Series 2 Issue 1: Report on Local Authority Historic Environment Staff Resources 2020

Fieldwork conducted in late 2020 surveyed local authorities on their staffing levels in April 2020 and October 2020. The data gathered showed that in April 2020 there were 734.47 full-time equivalent (FTE) historic environment specialists providing advice to local authorities in England.

This comprised:

• 461.87 FTEs working on building and area conservation; and
• 272.6 FTEs providing archaeological advice.

The figures given above include:

• 84.73 FTEs Historic Environment Record staff

In addition to these figures, the survey identified separately:

• 25.9 FTEs funded by Heritage Action Zone funding

The survey data showed that by October 2020, overall historic environment specialist staffing levels was 728.46. This comprised:

• 458.16 working on building and area conservation; and
• 270.3 providing archaeological advice.

This evidence suggests that the slight increase in staffing numbers found in the last similar survey in 2018 is not indicative of a wider recovery, but that gradual decline that has been the established trend since 2006 may be continuing. However, the new methodology employed in 2020 means that conclusions drawn from direct comparisons with previous datasets should be made with caution.