The Memorandum of Guidance on Listed Building and Conservation Areas provides guidance on the ways in which development proposals affecting historic buildings and areas should be handled. A series of Technical Advice Notes offer detailed guidance on various issues related to the use and repair of historic buildings and traditional building materials. Historic Scotland is also responsible for the direct management and promotion of over 300 historic properties in State care. Historic Scotland seeks, therefore, to secure the protection and enhancement of the historic environment by working with local authorities and others in administering their respective powers, in the positive management of the historic environment and by promoting a greater awareness of the need to protect and conserve the built heritage. The Role of Local Authorities and Others 19 .
Local authorities have a range of duties and powers with regard to the historic environment.
The Government urges councils to maintain and strengthen their commitment to stewardship of the historic environment, and to reflect it in their policies and in the allocation of their resources. It is important that, as planning authorities, they adopt suitable policies in their development plans and implement them through development control decisions and other means. Planning authorities should also ensure that they can call on sufficient specialist conservation advice to inform their decision-making and to assist owners and other members of the public. Responsibility for the effective protection, conservation and management of the historic environment lies not just with central and local government. Owners and users of historic buildings, religious and other institutions, visitors and businesses all have an important contribution to make.