The National Archives’ Board summary
22 February 2016
Board work plan 2016
The Board was asked to note the proposed items on the Board work plan for 2016 and to suggest
any other items that could be added.
The Lead Non-executive Board member advised that quarterly reviews of the Board work plan would
be sufficient.
The Board noted the proposed items.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)
The Board was asked to note the completed project, and to support this approach to revenue
provision / dissemination of knowledge across other areas in the organisation.
The Board was given a presentation on the scheme and the KTP project. This is the first time The
National Archives has entered into a KTP since being granted the status of a Knowledge Base in
2012. The KTP scheme is run and funded by Innovate UK (an executive non-departmental public
body, sponsored by BIS). The project was collaboration with the The IMC Group, and relating to
products that monitor and record environmental conditions within museums, galleries, historic
buildings, libraries and archives.
The Board discussed.
The Board noted the completed project and supported the approach.
Business Reporting
The National Archives’ Board was asked to note a number of reports.
January Financials and 9+3 Forecast
The Head of Finance presented the January Financials and 9+3 Forecast to the Board.
The Head of Finance advised that there had been firm corporate management of vacancies by the
Executive Team and this had proved useful in ensuring the budget for 2015/16 was achieved.
A Non-executive Board Member commented on the reporting stating that there was a good balance
between the written papers and the verbal explanation in the meeting.
The Board noted the January Financials and 9+3 Forecast.
Quarter 3 Dashboard
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The corporate dashboard is presented to and reviewed by the Executive Team each month.
Variances are scrutinised with particular emphasis on trend analysis and early warning. The
dashboard has been aligned with the strategic priorities and their audiences.
The Deputy to the Chief Operating Officer advised that work was ongoing on providing refereshed
metrics for use in 2016/17.
The Board noted the Quarter 3 Dashboard.
Quarter 3 Business Priorities progress report
The Deputy to the Chief Operating Officer advised that this report provides details of progress in
Quarter 3 against our published business priorities for 2015-16.
The Board were taken through the report by exception.
The Board noted the report.
Meeting users needs – improving satisfaction with our online services
The National Archives’ Board was asked to discuss issues around this topic in the context of a
decline in customer satisfaction over the last two years.
The Digital Director outlined our users and their needs looking at a number of ways improvements
could be made.
The Lead Non-executive Board Member highlighted the importance of starting a discussion with
users around what our digital offer should be.
A Non-executive Board Member stated that thought needed to be given to the question around the
separation of the archival offer on our website from the corporate elements.
The Chief Executive and Keeper thanked the Board for their comments and suggestions and stated
we were now in a position to meet the challenges head on.
Audience update: Wider Archive Sector
The Chief Executive and Keeper advised that the plan was to update the Board biannually on how we
are progressing with meeting the needs of each of our audiences.
The Board noted The National Archives’ activity to support change across the archives sector.
A brief update was given on the Archives Sector and how The National Archives is responding with
its development programme.
The Board noted the update.
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Any Other Business
The Chief Executive and Keeper noted that this would have been the Chief Operating Officers’s final
Board meeting at The National Archives ahead of leaving for a new challenge. The Chief Executive
and Keeper thanked, on behalf of the Board, the Chief Operating Officer for all his hard work over
the last six years and wished him success in the future.
There being no further business, the meeting was closed.
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