IfA’s written evidence to culture minister Ed Vaizey’s inquiry into local government archaeology, conducted by Lord Redesdale and John Howell MP, identifies that the network of local government archaeology services is falling apart with potentially dire consequences for archaeology, sustainable development and communities. IfA calls for a clear role for Historic England to encourage and support shared services and joint commissioning by local authorities no longer able to go it alone, using the IfA Standard and Guidance for archaeological advice as the measure of acceptable quality. That standard should also act as the Secretary of State’s schedule to underpin a statutory requirement for local authorities to have access to an up-to-date HER service with expert staff.
As this is not a formal Parliamentary inquiry evidence is not confidential. The call for evidence is here, The Archaeology Forum’s briefing document here, and IfA’s evidence here
