27th June 2013, 10:28 PM
The question to ask is: if the Properties can generate enough to pay for themselves, why hive them off? EH had been deluding itself for several years with the idea that income from sites will increase and fill the gap left by ever-decreasing Govt Grant. (The "Proof" of this high-quality plan was the sacking of loads of folk a year ago after the cuts in the 2010 CSR!) Assuming the Properties could make more than they cost, then right now with the DCMS having to find another 7% these sites would be critical to propping up the EH budget. And if they can't earn enough to pay for themselves now, even with the previously-mentioned £22m a year injected by the Grant, what hope do they have on their own?
Pushing the sites out is essentially a "mercy kill" in which the current £22m tapers off and the charity founders - with no recourse but to get those kind folks at the Truss to take them in. Meanwhile, Govt Grant to "heritage" is reduced and some staff are taken off the Govt payroll (by transferring them to the new charity) - a result for Treasury and the PM, even if it is a long-term disaster for the heritage.
What we need to see now is exactly how much of the remainder of EH will be moved to this new NHPA. Will they still want the research teams? Or just the statutory types? Nothing like a well-consulted plan...
Pushing the sites out is essentially a "mercy kill" in which the current £22m tapers off and the charity founders - with no recourse but to get those kind folks at the Truss to take them in. Meanwhile, Govt Grant to "heritage" is reduced and some staff are taken off the Govt payroll (by transferring them to the new charity) - a result for Treasury and the PM, even if it is a long-term disaster for the heritage.
What we need to see now is exactly how much of the remainder of EH will be moved to this new NHPA. Will they still want the research teams? Or just the statutory types? Nothing like a well-consulted plan...