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The public consultation process for Operational Selection Policies

The public consultation process for Operational Selection Policies. Howard Davies Records Management and Cataloguing Department 4 July 2006. Selection of public records. Done under the authority of The Public Records Act 1958

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The public consultation process for Operational Selection Policies

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  1. The public consultation process for Operational Selection Policies Howard Davies Records Management and Cataloguing Department 4 July 2006

  2. Selection of public records • Done under the authority of The Public Records Act 1958 • Selection done by departments under the supervision of The National Archives. • Here’s what the legislation has to say about what records are worthy of permanent preservation:

  3. Selection of public records • All records dated 1660 or earlier (s3(3) of the 1958 Act) • ….errr….that’s it.

  4. History of non-consultation • No consultation about the 1660 rule • No consultation about subsequent Public Record Office guidance issued to departments • Essentially a closed government process to which the public – neither researchers nor taxpayers – had access • No consistency for departments, researchers or archivists

  5. History of consultation • Reasons for gradual move towards consultation • Public accountability • Open government, Freedom of Information • Increasingly vocal pressure groups • Academic researcher interest

  6. History of consultation • Acquisition policy • Disposition policy • Appraisal policy • Custodial policy • Etc.etc.

  7. Process of consultation • Cabinet Office guidance(http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/regulation/consultation/) • Identify interested users • Either regular researchers with an interest in your acquisition policy generally… • …or researchers interested in that topic • Other approaches possible

  8. Result of consultation • Unlikely alter main thrust of policy – but may tinker at edges • Likely to be low-key, unless you propose the destruction of key researcher resources (as the researchers see it) • May feel like a pointless exercise, but there are benefits nevertheless

  9. Benefits of consultation • Open government • Accountability for decisions • Involve users of the archive • Win support of academic users • Gives authority to decisions, which…

  10. Benefits of consultation • Gives archive managers more authority over record “owners” • Allows better flow of material into the archive • Encourages debate and promotes the archive • Greater staff and public confidence in its decisions

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