Treasure Act Review Press Release

The Government response to the consultation on the Treasure Act

The Government response to the review of the Treasure Act is being published today, Friday 4th December. The report and press release will be added to the DCMS website shortly. Here is the link.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/revising-the-definition-of-treasure-in-the-treasure-act-1996-and-revising-the-related-codes-of-practice

We have highlighted some of the important points below. Please note that this is only the first stage of the process of any changes. The Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) are keen to discuss any proposed changes with the NCMD and you, our members, before drafting the legislation on any changes to The Treasure Act. We’ll let you know how you can get involved in the next few weeks.

So what are the main things being proposed? 

1. The definition of Treasure may be widened to include, for example,  some Roman artefacts of any metal
2. They are looking at ways of time limiting the Treasure process. The aim will be to speed it up. 
3. Improve best practise by updating the Code of Conduct and other actions, including more engagement with detectorists and other stakeholders.
4. They ‘’will be looking further at commercial rallies’’ as well as being ‘’interested in finds which leave the UK and how these are recorded and regulated.’’ (p13 paragraph 41)

Any changes will be laid in front of Parliament in 2021 and come into practise in 2022. In the next few months we will be actively involved  in ensuring the hobbies voice is heard in the discussions on any proposed changes. We will be actively seeking your views on any proposed changes to ensure YOUR voice is heard. 

To join the debate comment on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheNCMD  or the NCMD section  of The Detecting Hub https://www.thedetectinghub.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=53

On 4 Dec 2020, at 12:11 am, jjrigby@sky.com wrote: