Agenda item

To consider a report by the Business Information Team Manager (copy attached) updating the Committee on the Archives project and which seeks members’ views on the proposals put forward for the future use of Ruthin Gaol

11.30am – 12pm

Vote taken: 6 in favour, 1 against, 0 abstentions.

Having considered the report on the North East Wales Archive Service and Ruthin Gaol the Committee:

Resolved:

(i)           to note the progress made to date and support the proposals for the future use of Ruthin Gaol;

(ii)          to register concerns that no contingency plans currently existed for the Archives Service or the heritage offer at Ruthin Gaol if the bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for funding to develop a Hub in Mold for the North East Wales Archives Service was unsuccessful; and

(iii)        that the results of the current North East Wales Archives Service Access Consultation be circulated to members for information.

The lead member for Housing and Communities Tony Thomas, the Head of Business Improvement and Modernisation, Alan Smith, the Countryside and Heritage Services Manager Denbighshire Huw Rees and the Business Information Team Manager Craig Berry were all in attendance for the item.

Councillor Tony Thomas - Cabinet Lead Member for Housing and Communities presented the report (previously circulated). This follows a report presented to Communities Scrutiny Committee during October 2019, where the plans were outlined for North East Wales Archives (NEWA) and the possible move to Mold in 2025 (subject to National Lottery Heritage Funding). During this meeting, the Committee requested an update during 2020 on the utilisation of the potential vacated space at Ruthin Gaol.

A working group was established earlier this year to develop plans for the long-term use of Ruthin Gaol. The working group consisted of Local Members, selected key officers and a representative from Ruthin Town Council. The Working Group has developed exciting and innovative plans for expanding the heritage attraction at the Gaol, so that the vacated space was used to develop the following, Development of immersive Cell Experiences. Alan Smith had put a £65k reserve in place with work with the old gaol.

The plans for the Gaol, were in line with the budget allocated which was £65k, this budget would be used whether the Archives would move. Thanks for some funding from Craig’s team who funded plans for some whole site offers, this would impact on 46 Clwyd Street.

During the debate the following points were raised:

·         The committee queried why the item was being discussed prior to the public consultation being carried out and completed, responding officers clarified that public engagement was required for the next stage of the bid. The consolation would be promoted through social media to ensure there was adequate public engagement.

·         The archive presence at the Gaol whether the archives would move was highlighted, members sought clarification with what the link would entail. There would be a computer link, alongside a physical presence during the week. The physical presence would keep a presence at the gaol to cover local demand. However the details were yet to be finalised.

·         The partnership between Flintshire County Council and Denbighshire’s County Council’s archive services was questioned and whether the NEWA were to fail would the partnership continue. The committee were informed that the partnership was informal, and both Councils could leave however the partnership was working well.

·         The proposals for the Gaol were they dependant on the Archives leaving the site.  Officers clarified that whether the Archives were not to move out it would be very difficult to carry out any works, the plans which were presented were totally reliant if archives were to move out.

·         The differences between DCC and FCC’s Welsh language policies were raised, member were seeking assurance to which policy would be adopted if the NEWA was built. The committee were assured that it would be the DCC policy which would be adopted.

Vote taken: 6 in favour, 1 against, 0 abstentions.

Having considered the report on the North East Wales Archive Service and Ruthin Gaol the Committee:

Resolved:

(i)           to note the progress made to date and support the proposals for the future use of Ruthin Gaol;

(ii)          to register concerns that no contingency plans currently existed for the Archives Service or the heritage offer at Ruthin Gaol if the bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for funding to develop a Hub in Mold for the North East Wales Archives Service was unsuccessful; and

(iii)         that the results of the current North East Wales Archives Service Access Consultation be circulated to members for information.