fund's foundation in 1994 the organisation say they have awarded £7.8billion to over 40,000 projects.

 

Having as part of their remit parks and other green landscaped spaces, their activities should be of great interest to turf professionals. And indeed whenever there is a chance to influence and have a say in their thinking, it shouldn't be ignored.

 

Therefore it would seem time well spent for interested professionals over the next month to find an opportunity to spend a few moments contributing to the HLF's public consultation which they launched recently. The consultation has as its aim to find out what people think its role, vision and priorities should be as the UK’s biggest funder of heritage during its next strategic funding framework - the period from 2019-2024.

 

Comments are being invited on a proposed new approach including targeted funding campaigns, repayable loans and public involvement in decision-making, all of which could have a role over the next five years in ensuring the most effective use of National Lottery money to support the UK’s heritage.

 

Chief Executive of HLF Ros Kerslake, described the HLF's awarding of £7.8bn since 1994 to deserving projects as "an unparalleled legacy that has transformed neighbourhoods, communities, visitor attractions and people’s lives across the length and breadth of the nation."

 

In making these awards, Ros goes on to say that the Fund has also "led change and innovation across the UK heritage sector through our inclusive and progressive approach to heritage and people. We have championed a democratic view of heritage as what we value from the past and want to hand on to the future, and nurtured community-driven approaches to local heritage and identity."

 

Ros continued, “We now hold a unique position as the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage and, at a time of increased competition and reduced budgets, want to be sure we are using every pound of National Lottery players’ money in the best way possible."

 

We see our future role as inspiring, leading and resourcing our heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future.”

 

The HLF say they still expect to fund a full range of heritage including parks, landscapes, places of worship, townscapes, buildings at risk and heritage skills. It also expects to continue to put people and communities at the heart of its funding decisions.

 

So now is the chance for turf professionals, who as 'boots on the ground' experts should have a more informed opinion than average on what the HLF's priorities for the future should be.

 

As part of their consultation they want to hear views on:

  • its role and vision – how HLF can continue to advocate for the impact and benefits to society that heritage brings;
  • how to engage under-represented groups and ensure National Lottery money benefits as wide and diverse an audience as possible;
  • developing new approaches to place-based funding that would offer an opportunity for communities to put heritage at the heart of their economic and social development:
  • how to support the use of digital technology and access to funding for digital projects;
  • ensuring heritage organisations across the UK can become more enterprising and financially sustainable;
  • simplifying the range of grant programmes on offer and making it easier for people to apply;
  • offering repayable grants, loans, or other types of social investment;
  • involving the public in making decisions about National Lottery funding for heritage; and
  • running time-limited funding campaigns, to attract applications for particular types of project.

The HLF say that the consultation follows in-depth research carried out with people who play The National Lottery, who say they value the fact that HLF takes an inclusive approach, doesn’t define heritage and supports the full breadth of heritage across the UK.

 

The consultation runs until March 22 2018, via the ComRes microsite.

 

To have as many turf professional expert voices heard as possible will be of great benefit to all who enjoy the projects funded by HLF.

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