Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Mr DB Lewis (Lord Lieutenant), Councillors J Newbury, C Thomas, TM White and Canon S Ryan.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by both Authorities, no interests were declared.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the West Glamorgan Archives Committee held on 12 September 2014.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the West Glamorgan Archives Committee held on 12 September 2014 be agreed as a correct record.

The Chair welcomed Mr Andrew Dulley to his first meeting as the representative of the Diocese of Swansea & Brecon.

The County Archivist reported that the results of the Customer Survey undertaken earlier in the year had not yet been published, so would be reported to the March meeting of this Committee.

SERVICE ISSUES AND SERVICE PERFORMANCE

The County Archivist reported that he had attended a ceremony in Bath in October where an award had been presented to mark the inscription of the Neath Abbey Ironworks Collection on the UK register of the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme.

The award and accompanying certificate were shown to the Committee. The County Archivist will discuss with relevant officers in Neath Port Talbot about further publicising the awards amongst staff there and loaning the awards for display in NPT civic offices..

The County Archivist outlined the statistics for the last quarter relating to the usage of the Archive Service facilities.

He referred to an issue associated with the Accreditation process for the facility at the Civic Centre, Swansea which would cause some delay to the application.

Committee discussed the potential sale of the Civic Centre, the possible implications of such a sale on the future delivery of the service, potential areas of improved joint/regional working and collaboration in the future.

AGREED that the Chair and Vice Chairs meet as soon as is practicable with the relevant Cabinet Member in Swansea to discuss the future provision of the Archive Service.

SERVICE OUTREACH

The County Archivist reported on the ‘Sandfields:a Community Built on Steel’ project that the Service had been involved in with children from Sandfields Comprehensive in Port Talbot. He indicated that the exhibition of the children’s work will be displayed at the National Waterfront Museum in April 2015 and will also be displayed at the School and Sandfields Community Centre.

He outlined the potential to expand the World War One education sessions with schools, particularly those in the Neath Port Talbot areas.

PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS AND PARTNERSHIP WORKING

The County Archivist reported on the various meetings and events attended by staff during the quarter.

ACCESSIONS OF ARCHIVES

The County Archivist detailed the various accessions received by the Service

during the last quarter. 

ARCHIVE SERVICE PRESERVATION POLICY

The County Archivist outlined the draft policy.

AGREED that the draft policy be approved.

13^th March 2015 (Neath) - 11.00am.

The date of the remaining meeting of the Committee for the

Municipal Year was noted.