Great Place Scheme

What is the Great Place Scheme? “put heritage at the heart of the local vision for between 5 and 10 places across Scotland, making a step change in the contribution of heritage in those areas and embedding it in the places’ plans for the future … in time this will lead to the social and economic benefits which heritage can achieve.”

The Story So Far June 2017: Project Enquiry totalling £570k to fund 10 year strategy, Heritage Network Activity, £400k for community projects. August 2017: project allowed to proceed to full application. HLF feedback on enquiry was: concentrate on vision and strategy, but there is an opportunity for capital works to deal with opportunities and risks in delivery of the strategy, especially around infrastructure

The Story So Far September 2017: second round application submitted concentrating on: 10 year Heritage Strategy, development and implementation of a heritage trail including supporting infrastructure, and support for heritage organisations to undertake community work and build partnerships with the arts and tourism sectors. Total cost £635,000

Application Decision January 2018: advised that application has been successful, but HLF will not fund the whole project. The element HLF will fund is to a total of £191,000, concentrating on the strategic development strand of the project. This was a very competitive grant scheme. Seventeen projects were submitted to the second round of which nine have been funded, sharing a total of £2.5m

What will a (reduced) project deliver? A ten-year strategy for heritage which will: Identify key priorities for the sector and the activities and headline projects which will deliver them. Explain how the sector can make a positive impact on population decline, access to work and access to recreation. Embed heritage in development plans Influence investment and regeneration decisions across the Outer Hebrides.

What will a (reduced) project deliver? Opportunities to better integrate heritage with participants in the arts, culture and tourism sectors Sector conferences Modest funding for public activities delivered by community organisations which help develop these links Training and development opportunities around fundraising, marketing and event management

What about the Trail? A Heritage Trail for the Outer Hebrides was identified as a key development need in the Archaeology Economic Impact Assessment. Recognition of the value of creating a trail and supporting it through signage, interpretation, access improvements and funding for activities delivered in the community has not gone away. We propose working together this year to successfully apply for such a project through the regular HLF grant schemes

Next Steps Receive Permission to Start from HLF: March Recruit Great Place Project Manager Strategy Consultation Summer 2018 onwards Commission Heritage/Arts/Tourism conference Develop training proposals, consult and commission training sessions. AND Apply for HLF grant for Heritage Trail