Appointment to the Historic Monuments Council

Date published: 17 December 2019

1. The HMC was first established in 1971 under the provisions of the Historic Monuments (Northern Ireland) Act 1971. Its current authority is derived from the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. Its roots rest in the Ancient Monuments Advisory Council 1926-1970. It is a statutory advisory council which provides advice to the Department of Communities on the exercise of its powers under the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (NI) Order 1995. This includes the conservation and preservation of monuments in state care, scheduling of monuments, maritime archaeology, industrial and defence heritage, historic parks, gardens and demesnes and the identification of Areas of Significant Archaeological Interest in the context of Development Plans.
2. The Members of HMC are not paid but are entitled to an allowance for travelling and other expenses including a subsistence allowance payable in line with current Civil Service rates.
3. The terms of appointment have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland Code of Practice.
4. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires political activity of appointees to be published.
5. Biographical details:

Cllr Robert Colvin

Cllr Colvin is a Councillor on Mid Ulster Council, representing Torrent DEA. He is a member of the planning committee, and policy and resources committee. As former Acting Chief Executive of Craigavon Borough Council, he led that organisation in its preparation for the Local Government Reform.

Cllr Colvin is the Regional Coordinator for Mission Aviation Fellowship, where his role is to persuade people to support the charity. He is also a member of the board of Moneymore Heritage Trust (MHT), where he has developed new partnerships and relationships with Development Trusts NI and others to assist in protecting the architectural heritage of Moneymore. In the last five years he has undertaken political activity for the Ulster Unionist Party.

6. Media enquiries to DfC Press Office on 028 9082 3516 or email: press.office@communities-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07623 974383.
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