Heritage champion appointed to protect historic buildings
22
Jan
Cllr Mike Baldock and Malcolm Moore from The Sittingbourne Society at the old Periwinkle Mill
Swale Borough Council’s deputy leader Mike Baldock has been appointed Swale’s Heritage Champion.
Heritage Champions are part of a nationwide network that work directly with Historic England to protect the historic environment across the country.
Cllr Baldock was appointed Heritage Champion at last month’s cabinet meeting, giving him authority to act on behalf of the council in all historic matters within the borough.
As Heritage Champion, Cllr Baldock will help to guide the council’s management of the historic environment, generate enthusiasm and awareness of the importance of the local historic environment, and ensure that commitment to the proper care of the historic environment is embedded in all council plans and activities.
Cllr Mike Baldock, cabinet member for planning and heritage champion, said:
“I’m over the moon to be nominated and chosen as the borough’s Heritage Champion.
“I’m passionate about planning and preserving the history of the local area and take the position of Heritage Champion very seriously.
“I look forward to working closely with the council’s heritage team and Historic England to help conserve our borough’s rich heritage.
“We have a lot of work happening to protect our heritage at the council, including grants to local organisations for their heritage projects, and a new heritage strategy which outlines how we will protect our assets from now until 2032 that is open to consultation with the public until 31 January.
“We’ve allocated £7,593 in heritage grants so far this year, and still have £2,407 up for grabs until the end of February.
“So far, we’ve allocated £1,700 to Doddington and Newington Parish Councils to correct names and an omission on their war memorial, £721 to Blue Town Remembered for a World War II project in Sheppey and £650 to the Faversham Society to produce a new heritage map of Faversham.
“We are keen to work closely with the local people and organisations that are interested in our heritage to discuss how we can protect and enhance our historic sites and areas from now and into the future.”
For more information about the heritage strategy visit www.swale.gov.uk/heritage-strategy.
For more information and to apply for a heritage grant visit www.swale.gov.uk/heritage-grants.