4th December 2010, 02:50 PM
Thanks for this M
I have followed some of the links and am wondering what the overall implications are going to be for archaeology. As I see it the Decentralisation & Localism Bill is the mechanism by which the tightening of the financial expenditure of local government is to be applied.
Seems to me there are both opportunities and dangers here for archaeology (PPS 5 might me a great help).
Local communities may have more say but there seems to be a doorway for businesses (those who live work or study in an area are the community) to work with local authorities on locally beneficial projects, so who defines this beneficial aspect? Is it “we all get rich quick” or we “improve our living standards and well being”?
Round my neck of the woods this could mean developers and councils working together to push through development on historically sensitive sites using the argument that it is of “benefit” to the local community.
I suppose there is scope under PPS 5 to muster “local” community groups to fight inappropriate development but who makes the final decisions?
I can see various “local groups” clashing head on over many issues. Also the idea of local groups, businesses and charities running essential services is frankly appalling to me!!! Much as I am for community archaeology it has to be monitored by professionals and this must surely apply to other sectors? Community/ local groups are often self appointed with non elected officials and often have agendas that are actually more to do with personal crusades than addressing local issues.
I have been a non political animal for most of my life but I am now coming to realise I am going to have to get my head around all theses issues if I want to see my profession survive. God knows what is going to happen to the services health care etc my council provides which perhaps I should be worrying more about?
We know the s---- is about to hit the fan but what do the forum members see happening in the next year?
I have followed some of the links and am wondering what the overall implications are going to be for archaeology. As I see it the Decentralisation & Localism Bill is the mechanism by which the tightening of the financial expenditure of local government is to be applied.
Seems to me there are both opportunities and dangers here for archaeology (PPS 5 might me a great help).
Local communities may have more say but there seems to be a doorway for businesses (those who live work or study in an area are the community) to work with local authorities on locally beneficial projects, so who defines this beneficial aspect? Is it “we all get rich quick” or we “improve our living standards and well being”?
Round my neck of the woods this could mean developers and councils working together to push through development on historically sensitive sites using the argument that it is of “benefit” to the local community.
I suppose there is scope under PPS 5 to muster “local” community groups to fight inappropriate development but who makes the final decisions?
I can see various “local groups” clashing head on over many issues. Also the idea of local groups, businesses and charities running essential services is frankly appalling to me!!! Much as I am for community archaeology it has to be monitored by professionals and this must surely apply to other sectors? Community/ local groups are often self appointed with non elected officials and often have agendas that are actually more to do with personal crusades than addressing local issues.
I have been a non political animal for most of my life but I am now coming to realise I am going to have to get my head around all theses issues if I want to see my profession survive. God knows what is going to happen to the services health care etc my council provides which perhaps I should be worrying more about?
We know the s---- is about to hit the fan but what do the forum members see happening in the next year?