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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, SPORT AND CULTURE BY SENATOR B.E. SHENTON
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 12th OCTOBER 2010
Question
Given that R.111/2010 (Public Records (Jersey) Law 2002: Report On The Work Of The Jersey Heritage Trust And The States Archivist During 2009) stated that Dr. James' key recommendations, made in September 2008, are still applicable, namely that the proper implementation of the Public Records (Jersey) Law 2002 is impossible with current staffing levels; that public access should be improved and the cataloguing backlog stabilised through a package of measures, ideally moving back to the previous staff establishment of 11 and that an infrastructure of departmental information managers within each States administration and the appointment of a permanent records manager on the staff of the Jersey Archive is imperative if the Archive is to carry out its duties under the Law, can the Minister advise what action, if any, has been taken to address these long-standing issues and confirm that the Archive is optimally staffed and funded to cope with the ramifications of the proposed Freedom of Information legislation?
Answer
The report accompanying the proposition approved by the States in July (P.75/2010) relating to the Jersey Heritage Trust, made it clear that the important issues identified in the question relating to the Jersey Archive together with the additional resources required would be dealt with separately.
To that end, my Department has already sought the views of the Jersey Heritage Trust and the Records Advisory Panel, appointed under the Public Records (Jersey) Law 2002, and discussions are taking place with the Chief Minister's Department to determine the best way forward. Once this consultation is complete, the results will be made known and a plan produced outlining the actions necessary to ensure that the Archive is properly resourced. Work is being undertaken to identify the financial and manpower implications necessary for the Archive to carry out its duties under the Public Records (Jersey) Law 2002 and in addition, consideration is being given to the resources required to cope with any ramifications of the proposed Freedom of Information Law.
Effective compliance with both the Public Records Law 2002 and the proposed Freedom of Information Law is dependent on adequate resources being secured to ensure all departments are able to provide for the implementation and ongoing management. This matter must be resolved before any new Law is brought into force.