Memorandum submitted by Safer and Stronger
Communities Select Committee, Surrey County Council
I have been asked to write to you on behalf
of Surrey County Council's Safer and Stronger Communities Select
Committee, to commend the Heritage Protection Bill but to highlight
its concerns with regard to funding.
The Select Committee considered the Heritage
Protection Bill at its meeting on 4 June 2008. It supports the
aim to create a "unified heritage protection system that
is easier to understand and use, more efficient, accountable and
transparent, and [that] maximises opportunities for public inclusion
and involvement". However, the draft Bill has major resource
(including funding) issues, as well as facilities and training
implications for Surrey County Council. While it is proposed in
the Impact Assessment published alongside the draft Bill that
these new burdens will be funded by DCMS and English Heritage,
the Committee has concerns that these costs have not been accurately
assessed. The Committee also has concerns about the outcomes if
the appropriate level of funding is not transferred directly to
the appropriate level of local government.
I hope that you will closely scrutinise the
estimates of costs and benefits set out in the Impact Assessment
with regard to additional resource issues for local authorities.
June 2008
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