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The needs assessments which we facilitated during 2005 and which informed some of the statistical material in the consultation document set out the sector’s own views on need and future priorities. Asking ‘are there things to which we should give greater priority’ inevitably elicited a very wide range of suggestions. Based purely on the number of instances cited (not all respondents explicitly focused on their own sector), people particularly want to see more investment in:
Protection/regeneration of the historic environment (80 responses, 23%):
22 particularly mentioning historic townscapes (6%)
19 mentioned places of worship (5%)
16 mentioned archaeology, including archaeological archives (5%)
Museums, libraries, archives and collections (66 responses, 19%)
Biodiversity and landscape-scale projects (48 responses, 14%)
Restoration of public parks still in need of help (39 responses, 11%)
Community heritage projects of all kinds (35 responses, 10%)
Historic transport collections (15 responses, 4%)
Some respondents considered that we should give priority to the funding of voluntary sector organisations and should not fund statutory agencies, local authorities and some activities seen as responsibility of government. Fewer than 5% of respondents identified any area in which we could or should do less, even though we asked the question directly.
‘In our opinion, the HLF still has a huge part to play in inspiring our nation. Those who suggest that the work is now done show a marked ignorance of the size of the heritage asset, the need to sustain funded schemes, and the appetite and potential amongst our diverse population to explore and celebrate their heritage and identity.’
Director, local authority museum service
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