IfA news

It’s not the first time IfA have been mentioned in the Private Eye, but the latest edition (Issue 1337, 18 April) has given about 3 inches of copy to the recent decisions regarding IfA salary minima and the absolute requirement of IfA Registered Organisations to meet them. The article is a supportive one, and though some of the points on policy are misleading, it is interesting to see some joining up of the dots with regards to the current challenges facing heritage professionals.

IfA has responded to DCLG on the Review of Planning Practice Guidance led by Lord Taylor of Goss Moor. The review proposed a reduction in the volume of current planning guidance to create a streamlined suite of guidance to support the National Planning Policy Framework. IfA supports this in principle and has made representations on what Government guidance there should be on heritage and archaeology.

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.

Saturday 23 February 2013, 10am-4.45pm

The Gallery, Alan Baxter & Assocs. 75, Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6EL

London has been the focus of both Government and private enterprise spending on Infrastructure for a number of years, and this looks set to continue. In this Conference we want to explore how the Historic Environment has fared in these works, to what extent has it been seen as an `asset’, or possibly a hindrance, and how has its protection been managed, particularly in sometimes complex project management structures?

It is now possible to book your place at the 2013 IfA conference online via PayPal.

Go to http://www.archaeologists.net/2013bookings before Friday 22 March 2013 to ensure your booking at the standard booking rate.

This first consultation draft of an IfA Standard and guidance for archaeological advice and procurement of archaeological services has been developed by a working group consisting of IfA staff and consultants from a range of different backgrounds and has benefitted from comments by members of IfA Council and its Professional Development and Practice Committee.

It aims to address issues of ethics, quality and consistency in the provision of archaeological advice on a consultancy basis and in the procurement of archaeological services.

At its meeting on 15 November 2012 Council carefully considered the report of its working party and the responses to IfA’s consultation on some options for recommended minimum salaries for April 2013 to March 2014. Taking account of the range of viewpoints in the membership and a very wide variation in recommendations in the consultation responses, Council decided to accelerate its Strategic Plan commitment to a review of its strategic approach to encouraging increases in remuneration for archaeologists.

We are keen to set up an IfA Special Interest Group for International Cultural Heritage Practice. This would provide a forum for archaeologists, historic environment and cultural heritage professionals working on international projects and initiatives (or based outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland), and advise the IfA Council on issues relevant to the international practice of archaeology and cultural heritage management.

GeoSIG AGM

Please note that the GeoSIG AGM due to take place on Friday 16 November at RSK STATS Limited, had to be rescheduled and will now take place on 18 January 2013

Thursday 6 December from 6.30pm

Sekforde Arms Pub(upstairs) 34 Sekforde Street, Clerkenwell, EC1R 0HA

LAG members do join us for a Debate and Christmas Social on Thursday 6th December!

The Debate will be on the topic of “What is the value of ethics in a commercial world?” to cover all aspects of the historic environment that we are involved in. We will have a number of key speakers to stimulate discussion, but it will be very much open to everyone to contribute.