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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED: (a)) to approve the opportunity for Gwent Archives to host a Torfaen County Borough Council apprentice for a two-year period while the successful candidate undertook a recognised qualification; (b)) to approve up to £20,000 from reserves to fund the post in 2026/27; and (c)) to include the cost of the post within the core Gwent Archives budget for subsequent years.
1.1 The CA confirmed the meeting was quorate.
2.1 Apologies were received from Co-opted Members Jeff Phillips, Karen Mackenzie and Jack Hanbury-Tennison.
3.1 There were no declarations of interest.
Decision as recorded
AGREED: (a)) to approve the opportunity for Gwent Archives to host a Torfaen County Borough Council apprentice for a two-year period while the successful candidate undertook a recognised qualification; (b)) to approve up to £20,000 from reserves to fund the post in 2026/27; and (c)) to include the cost of the post within the core Gwent Archives budget for subsequent years.
4.1 The CA presented a proposal for Gwent Archives to host a Torfaen County Borough Council apprentice for two years while the successful candidate undertook a recognised qualification. Members were asked to approve up to £20,000 from reserves to fund the post in 2026/27 and to include the cost within the core Gwent Archives budget for subsequent years. 4.2 Members expressed broad support for the proposal. They welcomed the opportunity to strengthen succession planning, create a route into public service and archives work, and provide an opportunity open to applicants across Gwent. 4.3 In response to a question regarding the financial arrangements, the CA explained that the post was not included in the current staffing budget and therefore required initial funding from reserves. The precise cost would depend on the age of the successful candidate, ranging from approximately £11,000 for a person aged under 18 to just under £20,000 for a person aged 21 or over. As the two-year apprenticeship would span three financial years, including the cost within the core budget would avoid the need for further requests for reserve funding. It was noted that the impact on the contributions of the partner authorities would not be material when shared between them. 4.4 In response to questions about training and support, the CA advised that the apprentice would be supported through Torfaen County Borough Council’s apprenticeship programme and would form part of a wider apprentice cohort. Pastoral support would be available, together with an appropriate weekly training day linked to the role. The postholder would undertake a range of duties across the Gwent Archives team and would be supported by relevant staff. 4.5 The CA advised that applicants would be assessed against requirements broadly comparable to those for the existing Archive Assistant role. A specific qualification in archives would not be required, although an interest in heritage would be welcomed. The recruitment process would include group-based assessment exercises. 4.6 Members requested that the benefits of the apprenticeship for both the service and the individual be monitored. The CA confirmed that progress would be included within the quarterly activity reports. The apprentice would receive regular line-management support from an appropriate senior member of the Gwent Archives team, alongside support from Torfaen County Borough Council’s apprenticeship programme. 4.7 The Joint Committee unanimously AGREED: (a)) to approve the opportunity for Gwent Archives to host a Torfaen County Borough Council apprentice for a two-year period while the successful candidate undertook a recognised qualification; (b)) to approve up to £20,000 from reserves to fund the post in 2026/27; and (c)) to include the cost of the post within the core Gwent Archives budget for subsequent years.
5.1 The next meeting was noted as taking place in September 2026.
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