Northants

[1man1desk]

Wait and see if it is true before griping too much!

1man1desk

to let, fully furnished

[Sparky]

I know a few archaeologists who probably think they could do that job...give 'em a go...watch them drown...

[flashdigger]

It doesn't look as though i will be depositing the archives for my northamptonshire sites any time soon then.

[Curator Kid]

This was posted recently - I think on Britarch:

"From Northamptonshire Archaeology Society's Newsletter:

Northamptonshire County Council's proposed budget for the next financial year:

Released on 14 th December this draft budget is described as 'just the start of the process with directors still working on final plans to be revealed in the new year ...' Massive funding cuts are proposed across Northamptonshire in response to what the council describes as the challenges presented by the real term cuts in funding from central government. Other reports suggest that the Council has also contributed to this situation.

Extensive cutbacks are being reported in the local press and include up to 1,000 council staff being made redundant along with cuts in community and children's services and fire service. NASNEWS has also learnt that it is proposed to axe the council's Built and Natural Environment service including the heritage/ historic environment team. It is unclear what if any of the functions of that team, including the Northamptonshire Sites and Monuments Record and provision of archaeological advice and guidance on all development proposals across the county, will be retained. With the enormous expansion in new growth planned for Northamptonshire in the next 2 to 3 decades, there has never been a more important time to ensure that all new development proposals take account of and can safeguard important archaeological and other historic sites. NAS believes that it is vital that the new West Northamptonshire Development Corporation and North Northamptonshire Together partnerships, which will lead the new growth agendas, have access to the specialist knowledge on the historic environment provided by the County Council's existing small team. At a time when the new Conservative Party leader, David Cameron has emphasised the importance of environmental conservation, it is of course somewhat ironic that his colleagues at County Hall appear to have embarked upon the opposite course of action regarding Northamptonshire's historic environment.

If you can, please send an email expressing your concern to your local councillor and/or the Chief Executive of Northamptonshire County Council pgould@northamptonshire.gov.uk"

Not very cheery. Unfortunately I may well be doing a "find and replace" exercise on this message in the new year - swapping Northamptonshire with the name of my own County. Until archaeological services are made properly statutory, we will all continue to be extremely vulnerable to anything like this. Does BAJR plan to send a response? From what I hear about the current climate in Local Authorities, it may well be worth roughing up a standard template for these sort of response letters - I think it could be getting a lot of use in the next couple of years...:face-confused:

[BAJR Host]

BAJR would very much like to send a response... as I am getting very oncerned about the 'rationalisation' at county level... more work, less staff, undefined goals etc.

Anyone fancy drafing a copy?

I have talked with them and it is as serious as it looks... at a time when there is more building to scale back the very department that protects this enviroment (both natural, built and sub surface) flies in the face of all that we stand for.



Another day another WSI?

[troll]

Hideous.But why am I not surprised? A good few years ago, an institute agreed that it would be a good idea to raise the value of arch/ologists in the eyes of the public. Now might be a good time. Writing to your MPs is of course one approach but, a trickle of letters tends to be a fairly quiet approach. The public are entitled to an opinion. The public tend to be louder.

[deepdigger]

Aye Troll, but you need to make the same amount of noise that we made in london over the poll tax to get any reaction.
And then its generally a mounted police charge first followed by some baton rounds!

deep

[Curator Kid]

Any news on the situation here yet Mr. Hosty? I'm hearing similar things from at least one other County too. :face-confused:

[Petethedig]

Look on the good side of this, it could be the spark that ignites the comeback of amateur archaeology! Lets face it the way that local councils are going this will become a more viable option for many in the years ahead.

Evil to him who thinks evil.

[BAJR Host]

I am awaiting a respnse from the CHeif Exec... will let you know

Another day another WSI?