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Category: FAME News

  • Horizon Europe (for UK too) – Heritage, Art and Creative Sector

    Horizon Europe (for UK too) – Heritage, Art and Creative Sector

    Horizon Europe, the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation, is open to applications from cultural organisations, research institutions and freelancers. Applicants do not need to be an Independent Research Organisation (IRO) nor have an affiliation to an IRO. The UK is a part of the programme, even post-Brexit.

    UKRI and DCMS are organising an event to promote the European research and development programme Horizon Europe across the creative and cultural sectors.

    Taking place virtually on August 10th 2021, 13:00-15:00, the event will be opened by Lord Neil Mendoza, Commissioner for Cultural Recovery and Renewal and Professor Christopher Smith, Executive Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council.  It will look at what Horizon Europe can offer, how it can benefit our sectors and how businesses and academics can look to engage with it.

    Please find the registration link here.

  • FAME Summary of Changes to NPPF

    We have examined the changes in the July 2021 Revision to the National Planning Policy Framework (the government’s planning policies for England and how they should be implemented) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1004408/NPPF_JULY_2021.pdf

    FAME does not believe any of the changes will greatly affect the work of archaeologists. There have been minor changes to the document, such as changes to paragraph numbering, and the most significant changes we have identified are as follows: 

    – an increased emphases on flood control and protection (there is now an Annex 3 on this, most changes are in the new paragraph 161 but there are changes throughout the section on planning and flooding)

    – more consideration for trees on streets (an all new paragraph on this – 131)

    – a much stronger push for the use of design guides or codes (throughout the document but bigger changes in paragraphs 73c, 110c, 125, 128-9, 134)

    – increased difficulty for local planning authorities to remove permitted development rights through Article 4 directions (paragraph 53)

    – a push ‘to resolve key planning issues before applications are submitted’ for public service infrastructure works (paragraph 96)

    – a potential opportunity for some of our members working in consultancy – the government’s concern about statues is now codified and now plaques, memorials or monuments are included too (whether listed or not). ‘…local planning authorities should have regard to the importance of their retention in situ and, where appropriate, of explaining their historic and social context rather than removal.’ (paragraph 198) Some of you may be called upon to help develop plans to keep such assets in place, and explain their historic context, as we believe the vagueness of what constitutes a historical statue, plaque, memorial or monument and the resourcefulness of local opposition to some development may present more work in this area than had been anticipated.

    Kenneth Aitchison

    CEO FAME Federation of Archaeological Managers and Employers

  • COVID Site Operating Procedures & Lifting of Restrictions from 17-26th July 2021

    COVID Site Operating Procedures & Lifting of Restrictions from 17-26th July 2021

    Over the coming weeks the countries FAME members are based in will be changing their COVID restrictions and FAME is updating our advice to members.

    In England, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, FAME has advised that the CLC Site Operating Procedures (https://www.constructionleadershipcouncil.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Site-Operating-Procedures-Version-7.pdf) set the appropriate minimum for on-site work in England, supported by working advice produced by Prospect (COVID-19 Working Advice V1.1 04/05/2020) as guidance to undertake risk assessments and to implement appropriate measures to ensure safe working practices.

    The lifting of the remaining legal restrictions in England, including social distancing requirements, from 19 July 2021 means the CLC guidance will no longer be current. FAME recognise that members have welcomed the consistency that the CLC guidance has provided. They may choose, or be asked, to maintain elements of social distancing for the time being, in which case the Site Operating Procedures and Branch Operating Procedures should continue to be followed.

    The CLC guidance may also assist in carrying out risk assessments as working arrangements are reviewed and revised, and the CLC would advise that any changes to social distancing measures are discussed with the workforce. The Site Operating Procedures and Branch Operating Procedures have helped the industry to adopt some good practices over the last 18 months, including more organised sites, enhanced welfare facilities, increased ventilation and improved communication with the workforce, which FAME would strongly recommend are retained.

    For members working in other countries, while there will be relaxation of rules, it will not be at the same level as England, as of yet.

