The Heritage Council Annual Report 2002

Chief Executive’s Report
An examination of Council’s achievements in 2002 clearly illustrates how core
activities have remained focused on key functions. In policy the proposals on Thatch
have resulted in a wide range of actions being followed through by those with
executive responsibility, encouraging further co-operation north and south of the
border. Similarly the policy proposals on landscape have served to raise awareness of
the significance and value of this important aspect of our national heritage to our
quality of life.
Partnership and co-operation with Local Authorities has seen the number of Heritage
Officers in post jump to 17 with further appointments pending. This network is a
fundamental part of Council’s work with its key partners, the Local Authorities. The
Council’s clearly targeted grants programme saw support for over 260 initiatives
nationwide with an allocation of €3.3M in total. The benefits of having a full time
grants administrator in post were clearly evident in 2002 both through the service
provided to recipients and the quality of applications as a whole.
The Museum sector continued to benefit from the emerging policy on Standards and
Accreditation whilst the recently established Marine and Coastal Committee is
ensuring heritage aspects in this area are effectively considered in Council’s work. In
co-operation with the Inland Waterways committee the Marine and Coastal committee
is considering, on Council’s behalf heritage aspects on water management and the
water framework directive.
Biological records, and in particular the establishment of a Biological Records Centre,
provided focus for the Wildlife Committee whilst in Archaeology the thorny problem
of how best to propose policy for Human remains was dealt with in a sensitive and
positive manner.
All of Councils work aims to raise awareness of the significance and importance of
national heritage to everyday life. This work is targeted at all sectors of society. In
particular the Heritage in Schools programme continues to grow in partnership with
teaching organisations with some 460 schools visited in the first full year since the
programme was initiated.
As we approach the "Mid-Term" in the life of Council’s current Plan firm foundations
for our work have been laid allowing us to move forward with confidence into 2003
and beyond. To assist us a number of independent reviews have been commissioned
on performance in key areas. The results of these are eagerly awaited as they will help
shape and guide our work in the future.
Michael Starrett
Chief Executive.