It should be noted that we are, in a funny sort of way, back where we started with Chris Smith’s CSR of 1998 when archives were left outside until a fuss was made. We’re not outside to quite the same extent this time but the failure to recognise what archives can do has been palpable throughout Resource / MLA’s various iterations. We need to take a deep breath and start lobbying again.

 

It should be a key item of discussion at ACALG AGM next month I think, and in other fora too.

 

Paul

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Archivists, conservators and records managers. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Taylor Richard
Sent: 20 February 2008 17:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: MLA Yorkshire (and all others?) to end its operations

 

See below – for those who haven’t heard via other sources.

 

Richard

======================
Richard Taylor BA MArAd
Senior Curator, Knowledge and Access
National Railway Museum
Leeman Road
York YO26 4XJ

Tel: 01904 686289
Fax: 01904 611112
Email: [log in to unmask]
======================

MLA Yorkshire to End its Operations.

 

 

MLA Yorkshire, the development agency for museums, libraries and archives in the region, will be calling an Extraordinary General Meeting to propose that it end its operations on

31 December 2008. 

 

This respected regional charity is a victim of funding cuts by its main funder, the MLA Council.  The Council has announced radical restructuring plans following an unfavourable Comprehensive Spending Review and the costs incurred by a restructure and move to Birmingham.

 

MLA Council has announced that it will cease funding all regional agencies by March 2009.  The Board of MLA Yorkshire, a registered charity, feel this leaves them no option under charity law but to end its operations at the end of this year, despite MLA Yorkshire's being recognised as a successful organisation.  Charity Law requires that charities must be able to cover all of their liabilities.

 

MLA Council intends that in all regions a small team, managed by MLA Council, will replace the regional agencies.  The exact nature of this team will not be clear until March, when the findings of a review into all cultural regional agencies will be announced.  MLA Yorkshire will make sure that our sector is kept fully informed.

Despite this news, the Board and staff have reaffirmed their commitment to the sector. Our priority from today until the end of this year is to do everything in our power to make this transition as smooth as possible for everyone in the sector to help them in this period of change.

 

Chair of MLA Yorkshire, Professor John Tarrant, said:  "This is not just a sad day for museums, libraries and archives but also a sad day for Yorkshire.  The staff of MLA Yorkshire have done an excellent job providing a strong voice for museums, libraries and archives in the region.  They have championed the work that supports our communities and helped the cultural sector play a leading role in the revitalising of our region's economy.

 

"Closing MLA Yorkshire will impact on local authorities that have looked to us for guidance, small organisations we have supported such as voluntary museums and the public who have benefited from our work to improve the sector for users.

 

"Every museum, library and archive in our region will lose as a result of this decision.  They will have less of a voice in Yorkshire and the Humber than they would have in the devolved nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

 

"Although many of the activities we undertake will not be able to continue, from today until the end of this year MLA Yorkshire's priority is to do everything in our power to make this transition as smooth as possible for everyone in the sector and our staff."

 

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