Issue - meetings

The Joint Archives Service (JAS) based at Dorset History Centre (DHC) in Dorchester is funded pro rata to population by Dorset Council and BCP Council.  The JAS has been governed since 1997 by a tripartite Inter-Authority Agreement (IAA) signed that year between Dorset County Council, Bournemouth Borough Council and Borough of Poole, the three first tier councils then operating in Dorset.  To allow continuity, the 1997 agreement was maintained through local government reorganisation in 2019.  Following a consultant-led review of the JAS which reported in February 2021 which gathered opinions from officers and councillors, it was agreed at a meeting of the Joint Archives Advisory Board in April 2021 that the governance of the JAS required updating.  This was in order to reflect both the new unitary council arrangements and the modern context in which the service operates.  The agreement in Appendix 1 is the outcome of that process.

RESOLVED that the revised Inter-Authority Agreement with Dorset Council over the provision of the Joint Archives Service be adopted.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Culture and Vibrant Places

Reason

To enable appropriate political, financial and strategic oversight of the Joint Archive Service.

The Portfolio Holder for Culture and Vibrant Places presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the Joint Archives Service (JAS) based at Dorset History Centre (DHC) in Dorchester is funded pro rata to population by Dorset Council and BCP Council. 

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the JAS has been governed since 1997 by a tripartite Inter-Authority Agreement (IAA) signed that year between Dorset County Council, Bournemouth Borough Council and Borough of Poole, the three first tier councils then operating in Dorset, to allow continuity, the 1997 agreement was maintained through local government reorganisation in 2019. 

Further to this Cabinet was advised that following a consultant-led review of the JAS which reported in February 2021 which gathered opinions from officers and councillors, it was agreed at a meeting of the Joint Archives Advisory Board in April 2021 that the governance of the JAS required updating, this was in order to reflect both the new unitary council arrangements and the modern context in which the service operates. 

Cabinet was informed that the agreement in Appendix 1 of the report is the outcome of that process.

Cabinet approval was therefore sought for the adoption of the revised Inter-Authority Agreement with Dorset Council.

RESOLVED that the revised Inter-Authority Agreement with Dorset Council over the provision of the Joint Archives Service be adopted.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Culture and Vibrant Places