Goal
Through our advocacy and policy work, Icon aims to promote the value of high-quality conservation and raise awareness of the profession. By actively monitoring, analysing and responding to parliamentary business and government consultations, we strive to influence decision makers to develop policy that is favourable to conservation.
Task
In July 2018, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced a public consultation on changes to the policy directions for the National Lottery Heritage Fund. These directions dictate who can receive funding, what the funding can be used for and the outcomes that the funding should achieve.
Icon actively monitors sector newsletters, policy bulletins and media to forecast and prepare for emerging issues and opportunities. Due to our effective horizon scanning programme, we were alert to the Government’s intentions to revise the policy directions. When the consultation was launched, we understood the significance of the plans and the importance of submitting a considered response. Our preparedness enabled us to influence the operations of one of the cultural heritage sector’s key funders.
Action
We mobilised our Policy Advisory Panel to analyse the proposed changes. Icon’s Policy Advisory Panel consists of 100+ members across conservation specialisms, sectors and geographies who advise on advocacy messages and contribute expertise to papers. Our call for feedback resulted in members sharing personal experiences of working on National Lottery funded projects to highlight how the policy could better support conservation. A lack of support for high standards of practice and the need to more fully back the heritage workforce emerged as key themes amongst feedback submitted.
We used the Panel’s evidence to underpin recommendations to DCMS that we articulated in a clear, concise and positive response. Icon’s submission explained how encouraging high standards in funded projects will achieve greater public benefit by mitigating the risk to heritage from inappropriate conservation, preservation, interpretation or research methods and by ensuring that heritage is left in better condition. We argued that as a leading body in the sector, the Heritage Fund should be directed to explicitly champion high standards of practice.
Outcome
In November 2018, the Government issued its response to the public consultation. We were delighted to find that DCMS had addressed Icon’s concerns and revised the guidance according to our suggested wording. As a result, we have added confidence that a significant funder for the cultural heritage sector now operates within a framework that promotes high standards of conservation. Icon’s procedures for horizon-scanning, consultation and influencing culminated in conservation being better supported through this increased commitment to high professional standards.
Learning
At any one moment there are a myriad of consultations worthy of response and keeping an eye on the most pertinent ones – let alone responding – can be time-consuming. However, Icon’s consultation success demonstrates how engaging with consultations is an opportunity to make a beneficial impact. By remaining alert to the world around us and drawing on the expertise and knowledge of our well-informed membership it is possible to shape government policy to support good outcomes for conservation.
Next Steps
Icon will continue to monitor and influence policy developments and engage with Government and funders so that high standards of practice are maintained. We will carry on gathering and analysing the diverse views of the cultural heritage conservation sector through our Policy Advisory Panel to inform action. The Panel welcomes new members so do get in touch if you are interested in getting involved in this important work!
