FFHS-NEWS The National Archives (TNA) finalises its plans for change

[News from the Federation of Family History Societies]

Change at The National Archives (TNA)

 

In July we drew attention to the proposed changes put forward by TNA.
Following a period of consultation, TNA has now announced its firm plans for
change which will begin to take effect from the end of this year.  Details
can be found on TNA's website at
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/changes.htm.

 

The finalised plans were unveiled at the monthly user forum held yesterday
at Kew.  The main proposals remain in place, namely closure to the public on
Mondays (from January 2010); the introduction of car park charges (from
April 2010); and changes to copying and microform services (to be phased in
from the end of 2009).  Some adjustments have been made to the details as a
result of comments received during the consultation process.  The
presentation given at the user forum can be downloaded at
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/final-plans-for-changes-at-the-
national-archives.pdf.

 

It will come as no surprise that the changes were not well received by those
who have been in the forefront of the criticism aimed at the proposals.
However, it was noticeable that some of the critics seemed to be guilty of
the sort of misrepresentation they claimed had been used by TNA.  Either
that or they are unable to interpret documents as well as might be expected.

 

It is to be hoped that lessons will be learnt from this exercise so that
future consultation is much more effective.  In the present situation it was
much more like paying lip service to consultation after the decisions had
been reached.  Natalie Ceeney, chief executive, said that employment law
made it difficult to have open discussion in the light of the impact on
staff caused by the loss of jobs.  Ideally, stakeholders should be given the
opportunity to provide input at the earliest stages of thinking, when there
is a realistic possibility of influencing the decision-making process.
Also, the reasoning behind some of the decisions was not well communicated
at first.  This caused conflict which could have been avoided if more
thought had been given to this.

 

We understand that there will be an opportunity to demonstrate how well
these lessons have been understood in the not-too-distant future.

 

Roger Lewry

FFHS Archives Liaison

exec.member.rl at ffhs.org.uk

25 September 2009

 

The Federation of Family History Societies is a Company Limited by Guarantee

Company Number 2930189 (England & Wales) - Registered Charity Number 1038721

Registered Office: Artillery House, 15 Byrom Street, Manchester, England M3
4PF

 

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