IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DEVON RECORD OFFICE AND NORTH DEVON RECORD OFFICE
Financial cuts to the record office service in Devon are currently being debated within Devon County Council. It has been proposed to cut 30 per
cent of the budget with the loss of seven full time posts (which will equate to probably 9 people losing their jobs out of the staff of 21). We are
uncertain what effect this will have on the North Devon Record Office at Barnstaple. The Council internally discussed closing the office last summer
but have announced that the office will now remain `open'. We do not know what is meant by this as it is certain to involve the loss of at least one
member of staff. We are waiting to see how they propose to cut the staff of 3 without seriously undermining that service.
The Exeter office will have to reduce its opening hours - possibly to 3 or 2 days a week. It is also likely that a booking system will have to be imposed and that there will be long waits to have a place.
Dr Todd Gray was informed on 27th January 2011 by the councillor in charge:
"Until we get into the consultation period it is difficult to forecast what the result might be and I hope that we will not have to change our view that
the records office should stay in Barnstaple if other issues such as the status of previous grants has to be considered."
Contrary to expectations, there will be no public consultation, so it is important to let Devon County Council members know that these cuts are considered excessive. Provisional information indicates that this is the highest level of cuts in the region.
The timetable is:
7 February morning The DRO and NDRO staff will be informed of the job cut details
7 February afternoon Dr Todd Gray will be given the same information
9 February The councillors will vote on the cuts
9 February `Public consultation’, i.e. the public will be told of the final decision
It is imperative that councillors and employees are informed of the public’s concerns as soon as possible.
An open letter signed by over 100 academics, chairpersons, group leaders and historians has been sent to Jennie Stephens, interim director of Adult and Children Services.
Dr Todd Gray - Chairman, Friends of Devon's Archives
Maureen Selley - Chairman, Devon Family History Society
Please email, write or telephone the individuals listed below, who are involved with the decision making process.
Ask for a reply and to be kept informed of any changes to the proposal as well as of the final decision.
Your local county councillor
Margaret Davidson, Principal Adult and Community Learning Officer:
Margaret.Davidsonatdevon.gov.uk
Jennie Stephens, Interim Director Adult and Community Services:
jennie.stephensatdevon.gov.uk
Phil Norrey, Chief Executive: phil.norreyatdevon.gov.uk
Councillor Stuart Barker, responsible for Adult and Community Services:
stuart.barkeratdevon.gov.uk
Councillor John Hart, Leader of the County Council: john.hartatdevon.gov.uk
Postal address for all these is: Devon County Council, County Hall, Topsham
Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 4QD
