ICYMI 🔍 Dr Jocelyne Fleming of CIOB has analysed the latest government reshuffle and its implications for the construction sector 🧱 Read the article here: https://bit.ly/4dZWcdb

BEFS, on behalf of POWF, has launched a survey on Ecclesiastical Exemption - how is it understood by places of worship owners and decision makers? What are the most effective mechanisms of protection and continued use of places of worship? Respond here: https://bit.ly/4fVGX7w

With 11,000 ha of derelict and vacant land & buildings in urban Scotland, could the introduction of the Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme (OPTS) change the national landscape? Read about the SLC's and KLTR's work on the scheme here: https://bit.ly/4nPtU9I

📉What's ahead for the built environment in the next five years?📈 Featured in last week's Bulletin, Robert Toomey of RICS has written the latest edition of our Joining the Dots blog series. Read it here: https://bit.ly/3RPqhVj

ICYMI! 📢 BEFS is recruiting a Communications Officer! Join us as the invaluable link between BEFS strategic work and our communications channels. Closing date is 26 June. Read about the role here: https://bit.ly/4vbGsdU

Do you work with a local community heritage greenspace in need of a resource boost to face the challenges of climate change? 🌿 Nominate it to WMF's Cultivating Resilience programme, deadline 20 June: https://bit.ly/49pfbwk

With the Scottish Parliament re-assembling post-election, you can now find our regular Parliamentary Questions recorded in our Bulletin again - recent topics include renewables and rural communities. You'll find the link in our Bulletin here: https://bit.ly/4u3mD7z

BEFS Bulletin 398 is out! 📣 This edition features a BEFS film, a new Joining the Dots blog, and BEFS recruitment news! Catch up now: https://bit.ly/4u3mD7z

BEFS policy aspirations as seen through our Members - don’t miss this! BEFS has released a 5 min film produced at our pre-election hustings at Members RICS' offices in April. Thank you to our featured Members! Watch it here: https://bit.ly/4nOH0UF or: https://bit.ly/4uA1OC1

Community Wealth Building keeps money circulating locally! Heritage & tourism are natural allies: Local jobs (21 FTE/£1m), local procurement, visitor spend, skills training - yet often missing from CWB plans ❌ Let's fix that ✅ Read our manifesto: https://bit.ly/48NuMW2

Don’t miss the opportunity to explore innovative heritage projects, grassroots initiatives - and more - in an island context with BEFS Members the Heritage Network at their upcoming conference on the Orkney Islands 26 June. Sign up to attend: https://bit.ly/4d6SHSY

11,000 hectares of vacant & derelict urban land in Scotland = almost TWICE the size of Dundee 🏙️ Imagine transforming that into: 🏘️ Homes 🌳 Green space 💼 Jobs 🏛️ Restored heritage Investment + action = transformation ✅ With a new government forming, read our manifesto here: https://bit.ly/48NuMW2

The most impactful action to support our ecosystems is to adopt urban circular economies and thus extend the lifespans of the existing build environment, reported by the IUCN – the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Read the report here: https://bit.ly/4uHlO5a

Do you work with village halls? Would you like to connect with others who care for these vital community buildings? Don’t miss this conference hosted by SCVO at the Pyramid at Anderston 27 May. Sign up to attend here: https://bit.ly/4wv0HFc

Did you know that you have until Feb 2027 to submit feedback on trove.scot? Trove.scot is a HES platform which brings together the Historic Environment Portal, Canmore, SCRAN, and Property in Care Collections data. Respond here: https://bit.ly/4tsJgly

ICYMI! BEFS Members SURF have analysed the main parties manifestos' stances on local democracy, housing, regeneration, and more in a recent blog. With a new government forming, stay on top of what the parties have committed to. Read it here: https://bit.ly/4txudr8

From industrial parks to thriving neighbourhoods? Urban Retrofit explores how diversification can deliver homes, jobs, green space & sustainable communities while reusing the existing built environment. Read the article here: https://bit.ly/4noXu5B #UrbanPlanning

Five days remain to respond to the UK Parliament Tourism Inquiry consultation. If you'd like to have your say about the role of culture and heritage in attracting visitors to the UK, you can respond here: https://bit.ly/49CbcML #scottishtourism #heritage

BEFS Bulletin 397 is out! 📣 In this edition you'll find new consultations, reviews of party manifestos, and a busy events calendar for the late spring and summer ahead. Catch up here: https://bit.ly/49KoBm1

The NPF4 is our national planning framework - a static PDF in a digital age 📄 Make it interactive: ✅ Live guidance updates ✅ Linked policies ✅ Case studies ✅ Searchable. 21st century planning needs 21st century tools 💻 Read our full manifesto: https://bit.ly/48NuMW2

ICYMI! If you're looking for a general overview of what it’s like to work with heritage, BEFS Members Historic Houses have released a report mapping the career opportunities and journeys of the heritage sector. Read the report here: https://bit.ly/4cCbrbk #heritagecareers

Are you curious about what funding for culture might look like in the EU Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-34? The interim budget report was adopted on 29 April. Read more about the budget proposals here: https://bit.ly/4wbCpjn

Congratulations to BEFS Member The Architectural Heritage Fund celebrating its 50th anniversary! BEFS Derek Rankine was pleased to attend a celebratory gathering and '50 Years of Reimagining Heritage' exhibition in Glasgow's The Briggait last week. The exhibition runs to 16 May.

