Joint report of the Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills (Staffordshire County Council) and Director of Strategy and Resources (Stoke-on-Trent City Council)

Lead Officers presented the Annual Report on the work of the Joint Archive Service and Archive and Heritage Service for the period April 2021 – March 2022, together with the updated Risk Register.

The securing of funding and development of the History Centre during the reporting period was detailed, together with statistics showing that whilst visitor numbers had not fully recovered to pre COVID 19 pandemic levels, progress was pleasing.

Details were given of key exhibitions, accessions and collections with particular reference made to the ‘Case for the Ordinary’ exhibition.

Performance Indicators showed a 36% increase in use of the service  and a 99% customer satisfaction rate. Instances of on line access to the service had exceeded 2.1 million. Members discussed the quality of the service and the need for a communications campaign to increase public awareness of its existence. The planned transfer of the Stoke-on-Trent Archives Service to the City Museum and Art Gallery was expected to contribute to increasing that awareness.

The Risk Register was drawn up in conjunction with the County Council’s Internal Audit Service and aimed to identify risks to collections, staff, volunteers, the public and the future sustainability of the service.

Resolved – That the Annual Report 2021/22 be noted and publicised by both Councils, and the Joint Committee’s appreciation of the work and commitment of staff and volunteers to the delivery of the Service and preparation for the History Centre development be recorded.

Joint report of the Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills (Staffordshire County Council) and Director of Strategy and Resources (Stoke-on-Trent City Council)

Joint report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Families and Communities (Staffordshire County Council) and Director of Strategy and Resources (Stoke-on-Trent City Council)