It's not true that there have been moves toward a networked,
distributed common database shared between the Royal Commission and the
Trusts in Wales. However, a recent report by the Welsh Assembly Government
on the Historic Environment drew attention to the fragmentary nature of the
record and suggested a more integrated approach. How this might be achieved
is currently being discussed!
David
--- Original Message -----
From: "John Wood" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 9:58 AM
Subject: Re: HER Consultation Paper
As an outsider to this debate could I possibly offer a thought?
There are undoubtedly going to be more different sources of information
about the historic environment in future. Different individuals and
organisations are going to maintain them for their own purposes because
they won't be able or willing to rely on those maintained by others. So
here, for example, the question arose - why do we need our SMR now we
can access the National Monuments Record of Scotland online complete
with maps? The answer was (and is) that the Planning Authority needs a
data-set of its own, on which to base its own decisions. There is also
an ongoing discussion here about the new Cairngorm National Park - will
it want its own SMR (or HER), or will it rely on the existing local
authority provision? Then again local communities and societies have
been setting up their own records too.
Surely the key thing is going to be for you the respective roles of the
different tiers of government that emerge. If Planning stays with the
Counties the Counties will want their own SMRs. If it moves to the
regional tier, that will want an SMR or its own.
Of course many local authorities do get their SMRs provided by outside
bodies, either Joint Committees, or by service agreements from other
authorities or Trusts. However the key thing with these arrangements is
that some ownership is retained by the sponsoring bodies, which can - at
least in theory - specify to the provider of the SMR what thy want and
if they wish go elsewhere for their data.
I understand there have been some moves in Wales towards a networked,
distributed common database shared between the Royal Commission and the
Trusts - is this correct? If so that would be an interesting
development.
John Wood
--------------------------------------------------------
John Wood
Senior Archaeologist
Planning and Development Service
The Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness IV3 5NX
Direct line 01463 702502
Web: http://www.higharch.demon.co.uk
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