Abstract
Local authorities are identified as playing a significant role in historic heritage management at the local level. The aim of this thesis was to determine whether local authorities are in a position to be given greater responsibility for historic heritage and particularly archaeological resource management. This thesis presents a discussion of the historical development of legislative provisions for the management and protection of historic heritage. Archaeological information is considered imperative for appropriate local authority management of archaeological resources, this thesis assesses the current state of archaeological information available to local authorities. In order to determine the role local authorities currently play, a questionnaire survey was designed to procure an understanding of what planners perceived their councils responsibility was and how they were actively managing historic heritage. To acquire an appreciation of the actual practice of historic heritage management two case studies were conducted. Case studies involved interviewing planners, members of the two communities and individuals who had first hand experience of the archaeological authority process.