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NORTH WEST REGIONAL ARCHIVE COUNCIL
SEVENTH MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
Lancashire Record Office, Monday 2 April 2001 at 2.00pm
Present: Jim Grisenthwaite, (ACALG), Chairman
Richard Hoyle (Royal Historical Society),
Bruce Jackson (Society of Archivists, NW Region),
Secretary
Peter McNiven, (SCONUL)
Kevin Mulley (Greater Manchester Archivists Group)
Katie Norgrove (NCA Archive Development Officer),
Jonathan Pepler (NW County Archivists Group), Treasurer
Brenda Smith (Federation of Family History Societies)
David Stoker (Merseyside Archivists Group)
Frances Thomson (CURL and NW Regional Library System)
Caroline Williams (LUCAS)
In attendance as Observers: Ian Taylor (NW Museums
Service), Nigel Rudyard (Regional Strategic Development Officer - Museums,
Libraries and Archives).
1 Apologies for absence
Alison Berwick (Archives Lottery Officer, Alan Crosby (BALH),
Maryann Gomes (Federation of Film Archivists), John Gurney (HMC), Nigel
Hardman (BAC), Colin Phillips (co-opted).
It was reported that both Maryann Gomes and Nigel Hardman
were both in bad health, and Alison Berwick was not able to following an
incident outside her home. The meeting agreed to ask the Secretary to send
their best wishes to all three for a fast recovery.
2 Minutes
The minutes of the last meeting were accepted as a true record and signed
by the Chairman (JG).
3 Matters arising
Item 4.The Hon, Secretary had now produced a letterhead, which was
circulated and agreed. It was later noted that the RAC website address
should be added to this.
Item 4 As yet no nomination had been received from the National Council
for Conservation-Restoration, nor a new nomination from the BRA.
Item 5.3 It was noted that the HMC Report was now not due until June.
Item 6.1 The Treasurer had now submitted the draft budget
Item 7.2 A letter supporting the proposal for Manchester and Greater
Manchester had been sent. There was discussion as to how a more
"joined-up" approach about such developments could be encouraged.
4 Regional Archives
Strategy
4.1 Nigel Rudyard (NR) presented the first draft of the proposed
Regional Archive Strategy document. The timetable which was being worked to
is:
12 - 18 April restricted circulation to members of the Society of
Archivists in the region. Then it will be placed on the RAC website
(currently at www.nwrsl.org.uk/NWRACWeb)and
circulated as widely as possible for comment. This consultation will end on
18 May, and a final form produced by the end of May for final consideration
at the next RAC before sending it to Re:source. It was agreed to hold a
public meeting on 9 May at 2.00pm in Manchester (probably at John Rylands
Library) to discuss the strategy.
NR asked for any initial responses from RAC members to be with him by 11
April.
4.2 The methodology of the first draft had been limited by the timetable.
NR was aware that he had been able to consult few groups or organisations so
far, but he was keen to involve as many as possible in the production of the
strategy. He envisaged the initial document having approximately a
three-year span.
4.3 The meeting then proceeded through the document as a very preliminary
assessment. It was accepted that this could be only a very early first step,
but the following points were picked up (para references are to the draft
document:
 | 2.1 RH suggested that this should be much more positive, and that we
should be looking for an improvement in services. It was agreed that
there needed to be a stronger focus on the "users" in the
document |
| 2.2 BJ suggested that the evidential value of archives needed to be
stated. |
| 3.1.1 There is a need to make more reference to government agendas. |
| 3.2.10 The complexity of regional boundaries (e.g. in relation to
the NW Film and Sound Archives) needs to be stated. |
It was felt that the strategy needs to focus on the relationship with
the national agendas, but also on the unique and distinguishing aspects
of archive provision in the north west - the number of small
repositories, the number of business archives, historic levels of
underfunding etc.
NR was thanked for the excellent first steps he had taken, which will
now be strengthened through the consultation and development process.
It was also agreed at this point to seek to purchase the web domain
name nwrac.org.uk for the RAC website. NR showed examples of the initial
site development he had carried out already, which is housed for the
moment on the NWRLS site. He was thanked for the good work he had
already done.
5 National issues
5.1 Re:source Funding Update
Re:source has now announced that it intends to provide £27700 for each
of the English regions to fund steps for the development of the Regional
Archive Strategies. The NWRAC had been on the point of seeking funding for
this from a "cross-sectoral " pot, but Re;source than announced
the funds would be specifically available to the RACs through the NCA. As
such the money cannot be used to continue Nigel Rudyard's existing cross-sectoral
post, (but see 5.2 below). It was proposed that the money could be used to
appoint an assistant to work on specific implementation of the Strategy
after it had been completed, possibly starting in the summer of this year.
Some of the money could be used for specific projects.
5.2 Resource Second Tranche Cross-Sectoral Funding
Details had now been received from Re:source of which bids they have
decided to support from the 2nd tranche of cross-sectoral funds.
Thre Region had been successful in two bids:
| £50000 (out of a requested £87000) to continue cross-sectoral
strategic developemnt. Some of this would be used to continue NR's
post |
| £28000 (out of a requested £60000) for work on cultural diversity |
This total of £78000 has as a result been received - the third
highest tota;l for any English region.
In addition, the third proposed bid to this pot - for Lifelong
Learning development - was withdrawn at the request of Re:source, who
had decided to give an automatic £27700 to each English region to carry
out initial work and research prior to the establishment of Regional
Learning Support Units in April 2002, when major additional funding
would become available.
6 Regional Issues
6.1 Regional Cultural Strategy
A Third draft of the proposed strategy had now been circulated to members
of the Regional Cultural Consortium. Until now it has not been open for
circulation, but The Chairman is now in a position to distribute it toi RAC
members. The Strategy is to be finalized and launched in July.
6.2 Cross-Sectoral Training
Paul Parry (NW Museums Service) has prepared a specification for the
consultants undertaking the project, which will now include Library and
Archive staff.
6.3 Regional Library System
The Organisation has now agreed to form the shadow Board for a new
Libraries North West body, which will be more broadly based, and have no
local authority elected members.
7 Any other business
7.1.NW Arts have apparently been involved in discussion about
Film Archive provision on Merseyside.
7.2 The Government has announced that the Regional Arts Boards are
to be abolished, with an alternative officer based structure being
created. There have been indications that Cumbria will be moved to within
the area covered by the new NW Arts organisation by 2002/3.
8 Dates of Future meetings
As previously agreed, the next meeting would be held at Lancashire Record
Office in Preston on Monday 4 June at 2.00pm.
BJ/10/4/01
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