The Royal Fine Art Commission, appointed by royal warrant in 1924, was this country's only official organisation with a remit to comment on architectural quality. All of Durham's major proposals in recent years have been 'demonstrated' to the Commission, with considered comments later conveyed to developers and council in an effort to achieve the most appropriate design. Prince Bishops was a notable exception in failing to comply fully with this procedure - see Bulletin 44. Our two distinguished patrons, Sherban Cantacuzino and Sir William Whitfield, have served as commissioners of course.
Last autumn the RFAC was disbanded following government review of architectural policy. In its place is the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (C.A.B.E.). The name of the new body indicates its wider remit, which is officially described as "urban design, education and community involvement and the development of a regional dimension in the promotion of good architecture". This programme will be facilitated by the creation of six committees, each chaired by a commissioner. The full complement of commissioners will eventually number fifteen, seven of whom have so far been appointed. Three of the seven were RFAC members, one of whom - Stuart Lipton - has been appointed chairman of CABE. Although its headquarters is that of the former RFAC and initially its staff is largely that of the RFAC, the new body insists that its wider focus will mean new ways of working.