    Northern Ireland’s guidance is tentatively set to change on July 26th, though still keeping some social distancing, the CLC Site Operating Procedures and COVID-19 Working Advice can be adapted to support this: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-regulations-guidance-what-restrictions-mean-you

    Wales will be changing tomorrow, the 17th, but their guidance on working outdoors and construction is still in effect and the CLC Site Operating Procedures and COVID-19 Working Advice can be adapted to support this: https://gov.wales/construction-and-outdoor-work-coronavirus-workplace-guidance-html

    For Scotland, the guidance has not changed since the summer of 2020 – https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-construction-sector-guidance/ and members in Scotland should still use this guidance –  https://www.cs-ic.org/constructionscotland/resources/working-on-site-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-construction-guidance/ and the COVID-19 Working Advice can be adapted to support this.

    In the Republic of Ireland, the changes on the 19th will only be affecting aspects such as international travel and the guidance on construction has not changed since April 12th https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/%23construction#construction

  • FAME Statement on Pay and Conditions in Archaeology

    FAME believes that appropriate levels of financial reward, together with attractive terms and conditions of employment, is good business practice and an essential requirement for our members to recruit, retain and develop the best staff. We work with and support our members’ intentions to achieve this through the interaction between demand and supply for heritage services within the market place.

    Tim Malim

    Chair: FAME Federation of Archaeological Managers and Employers

    14th July 2021

    Download the signed statement here: FAME Statement on Pay and Conditions

  • FAME welcomes new member Magnitude Surveys

    We are happy to welcome a new member to FAME, Magnitude Surveys.

    Magnitude Surveys is a social enterprise and independent provider of archaeological geophysics to the commercial, community, research, and education sectors. Founded in 2015, the company has since grown to become one of the largest suppliers of specialist geophysical services within the archaeology and heritage sector. Based in Bradford, we are active across the UK, undertaking surveys ranging from small-scale community-archaeology or research-led projects, to large-scale infrastructure schemes.

    Find out more on their website: https://www.magnitudesurveys.co.uk/

     

  • Landgage Heritage joins FAME

    It is with great pleasure, that we welcome our newest FAME member, Landgage Heritage.

    Landgage Heritage are an archaeology and heritage consultancy who serve their clients with rigour, professionalism and care. They operate in the planning and development sector, and work across the UK. They have expertise in archaeological and heritage assessment, the procurement and management of archaeological field investigations, the discharge of archaeological planning conditions and provision of expert witness services.

    Learn more on their website: http://www.landgage.co.uk

     

  • Profiling the Profession Deadline January 17th

    The Profiling the Profession survey deadline is this Sunday, January 17th.

    This is a very important survey covering topics from health and safety to income sources. FAME is a partner in this project, as the data for our State of the Archaeological Market and Health & Safety in Archaeology reports are being collected through this single exercise. It would be appreciated if you could share this message with all your members of staff, and invite them to complete the Survey for Individuals below.

    The project webpage is https://profilingtheprofession.org.uk/

    And here are the links to the two surveys

    Survey for Organisations

    • responding on behalf of an organisation including sole traders

    Survey for Individuals

    • individual archaeologists, whether employed, self-employed or unemployed
    • former archaeologists
    • archaeology students
  • FAME Supports Seeing Red

    FAME Supports Seeing Red

    FAME, the trade association for archaeology in the UK and Ireland, has teamed up with the Seeing Red project to provide all FAME member organisations with period packs – the size small first aid kits and just as important. These kits contain essential supplies to deal with menstruation for archaeologists out in the field or in the office, from packs of tissues to waste bags to various types of tampons and pads. These packs help employers and individuals to deal with issues of menstrual health and hygiene on sites, as well as contributing to tackling period poverty.

    Seeing Red is a menstruation revolution for archaeology, fieldwork and heritage industries. Run by archaeologist Amy Talbot, the initiative is promoting better menstrual health and hygiene on sites, equipping staff with the confidence to talk to site management about periods, and enabling management to deal appropriately with menstruation on sites. Seeing Red recognises that it is not only cis women that menstruate and is open to support all who could be affected by menstruation.

    Our CEO, Kenneth Aitchison, had this to say about the project, ‘It is amazing to see what Seeing Red has achieved since it was launched a year ago. FAME champions health, safety and hygiene in archaeology and the FAME Board of Directors was pleased to unanimously agree to fund the provision of period packs to all our members’.

    Amy Talbot, ‘Until now I have been creating the packs using my own funds and a small anonymous £50 donation, so it was great that FAME stepped forward to help fund the provision of packs to their members who make up so much of the development-led, commercial archaeology sector. I hope even more archaeological organisations will now come forward to provide their staff, students and volunteers with the packs.’

