19th July 2011, 07:44 AM
SYAS is jointly funded by the 4 South Yorkshire Authorities, Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffiled, under an agreement that states that all four authorities must decide on any cuts to the service, before they can be implemented. A cut of 15% was accepted by the 4 authorities, but Sheffield is now attempting to push through a 50% cut.
The Service is already under considerable pressure as a recruitment freeze has meant SYAS have been unable to recruit a replacement Historic Environment Records Officer since last year. Effectively a 25% cut in staffing levels.
A 50% cut will threaten SYASs ability to carry out their core function: to balance the needs of the historic environment with those of development. SYAS needs to be a properly funded service in order to ensure that appropriate levels of archaeological mitigation are put in place, or we risk loosing a unique and irreplaceable part of the regions past.
The cut would also impact on SYAS's work not directly connected to the planning sphere such as South Yorkshire Archaeology Day, and providing information and advice to members of the public, local groups and societies, academics, landowners and indeed the Local Authorities themselves.
South Yorkshire is currently home to several archaeological contracting units, and several more operate within the county on a regular basis. These businesses employ local people and bring in money to our local economy. I believe that cuts will lead to a reduction in SYASs capacity to instigate archaeological works and will mean that there will be less work for these companies and jobs will be lost as a direct result.
If you are concerned about the cuts being proposed for SYAS please get involved in this campaign. There is a public meeting at 11.30 am on Thursday 21st July 2011 at Sheffield Town Hall that everyone is invited to attend. You can email committee@sheffield.gov.uk asking to ask a question on Agenda item 6.
If you live in Barnsley,Sheffield, Doncaster or Rotherham please also email the Councillor on the committee for the service for your area.
steven.wilson@sheffield.gov.uk
CllrKenRichardson@barnsley.gov.uk
CllrRobinFranklin@barnsley.gov.uk
amy.rushforth@rotherham.gov.uk
judith.dalton@rotherham.gov.uk
jonathan.wood@doncaster.gov.uk
For those outside of South Yorkshire who care about the protection of its heritage pleasealso feel free to email your concerns."
The Service is already under considerable pressure as a recruitment freeze has meant SYAS have been unable to recruit a replacement Historic Environment Records Officer since last year. Effectively a 25% cut in staffing levels.
A 50% cut will threaten SYASs ability to carry out their core function: to balance the needs of the historic environment with those of development. SYAS needs to be a properly funded service in order to ensure that appropriate levels of archaeological mitigation are put in place, or we risk loosing a unique and irreplaceable part of the regions past.
The cut would also impact on SYAS's work not directly connected to the planning sphere such as South Yorkshire Archaeology Day, and providing information and advice to members of the public, local groups and societies, academics, landowners and indeed the Local Authorities themselves.
South Yorkshire is currently home to several archaeological contracting units, and several more operate within the county on a regular basis. These businesses employ local people and bring in money to our local economy. I believe that cuts will lead to a reduction in SYASs capacity to instigate archaeological works and will mean that there will be less work for these companies and jobs will be lost as a direct result.
If you are concerned about the cuts being proposed for SYAS please get involved in this campaign. There is a public meeting at 11.30 am on Thursday 21st July 2011 at Sheffield Town Hall that everyone is invited to attend. You can email committee@sheffield.gov.uk asking to ask a question on Agenda item 6.
If you live in Barnsley,Sheffield, Doncaster or Rotherham please also email the Councillor on the committee for the service for your area.
steven.wilson@sheffield.gov.uk
CllrKenRichardson@barnsley.gov.uk
CllrRobinFranklin@barnsley.gov.uk
amy.rushforth@rotherham.gov.uk
judith.dalton@rotherham.gov.uk
jonathan.wood@doncaster.gov.uk
For those outside of South Yorkshire who care about the protection of its heritage pleasealso feel free to email your concerns."