The Tenement Action Group (TAG) have had their recommendations for tenement law reform to support flat owners endorsed by four political parties. Read the story here: https://bit.ly/4ewEksf

Traditional skills aren't "niche" - they're: ✅ Essential for Net Zero ✅ Secure careers (huge demand) ✅ Well-paid (skilled shortage) ✅ Creative & impactfulWe need culture shift: celebrate craft, share with young people, show career paths. Read our manifesto: https://bit.ly/48NuMW2 #BEFSManifesto2026

Don’t Waste Buildings have released a report, The Reuse Dividend, exploring the opportunities for economic growth and regeneration through investing in retrofit and reuse of buildings. Read the case studies and evidence here: https://bit.ly/4uiN3Tz

BEFS Members Historic Houses Houses have launched a new platform for heritage careers - Work In A Castle. This online community aims to connect and signpost jobs across the heritage sector. Explore the platform here: https://bit.ly/4cEsU3d #heritagecareers

BEFS is delighted to welcome The Heritage Alliance as our newest Member - England's largest heritage coalition with over 200 organisations. Learn more about THA here: https://bit.ly/41YK6LT Want to become a BEFS Member? https://bit.ly/42nf7cF

BEFS Bulletin 396 is now live! 📣 This edition features a busy events calendar, more manifestos, and a recap of BEFS Working Group COG in Perth! Read it here: https://bit.ly/4mVhegW

Don't miss the opportunity to have your say in the Scot Gov Draft Infrastructure Strategy 2027-2037, closing 5 May. Have your say on public assets, place-making and private investment ✅ Respond here: https://bit.ly/4eN1xX7 #BuiltEnvironment

Lost capacity across built environment: 📉 28.6% planning budget cuts 📉 38% fewer archaeological officers 📉 58% more engineers needed by 2027 Preventative spend on skills NOW prevents costly disasters LATER 💰 Invest in expertise ✅ Read our full manifesto: https://bit.ly/48NuMW2 #BEFSManifesto2026

Traditional skills crisis: stonemasons booked months ahead, joiners declining work, college courses closing, ageing workforce 👴 Yet we need these skills for 52.9% of our housing & Net Zero targets 🎯 Read our full manifesto: https://bit.ly/48NuMW2 #BEFSManifesto2026 🧱

What built environment commitments are the main parties making in the run-up to next month’s Scottish Parliament elections? Read BEFS report on the back of our successful hustings event in Edinburgh with RICS Scotland & the CIOB - and a review of party manifestos: https://bit.ly/41Md4hP

The Conservation Officers Group, a local government forum facilitated by BEFS, had a successful visit to Perth last week, supported by P&K Council, P&K Heritage Trust, Culture P&K, and Perth Theatre & Culture Hall. Learn more about COG here: https://bit.ly/4mFTKMV

Have you read BEFS Manifesto yet? Read it today to get an overview of BEFS strategic steer and vision for the historic and existing built environment in Scotland. Read it here: https://bit.ly/4cjWv1q #heritage #builtenvironment

Europa Nostra are hosting a residency opportunity for 10 heritage professionals in Malta, with a focus on inclusive European heritage. Would you like to exchange best practices & explore strategies for building resilient heritage organisations? Read more: https://bit.ly/4tSg74b

Scot Gov has published a blog outlining the accomplishments from the first year of the National Planning Hub, a partnership with the Improvement Service. If you would like to learn more about the Hub, its delivery, and next steps, you can do so here: https://bit.ly/4sypFAc

BEFS has published a new consultation response on our website on fire safety and building standards regulations. We advocate for clarity of language and case studies to help illustrate the needs of historic buildings. Read our response in full: https://bit.ly/4tHWqf4

BEFS Bulletin 395 is out now! 📣 Featuring a recap of our pre-election Hustings last week, and a warm welcome to BEFS Net Zero Lead! Read it here: https://bit.ly/4mwugBw

Dates for your diary! BEFS Members such as Archaeology Scotland, The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, and the Heritage Network are organising conferences this year. Make sure you secure your places today and find other events of interests here: https://bit.ly/4tG8SfF

Don't miss this! BEFS Members AHF are hosting their 50th anniversary exhibition in Glasgow from 30 April to 16 May, telling the story of how heritage reuse can transform and impact communities. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3OB21VF

Scot Gov has published two strategies on Climate Change and the Environment. BEFS has fed into both over the years to make sure the built environment sector voice is heard. Find both in our latest Bulletin: https://bit.ly/4tG8SfF

Tuesday this week BEFS held our 2026 pre-election hustings with an engaged and responsive panel. A great turnout and a stimulating discussion! Many thanks to the panellists for their engagement, to Dr Jocelyne Fleming for chairing, & to BEFS Members RICS for hosting us #hustings

32 projects across Scotland will benefit from a total of £36m from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, announced by Scot Gov. The grant will be used to bring 21 disused or derelict sites back into use. Read the full announcement here: https://bit.ly/3PYidAC

The Scottish Government have published their review of the Community Rights To Buy consultation, which includes recommendations for each topic covered. You can read the announcement and find the review here: https://bit.ly/4bZbBJF

The current review of the National Performance Framework proposes incorporating more international learning, and parliamentary evidence and scrutiny - aiming to guide application across all governmental policy areas. Read more about the update here: https://bit.ly/4ttE0yR

BEFS are now concluding our 2026 pre-election Hustings event - it's been a day of energising sector advocacy with the political party representatives present. Thank you to everyone who participated. BEFS will produce an event report available on our website. Watch this space!

BEFS Hustings! BEFS Director Hazel Johnson is opening the event and introduces BEFS Manifesto themes. Panelist introductions and our hustings Q&A to come!

BEFS will be hosting our 2026 pre-election Hustings today, at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors! The team is looking forward to a full day of sector advocacy with the panel of candidates, with our manifesto themes in focus. Read it here: bit.ly/3OhD9SG

Did you spot UNESCO's Culture for All gender equality toolkit for policymaking? This toolkit illustrates what it looks like to put gender equality at the centre of culture and arts policy, and how it benefits the sector at large. Read it here: https://bit.ly/4v5wkV1