    In addition to the period packs, Seeing Red has also produced, a guide, costings and a set of answers to common questions. All of these can be found on the Seeing Red page of the Mentoring for Womxn in Archaeology and Heritage website https://mentorwomxn.org/2020/06/05/seeing-red/
    If you would like to discuss the Seeing Red initiative or to donate to support their work, please contact Amy at amymentoringwomeninarch@gmail.com.

  • Scotland Consultation: Proposed changes to depositing archaeological assemblages in Scotland

    Scottish Government has opened two consultations on, Proposed changes to depositing archaeological assemblages in Scotland

    Consultation 1 – Implementing a museum processing fee for archaeological assemblages in Scotland – http://archaeologystrategy.scot/2020/12/14/before-the-museum-project-consultations-on-draft-guidance-and-museums-processing-fee/2020-feasibility-report-on-implementing-a-museum-processing-fee-for-archaeology-in-scotland-final/

    Please use https://bit.ly/3mfzPUg for submitting your response. The deadline for responses is the 8th February 2021. This report is a feasibility study only at this stage, with recommendations for how to go about establishing the costs of any such fee in consultation with the wider sector.

    Consultation 2 – New draft guidance for the minimum standards for the transfer of archaeological assemblages to museums in Scotland – http://archaeologystrategy.scot/museum_archaeological_archiving_standards_consultation-draft/

    Please use https://bit.ly/3gLp62v for submitting your response. The deadline for responses is the 8th February 2021. The guidance is at a DRAFT stage following on from careful consideration of all available standards currently available. The intention is not to replace those standards developed by the Society for Museum Archaeology, CIfA etc, but rather to act as a quick reference guide to those standards and others so that the requirements are in one place. In addition to guidance on packing, labelling etc, there are also new templates for use including ‘Statement of Significance’ which will hopefully help all involved with an assemblage to understand its relative importance.

    FAME will be responding to both of these consultations; if Members have opinions on what they would like to see in a FAME response, please send your comments to me at ceo@famearchaeology.co.uk; all will be treated in confidence, and if your comment or opinion is used, you won’t be identified as their source.

  • Historic England Kickstart Gateway looking for partners

    What is Historic England doing?

    Historic England is looking to become a Kickstart Gateway organisation for the heritage sector. They have already been talking to a number of partner organisations and are developing what a programme might look like. They anticipate using a model of working with both individual employers and strategic partners, such as membership organisations e.g. Heritage Alliance and professional bodies e.g. ICON and CIfA. They are currently developing an overall programme proposal, and comprehensively considering the implications, but are working to a timeframe that could have placements going “live” in early spring 2021.

    If you are interested in being involved with what Historic England is doing around the Kickstart scheme, or just want to find out more, please contact Daniel Cook, Kickstart Placement Adviser Daniel.Cook@HistoricEngland.org.uk

    What is the Kickstart scheme?

    The Kickstart scheme provides funding from the Department for Work and Pensions to allow organisations to take on 6 month paid work placements specifically for 16-24 year old who are claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long term unemployment.
    DWP provide a grant to cover the placement salary at National Minimum Wage for 25 hours per week, plus NI contributions and minimum automatic enrolment pension contributions.

    The job placements must not:

    • replace existing or planned vacancies or cause existing employees to lose work or reduce their working hours
    • discriminate against an individual’s qualifications, age or work experience
    • require people to undertake extensive training before they begin the job placement.

    As part of the scheme, organisations would need to provide the following:

    • support to look for long-term work, including career advice and setting goals
    • support with transferable skills, CV and interview preparations
    • support with basic work skills, such as attendance, timekeeping, teamwork, communications.

    Why should I think about taking on a Kickstart placement?

    Significant challenges are predicted to affect the heritage sector in future. Its aging and unrepresentative workforce means existing skills shortages and gaps risk being exacerbated. However, previous interventions have shown that work-based and vocational training in the heritage sector leads into employment.  Young people have been disproportionally impacted by the economic and social challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic (e.g. unemployment for young people 4 times higher than national average). Paid youth training opportunities, like Kickstart placements, in the post covid-19 environment will change the future of young people; providing them with a range of transferable skills needed for employment-readiness in the heritage sector and beyond and enhance the heritage sector’s growth at this critical time.