Lead member for Heritage and Building Conservation.
Main linked Directorate(s)
Reports to the Portfolio Holder for:
- Economic Development and Regeneration.
Main roles and responsibilities of the Lead Member
- To support the delivery of Deal 2030, particularly the strategic goals for ‘Our Place’ vibrant town centres, an environment to be proud of and embracing culture and heritage and pledges in the Wigan Council Recovery Plan
- To support our Community Wealth Building approach, including promoting heritage assets to encourage people to live, work and spend their money locally
- To support the delivery of our Climate Change Strategy, including protecting and conserving our heritage assets as part of the wider response to environmental sustainability
- To act as Heritage Champion to celebrate the importance of the borough’s heritage and promote its conservation and contribution to the borough
- To champion, promote and celebrate all aspects of the historic environment in the borough, including:
- Over 500 listed buildings and structures
- 23 Conservation Areas
- 12 Scheduled Ancient Monuments
- 1 Nationally Registered Park and Garden
- Other heritage assets of local interest.
- To support and promote delivery of the Historic Environment Strategy
- To ensure pragmatic care of the historic environment is embedded in all local authority activities and plans and decisions
- To support the work of the Planning and Culture teams to promote understanding the importance of the rich heritage of our towns and places
- To support initiatives such as Heritage Action Zones and Townscape Heritage Initiatives
- To advocate conservation best practice to protect the heritage of the borough for the enjoyment of present and future generations.
Priorities for 2023/2024
- Work towards reducing our local Heritage At Risk: Haigh Hall and Ince Cemetery Chapels and our historic mills
- Promote and support the reappraisal of our Conservation Areas starting with Leigh Town Centre, Leigh Railway Road and Wigan Town Centre, followed by Wigan Pier Quarter and Ashton Conservation Areas
- Deliver Heritage Action Zones in Wigan and Tyldesley (community-led) including proactive approaches to planning breaches
- Support the council to work with owners of heritage assets such as Eckersley Mills, Pagefield Mill and Winstanley Hall to secure an appropriate conservation outcome
- Identify and secure new funding opportunities
- Celebrate and promote understanding our historic environment
- Promote engagement through working with communities and stakeholders and support for the National Heritage Open Days scheme.
Functions covered by the Lead Member
- All issues relating to Built Environment Heritage and Conservation.
Council Appointments
- Douglas Valley Community Limited.