Present: K Matthias (Denbigh, Chairman); A D Carr (UWBangor); A Lloyd Hughes (MWL); G Jenkins (NLW); Rosemary Jones (NMRW); David Leitch (PRO); Linda Tomos (DILS); Rowland Williams (SocArch); J Watts-Williams (NLW); and, for the afternoon session, Cathrin Cassarchis (Lottery Case Officer).

Apologies: S Edwards (Glam); C Kitching (HMC); H Malaws (NMRW); David Rimmer (Gwent).

1	Minutes of the last meeting
	The minutes of the last meeting held on 19 November 1997 were confirmed.

2	Matters arising from the minutes
2.1	Local Government Reorganisation
	As a few problems had arisen with new Section 60 schemes in more than one service, it was decided that ACW should write to the Welsh Office suggesting the reconvening of the Advisory Panel.

2.2	Mapping Project
	It was agreed that a mapping exercise was desirable and it was decided to ask HMC/PRO to consider following the Scottish example and extend the survey to all archive services in Wales.

2.3	Robert Chell's Survey
	No further news of this survey.

2.4

Interdepartmental Archives Committee

The response to the National Archive Policy was taking longer than anticipated to put together; and the Local Government Act 1972 was being reviewed in order to define exactly what was meant by the term `proper arrangements'. RW asked whether it was significant that the Welsh Office refers to the 1962 Act rather than the 1972 Act. It was decided that ACW should write to express concern at the limited number of bursaries for archives students and its long-term effect on recruitment to the profession. ADC agreed to draft the letter.

2.5	Annual Conference of the Society of Archivists 2001
	Even though GJ was still awaiting written confirmation, it was noted that the conference would be held in Aberystwyth.

3	Record Office for Wales
3.1	GJ reported on developments resulting from ACW's letter to the Secretary of State: moves to define `Welsh Public Records' and to provide for the future transfer of such records from PRO to a repository in Wales. It was decided that ACW should write to the Welsh Office pointing out the Assembly's need for a record office from day one.
3.2	GJ emphasised that NLW's proposals to supply an information service to Assembly members should not be confused with the provision of an archive service to the Assembly itself.

4

Consortium of Welsh Library and Information Services (CWLIS)

KM reported that CWLIS was developing into an influential body and outlined the wide range of activities in which it was becoming involved. Some concern was expressed about archive services being overshadowed by library services in such initiatives as the New Library Network. LT drew attention to the Wales Information Society Action Plan Options paper which was on the point of appearing and urged archive services to respond positively to its proposals.

5	Gregynog Meeting 1998
5.1	GJ proposed a joint meeting with the Society of Archivists to be held at NLW to view and discuss ISAD(G) cataloguing by computer including compliance with NCA Rules etc. RW agreed to put the proposal to the Society's meeting the following day.
5.2	It was noted that PRO would host a one-day school at Kew on 29 September on EAD and the work of the NCA Networking Policy Committee.

6	Follett Posts (Universities)
	Concern had been expressed by the University sector that Wales was not getting the funding support for archive work which English and Scottish university services were. It was decided that ACW should approach HEFCW to enquire whether it has any plans to improve this situation and ADC agreed to draft the letter.

7	HMC
7.1	`Standard for Record Repositories' now available in Welsh. Other HMC leaflets have been translated into Welsh.
7.2	Archives and the Millennium: HMC wishes to attempt a pen-picture of the state of archival health in the UK by the end of October 1998. It was agreed that ACW should submit a response to this and further discussion was deferred until the next meeting.

8	Survey of Visitors to UK Archives in June 1998
	PRO would be supplying all the copies and backup for this initiative which had arisen from a Quality Forum for Archives and Local Studies held by the Public Services Quality Group in November 1997. ADC agreed to ask the translation service at Bangor to prepare a Welsh version of the questionnaire.

9

Welsh Archives Network

Cathrin Cassarchis explained her role in supporting members of the archive community in applying to the Heritage Lottery Fund. GJ reported on the reaction of the HLF and Wales Information Society to ACW's Scoping Study report. During the ensuing discussion it emerged that a mapping exercise could be very important in identifying the greatest needs and in providing a sound basis for the creation of a viable development strategy with a realistic timetable. In the event it was decided to invite Stephen Green (HLF Policy Advisor on Archives and Libraries) to meet ACW; and to press ahead with the aim of making WAN part of the WIS Action Plan by November irrespective of the timetable for the proposed mapping exercise for Welsh archive services.

10	Next meeting
	Date to be arranged.

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