The Buckinghamshire Historic Environment Forum met on Tuesday 22 September 2026. Members discussed updates on the Emergency Recording Fund and the ongoing situation at Mentmore Towers. The forum also heard briefings on changes to relevant planning policies and presentations on creative curation and storage solutions for local museums.

Emergency Recording Fund Update

Lucy Lawrence, Principal Archaeology Officer for Buckinghamshire Council, provided an update on the Emergency Recording Fund (ERF). The fund was used in April 2026 to excavate a significant Roman hoard discovered in the Chilterns. The excavation, carried out by Oxford Archaeology, uncovered further items and allowed for environmental sampling, with the findings now on display at Discover Bucks Museum. Despite this expenditure, the fund remains only slightly down on the previous year due to annual contributions. Gary Marshall of the Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society requested that the minutes be amended to clarify his query regarding the Emergency Recording Fund, specifically asking if contributions could be paused if the fund had not been used for some time, rather than querying if the fund was needed.

Mentmore Towers Update

Joanna Horton, Team Leader for Heritage and Archaeology at Buckinghamshire Council, reported on the council's intervention at Mentmore Towers. A repair notice has been served on the owner of the Grade I Listed Building due to ongoing concerns about its lack of maintenance. A deadline of 5 October was set for the owner to provide evidence of undertaking required surveys. Councillor Peter Brazier, Chair of the forum, expressed support for the council's actions, while Councillor Greg Smith inquired about potential funding from nearby developments, which was deemed unlikely. The need for political support to potentially write to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport was also highlighted, as the financial risk should not solely rest with the Local Planning Authority.

Changes to Relevant Policies

Eliza Alqassar, Natural Historic & Built Environment Manager for Buckinghamshire Council, briefed the forum on upcoming changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and their potential impact on archaeology and heritage. She also provided an update on the forthcoming Buckinghamshire Local Plan. Martin Curtis, from the Chiltern Open Air Museum, noted that the Local Plan prioritises growth in the north of the county and questioned the availability of viable options in the Green Belt to the south. Alqassar confirmed that while such options exist, they have been discounted due to existing industrial allocations in the south, with housing allocations primarily focused in the north. Councillor Greg Smith reminded the forum of their role in shaping development on heritage grounds. Councillor Brazier emphasised the positive aspect of the Local Plan in controlling development, contrasting it with the current situation of speculative applications due to the absence of a Local Plan.

Creative Curation and Storage

Roz Currie from Wycombe Museum and Brett Thorn from Discover Bucks Museum presented on the storage challenges faced by their respective institutions and the creative solutions they have implemented. Martin Curtis mentioned that a survey had been circulated to understand storage-related issues across the county. Councillor Brazier enquired about the storage of the Wycombe archive, with Currie explaining that some is held at the museum and some at Hughenden National Trust. Joanna Horton asked if museums could rationalise their collections, to which both Currie and Thorn responded that while possible, it is a time-consuming and costly process.

Other Discussions

Questions were raised about the representation of museums and heritage groups within the forum, with an agreement to circulate information clarifying the forum's purpose and membership. The next meeting is scheduled for 13th April 2027, with an invitation to host at Milton Keynes Museum having been extended and accepted. An optional walk to the new Chair Discovery Centre followed the meeting.