The Group coordinated input to the meetings of the DCMS Heritage Working Group. Key discussions within the working group have related to:

• guidance for a safe reopening of heritage attractions after the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of Covid19
• the Culture Recovery Fund and the different revenue and capital elements of the Fund that are available to the heritage sector
• the Test & Trace app and the consequences for heritage sites
• collection of information on re-opening experiences at heritage sites, including details of compliance issues relating to social distancing and mask wearing etc.
• periodic evidence gathering on the impact of the second wave of Covid19.

The task group also coordinated the sector’s input for the Heritage Council meetings since the end of 2020 and has been working to facilitate sector discussions linked with the Planning White Paper.

The Task Group has worked closely with Historic England to compile a Heritage Recovery Plan (published in Feb 2021) to look forward to the period from April 2021 as the latest national lockdown came to an end.

The Plan covers four themes: re-opening, resilience, skills and return to growth with actions for Government and for the sector. The Plan was signed off by HEF at its March 2021 meeting.

The Task Group worked with Historic England and HEF members to build a Heritage Sector Resilience Plan and its associated action plan.