As well as relevant National Outcomes and Indicators within the National Performance Framework a focus on heritage may form part of a public sector organisation’s sustainability strategy, estates or environmental strategy.
This guidance may be considered, where relevant, alongside Construction Policy Note (CPN) 1/2023 which draws attention to the publication of a new chapter (chapter 18) within the Client Guide to Construction Projects. The guidance provides an overview of the client’s role in planning for sustainability in construction projects, particularly during the project initiation phase.
Scotland has a variety of protected areas including nature reserves and conservation areas, marine protection areas and historic buildings. Accessing and using these sites is important to the economy in terms of tourism but also to biodiversity (see separate guidance document on biodiversity). The opportunity to protect natural heritage through procurement will be limited to either, the services required in the surrounding areas to specific sites, or to activity taking place to obtain products that could potentially originate at these sites, for example, ancient woodlands or marine areas. However, the potential to protect or enhance historic buildings, or those containing heritage collections, will be relevant only to activity in those locations. It will be important to consider how the public access and use heritage areas and to maintain heritage sites sympathetically. Historic Environment Scotland contains more information.
The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 requires the 'consideration of economic, social and environmental well-being, reducing inequality and innovation', for example through the appropriate use of the sustainability test (and the associated Prioritisation Methodology), and the application of relevant and proportionate contract requirements. The 2014 Act also requires obligated organisations to develop a procurement strategy and report against its delivery at the end of each year, emphasising the importance of monitoring and reporting delivery of intended sustainable outcomes.
The categories of procurement that can have both a positive and negative impact on heritage range from construction, land management, estates and facilities and fishing. Many opportunities to make improvements will need to be identified at the design stage of the procurement.
This may include decisions regarding protection measures needed when undertaking infrastructure or construction projects.
