Joe Flatman and Dominic Perring (both Members of IfA) have recently published their paper The National Planning Policy Framework and Archaeology: A Discussion.

Report on decisions of IfA Council, 30/01/2013

Council has reaffirmed IfA’s vital role in improving and maintaining standards of archaeological work, and in enhancing the status of archaeologists.

This important consultation seeks your views on the future of the Institute.

In accordance with IfA’s strategic plan, in 2010 members were consulted about the desirability of the Institute seeking a Royal Charter of Incorporation.

On that basis, at the 2011 AGM members passed a resolution mandating Council to submit an informal memorandum to the Privy Council Office (the first stage of the process).

An Annual General Meeting of the Company (Institute of Field Archaeologists trading as Institute for Archaeologists) will be held at

4.30 pm, Monday 8 October 2012,

at the Society of Antiquaries of London, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BE

Further details of the AGM, along with the agenda and related papers, are available via the Members area of the website (see top left menu), or via the following links.

The IfA are offering a further 9 training posts under the HLF’s Workplace Learning Bursaries scheme. These posts are based within a number of different archaeological organisations and in various areas of archaeological practice. Post holders will work full time within the host organisation, helping to deliver projects while working toward agreed learning goals. All posts start in October/November 2012.

Full details of each post are provided via the links below. For each post on offer there is an Advertisement, a Job Description/Person Specification and a Training Plan.

2012 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

4.30 pm, Monday 8 October 2012

Society of Antiquaries of London

Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BE

Vacancies

To fill vacancies that will arise at the 2012 AGM, Corporate members are invited to stand for election to the Council, to honorary officer posts of the Executive committee and for the Membership Appeals committee, by completing the forms attached below.

• There are vacancies for nine candidates for election as Council members for 2012-15

• There are vacancies for the posts of Hon Chair, Hon Treasurer and Hon Vice

Discussions between IfA and Northern Ireland Environment Agency

Concerns have been raised with IfA about the apparently imminent destruction of a crannog site at Drumclay in Fermanagh as part of a road-building scheme, potentially with inadequate excavation. IfA has met with archaeologists of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, which has a curatorial role for the archaeology of the site.

Background to this consultation

IfA and ALGAO, with funding from English Heritage, Historic Scotland and Cadw, have produced a draft Standard and guidance for archaeological advice by historic environment services and are seeking comments from the sector and other interested parties.

The draft on which you are being asked to comment has benefitted from the responses to two previous consultations, firstly with the sector at the beginning of the year and secondly specifically with ALGAO members and those who responded to the first round in May to ascertain whether respondents felt

IfA Chief Executive, Peter Hinton, has recently written to The Times to outline IfA concerns regarding the excavation and disposal of material relating to the 1744 wreck, HMS Victory.

A copy of the letter can be found here.

IfA is concerned to see that anyone involved in the management and protection of our maritime heritage acts ethically and competently and in accordance with best professional practice.

On Thursday 22 February, Kate Geary and Andrea Bradley hosted a one day conference to celebrate the success of the HLF Workplace Learning Bursary scheme, and English Heritage Professional Placements in Conservation scheme and to plan next steps in the development of structured workbased training for the sector. The event was well attended by a diverse group of sector professionals, joined by a number of the scheme’s placement holders.