This section authorises the continuance of the Historic Buildings Council. It also outlines the functions of a council as keeping under review the general state of preservation of listed buildings, advising the Department on the preservation of such buildings as the Department may refer to it and such other functions as conferred on it by statutory provision.
Under this section the Department has the power to make a contribution to expenditure (through grants or loans) incurred in the repair or maintenance of a listed building or in the upkeep of land comprising any such building or repair or in the maintenance of objects kept in the building. The Department, in conjunction with Department of Finance and Personnel, can make grants or loans to the National Trust towards the cost of acquiring a listed building, any land associated with any such building, or any objects which are usually kept in the building.
Under this section the Department may acquire a listed building or land comprising such a building by agreement, purchase, lease or otherwise or by gift. The Department may also acquire objects which have been kept in a listed building or an estate vested in the Department or in a listed building under its control or management. The Department may at its discretion make arrangements for the management, custody and use of property acquired or accepted by it.
This section sets out arrangements for the acceptance by the Department of endowments in respect of listed buildings.
Under this section the Department may intervene and compulsorily acquire a listed building and any land associated with the building if the Department determines it necessary to preserve the building or for its proper control or management. Compulsory acquisition procedures are set out within the section.