The Archives Task Force

In August 2003 Edwin Green, Eamon Dyas and Melanie Aspey (trustees of the BAC) attended the Archives Task Force [ATF] on behalf of the BAC. The ATF, established by Resource (now known as the Museums, Libraries & Archives Council - MLA) at the invitation of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, is charged with undertaking a detailed investigation and analysis of the state of the UK’s archives. The ATF was scheduled to report to government and funding agencies in the winter of 2003. The BAC team produced and presented a written submission. The BAC team is confident that their presentation was worthwhile and that the ATF had a greater understanding of the varying nature and complexity of business archives following the meeting. They were assured that business archives would feature more prominently in the ATF report than the ATF had previously expected.

The ATF published its findings and recommendations on 24th March 2004.

UPDATE: As a contributor to the Archives Task Force, the Business Archives Council welcomes the appearance of the Report, Listening to the Past, Speaking to the Future. Particularly welcome is the recognition that business archives are a valuable part of the UK archival heritage and that business archives play a significant role in illuminating the impact of commerce and industry on society.

The Council is acutely aware that the continuing existence and accessibility of business archives are closely linked to the fortunes of their owners, and therefore welcomes the recognition in the report of the need to strengthen rescue activities and the capacity to respond to collections at risk.

The Business Archives Council looks forward to participating in future developments as the opportunities presented by the Report are developed and the situation relating to funding becomes clearer.

Serena Kelly, member of BAC Executive Committee, 23 April 2004 .

The ATF findings are available on the MLA website, please go to: http://www.mla.gov.uk/action/archives/atf.asp