Annual Report 2003-2004 - National Archives of Scotland
Annual Report 2003-2004 - National Archives of Scotland
Annual Report 2003-2004 - National Archives of Scotland
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SERVICES TO RECORD CREATORS,OWNERS AND CUSTODIANS<br />
Work is also well underway to plan and develop the infrastructure necessary to support the<br />
Scottish Family History Service (SFHS), a joint project between the <strong>National</strong> <strong>Archives</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>,<br />
the General Register Office for <strong>Scotland</strong> and the Court <strong>of</strong> the Lord Lyon. The SFHS project aims to<br />
establish by 2006 an enhanced and seamless service for all who are interested in their Scottish<br />
family history. The NAS is playing a leading role in the development and implementation <strong>of</strong> this<br />
exciting new service.<br />
NAS has continued its close involvement with the records management implications <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Freedom <strong>of</strong> Information (<strong>Scotland</strong>) Act 2002. The Code <strong>of</strong> Practice on Records Management<br />
under Section 61 <strong>of</strong> the Act was finalised and issued by Scottish Ministers in November <strong>2003</strong>. In<br />
the same month, the Keeper issued a generic Model Action Plan to assist public authorities to<br />
modify their records management practices in line with the Code. Both documents were produced<br />
by the Freedom <strong>of</strong> Information (FOI) Implementation Group sub-group on Records Management,<br />
which NAS chaired. NAS also commented on an early draft <strong>of</strong> FOI training material being<br />
developed by the Scottish Executive. The Keeper and staff from Government Records Branch<br />
have spoken at various FOI events throughout the year, ranging from a 400-strong gathering at<br />
Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh to a group <strong>of</strong> about 20 at a Grampian Information event in<br />
Aberdeen. We have built up a good working relationship with the Office <strong>of</strong> the Scottish Information<br />
Commissioner, providing them with some advice on public record issues and discussing various<br />
archive-related issues stemming from FOI, including how records closed under the existing ‘30<br />
year rule’ should be dealt with. NAS also continued its representation on the BSI publication board<br />
responsible for producing handbooks on UK and Scottish Freedom <strong>of</strong> Information.<br />
As the implementation date for the Freedom <strong>of</strong> Information (<strong>Scotland</strong>) Act gets ever closer, NAS<br />
has experienced a sharp increase in the number <strong>of</strong> organisations seeking help and advice about<br />
records management. NAS has provided assistance to at least 31 distinct organisations or parts<br />
<strong>of</strong> organisations. This assistance has ranged from information provided by telephone or email to<br />
visits representing several hours’ or days’ work. The bodies assisted this year include:<br />
Readers in the Historical Search Room.<br />
Audit <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
Charity Commission<br />
Crown Estates<br />
Crown Office<br />
East Lothian Council<br />
General Register Office for <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
HM Inspectorate <strong>of</strong> Education<br />
Historic <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
Holyrood Inquiry administration<br />
<strong>National</strong> Museums <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
<strong>National</strong> Parks Authority<br />
NHS Common Services Agency<br />
NHS Education for <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
Office <strong>of</strong> the Commissioner for Social Security<br />
(Scottish HQ)<br />
Queen’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer<br />
Scottish Children’s <strong>Report</strong>er Administration<br />
Scottish Courts Administration<br />
Scottish Dental Practice Board<br />
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency<br />
SE Building Standards Division<br />
SE Cabinet Secretariat<br />
SE Education and Lifelong Learning Dept<br />
SE Home and Health Dept<br />
SE Records Management Branch<br />
Scottish Hospitals Trust<br />
Scottish Law Commission<br />
Scottish Natural Heritage<br />
Scottish Water<br />
Sport <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
Scottish Funding Councils for Further and<br />
Higher Education<br />
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