Proposals of assumptions for the system of conservation services - the position of voivodeship conservators

Barbara Bielinis-Kopeć

Abstract

Regional Historic Preservation Officers are of the opinion that monument protection system in Poland needs to be modified. According to them, however, these changes need to be preceded by in-depth analysis of the existing situation, e.g. the condition in which historic monuments and sites are preserved in Poland, the sources of financing works carried out to monuments and sites, the role that historic preservation offices play in administration combined with regional governors, and the current financial and HR situation in specific government bodies.
Changes made to the monument protection system should result in improving the conservational state of historic monuments and sites as well as improving functioning of historic preservation service in competence-, organisation-, and finance-related aspects. Furthermore, as a consequence, local government bodies and the society should become more aware of their responsibilities pertaining to historic monuments and sites. The role of local government historic preservation service should be also taken into consideration.
According to Regional Historic Preservation Officers, the changes should be aimed at the following: strengthening the office of General Historic Preservation Officer who will shape historic preservation policy in Poland and coordinate actions taken by state and local historic preservation service; subordinating Regional Historic Preservation Officers directly to the General Historic Preservation Officer (within structures of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage); improve the organisational and financial situation in Regional Historic Preservation Offices and adapt it to their needs; developing a model of local government historic preservation service in terms of their competences, organisational structure, and subordinance (control- and merit-related) to Regional Historic Preservation Officers. It is necessary to make legislative changes to the monument protection law not only by issuing clear, uniform, and adoptable regulations but also by correlating regulations pertaining to protection of historic monuments and sites with other existing acts of law. It is also essential to perform comprehensive analysis of the list of Polish monuments and sites (register and record of historic monuments and sites) as well as develop and implement a financial support system for taking care of historic monuments and sites and include properties owned by the state treasury into this system. It must be also emphasised that there is a strong need for increasing social importance of guardianship of monuments and sites and making the society aware of limitations and benefits pertaining to monument protection.