Every local authority deserves the benefits that a Heritage Champion can bring. Across the country members of the Heritage Champions network are already making a difference, representing local views within the authority and ensuring that local plans and strategies properly capture the contribution that the local historic environment can make to the success of an area.

Heritage can have a profound effect on how people view the place in which they work and live. It can:

• Act as a cornerstone for regeneration projects
• Underpin local employment and attract investment
• Provide distinctive and vibrant retail environments
• Create greater community cohesion and social inclusion
• Offer a local educational resource

In short, a well cared for and managed historic environment improves everybody’s quality of life.

What is a Heritage Champion?

A Heritage Champion is usually a local Councillor, though they are occasionally a local authority officer, who has been nominated by their authority to undertake the role. It is up to the local authority how that nomination process is undertaken. When a Champion has been nominated it is important that they inform English Heritage, either by getting in contact with the local office, or by emailing champions@english-heritage.org.uk

It is up to each Heritage Champion to interpret the role in a way that fits with the Champion’s own interest and position, along with the particular local conditions. However, English Heritage does support them as they explore how best to undertake the role. We do this through a number of ways:

• We supply all Heritage Champions with a Welcome Pack. This explains in more detail some of the things a Champion can do and provides more information on particular areas they may wish to get involved with.
• All Heritage Champions are signed up to receive the HELM quarterly newsletter which will keep them updated on policy developments and the latest publications.
• They receive training and high level networking opportunities.
• They receive direct, one-to-one support from the government’s statutory advisor for the historic environment.

In addition to this support, they also have the opportunity to influence the national heritage agenda.

Why should your local authority appoint a Heritage Champion?

Local authorities play a crucial role in the protection and management of the historic environment. They own and manage historic properties, parks and public spaces. They are also central to the management of change in communities across the country in their roles as planning authorities.

Heritage Champions are able to recognise and respond to issues that are important to people locally. They are well placed to support local groups and other organisations to realise the cultural, social, and economic potential of their local historic environment.

Champions can provide leadership, help join up policy and strategy across departments and, by encouraging a greater focus on the historic environment, bring significant benefits for a local authority and its community. The case studies show the kind of areas champions can make a difference.

Are you interested in becoming a Heritage Champion?

If you are a local authority Councillor and are interested in becoming a Heritage Champion then you should discuss the matter with the Leader of your authority and your fellow Councillors. Some authorities have asked Cabinet Members with related portfolios, such as Environment or Regeneration, to take on the role. However, other authorities have appointed a non-executive Member. There is no preferred option with both having their own benefits.

If you want further information on the Heritage Champion network, or what a Champion might do, then you can look at either the Welcome Pack, or the case studies.

What should a Heritage Champion do?

Advice on what a Heritage Champion can do in the role can be found in the Welcome Pack. However, probably the most important thing you can do is tell people you are there:

• Inform English Heritage, either by contacting local office direct or by emailing champions@english-heritage.org.uk
• Get in touch with the relevant officers within the authority, such as the Conservation Officer.
• Let the local community know by making sure your new role is included on you local authority’s website.

Support for a Heritage Champion

English Heritage provides support for Champions in a number of ways. This support includes both local and national events and seminars where you can keep up to date on recent developments in the sector, develop skills and share ideas with other Champions. Part of this support is the biennial National Heritage Champions Conference.

Historic Environment: Local Management (HELM)
HELM is the tool though which English Heritage provides training and guidance to colleagues in local government. Champions receive updates on training events and relevant publications via the website and the HELM quarterly newsletter, to which all new Champions are signed up to.

Also available on HELM is a comprehensive guidance library which you can search to see if guidance has been produced on any particular issue or theme.

Local networks
Heritage Champions will benefit from making, and keeping in, contact with their local English Heritage office. Through the local office you may be able to make contact with Champions in neighbouring authorities and develop local networks where you can share advice and discuss cross border issues.

Your in-house expertise
Champions will find it beneficial to establish a good working relationship with specialist officers in their authority. People like the conservation officer and the archaeology officer will know the key heritage issues locally and can be an invaluable source of advice. It can also be helpful to foster productive relationships with fellow Councillors with relevant portfolios and officers in related departments, such as planning and environment.

Welcome Pack

The Heritage Champions Welcome Pack is sent to all new Heritage Champions, once English Heritage has been informed of their appointment. It includes ideas and suggestions on what a Heritage Champion might do and different areas of activity they might wish to get involved in.

It is not published in hardcopy and will be updated when necessary. Information on updates will be included within the HELM quarterly newsletter.