National Historic Ships unit to be retained (or is it)?

According to the statement by DCMS National Historic Ships unit is to be retained but de-classified.
Does this mean a return to a non DCMS unit as we had in the early days of the National Historic Ships Committee scraping for funding?

the Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites will be abolished and the Advisory Committee on National Historic Ships will be declassified;

 

So we had a toothless tiger that had no grant making powers to accompany its ability to make designations. Now they have shot the tiger too.

What hope is there for anything beyond the power of amateurs to preserve - none????

 

Watch out for English heritage next!

Stan

 

I don't support the abolition of these bodies but it is worth pointing out that in many areas of preservation amateurs have often done a better job than the state.

 

Its a matter of scale.

No voluntary body has made a success yet of anything ocean going. The overheads and capacity of hulls in salt water to self destruct has to be experienced. Marine preservation needs vast and assured funding. That is why the NRM and MGC keep well away.

 

Latest from National Historic Ships website:

National Historic Ships - Statement

28 October 2010

DCMS has confirmed that the important work carried out by the Advisory Committee on National Historic will continue. National Historic Ships is to be de-classified as an advisory non-departmental public body, not abolished, and will continue to act as 'the official voice for historic vessels in the UK' in a new form. DCMS officials and National Historic Ships will work closely with key stakeholders in order to set up an organisation which will meet the needs of government and the historic ships sector as a vital strand in the maritime heritage of the United Kingdom.

Continued funding from DCMS has been confirmed as part of the government's Comprehensive Spending Review. The grant allocated to carry on the work of National Historic Ships will reduce from its present level of £249,000 by 15% over the four year settlement period April 2011 to March 2015. This is in line with the reductions to revenue grants made to national museums. In the 2011/12 financial year the grant will be £241,000 reducing to £232,000 in 2014/15.

National Historic Ships has a track record of raising funds for its own and external projects: the succeeding organisation will continue to look to new sources of funding to support its work.

 

there was an item on radio 4's 'You and Yours' program on Friday 29th October at 10 mins 45 secs into the program, available on BBC's iPlayer at:-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00vh9g4/You_and_Yours_29_10_2010/

it has an interview with Martin Heisen(?spelling) the Director of National Historic Ships, after a brief interview with Alister S..???(inaudible name) owner of the Thames Sailing Barge Berwick from on board the vessel. he is asked what he see's as the most important role of National Historic Ships.
you may find it of interest.

 

So nothing changes there then - just like DVLC to DVLA or the creation of such as the Highways Agency from the Dept of Roads in the 80s - more 1000mph tory smoke and mirrors to try to fool the electorate.

The £250k funds the Committee - its not money at its disposal - and it is a pitifully small sum anyway, spent in any one close season by Waverley, Balmoral and KC alone, let alone any other needy case.

 

Having listened to the Radio 4 item and re-read the Media Release by Martyn Heighton, I am still confused!
Have to say that if money is earmarked for a "historic ships unit" from DCMS it may come via the National Maritime Museum or the likes, not good I feel!

 

So a CEO salary and a couple of assistants, plus accommodation - that's spent the £250k Dan

I met BRBR on the Waverley the other day - all one of him. that's another quango being wound up - He was transferring into the DfT in 2013 anyway and LSH have the work now - so no change there either.