Issue details

An Options Appraisal has recently been commissioned for the Lambeth Archives Service as part of the Culture 2020 delivery programme approved by Cabinet in October 2015. This decision report will present the findings of this appraisal, review the options identified and make recommendations for the future long-term home for the Archives Service.

It is generally recognised that the present location for the borough archives are not fit for purpose and the storage conditions do not meet the necessary standards.

Taking into account the Council’s overall requirements in delivering an effective Archives Service, this report will make recommendations for the preferred option for the future location of the service, based on the capacity to fulfil the following criteria:

• Affordability both in terms of the capital and revenue required of the council to maintain both the service and facilities.
• Improved accessibility
• Utilising new technologies and address preservation and storage of current digital and born-digital records
• Maximising income generation
• Providing a destination where people can access the service, discover and learn about local identity and heritage
• Meeting the necessary standards for archive storage
• Be of sufficient capacity to house the existing collection and its projected expansion