To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.
Minutes:
The Chairman introduced his announcements by highlighting the recent Jubilee celebrations, which included:
· A special British Citizenship ceremony held in the Great Hall, welcoming 30 new citizens to Hampshire.
· All new babies born and registered in Hampshire during June received a commemorative Queens Platinum Jubilee certificate to go alongside their official birth certificate.
· All couples who had a marriage or civil partnership ceremony during June received a commemorative certificate.
The Chairman informed the Committee on other registration highlights, which included:
· This Summer continued to break records for the highest number of ceremonies taking place in Hampshire compared with any other time.
· 1st July marked National Registrar Day and was also the 185th anniversary since civil registration began.
· The first ‘Death Positive’ fayres have taken place in Libraries, with Registration Officers providing insight into what happens when a death is registered and de-mystifying the process.
· Hampshire is leading on the introduction of new National training kit designed for the prevention of fraudulent, forced, and predatory marriage, to be used by all local authorities in England & Wales.
The Chairman also announced that in relation to records management, a contract had been awarded to secure third-party high-quality storage space for County Council paper records for the next eight years. It was heard that many social care records have to be retained for a 100-year period, and there wasn’t space in County Council buildings to hold all papers records and to manage retrievals or destruction at the end of retention.
The Chairman informed the Committee that Wessex Film & Sound Archive (WFSA) were pleased to announce that a film that they collaborated on - ‘Lost Connections’ - had won the Focal International 2022 award for ‘Best use of footage in short film production’. It was heard that the film featured archive footage from WFSA’s extensive collection for inclusion that reflects on pandemic experiences through archive film.
The Chairman also announced that the Ancestry Team working at Hampshire Record Office had completed the digitisation of probate records from Winchester Diocese. These included wills, inventories and other papers relating to the disposal of a deceased person’s estate dating from 1500 to 1858. Members heard that the images will now be indexed and uploaded to ancestry’s online system and should be available for public access around the end of 2022. The Committee noted that Hampshire Record Office is one of six landmark sites across the UK that have been awarded listed status to commemorate the Queen’s historic 70-year reign. The award-winning building, designed by HCC, was opened by the Queen in 1993 and included pioneering techniques for the preservation of fragile archive document while offering a welcoming and practical space for visitors.
The Committee were informed that the Whitehill & Bordon Green Loop and Wayfinding project won both the Best Project and Best in Region award in the Southeast Region RTPI Planning Excellence Awards. Members heard that these awards highlighted the best examples of how planning and planners have a positive impact on quality of life in creating exceptional places and protecting the environment. It was noted that this project was applauded for its successful partnership approach as it was designed and delivered by Hampshire County Council, East Hampshire District Council, Whitehill & Bordon Regeneration Company, Urban Place Lab, Whitehill Town Council and Deadwater Valley Trust.
Members heard that the Green Loop and Wayfinding Project is a 7km loop of paths that encircles Whitehill & Bordon and is used by walkers, runners, and cyclists. The Chairman highlighted that waymarkers, the totems, benches and blocks provide vital information, places of mindfulness and rest. Together, they are a key to encouraging residents and visitors to choose active travel in and around the town. More information could be found at the following weblink:https://www.rtpi.org.uk/find-your-rtpi/rtpi-english-regions/rtpi-south-east/southeastawards/