THE public should have more access to Jersey Archive, according to a review of its services.

The review has also found that the ‘flagship archival service’ faces an uncertain future unless more funding can be found. Dr Norman James, of the National Archive, was asked to measure how well Jersey Archive performs against national standards, to make recommendations concerning improvements and development of the service, as well as comment on the operation of its functions under the Public Records Law.

While his report was generally positive, he did have areas of concern, particularly staffing. In the report Dr James said: ‘Cuts in staffing levels and lack of resources are undermining the purpose and preventing the proper implementation of records management within government administrations as envisaged in the Public Records (Jersey) Law 2002.’

As part of his report, he compared the Jersey Archive to similar operations in the Isle of Man. ‘The combined staff of the Manx institutions is 11, but that of the Jersey Archive is currently only 7.5,’ he said. ‘The trust is conducting archival operations efficiently, but there is a growing gap between the responsibilities imposed on the service and its ability to meet them.’

• Dr Norman James says that the ‘flagship’ archive service faces an uncertain future