FODA, along with the Devon Family History Society, is leading efforts to help ensure that Plymouth City Council has plans in place to re-house the Plymouth & West Devon Record Office by August 2012. That is the deadline imposed by the National Archives: the council must upgrade the archival facilities in Plymouth or face having the ancient records taken into national care. The current building was opened as a temporary measure 27 years ago and has been deemed 'fundamentally unsuitable'. We have coordinated efforts to bring this to the attention of history groups and researchers and in January held a second public meeting in Plymouth at which Councillor Vivian Pengelly, the leader of the council, stated that a new building was now the second priority of the local authority and gave us her personal word that the council would meet the three-year deadline. While we are much encouraged by this promise we feel FODA must remain vigilant and urgently needs the continued support of interested researchers until the council comes up with a site and, most importantly, allocates funds. [Added: 16 August 2009]
A dialogue has been struck between Plymouth City Council and the key stakeholders of the office through FODA and the Devon Family History Society. Frank discussions have taken place in light of last year's lack of progress in avoiding the 2013 deadline from the National Archives to withdraw a significant portion of the records. We hope to have a statement from the council for the AGM on 16 October and in the meanwhile members may want to consult www.saveplymouthshistory.org.uk which has been set up by FODA and DFHS to keep all interested parties informed of developments. [Added: 4 September 2010]