The qualifications of the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group

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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT BY SENATOR B.E. SHENTON

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 9th MARCH 2010

Question

Can the Minister list the relevant formal heritage/architectural qualifications of each of the current members of the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group?

Answer

In providing details about the qualifications of the current members of the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group (MRLAG) it is important to understand the context and process within which the group operates and to understand its role, relative to that of Jersey Heritage, who are the Minister's professional advisers in matters of registration and listing. This is set out below.

Role of Jersey Heritage

The assessment of a building or place's heritage value is carried out, on behalf of the Minister for Planning and Environment, by Jersey Heritage against a set of published criteria[1]. The advice provided by Jersey Heritage is

given mainly by the Head of Historic Buildings and the Curator of Archaeology at Jersey Heritage, depending on the nature of the building or place the subject of assessment, with further support provided by the Director, where necessary. The qualifications and experience of these individuals are set out below.

Roger Hills, Head of Historic Buildings, Jersey Heritage

Olga Finch, Curator of Archaeology, Jersey Heritage

Jonathan Carter, Director, Jersey Heritage

Roger has a degree in archaeology and worked on a variety of archaeological projects, both in London and Europe, in the 1980s. He followed this with a Masters degree in museology, holds the RICS Diploma in Historic Building Conservation, and is a member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation. Roger began working for Jersey Heritage in 1994, then held the position of Historic Buildings Officer at the Planning Department, States of Jersey from 1999 to 2004, before returning to Jersey Heritage in 2005. Roger has advised on listed building issues to the former Jersey Building Heritage Sub-Committee, Jersey Heritage Advisory Panel and MRLAG.

Olga is the Curator of Archaeology at Jersey Heritage. She has a degree in archaeology from University College Cork and a Diploma in Museum Studies from The University of Leicester. Since 1985 she has worked as Director, Assistant Director or Supervisor on numerous excavations in Ireland and in Jersey. Olga was first employed by Jersey Heritage as Archaeological Registrar in 1992 before being appointed as Curator in 1994. She has been an advisor on the former Archaeology Advisory Panel, Jersey Building Heritage Sub-Committee, Jersey Heritage Advisory Panel and MRLAG.

Jon has been Director of Jersey Heritage since 2003 - working for the organisation since 1989. He has a degree in history, a Masters degree in museology, and is an Associate Member of the Museums Association. Through his work with Jersey Heritage, Jon has been involved in the repair and refurbishment of a number of historic properties including No.9 Pier Road, Mont Orgueil Castle and Hamptonne, as well as the nine properties brought into public use as part of the forts and towers project, and now has responsibility for the management of 18 of the Island's most important heritage sites. Jon was a member of the former Jersey Heritage Advisory Panel.

The engagement of Jersey Heritage in this role ensures that the Minister receives expert professional advice about the historical, architectural or archaeological interest of a building or place that is independent of and separate to the planning process.

The provision of this service is governed by a Service Level Agreement between Jersey Heritage and the Planning and Environment Department, the costs of which are met by the Planning and Environment Department.

Role of Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group (MRLAG)

As part of the process of assessment of a building or place's heritage value, Jersey Heritage also secures the view of a panel of local experts knowledgeable in aspects of Jersey's history, architecture and archaeology: these supplementary views are reported to the Minister as an integral part of Jersey Heritage's professional advice to the Minister. The qualifications and relevant experience of the current membership of the Group is set out below:

Charles Alluto Charles is currently Chief Executive of The National Trust for Jersey

with  day-to-day  responsibility  for  the  overall  management  of  the Trust's landholdings and 20 historic buildings.  Charles holds the RICS Diploma in Historic Building Conservation.

Chris Aubin Chris is a member of the Société Jersiaise, and previous Chairman of

the Archaeology Section. He is also a member of the National Trust for Jersey and has been involved in excavations at Le Moulin de Tesson. He  is  qualified  in  archaeological  sciences,  and  has  drafted  various archaeological site conservation statements for Jersey Heritage.

John Clarke John has been a member of MRLAG since 2007.  He has held the

position  of  Chairman  of  the  Archaeology  Section  of  the  Société Jersiaise  since  2007  with  the  objective  of  conservation  of archaeological  and  historic  structures.  He  has  undertaken  study  in archaeology  and  been  involved  in  various  projects,  including excavations.

Francis Corbet Francis has been involved in the original MRLAG and its predecessor

since inception. He is past President of the Société Jersiaise and a member of the Waterfront Design Group.

Paul Craig Paul is a member of the Société Jersiaise. For many years, he has

researched vernacular building methods and styles, and is particularly interested in the history and development of St Helier. Paul has worked with the Historic Buildings Section, Planning Department, States of Jersey as part of the team reviewing buildings for protection.

André Ferrari Andre was commissioned by Save Jersey's Heritage to produce two

books  charting  some  of  the  Island's  architectural  losses  since  the Liberation.  Over  the  past  years  he  has  worked  with  the  Historic Buildings Section, Planning Department, States of Jersey as part of the team  reviewing  buildings  for  protection,  and  is  a  member  of  the Waterfront Design Group.

Antony Gibb Antony  has  a  background  in  history  of  art,  archaeology  and

construction.  Following  post-graduate  work  at  the  Architectural Association, he has specialised in the repair of historic structures for the past 17 years and is a member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation.

Paul Harding Paul is a qualified Chartered Architect and a corporate member of the

Royal Institute of British Architects.  Paul ran as Project Director for the development of the Jersey Archive, which received Civic Trust and Concrete Society Awards.

Robert Le Mottée Bob is a Chartered Architectural Technologist with an interest in the

protection  and  enhancement  of  the  Island's  architectural  and archaeological  heritage.  He  is  a  member  of  the  National  Trust  for Jersey  Properties  Committee  and  has  been  architectural technologist/consultant for various National Trust projects, including Tesson Mill and Brook Farm.

Richard Le Sueur Richard is a qualified Architect and a member of the Association of

Jersey  Architects,  the  National  Trust  for  Jersey  and  the  Société Jersiaise.  Richard  has  been  involved  in  the  restoration  of  Le  Rât Cottage and The Elms.

Sarah O'Connor Sarah  started  her  career  working  for  the  States  of  Jersey  Planning

Department co-ordinating the review of the Historic Buildings Register and preparing documentation for the designation of Sites of Special Interest.  She has worked as a Conservation Officer for Oxford City Council and Camden Council. Sarah holds a postgraduate diploma in Building Surveying.

Colin Tadier Colin  is  a  structural  engineer  by  profession,  with  30  years  of

experience,  and  an  interest  in  vernacular  buildings.  He  holds  a postgraduate diploma in Historic Building Conservation and an MSc in Building Conservation.

Mike Waddington Mike is a Chartered Architect and current President of the Association

of Jersey Architects.  He was a member of the former Jersey Building Heritage Sub-Committee.

John Williams John is a Chartered Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects

and a Registered Architect in Jersey. He was architect for the Société Jersiaise on the restoration of Hamptonne Country Life Museum 1989– 1996, and for Jersey Heritage on the restoration of Mont Orgueil.

The existing membership of MRLAG was appointed in May 2009. Appointment to membership of the group was undertaken  by  Jersey  Heritage  in  accordance  with  best  practice  as  set  out  by  the  Jersey  Appointments Commission, following open public advert. The role of the group is governed by Terms of Reference and a Code of Conduct.

Members of MRLAG give their time and expertise on an entirely voluntary basis.

[1]

 Supplementary Planning Guidance Note 9 (Nov 2008) Identification and designation of buildings and places of architectural, archaeological, historical or other interest