Branch Pub Protection Officer To co-ordinate any pub campaigning activities within the Branch boundaries that relate to preserving pubs, in line with CAMRA's national aims and policies on pub campaigning. Key Activities To undertake activities which enable the post holder to be aware of any threats to pubs within the branch. The threat could be either closure or unsympathetic refurbishment. This could be done via: o Tracking planning applications o Local newspapers/websites o Local branch members
To initiate and co-ordinate Branch campaigns to preserve a pub under threat. This could be done via: o Co-ordinating letter writing to Planners o Supporting local groups fighting to protect a pub o Working with the Branch Publicity Officer to create a media campaign
To be aware of local policies that Councils might have that could affect pubs. This could include: o Local Planning Policies. Developing relationships with local planning officers is useful. o Conservation Policies o Community Asset register.
To work with the Public Affairs Officer to lobby local councillors and Councils to adopt planning policies which give greater protection to pubs.
To assist local campaigns to save pubs within the Branch area from closure or unwanted changes. This could involve working with non CAMRA groups of pub goers. This could entail attending council planning meetings.
Desirable activities Develop relationships with other groups that have a similar interest such as the Victorian Society and other historical society groups.
If possible, develop relationships with local Conservation Officers
To work with the Branch Chairman to ensure that any pub closure/threat campaigns are regularly raised at Branch meetings.
To work with the Pubs Database Co-ordinator and the Branch Pub Officer (if there are people in post) as and when needed.
To work with the Pubs Database Co-ordinator to maintain a list and photographs of local pubs of historic and/or architectural interest, taking a lead on promoting interest in local pubs with features that are historically or architecturally significant.
To take a lead to get any pub of historic and/or architectural interest listed, where they aren’t already including using local listings.
To provide articles on pub preservation for branch magazines and website.
If possible, to write to any new licensee who has taken over a local heritage pub, highlighting the historic features of the building they have taken over.
Code of conduct To refrain from putting forward any personal points of view to the media that are against CAMRA’s policy or might bring the Campaign into disrepute.
Branch Pub Protection Officer Time Commitment This role can take up as much time as you are prepared to give. Circa 2 hours a month is probably a minimum except at key times, which could be the threat of closure of a local pub or another major local campaign, when a higher level of commitment might be required.
Attendance at your Branch meetings is useful.
Some areas have Pub Groups (locally and/or regionally) where attendance at their meetings would be valuable.
Skills etc needed Good interpersonal and communication skills
Access to a computer, the internet and social media
Ability to act as a spokesperson is useful but not always essential.
Support Support on planning issues is available from CAMRA’s Local Planning Policy Advisor and Chair of the Pubs Heritage Group paul.ainsworth@camra.org.uk
Advice and guidance on CAMRA policy is available from Branch committee members and others who have previously held the post.
For further information on any aspect of volunteering for CAMRA please email volunteer.services@camra.org.uk