Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Culture, Communities and Customer Services.

That the adoption of the revised Inter-Authority Agreement with BCP Council over the provision of the Joint Archives Service be approved.

Reason for the decision

To enable and underwrite proper political, financial and strategic oversight of the Joint Archives Service.   

To provide relevant governance structure to oversee both the strategic direction and standard of service delivered to residents. Ensuring that both governance and accountability are clearly retained by the partner local authorities.

The Portfolio Holder for Culture, Community and Customer Services set out a report on the proposed revised Inter Authority Agreement for Joint Archives Service.

In proposing the recommendation, the Portfolio Holder advised that the Joint Archives Service (JAS) based at the Dorset History Centre (DHC) Dorchester was funded pro rata to population by Dorset Council and BCP Council.  The JAS had been governed since 1997 by a tripartite Inter-Authority Agreement and to allow for continuity this agreement was maintained through the local government re-organisation in 2019. Members were advised that the JAS had been reviewed and updated with the support of the Joint Archives Advisory Board which endorsed this new Inter-Authority agreement, as set out in appendix 1 to the report. The proposal was seconded by Cllr T Ferrari.

In response to questions, members were advised that there was a long-standing ambition to extend the history centre. Discussions were on-going with the national lottery fund and it was hoped that an application would be shortly completed with match funding from the council.

Decision

That the adoption of the revised Inter-Authority Agreement with BCP Council over the provision of the Joint Archives Service, be approved.

Reason for the decision

To enable and underwrite proper political, financial, and strategic oversight of the Joint Archives Service.   

To provide relevant governance structure to oversee both the strategic direction and standard of service delivered to residents. Ensuring that both governance and accountability are clearly retained by the partner local authorities.