Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1962-1995 (accumulated 1977-1995) (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
6.687 cubic metres (251 boxes, 2 bundles); 3 files (December 2006)
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
The Development Board for Rural Wales (Bwrdd Datblygu Cymru Wledig) was a Non-Departmental Public Body whose sponsor department was the Welsh Office. It was established by the Development of Rural Wales Act 1976 and came into operation on 1 April 1977. The Board was responsible for an area comprising the counties of Powys and Ceredigion and the pre-1996 district of Meironnydd in Gwynedd. The general function of the Board was to undertake measures for the economic and social development of the area through a policy of job creation, land development, house building and sponsoring economic and industrial development. It also actively marketed the region. It was also responsible for the continuing development of Newtown, Powys, formerly administered by the Mid-Wales Development Corporation. The Board comprised a Chairman and twelve members. It met on a monthly basis to determine policy, which was executed through a number of Member Committees. Historically the budget was derived from two sources: the National Loans Fund, which formerly funded the development of Newtown, including housing activities, and the Grant-in-aid, which prior to 1996 funded the activities outside Newtown and since 1996 funded everything except housing activities. These activities included the development of industrial sites and factory construction, business development, research, promotion, grants to public bodies, and private, community and voluntary organisations for economic and social development. In October 1998 the DBRW and the Land Authority for Wales were merged with the Welsh Development Agency
Name of creator
Administrative history
The Mid-Wales Development Corporation was established under the terms of the New Towns Act 1965 to reverse the trend of depopulation in rural Wales by doubling the population of Newtown. This was to be achieved by attracting people to the area through a programme of domestic and commercial construction. It worked initially in conjunction with the Mid-Wales Industrial Association which had been established in 1957 to attract industry to the region. The Association was dissolved in 1973 as a consequence of local government re-organisation. The MWDC was itself dissolved in 1977 and its responsibilities assumed by the Development Board for Rural Wales.
Archival history
The records of the MWDC passed into the custody of the DBRW following its dissolution in 1977.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Deposited by the Board, per Mrs J. D. Green, Central Services Manager, 1996 and 1997. An additional three files were received in December 2006.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Development Board for Rural Wales records, containing minutes and other papers of the Board and various committees, 1977-1994; general administrative files concerning the establishment of the Board, its functions and responsibilities, and correspondence with other organizations, 1966-1990; construction files containing correspondence, contracts and estate plans relating to housing and industrial developments executed by the Board, particularly in Newtown, 1968-1993; records such as correspondence, minutes, notes and other papers relating to research studies on economic and social life in Mid-Wales carried out by the Board, 1968-1995; files relating to the Board's marketing and promotional strategy, 1978-1991; and press releases, 1977-1990; Mid-Wales Development Corporation records, 1962-1979, including annual reports, 1969-1977, minutes and papers of the Board and various committees, 1968-1979, and seal registers relating to MWDC projects, 1968-1976, containing compulsory purchase orders, contracts, leases and other documents.
An additional three files relating to the Development Board for Rural Wales, being DB/CF/101/1; DB/CF/101/2; DB/CF/101/3 – (Extension to Goodall & Swanwick factories at Dolgellau; factories at Dolgellau; and extension to Marian Park Industrial Estate, Dolgellau). These remain uncatalogued, and are closed for ten years from the date of the latest document in each file.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
All records deposited at the National Library of Wales have been retained.
Accruals
Accruals are possible.
System of arrangement
The original file order used by the creator has been maintained. Arranged into the following: board and committees; seal registers (Mid-Wales Development Corporation); board and committees; construction files; economic development files; general administration files; marketing files; press releases (Development Board for Rural Wales).
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Files containing material less than ten years old are closed until the dates specified in the list. Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to sign the 'Modern papers - data protection' form.
Conditions governing reproduction
Usual copyright laws apply.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
English.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
A hard copy of the catalogue is available at the National Library of Wales.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Title based on contents of fonds.
Alternative identifier(s)
Virtua system control number
Project identifier
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Description follows ANW guidelines based on ISAD(G) 2nd ed.; AACR2; and LCSH
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
February 2004.
Language(s)
- English
Script(s)
Sources
The following sources were used to compile this description: NLW, Schedule of Development Board For Rural Wales Records; Auditor General for Wales website (www.agw.wales.gov.uk), viewed 25 February 2004.
Archivist's note
Compiled by Rhys Jones for the ANW project.