The Glamorgan Archives Joint Committee meeting on 14 June 2024 focused on reviewing the activities and financial status of the Glamorgan Archives. Key topics included updates on recent projects, events, and financial monitoring for the 2023/24 period.

Report of the Glamorgan Archivist for the Period 1 December 2023 to 29 February 2024

Members received an update on the work, visits, and achievements of the Glamorgan Archives from 1 December 2023 to 29 February 2024. The period was busy despite the Christmas season, with several ongoing and new projects. Staffing shortages posed challenges, particularly in managing digitisation projects. Planning was underway for building improvements and future project developments.

Questions were raised about activities for events such as Black History Month and International Women’s Day. Members were informed that significant events would be promoted on social media, partner media, and through blog posts. The Archives collaborated with the Heritage Exchange in Bute Town, recruiting volunteers to work in situ. The new catalogue would allow the Archives to curate materials for community events, and a new history guide for Black History Week would be promoted.

The Committee was informed that the Glamorgan Archives did not pay for advertisements due to a lack of funding, relying instead on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The report was noted.

2023/24 Month 10 Monitoring Report

An update on actual expenditure and income as of 31 January 2024 (Month 10) against the approved 2023/24 Budget was provided. The projected gross expenditure for the year was £1,216,140, which was £164,010 more than budgeted but offset by higher than anticipated income. The overall position would be balanced with a drawdown of £53,504 from reserves, less than the originally budgeted £65,000.

Members noted the amount withdrawn from reserves and questioned its usuality. Officers explained that in previous years, money was paid into reserves, and a discussion in December 2023 led to the decision to withdraw a small amount to balance the budget.

The projected full outturn position for 2023/24 was noted.