Putting Local Authorities at the HELM

HELM (Historic Environment Local Management) provides accessible information, training and guidance to decision makers in local authorities, regional agencies and national organisations whose actions affect the historic environment. The HELM programme was set up by English Heritage in 2004 with the aim of working with key partners to provide the tools to manage change in the historic environment with increased skill and confidence. 

Guidance

English Heritage produces a range of expert guidance and policy statements which are available through the HELM website. These cover a range of subjects including climate change and the impact of renewable energy sources on the historic environment; regeneration; the investigation and recording of historic buildings; mineral extraction; the future of historic school buildings; transport and streetscapes.

You can order most of our free publications in hard copy from English Heritage Customer Services.  Alternative formats of publications are also available:

• Email: Customers@english-heritage.org.uk
  
• Telephone: 0870 333 1181
  
• Text phone: 01793 414878

Some PDFs featured on the website are only available as web documents.

www.helm.org.uk

The HELM website contains the latest English Heritage publications, information on Heritage Protection Reform, details of HELM and other training events, useful web links and news. There are searchable databases of good practice case studies and of local authority historic environment publications. These have been collected from across England to encourage the sharing of knowledge, experience and good practice across the sector.
The site also contains a wealth of information, policy statements and guidance under the topic buttons:

• Regeneration & Design
• Understanding & Recording
• Place & Placemaking
• Managing & Protecting
• Funding

Training

HELM provides training to support local authority staff and members whose role has an impact on the historic environment.  Details of all the courses are advertised on the HELM website as they become available.  Each training workshop is designed to benefit a particular audience and details of this and a summary of the day are all set out in a promotional leaflet available through the HELM website.  For enquiries about HELM training courses contact: HELMbookings@english-heritage.org.uk

HELM training in the future

HELM is set to expand.  English Heritage is planning to build on the current HELM training programme to deliver new Heritage Protection Reform training which will be supported by additional information on the HELM website and guidance available in printed and electronic formats. 

Details of HELM Heritage Protection Reform training events will be made available through the HELM website as they become available. 

What you can do

There are many ways in which you can get involved:

• Ensure your local authority has a Heritage Champion. If not, contact us at champions@english-heritage.org.uk for advice on appointing one
• Promote projects that deliver social, economic and historic environment benefits in equal measure
• Help us to promote and share best practice
• Aim to ensure that historic environment services in your authority are properly resourced, utilised and consulted
• Work with us. Send us case studies showing good practice and guidance which we will put on the HELM website
• Provide feedback and ideas that can help us improve our service to you. Contact us at comments@helm.org.uk
• Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter [insert link] for the latest information about HELM training courses, publications, case studies and Heritage Champions news. 

Steering towards the future

English Heritage is committed to helping local authorities develop the skills, knowledge, advice and capacity to make the most of their historic environment, the HELM programme relates directly to central government agendas. English Heritage promotes the need for properly resourced and actively consulted historic environment departments, conservation officers, archaeologists and historic environment records. More than 70% of local authorities have now appointed heritage champions to provide leadership on heritage issues.

HELM works closely with key partners including the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers, Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, Institute of Historic Building Conservation, Institute of Field Archaeologists, Local Government Association, Royal Town Planning Institute, Planning Officers Society and Planning Advisory Service. Email info@helm.org.uk for further information.